MARCH 8, 2014 MirTHErARoMENr IAN -Spe ctator Volume LXXXIV, NO. 33, Issue 4327 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 Schiff Hosts Event Post-Election Protests’ Honoring Relief Efforts Anniversary Marked For Genocide Victims By Opposition Rally WASHINGTON — On Monday, March 3, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), a lead sponsor of the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution (H.Res.227), hosted a Capitol Hill event By Gohar Abrahamyan honoring America’s relief efforts to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — The appeal The spirit of American care and compassion for by opposition Armenian National Congress the victims of the Armenian Genocide is perhaps (ANC) leader Levon Ter-Petrosian to best symbolized by the Armenian Orphan Rug, a Armenia’s non-governing political forces for work of art crafted by young survivors and gifted the formation of a common format has not to the White House by the Near East Relief. yet elicited official responses, but members Regrettably, this symbol of American generosity of the parties in question have expressed a has yet to be released for display by the White mostly positive attitude towards such a pos - House. sibility Attending were Armenian American community On March 1, the day marking the sixth leaders and Members of Congress including anniversary of the 2008 post-election vio - Representatives Schiff, Anna Eshoo, Jackie Speier, lence in which 10 people were killed, the Edgar Martirosyan, left, with Academy Awards host Ellen DeGeneres on Sunday Judy Chu, David Valadao, Frank Pallone, Brad ANC and its ally, People’s Party of Armenia, Sherman, Dina Titus, Tony Cardenas, David Ciclline held a rally. In his speech at the rally Ter- and Jim Costa. Dr. Hagop Martin Deranian deliv - Petrosian praised the current parliamen - ered the keynote address. tary cooperation among the minority And the Oscar Goes to…. Armenian- forces, including the ANC, the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP), the Armenian Owned Los Angeles Pizza Chain South Dakota Rejects Revolutionary Federation Anti-Armenian Measure (Dashnaktsutyun) and Heritage. He said LOS ANGELES (LA Times) — Burbank-based that their future joint initiatives and actions By Tiffany Hsu pizza chain Big Mama’s & Papa’s already held a SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The South Dakota House of could “dramatically change the balance of modicum of fame before Sunday night’s Oscar Representatives tabled action on an anti-Armenian forces within the country, creating the telecast as the home of the largest pizza com - resolution initiated by Azerbaijan, reported basis for a radical transformation of the mercially available worldwide. Armenian National Committee of America – political system in Armenia.” But even a $200, Guinness World Record-holding, 54-inch-squared pie couldn’t Western Region (ANCA-WR). Speaking to reporters on Monday, ANC hope to provide the surge of fame bestowed rather suddenly on the company mid- Sources from the State Capitol said that follow - parliamentary faction secretary Aram telecast by Academy Awards host Ellen DeGeneres. ing a discussion in the House Republican Caucus Manukyan said that Ter-Petrosian’s speech Big Mama’s & Papa’s Oscar debut is by now well recounted: DeGeneres offered on Monday, February 24, the sponsor of the reso - clearly indicates that “we want to form a to buy pizzas for the assembled A-listers and then pulled a grinning deliveryman lution, state Rep. Lance Russell, agreed to defer unified format, will wait for the reaction of with a stack of three boxes onto the Dolby Theatre stage. and ultimately officially withdrew the measure. political and civil forces and if there is a pos - And grease stains on couture gowns and bespoke tuxes be darned. Bold-faced “It’s unfortunate this resolution made it this far itive response we will continue that for - names such as Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lawrence chowed down in our process but the positive side of that is there mat.” at their seats. are now 105 legislators in South Dakota who got a During last month’s convention of the see PIZZA, page 16 real earful on the plight of persecuted Armenian PAP, a party that has declared itself to be Christians,” explained Rep. Steve Hickey (R-09). see RALLY, page 2 “We are deeply gratified that the elected leaders of yet another US state have stood up to the oil-rich and corrupt President of Azerbaijan’s efforts to Azg Newspaper export his hateful anti-Armenian campaign to the Razmik Panossian Brings Vision to American heartland,” said Elen Asatryan, ANCA- WR executive director. Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Resumes In the days leading up to the vote, the ANCA-WR worked with local activists to alert state legislators BELMONT, Mass. — Late last year, Dr. Razmik Panossian, the new head of the Publication about Azerbaijan’s efforts to use the Khojalu issue Armenian Communities Department of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in to somehow enlist South Dakota in its increasingly Portugal, made waves by issuing a detailed five-year plan for the organization. The YEREVAN — Azg daily, the Armenian virulent campaign against Armenia. statement was noteworthy for many Mirror-Spectator ’s sister publication, which “Having found safety and the blessing of freedom reasons, including emphasis on aiding launched its first edition on February 16, here in South Dakota — after having been driven By Alin K. Gregorian the Armenian Diaspora in keeping from my home by the Azerbaijani government’s brutality — I am deeply thankful that my state leg - Mirror-Spectator Staff Western Armenian alive through very specific actions. islators, today, took a principled stand against intol - During an interview before his sched - erance, lies and hatred,” said Vazgen Mikhayelyan uled lecture at the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research of Sioux Falls, who was among those opposing the (NAASR) on February 13, he spoke about the inception of the plan a year ago, its measure, including Igor Avetisov and Bella evolution and the initial stages of its execution. Musayelyan. His plan is clearly striking a chord with the community, as NAASR was packed on a night with very inclement weather. The Armenian Communities divi - INSI DE sion of the foundation has a budget of $3.5 million annually. 1991, was in print regularly for 23 years. “When I stated this job, one of However, financial problems caused a tem - the first things was my boss said we porary interruption after the recent New Aroyan need a plan. He gave me some Year break. The paper owed taxes to the strategic guidelines but I said we government, and money to the printers and Honored need a real guideline here,” he said. employee, despite generous contributions The four main elements in his from Ara Abrahamian, its main benefactor. Page 4 plan are language and culture, sup - While the paper was published daily, it porting youth and civil society in existence was taken for granted, but its Armenia, Turkish-Armenian rela - absence was felt throughout the media and tions and preserving Armenian lit - many inquires were posted. Azg enjoys a erary heritage. global readership, thanks to its online edi - INDEX “Western Armenian is going to tion. Its reappearance was a welcome relief Arts and Living ...... 10 disappear unless this generation for the general readership, diplomats, Armenia ...... 2 does something about it,” he said at scholars and politicians, since the hallmark Community News...... 4 Editorial ...... 14 the NAASR talk. Dr. Razmik Panossian of the paper has been thoughtful, balanced International ...... 3 see PANOSSIAN, page 16 and unbiased journalism, with a broad worldview. see AZG, page 2 2 S ATURDAY , M ARCH 8, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Activists Protest Construction of Café Near only Pre-Christian-Era Temple Armenia Finance GARNI (ArmeniaNow) — Passions In response, representatives of the meanwhile, does not share this opinion. Ministry Hosts US are heating up around controversial Ministry of Culture announced that no “Even those who have superficial Ambassador construction of a café in the territory permanent construction was being knowledge of archeology realize that of the Historical and Cultural carried out in that territory, while the the location chosen for the cafe is just YEREVAN (News.am) — Finance Minister Davit Reserve-Museum in Garni, which is café would be of a seasonal and eight meters away from the bath built Sargisian and US Ambassador to Armenia John some 30 kilometers to the east of portable nature, meaning that it would in ancient times and will be built in an Heffern met on Tuesday and conferred on the Yerevan. operate only from May to October. It area that is four meters higher than results of the session of the Armenian-American On Sunday, a group of young people stressed that the cafe construction the bath,” Demoyan wrote on his Intergovernmental Commission on Economic removed the sand and road-metal from project was, therefore, not illegal. Facebook page. “It means that if the Issues, which was convened last year in what had been turned into a construc - Director of the Historical-Cultural café is built, it will endanger the cul - Washington, DC. tion site near the Royal Bath area at Reserve-Museum and Historical tural layer relating to a period from The upcoming plans for the new year include Garni, the only preserved pre-Christian Environment Conservation Service the late Middle Ages to the Neolithic cooperation on energy diversification and water temple in Armenia. They brought a state non-commercial organization Era. Explanations about attracting resource management, and activities toward few sandbags to Yerevan and put them Vladimir Poghosyan cited as more tourists to the ancient site and getting increasing bilateral trade and investment and in front of the Ministry of Culture proof the findings of archeologists: some money from it are beneath criti - improving the business climate, informs the building as a sign of protest directed “There are no remains of cultural lay - cism. Simple math calculations show Finance Ministry Information and Public Relations against Minister Hasmik Poghosyan, ers and buildings in the area in ques - that those who visit the Garni site dur - Department. whom activists hold responsible for tion.” ing the tourist season ensure a daily Armenia will continue its cooperation with the allowing the controversial construc - Member of the Public Council, revenue of $1,000 to $1,500, which is US government in the training and assistance pro- tion. Director of the Armenian Genocide not a small sum and is quite sufficient grams. The activists also warned that if the Museum-Institute Hayk Demoyan, for improving the area.” ministry fails to halt the construction in the territory of the unique monu - Azerbaijan Returns ment, they would take more serious Armenian Captive steps. They did not elaborate. The Garni castle dates back to the Azg Resumes Publication YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Mamikon Khojoyan, a 3rd-2nd centuries BC, and the Greek- citizen of Armenia who had been interned in Baku, Roman temple built in the first centu - AZG, from page 1 news and analysis to a professional Azerbaijan, returned to Armenia under the aus- ry BC, which is the compositional cen - After two months’ interruption and level. It also opened a window into pices of the International Committee of the Red ter of the castle constructions, is the more soul-searching, the paper’s admin - world affairs and Diasporan life, areas Cross (ICRC) on March 4. The ICRC said that only pagan temple to have been pre - istration decided to return to publish - that had been severely restricted during Khojoyan, 77, was placed in the care of Armenian served in Armenia after the country ing, but in a weekly format, with the the Soviet period. officials on the road between the Azerbaijani town adopted Christianity in 301 AD. It was first issue appearing on February 28. All these innovations skyrocketed its of Gazakh and the Armenian town of Ijevan, at the razed in a 17th-century earthquake, Azg daily introduced many innova - circulation to an unprecedented 40,000. international border. but was restored during 1969-1975. tions into Armenia’s news media, which The daily used to contain eight pages. ICRC delegates had visited the man prior to his The Ministry of Culture explains the remained entrenched in the backward - Today, the weekly will comprise 16 repatriation in order to assess the conditions in construction of a café near the monu - ness of the Soviet era. pages. which he was being held and the treatment he ment by the need to develop tourism, The ADL leadership in the US and The change is necessitated not only received. Representatives of the organization had at the same time giving assurances Canada secured the necessary funds to by the scarcity of funds but also by the also been in contact with his family in Armenia. that the revenues made by the café introduce a modern approach to pub - evolving technological changes in jour - Acting as a neutral intermediary and in accordance will be directed at the repairs of the lishing, such as new computers and soft - nalism. Media-savvy Armenian readers with its mandate, the ICRC facilitated this repatri- paved road leading to the ancient site. ware specific to newspapers. They now feed on a diet of instant news. ation in conjunction with the Azerbaijani and “Today our cultural-historical and approached the newspaper as a business, Fewer and fewer readers have the Armenian authorities. On the basis of its mandate natural heritage should work for the a novelty in the entire Caucasus region. patience to wait for the news for 24 under the Geneva Conventions, the ICRC has been benefit of tourism development, we Veteran journalist Hagop Avedikian, hours. No print media can claim a pro - working in the region since 1992 in connection have no other way,” said Poghosyan. the former editor of Beirut’s Zartonk prietary position in newsgathering and with the Nagorno Karabagh conflict.An alarm was It is not only environmentalists that daily, moved to Yerevan and there he dissemination. Therefore, the editorial received on the disappearance of Karmiraghbyur are opposing the project. Also against found a young and dynamic team of team has decided to render the publica - resident, Khojoyan. He was last seen at an event in it are many in the community, its journalists. While introducing innova - tion into an analytical weekly, featuring the village on January 28. He has three sons and mayor, as well as a small group of tions in modern journalism, Azg its flagship cultural supplement and three daughters but he lived alone despite health Armenian pagans, who hold their rites became a virtual school for future jour - bringing the world affairs and Diaspora problems. He was registered in the last 2-3 years and rituals inside this temple. These nalists and diplomats, who today repre - Armenian life into focus. and was under the control of physicians. people point out that in accordance sent Armenia in diplomatic missions Unfortunately, the majority of publi - Azerbaijani APA News Agency on January 28 with the Armenian legislation, con - around the world or have risen to cations in Armenia are restricted to a informed about the citizen who crossed the struction in the territories of histori - prominence in the news media in their myopic view of the Armenian world, Armenian-Azerbaijani contact line who by the char- cal-cultural monuments is prohibited. own rights. dedicated, most of the times to sensa - acterization of the press service of the Defense Besides the archaeological site has not Azg can pride itself in heralding tionalism and trivia. Ministry of Azerbaijan was “armed subversive.” been fully explored yet, and construc - Western-style journalism in Armenia, Azg weekly retains its team of promi - Secretary of the State Commission on Prisoners tion work could heavily damage the single-handedly. Not only did its design nent and professional contributors, of War, Hostages and Missing Persons Shahin different cultural layers that are pre - and format reflect freshness, but also its headed by the dean of Armenian jour - Sayilov noted that the residents of Ali Beil village, sent there, they argue. content elevated the presentation of nalists, Avedikian. Tovuz region, noticed the Armenian citizen cross- ing the river and handed him to Azerbaijani ser- vicemen. Post-Election Protests’ Anniversary Marked By Opposition Rally Georgia’s President RALLY, from page 1 society and political forces, and joint different ideologies and principles. Visits Echmiadzin and an alternative to the current govern - efforts.” Deputy speaker of parliament, RPA ment, its leader Gagik Tsarukyan also PAP faction secretary Naira spokesman Eduard Sharmazanov once Old Army Friend called for political consolidation. Zohrabyan told Zham.am that a signifi - again called Ter-Petrosian a “political Opposition Heritage Party leader Raffi cant part of the emphases made in pensioner”, a reference to the fact that ECHMIADZIN (Armenpress) — Georgian President Hovannisian also made a similar appeal speeches at the rally were “consonant the former president refused to partici - Giorgi Margvelashvili, who paid a two-day official recently. with the concerns voiced by PAP repre - pate in the 2013 presidential race citing visit to Armenia, visited Echmiadzin and met his PAP lawmaker, former foreign minis - sentatives, with problems raised and his age as the reason. friend from the army years, Robert Abrahamyan. ter Vartan Oskanian commented on the proposals made by them.” “And in this Armenian Center for National and Armenpress reports that the President inserted March 1 rally on his Facebook account, sense I see a wide field of cooperation International Studies expert Edgar photos of the meeting in his official facebook page writing that “the country is in a difficult at all levels,” she added. Vardanyan believes that there is a fair and wrote a note that he is very happy to meet his situation and there is only one way out Deputy head of the Heritage party chance of successful cooperation if the old and dear friend again. of this situation — it is the way of con - Armen Martirosyan also positively non-governing forces manage to find a Margvelashvili wrote that he got acquainted with solidation of the people, the active civil assessed the call for unity. format in which civil initiatives and Abrahamyan casually in the street at the course of “It is positive if we can develop a com - political parties will be able to cooper - serving in the military unit of Echmiadzin and they mon agenda and a roadmap together. ate with each other with equal rights. have been in friendly relations up till now. At this moment there are two important Similarly, he said, if any of the forces According to the President of Georgia he could not steps – one is a change of power and tries to dictate to the rest, this coopera - visit his old friend who took care of him in his own Correction the other is agreement around further tion will be in doubt. house for six months. He wrote on his page that the reforms,” Martirosyan said. “It is very important that the format Armenian-Georgian relations are historical and the An article about the Fund for Dashnaktsutyun representatives did is transparent, that it has accountabili - best reflection of those historical relations is their Armenian Relief (FAR) incorrect - not immediately comment on Ter- ty, that its decision-making process is friendship. ly identified Dr. Garry Zamanigian as living in Chicago. Petrosian’s proposals. presented to the public. If it is not like Indeed, he and his wife live in Meanwhile, members of the ruling this, this cooperation will be very vague Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) and will be limited only to interaction in believe that the non-governing forces parliament on one issue or another,” will never be able to unite as they have Vardanyan said. S ATURDAY , M ARCH 8, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL Turkey’s Armenians in Crisis over Patriarch International News

Turkey’s Armenian community exposes and the patriarchate’s financial By Orhan Kemal Cengiz the Turkish state’s political machina - accounts are the latest example of his Georgian Prime Minister tions in dealing with this minority. self-righteous attitude.” In one headline, for instance, Agos The newspaper Taraf has also report - Vows to Develop Javakhk ISTANBUL (Al monitor) — Turkey’s depicts Aram Atesyan as patronizing ed on the community’s objections to Armenian community is eagerly await - and calls him “archbishop” to make Atesyan. In a February 15 article, WASHINGTON — Georgian Prime Minister Irakli ing the outcome of a lawsuit at the clear it does not recognize him as acting “Crisis in Patriarch’s Election,” Sebu Garibashvili pledged to develop all the regions of Council of State, the country’s top patriarch. The article further under - Aslangil, one of the lawyers in charge of the republic equally, including the Armenian administrative court, that is likely to scores the paper’s rejectionist position: the lawsuit at the Council of State, is Javakhk (Samtskhe-Javakheti) region, during an have a major impact on how the “In an interview with the Jamanak quoted as saying, “The Interior Ministry address at the Atlantic Council held as part of his imposed on us a deputyship office and first official visit to the United States this week, the patriarchate went along. … Atesyan reported the Armenian National Committee of erred in not resisting the election of a America (ANCA). deputy, something nonexistent in our “We have a plan to develop all regions and with- traditions, and for having himself elect - out making any separations or any discrimination,” ed to the post.” Another community explained Garibashvili. “Please be sure that I treat member, Sahin Gezer, was reported as Samtskhe-Javakheti as any other region. Samtskhe- noting, “Aram Atesyan well could have Javakheti is my region. I mean all the country is rejected the post in the face of election mine. I don’t separate it from other regions.” demands.” The comment came in response to a question by So, the tragic illness of the elected ANCA’s Lilit Gasparyan, who noted the poor eco- patriarch, the ensuing failure of the nomic situation in the region, prompted by past dis- Armenian community to reach a com - criminatory practices. “To correct this, would you promise and their decision to seek the agree to have a portion of the international assis- state’s arbitration — in addition to the tance, in this case US aid, be earmarked clearly for government seeing the situation as a the socio-economic development of the Samtskhe- golden opportunity to control the patri - Javakheti region,” asked Gasparyan. Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s wife, Emine Erdogan (L), Recep archate — have together created an “We welcome Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s Tayyip Erdogan (2nd L), Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (C), Armenian public affirmation, here in Washington, of his gov- Archbishop Aram Atesyan (2nd R) and Chief Rabbi Ishak Haleva (R) take their acute crisis that may drag on for years. The crisis demonstrates not only the ernment’s prioritization of economic development places during a dinner at the Archaeology Museum Garden in Istanbul, August 28, in Javakhk and all the regions of Georgia, and hope 2011. (photo by AFP/Getty Images/Bulent Kilic) Armenian community’s problematic relationship with the state, but also the that this constructive commitment will translate Turkish state’s unchanging policy of into concrete action, including the acceptance of Armenian patriarchate of newspaper, Archbishop Aram Atesyan meddling and manipulation vis-à-vis its development assistance being offered by Armenian Constantinople’s functioning in the has yet again made very controversial minorities despite changing govern - communities around the world,” noted ANCA future. The legal battle concerns who remarks. His comments on various ments. It is a typical divide-and-rule tac - Executive Director Aram Hamparian. should elect the Armenian patriarch — a issues, such as his bid for central civilian tic, which constitutes a flagrant breach During his visit, Garibashvili met with President small group of clergy or the broader management, the irregularities in the of religious freedom and serves nei - Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, prior community. foundation elections, the home he pur - ther the Armenian community nor to offering remarks on February 25 at Atlantic A rift over the spiritual leadership of chased in the [resort town of] Bodrum, Turkish democracy. Council. Ambassador, Lebanese Crimea’s Armenian Community Bracing for Tough Days Ahead PM Discuss Cooperation SIMFEROPOL, Crimea ations, the Armenian Luys (Light) soci - The second largest Armenian popula - BEIRUT (Armenpress) — The Ambassador of (PanARMENIAN.Net) — In the eighth ety. Later, after re-registration in 1996, tion after Kaffa in the same period was Armenia to Lebanon Ashot Kocharian met with century, Crimea was a part of it was renamed the Crimean Armenian Surkhat. The name of Surkhat is proba - Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam on March Byzantium, with Armenians, as its sub - Society. At present, the Crimean bly a distorted form of the name of the 3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic jects, moving here from various cities of Armenian Society consists of 14 region - Armenian monastery Surb Khach (Holy of Armenia said Kocharian passed to Tammam the empire. The region’s stability al offices, coordinated by the National Cross). There were many Armenian Salam congratulations from Prime Minister Tigran allowed them to achieve economic pros - Council of Crimean Armenians. The churches, schools and neighborhoods Sargisian on the occasion of the formation of the perity even in the face of Mongolian highest governing body is the National here as well. Other major settlements new government. invasion. Congress, which convenes at least once included Sudak, where until the last During the meeting, the two discussed issues Hardships in Armenia drove increas - every four years. Operational manage - quarter of the 15th century and near the related to the Armenian-Lebanese bilateral rela- ing number of Armenians to Crimea, ment of the society is carried out by the monastery Surb Khach there was a small tions, the prospects of the cooperation expansion, with Armenians becoming the second executive committee, which functions in Armenian town called Kazarat. Armenian particularly in the commercial, economic and biggest ethnic group after Crimean the periods between meetings of the princes kept the troops there and on a tourism. Tatars. In 1475, Crimea became part of National Council. The society operates contractual basis to defend Kaffa. the Ottoman Empire, with Christian the Luys cultural and ethnographic cen - The social life of the Crimean persecutions starting. Despite the ter and publishes a monthly newspaper, Armenians surged in the late 19th and Paris Mayoral Candidate strengthening of Islam in the region, Dove Masis. The one-hour Armenian- 20th centuries. They organized them - Seeks Genocide Armenian communities still existed in language program Barev airs twice a selves into community organizations. Kaffa, Karasubazar, Balaklava, Gezlev, month on Crimean television, and radio Wealthy patrons and the church offered Recognition from Turkey Perekop and Surkhat. From 1778-1779, broadcasts are made five times a week. help to the rest of the community for more than 22,000 Armenians were There are Armenian churches in Yalta, their betterment. PARIS (PanARMENIAN.Net) — Anne Hidalgo, the resettled in the Azov province. Feodosiya and Evpatoria, while the first The church’s role in the colonies was Socialist candidate for mayor of Paris named In 1783, the Russian Empire con - Armenian secondary school opened in to some extent becoming secularized. In Turkey’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide as quered the Crimean khanate. Russian 1998 in Simferopol. 1842, the Catholicos in Crimea lost his a precondition for Ankara’s accession to the authorities encouraged the settlement Armenians living in the Crimea are position to the Chief Guardian of the European Union (EU). of foreign colonists, including currently concentrated in the cities of Crimean Armenian churches. “The recognition will make Turkey stronger,” Armenians, into Crimea. This led to a Armyansk, Simferopol, Evpatoria, Surb Khach Monastery is a medieval Cihan Haber quoted her as saying. fresh wave of Armenian immigrants, Feodosiya, Kerch, Yalta, Sevastopol, Armenian monastery located on the Hidalgo further expressed support for adoption reviving former colonies. In 1913, their Sudak. The Armenia Diaspora Crimean peninsula near Staryi Krym of the Genocide denial law, further referring to numbers totaled around 9,000 and Encyclopedia indicates that there were and founded in 1358. It has been an President Francois Hollande’s pledge to work out a 14,000-15,000 in 1914. The resettle - 20,000 Armenians living in the region Armenian spiritual center and a place of legal instrument that won’t meet the ban of the ment of Armenians to the peninsula in 2003. pilgrimage for centuries. Constitutional Court. lasted until World War I and the The Armenians were mostly adher - Crimea gave the world many out - “Denial of tragic pages of history is what pre- Armenian Genocide. The immigrants of ents of the Armenian Apostolic Church. standing Armenians, including world- vents building a new future,” she said. the 19th and 20th centuries were large - There were a number of churches built renowned painter Hovhannes Hidalgo vowed to perpetuate the April 24 com- ly from Western Armenia and the vari - in Yalta, Feodosiya and Yevpatoria. Ayvazovsky, composers Alexander memorative events if elected a mayor, with Paris ous regions of Ottoman Empire. Construction activity took place from Spendiarov and Christopher Kara- Mayor’s Office to extend financial support to the In 1944, the Commissar of Internal the 14th century and according to one Murza, artist Vardges Sureniants. Genocide centennial events in 2015. Affairs of the Soviet Union, Lavrentiy manuscript the monastery of Gamchak And it bears mention that Armenians On January 23, 2012, the French Senate passed Beria, signed Directorate 5984 to had been built by the 15th century in contributed the largest share of sacrifice a bill making it a crime to deny the Armenian deport 37,000 Bulgarians, Greeks and Kaffa. during World War II in stopping Hitler’s Genocide. However, the French Constitutional Armenians. The Armenians were deport - In Kaffa, there were a number of advance at the Battle of Kerch. Council ruled the bill as anti-constitutional. In a ed to Perm Oblast (or administrative Armenian schools, dozens of churches, At present, no outflow of Armenian statement the Council said the document repre- division), Sverdlovsk Oblast, Omsk banks, trading houses, caravanserai and population from Crimea has been sented an “unconstitutional breach of the practice Oblast, Kemerovo Oblast, craft shops. The town served as a spiri - noted, with Armenians safe here. of freedom of expression and communication. Bashkortostan, Tatarstan and tual center for the Crimean Armenians, However, considering the unpredictabil - Later, Hollande pledged to redraft the law crimi- Kazakhstan. and its stature grew so prominently that ity of developments in Ukraine, a nega - nalizing the Armenian Genocide denial in France, In 1989, the communal life of the that in 1438 the Armenians of Kaffa tive outcome may be possible. stressing the need to ensure the legal framework to Crimea’s Armenians was institutional - were invited to send representatives to A referendum on the status of the avoid censorship by the Constitutional Council. ized with the formation of one of the the Ferrara-Florence Cathedral autonomous republic of Crimea is peninsula’s first national-cultural associ - (Florence ecumenical council). scheduled for March 30. 4 S ATURDAY , M ARCH 8, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community Ne ws

Lenten Program Paros Foundations In Chelmsford Announces Service- Renamed in Memory Armenia 2014 Of V. Rev. Ghevont Program Dates

Samoorian BERKELEY, Calif. — Applications are now available for the Paros Foundation’s Service CHELMSFORD, Mass. — This year, on Armenia 2014 Program. The program will run the one-year anniversary of the death of from June 23 to July 24, and will facilitate former pastor, the V. Rev. Ghevont young people to travel and tour Armenia and Samoorian, the 45th Annual Lenten Artsakh, while engaging in meaningful service Program of Spiritual Renewal at Sts. projects benefiting Armenia and her people. Vartanantz Armenian Church has been “I am looking forward to another successful named in his memory. program this summer,” said Peter Abajian, exec - The program was created by Samoorian utive director of the Paros Foundation. “Our in 1970 as six weekly gatherings of the group last summer worked on the elementary parish family to learn about the church, school wing at the Hatsik village school and and to identify those areas that might also helped distribute 50,000 pairs of shoes in encourage spiritual examination, under - rural villages in Armenia. This summer, our standing, and renewal. At that time, such a group will work on similar meaningful service program series was almost something new projects.” in the Parish, particularly on a weekday Throughout the program, participants will and by a member of the clergy with a com - tour historic, religious and cultural sites mand of the English language. What Gregory Ketabgian presents Armen Aroyan with a gift. throughout Armenia and Artsakh with experi - began as a simple presentation with a enced, English speaking staff and guides. Safe question-and-answer period after worship and well located accommodations and trans - services on an old chalk board in the base - portation combined with interesting cultural ment of the downtown Lowell church, and educational activities will ensure all will slowly evolved into multi-media formats, a Tribute to Armen have a terrific and memorable experience. The spectrum of religious topics, guest speak - program is open to both Armenian and ers and a Lenten meal. American young people wishing to participate “This Lenten Program provides an impor - Aroyan Held at Ararat- in this once in a lifetime opportunity. tant and meaningful experience aimed at the Knowledge of the Armenian language is not spiritual and faith needs of our people,” required. Join us and create a lifetime of great explains current pastor, the Rev. Khachatur Eskijian Museum memories and friends. The deadline to submit Kesablyan. “We are blessed to have had Hayr the completed application is April 1. Ghevont initiate it and utilize the period of More information including photos and Great Lent in teaching about the Church, and MISSION HILLS, Calif. — Armen Aroyan was honored for his achievements and video, and the application form can be found at beginning a local custom in the parish 45 dedication over the past 25 years, during which he has tailored more than 75 www.parosfoundation.org/servicearmenia201 years ago that has been continuously carried Armenian Heritage tours for more than 1,200 pilgrims to historic Armenia to show For more information, contact Peter Abajian on to today. From now on his name will be them the lands of their parents and grandparents. The tribute was organized and via e-mail, [email protected] attached to this important annual program.” cosponsored by the Ararat-Eskijian Museum (AEM) and the National Association According to Deacons Ara Jeknavorian for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). The program took place on and Jimmie Magarian, who have been stal - February 9, at the Sheen Chapel on the grounds of the Ararat Home Nursing warts in keeping the program organized Facility in Mission Hills, followed by a dinner reception in the museum. Genocide Survivor and continuing over the many years, The master of ceremonies was Bruce Roat, Southern California board member together now with Kesablyan, a balanced of NAASR. He was introduced by Martin Eskijian, chairman of the Ararat-Eskijian Interviews at New evening of worship, Lenten meal and infor - Museum, who initially welcomed an audience of more than 220 enthusiastic atten - mative/provocative program topics have dees. The program started by the Ani String Quartet rendering selections from York Armenian Home been key. “Organizing the three elements Komitas, Khatchaturian and Berberian, including Tzitzernak. has been rewarding. But preparing a Prof. Richard Hovannisian reviewed the history of the confiscation and redis - FLUSHING, Queens, N.Y. — The three Lenten meal for the six Fridays of Great tribution of Armenian properties during and after the deportations and mas - remaining Armenian Genocide survivors Lent, has been challenging at times,” sacres. He commented that the Armenian Genocide was unique among the 20th at the New York Armenian Home will be states Deacon Ara, “particularly when the century genocides since its survivors were the only ones who could not return interviewed by the local New York media number of participants are difficult to esti - back to inhabit their historic homes. If they attempted, they were invariably on Sunday, March 23. mate. Fortunately, we’ve been blessed with arrested and sent back. Prior to the 1980s, by law no non-Muslim could venture Organized annually by the Knights of a wonderful core of volunteer cooks for the to the interior of Turkey, even if they were Turkish citizens of Istanbul. Prof. Vartan, the survivor interviews have specialized meals who sometimes gener - Hovannisian gave examples of how difficult it was for Armenians to visit eastern brought eyewitness records to the fore - ously donate all the ingredients.” Turkey in the early 1980s, when some travelers had their cameras and film as front as victims have recalled their escape Each Friday evening (beginning March 7 well as their luggage confiscated by Turkish security personnel, and they final - from the horrific death marches, which this year) the faithful will gather at 6:30 ly had to leave. claimed the lives of their family members. p.m. to participate in the Peace and Rest Aroyan’s first expedition into the interior of Turkey in 1987 was to Antep, his The New York Armenian Home, a non- Services, which feature eloquent peniten - own ancestral land. He dealt in a low-key manner with the Turkish inhabitants and profit residential facility, has long been a care - tial prayers and hymns. A Lenten meal and won them over with his smile while he searched for remnants of old Armenian taker of Armenian Genocide survivors. program follows at 7 p.m. homes and churches. From that point on, he extended his scope by discovering The 98th anniversary commemoration of This first year of the program in memo - the small villages that his pilgrims yearned to visit. More than anything, he enjoyed the Armenian Genocide, sponsored by the ry of Fr. Ghevont is titled: “Origins of seeing the joy and pleasure in the eyes of the people he took there, the descen - Knights and Daughters of Vartan, will be Faith: Jerusalem” in homage to his years as dants of the Genocide survivors, as they experienced the life-altering event of walk - held in Times Square (43rd and Broadway) a seminarian, deacon and priest at the ing where their parents and grandparents had once walked. Hovannisian ended his on Sun., April 27, from 2-4 p.m. Apostolic Holy See of St. James in the talk by thanking Aroyan for having enriched so many people’s lives. Armenian Patriarchate there, and being a The next presentation was an extensive slide show by Roupen Berberian, a four- champion of the Brotherhood of St. James time traveler with Aroyan, of the groups he guided at numerous historic sites vis - in Jerusalem. ited by the pilgrims. This was accompanied with historical commentary by “We’re fortunate to have both the Berberian. In addition, there was coverage of Aroyan’s genealogy, family influ - resources and a number of speakers who ences, and education in Cairo, Egypt, and his immigration to Southern California can present the wealth of inspiration, his - where he furthered his education in electrical engineering at USC. He worked for tory, and origins of faith that continue to McDonnell Douglas Aerospace for 25 years. Aroyan had guided many scholars, be found in the Holy City,” said Deacon authors, religious leaders and documentarians from different countries on their Jimmie Magarian, a former seminarian in trips to Turkey. Jerusalem. “In our area we have former Anne Elizabeth Redgate, a historian from Newcastle University in England, seminarians, brotherhood members, pil - made the long trip specifically to be present on this occasion. She had been with grims, and pilgrimage leaders who will be Aroyan on previous trips and commented on how he had been able to fulfill the among the presenters over the six week realization of the pilgrims’ dreams by taking them safely to the heart of historic program. Some highlights include video Armenia. She had studied Armenian history for a long time, but being given a and previously unseen/unpublished pho - chance to connect with the people and being “a beneficiary of Armen’s magic” had Armenian Genocide survivor Peruz tos of the Holy Places and the Armenian meant a great deal to her. Kalusdian speaking last year Quarter of Jerusalem.” see AROYAN, page 7 S ATURDAY , M ARCH 8, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 COMMUNITY NEWS

Waters Stole $4.2M to Fund ‘Secret Prof. Marie-Aude Baronian to Speak on Visual Double Life,’ Prosecutor Says Representations within Armenian Diaspora ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The University of Michigan’s Armenian Studies Program will host Lauren shops, “spas, restaurants, trips, two mort - Marie-Aude Baronian for the 2014 Berj H. Haidostian Annual Distinguished Lecture, titled By David Hanners gages, four car payments. And that was just for “Missing Images: Textures of Memory in Diaspora,” on the secret life.” Wednesday, March 12 at 7 p.m. The final arguments came Monday, the sixth Baronian is the 2014 Manoogian Visiting Professor at (Editor’s Note: The Armenian Assembly and day of Waters’ trial. The Eden Prairie man faces the University of Michigan and an associate professor in the Cafesjian Family Foundation have been 15 counts of wire fraud, four counts of mail fraud film and visual culture at the University of Amsterdam. Her locked in litigation over the fate of the National and three counts each of income tax evasion and research focuses on various topics such as visual culture in Bank building, bought by the Assembly, with filing false tax returns. the Armenian diaspora, ethics and aesthetics, archive, the help of Gerard Cafesjian in the 1990s for Waters testified that the cash he withdrew memory, and French thought. Her most recent books are eventual conversion into an Armenian from Cafesjian’s accounts went for two purposes. Mémoire et Image. Regards sur la Catastrophe arméni - Genocide Museum. Waters was Gerard It was either for Cafesjian himself to fund his vora - enne (2013) and Cinéma et Mémoire. Sur Atom Egoyan Cafesjian’s lieutenant in many of the dealings. cious appetite to buy art and gems, or it was a (2013). In the lecture, she will consider the relationship He was fired from the foundation and eventual - loan against deferred compensation owed to between images — particularly film — and memory in the ly took the founder to court over unpaid Waters under terms of an employment agreement context of the Armenian diaspora and the 1915 Genocide. monies, while Cafesjian brought charges of the two men had negotiated but never reduced to The Haidostian Annual Distinguished lectureship was theft against Waters. That trial is currently writing. established by the family of the late Dr. Berj Haidostian, a Prof. Marie-Aude Baronian underway in Minneapolis. In all these personal Cafesjian died in September at age 88, and prominent and devoted physician in Michigan. The squabbles, the Armenian community is wonder - Otteson scoffed at the notion that an experienced Haidostian family has a long and continuing relationship ing what happened to the Genocide Museum on businessman like him — or even Waters — would with the University of Michigan and the Armenian Studies Program. Every year, together the even of the Centennial.) not put such an agreement in writing. with the Armenian Studies Program faculty they select a speaker from among internation - “The modified employment agreement did not ally recognized experts on Armenia and Armenians. Recent Haidostian Distinguished MINNEAPOLIS (Pioneer Press) — The late exist. There was no deferred compensation. There Lecturers have included renowned playwright, novelist, and actor Eric Bogosian; famous Gerard “Gerry” Cafesjian was too shrewd a busi - was no loan. He just stole the money,” the prose - director Atom Egoyan; Dr. Gerard Chaliand of Paris; Dr. Fiona Hill of the Brookings nessman — and kept too close an eye on his cutor said. Institution; Thomas de Waal of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Dr. money — to let a trusted employee steal from him, “The defendant cheated Gerry Cafesjian out of Vartan Gregorian of the Carnegie Foundation. the defense attorney for that employee told a jury his money, and he cheated the government out of The lecture is open to the public and will be followed by a question-and-answer period, and Monday. its tax money,” he said. will also be video recorded and posted on our website at ii.umich.edu/asp. Cafesjian “watched his money like a hawk,” Cafesjian was an executive and shareholder at The lecture will take place at the Helmut Stern Auditorium, University of Michigan defense attorney Reynaldo Aligada Jr. argued in West Publishing in St. Paul. When the company Museum of Art. the fraud trial of John Waters Jr. and the govern - was sold in 1996, his shares brought a fortune; ment’s contention that Waters stole millions from Waters claimed in his testimony that he believed the philanthropist “strains credulity.” the man was worth about $250 million. “Do you think Mr. Cafesjian would miss $1 mil - The retired exec used that money to set up tion. “He’s wealthy and he pays attention to his lion moving in one year from one account to businesses and foundations, and hired Waters to During his 41-minute summation, the prosecu - money,” Aligada said of Cafesjian. another and not notice it?” Aligada asked during run them. The two had worked together at West tor said the fact neither of the men reduced the “Mr. Waters did not defraud Mr. Cafesjian and his final argument in Waters’ trial in federal court and, to hear Waters tell it on the witness stand, alleged “modified” agreement to writing indicated did not steal from him,” the defense lawyer told in Minneapolis. they were inseparable. only one thing: Waters had invented the story. jurors. But in the government’s closing argument, But Otteson said Waters gained Cafesjian’s “Does it make sense this agreement was never He also said Waters lacked intent to defraud, a Assistant US Attorney William Otteson said there trust and then abused it by stealing from him. in writing?” he asked. “Why wouldn’t Mr. required element of mail or wire fraud. Similarly, was a “mountain” of evidence that Waters — “Gerry Cafesjian should never have trusted Cafesjian not want to document millions of dol - Aligada said his client lacked a willfulness to Cafesjian’s right-hand man for several years — had John Waters,” the prosecutor said. “You, mem - lars in loans he was making to an employee? cheat on his taxes, another element needed to stolen from his boss and lied about it to cover his bers of the jury, shouldn’t trust him, either.” “It just doesn’t make sense,” Otteson said. convict him of the crime. tracks. Waters had gone to work for Cafesjian’s private But Aligada, who spoke for 50 minutes, said “The defendant cheated Gerry Cafesjian out of interests in 1996, and they had a written employ - the government’s case was based on a serious his money, and he cheated the government out of ment agreement; it was introduced as evidence. flaw: Cafesjian and Waters had a deep relation - its tax money,” Otteson told jurors. But Waters testified that in 2000, the men orally ship of “trust, loyalty, secrecy,” and prosecutors AIWA Scholarship “He stole to fund a secret double life ... a life revised the agreement so that some of Waters’ had “failed to understand that very important that cost thousands of dollars each month,” the pay would be in the form of deferred compensa - relationship.” Applications Available prosecutor said of Waters, 57. tion, a move that carries certain tax advantages. The defense attorney argued that his client had He said the $4.2 million the government Waters also claimed that in 2005, the two men the authority to make the withdrawals from WATERTOWN —The Armenian International alleges Waters embezzled from Cafesjian went for agreed — again, orally — that he would be able to Cafesjian’s accounts and that he had his boss’s Women’s Association (AIWA) has announced shopping sprees for Waters’ mistress at Ralph borrow money against that deferred compensa - permission to make them. that Scholarship Application forms are now available for the 2014-2015 academic year. Annually AIWA offers a number of scholar - ships, ranging in value from $2,000 to $500, to female students in all academic fields. The pro - gram was initiated with the Agnes K. Missirian Scholarship, which was established in memory of the professor of management at Bentley University who was a strong advocate for 220 Pelham Road,, Lexi ngton, MA 02421 women’s rights. TTelel : 78181-861-8303 Also available are the Dr. Carolann S. Najarian scholarships, as well as awards in memory of Ethel Jafferian Duffett and Rose A. Hovannesian. The Lucy Kasparian Aharonian Scholarship, of $1,000, is offered to students in OOPPPEEENN HHOOUUSSSEE the sciences. AIWA scholarships are awarded annually to full-time female students of Armenian descent MMaarcchh 99,, 2014 attending accredited colleges or universities. Students entering their junior or senior year in college, as well as graduate students, are eligi - ffrroomm 22::00 ppmm { 4:00 ppmm ble to apply for the awards, which are based on financial need and merit. During the current academic year, AIWA has PPrrreeschooll,, KKiiinnddeerrggarrttenn,, Elleementarryyy,, awarded over $20,000 to 19 graduate and undergraduate students in fields ranging from Miiddddddlllee School pure mathematics and architecture to law, phar - macy, violin performance, and English. Applications for all AIWA scholarships for the 2014-2015 academic year can be downloaded from the AIWA website (www.aiwainternational.org) or RReeegggiiissttrrraattiiiooonn can be requested by mail (65 Main St., #3A, Watertown, MA, 02472). The deadline for appli - cations is April 16. Winners will be announced MMaarcchh 10 { mmaay 31, 2014 at the association’s annual meeting, which is scheduled this year for June 21 in Boston. In addition, students residing in California Accredite t eedd by NEASC are eligible to apply for the Hasmik Mgrdichian AISNENE Member Scholarships awarded by the AIWA/LA wwwww.armenia nsissttersa sacademy.orrg Affiliate. Four grants of $2,500 each are avail - able annually. Full information is available on the AIWA/LA website (www.aiwala.org). 6 S ATURDAY , M ARCH 8, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR OBITUARY

many Armenians at times of need or faced member of the HoMenMen Sports Organization Krikor Maserejian with bureaucratic hurdles. for over 30 years, member of Armenian Henchag He was a graduate of the Giligian (Cilician) Party, the Armenian General Benevolent Union WALTHAM, Mass. — Krikor Maserejian of He was the husband of Mary (Postaljian) Armenian School in Aleppo. He was an active and the Boston Chapter of the Armenian Waltham died at home on February 7. He was 77. Maserejian; father of Hagop and his wife Holly member of the Armenian Memorial Church of Compatriotic Union of Aintab. He was the son of the late Yacoub and of Watertown, Vasken and his wife Arlene of Aleppo where he served on the Board of Funeral service was at the Armenian Memorial Siranoush (Nersessian) Mahserejian. Belmont and Shahe and his wife Arlene of Trustees. After immigrating to USA in 1977 he Church, Watertown, on February 10. Interment fol - Framingham; grandfather of Ariana, Gregory, and the family were all members of the Armenian lowed in Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge. Isabella, Sophia Lily and Shahe Andre Memorial Church in Watertown. He was active in Expressions of sympathy may be made in his mem - Maserejian; brother of George and his wife many Armenian organizations and served them. ory to the Armenian Memorial Church, 32 Bigelow Azniv of Arlington, Zareh and his wife Hasmig In the mid 1970s he led a group of young Ave., Watertown, MA 02472. of Belmont, Souren and his wife Liza of Armenian athletes from Aleppo (HMM) to Arrangements were made by the Giragosian Belmont and the late Samuel and his late wife Yerevan for national athletic games. He was a Funeral Home. Eugeny Maserejian. He was a master autobody repair person and a licensed appraiser and owned his own auto body repair business in Belmont for more than 30 years. Many of his colleagues called on him for advice and help for complicated repairs and TEKEYANTTEKEYAN CULTURALCULTUTURAL ASSOCIATIONASSOCIIATION OOFF GGREATERREATER NYNY he always helped out. He was a community leader in Aleppo, where he served many organizations and helped all in need of his help with no expecta - tion. In Aleppo, where he lived most of his early life, his friends included high-ranking Krikor Maserejian government officials, judges and military offi - cials who through his intervention helped Dr. Albert Kapikian Pioneering Medical Researcher

WASHINGTON — Albert Z. Kapikian, MD, a the viral proteins critical for triggering an pioneering virologist at the National Institutes immune response, and formulated a vaccine of Health who discovered norovirus and led a that targeted several important rotavirus decades-long effort that resulted in the first strains. These efforts ultimately led to the devel - 90 MiMinutenute DDocumentaryocumentarryy PrPresentedesented BByy licensed rotavirus vaccine, died on February 24. opment, testing and approval by the Food and FOFOUR-TIMEUR-TIME REGIONALREGIONAL EEMMY®MMY® AAWARDWARD WWINNERINNER He was 83. Drug Administration in 1998 of the first BAREDARED MMARONIANARONIAAN Kapikian was the former chief of the epi - rotavirus vaccine. Subsequently, Kapikian head - demiology section of the Laboratory of ed the development of second-generation Sunday,undday, AprilApril 6th, 20142014 Infectious Diseases at NIH’s National Institute 2:00pm2:00pmp of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a TCA CenterCenter position he held for 45 years. 5600 SySylvanlvan AvenueAvenue “Al Kapikian was a giant in the field of virol - EEnglewoodnglewood CCliffs,liffs, NNJJ 0763207632 ogy,” said NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, MD. “His seminal basic and clinical research contributions to the study of viruses and to vac - $10 admissionadmission feefee shouldsshould be sentsent toto TCACA by AprAprilil 2nd. Sppacepace isis llimited.imited. NNoo tticketsickets wwillill bbee ssoldold aatt tthehe ddoor.oor. cine development have had an enormous glob - FForor information,information, pleaseplease callcall HildaHilda aatt (201)(201) 405-1702405-1702 al impact. Importantly, he was a warm-hearted, beloved, and widely respected human being. His Tax-Deductibleax-Deductible DonationsDonations areare StronglyStrongly EncouragedEncouraged AllAlll ProceedsProceeds WWillill Be UsedUUsed ffoforor thethe PromotionPromotion ofof thisthis PrProjectoojject many friends at NIAID and NIH mourn the loss of their esteemed colleague.” SearchSearch “OrphansOrphans ofof thethe GeGenocidenocide” oonn YouTubeYouTube forffoor tratrailerailer Kapikian often was called the father of human gastroenteritis virus research for his work on improving the understanding and pre - vention of viral diseases that affect the gas - trointestinal tract. In 1972, he identified the first norovirus, initially called Norwalk virus. Nardolillo Funeral Home Noroviruses are now recognized as a major cause of epidemic diarrhea in adults world - Est. 1906 wide. John K. Najarian, Jr. In 1973, Kapikian and his colleagues identi - Rhode Island’s Only Licensed Armenian Funeral Director fied the hepatitis A virus. He also was the first Dr. Albert Kapikian scientist in the United States to detect human 1278 Park Ave. Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 942-1220 rotavirus, which had been discovered by others 1111 Boston Neck Rd. Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 789-6300 in Australia. He dedicated himself to studying rotavirus vaccines that have been licensed by this leading cause of severe diarrhea in chil - pharmaceutical companies in Brazil, China, and www.nardolillo.com dren, which accounts for more than 400,000 India. He also contributed to ongoing efforts to deaths annually, mostly in developing countries. improve rotavirus vaccines and expand their “Al was my hero,” said Kathryn C. Zoon, PhD, use in the developing world. director of the NIAID Division of Intramural He received his medical degree from Cornell Telephone (617) 924-7400 Research. “He was a modest man who made University Medical College in 1956 and joined many remarkable discoveries in virology and NIAID in 1957. His numerous accomplishments saved many lives through his vaccine develop - earned him the Albert B. Sabin Gold Medal, the Aram Bedrosian ment efforts. He will be missed by his NIAID Maurice Hilleman/Merck Award of the family.” American Society for Microbiology and the Funeral Home, Inc. Kapikian and his research group defined the Children’s Vaccine Initiative Pasteur Award, mode of transmission of rotavirus, identified among many other honors. Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 MARION BEDROSIAN 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN Edward D. Jamakordzian, Jr. d/b/a WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN Edward D. Jamie, Jr.

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AROYAN, from page 4 feel special and complete in their personal able to do it with his vans.” the poem “My Death” by Bedros Tourian and Bruce Roat acknowledged the many mes - quests” and commented that her visit to He thanked all the organizers of the event recited the last two lines: “When from the world sages of congratulation that were received Hussenig in historic Armenia was “one of the and explained the “providential chain of my memory fades away / That is the time when from pilgrims who were not able to travel to most memorable and emotional experiences in events” that led to his passion for organizing I indeed shall die!” the tribute event. He read three testimonials, my life.” tours through historic Armenia. He described He concluded: “First and foremost, last but one by Lucille Hamparian, and another from Martin Eskijian presented Aroyan with an some of the Armenians he had discovered still not least, it is all about keeping the memory of Jack Bournazian, who compared the honoree award of recognition from the Ararat-Eskijian living in remote corners of historic Armenia. He our rich legacy alive and propagating it for to “an Armenian locksmith” who “came into Museum, a sculpture of an Armenian mother was inspired by how they were initially reluc - future generations.” our lives and fitted a personal key for each of protecting her child during the deportation. tant but after relaxing were able to sing the Aroyan is in the process of publishing a two- sharagans, recite the Havadamk, the Armenian volume collection of writings by and about his alphabet and so on. He explained what he calls co-travelers and their experiences. the “King Arshak phenomenon,” the transfor - Rev. Kevork Terian of the Armenian Cilicia mation process he has witnessed in pilgrims Evangelical Church of Pasadena ended the pro - “reminiscent of the legend of the forlorn, gram with the benediction and wished the hon - depressed and subservient Armenian King oree good health to “continue his sacred mis - Arshak II in captivity, who would miraculously sion to create new memories for those yearning regain his boldness and strength when he for their homeland which was so unjustly taken stepped on the soil brought from the home - away from them.” land.” He also thanked all the pilgrims who The reception, prepared by Maggie had travelled with him and emphasized that he Mangassarian Goschin, the director of the had learned much from them and their family Ararat-Eskijian Museum as well as one of histories. “The pilgrims,” he said, “gave me the Aroyan’s pilgrims, and Nora Nalbandian, was a opportunity to see our homeland through their veritable cornucopia of Armenian dishes repre - eyes, with the very wonder and awe of the first senting the different regions of historic time—every time. Together, we turned a haunt - Armenia. A varied selection of wine was donat - ed memory into a tangible reality.” ed by Paul Kalemkiarian of the Wine of the Aroyan explained the importance to him of Month Club. AESA Elects New Board

GLENDALE — At its general membership The incoming president, Vasken Yardemian, Program participants are, from left, Martin Eskijian, Gregory Ketabgian, Maggie Mangassarian meeting, the Armenian Engineers and shared his plan and goals for the upcoming Goschin, Roupen Berberian, Anne Elizabeth Redgate, Armen Aroyan, Richard Hovannisian and Scientists of America (AESA) introduced its year. “We look forward for a successful year Bruce Roat. new council for the year 2014. The new exec - leading AESA to new levels of success” stated utive council consists of the following: Vasken Yardemian. “The AESA continues to grow in Yardemian, President, Marina Guevrekian strength and numbers. Our new governance us, unlocking the door to our personal pasts.” The NAASR tribute was given by Southern Ph.D., Vice President, Razmik and volunteer leadership structure will contin - In a third testimonial, Nancy Kolligian, former California board member Dr. Gregory Gharakhanian,Vice President Elect, Mark ue this path as we invite all engineers and sci - Chairman of NAASR, who has worked closely Ketabgian who presented Aroyan with a sym - Abajian, Executive Secretary and Armineh entists of Armenian descent to join AESA spe - with Aroyan and Hovannisian in organizing bolic silver bowl designed by Michael Aram and Khachatoorian as Treasurer. The Councilors cially the younger generation”. The AESA several NAASR Armenian Heritage Tours, representing Noah’s Ark resting on top of Mt. in large are: Aram Setian, Arin Abed, Asbed continues to build and develop partnerships commended Aroyan for “the importance you Ararat. He said “although British ships could Pogarian, Stepan Joulfayan, Argineh with other Armenian organizations to serve have always placed in making each traveler not climb Mt. Ararat, Aroyan was symbolically Shabandari, Talin Petrosian and Vazgen the Armenian community. In addition, the Ghoogassian. AESA is investing in new programs that will The outgoing president, Mardy Kazarians, allow working with college and high school PhD, reported last year’s activities and students as well as the American University of TEKEYANTEKEYYANAN CULTURALCULLTURALTURAL ASSOCIAASSOCIATIONATIONTTION OF GREATERGREAATERTER NY achievements of the organization. AESA orga - Armenia. Yardemian mentioned that the orga - nized formal scientific lectures and workshop nization will implement the new scholarship as well as the annual Science Olympiad com - program as well as mentoring activities for petition which was held at Woodbury Armenian college students both undergradu - University. The competition, involving school- ate and graduate levels majoring in engineer - age children, was considered a great success. ing and science. As a new project, the AESA These activities were well organized and has proposed to collaborate with the College attended by the Armenian community. of Science and Engineering of the American Kazarians mentioned that AESA had planning University of Armenia (AUA) by offering work - to offer both mentorship services and scholar - shops, seminars and short term courses relat - ship to Armenian college students. In addi - ed to engineering and science. “Let’s make tion, social activities such as mixers for the 2014 about creating a stronger and better young professionals were held in conjunction organization. We look forward to working with other organizations. Furthermore, AESA together so that each one of us feels proud to celebrated its 30th anniversary with an annu - be part of the AESA,” concluded Yardemian. al gala banquet where it honored all AESA By the end of the meeting, there was a long past presidents for their services to the orga - discussion among its membership about the nization. future of AESA.

AESA Science Olympiad Scheduled for March 23 NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — The Armenian tions. During the evaluation and interview Engineers and Scientists of America (AESA) process, the judges provide constructive feed - will hold the 13th AESA Science Olympiad at back to all students for future improvements of the Grand Salon of California State University their projects and presentation skills leading Northridge (CSUN) on Sunday, March 23. them to prepare for the county and state com - The committee is composed of volunteers, petitions. The Olympiad each year also invites a supporters, professional engineers, scientists, professional speaker to present a unique scien - judges, mentors, community sponsors and tific topic exposing students and inspiring them endowment donors, all working together for the to a variety of career path opportunities. ultimate goal of increasing interest and passion Cash prizes are also awarded, with 1st Reporter Wanted in science and engineering among young place winning $500, 2nd Place winning $250, Armenian students from Armenian, public and 3rd Place $100, and Honorable Mention $50. other private schools. The Olympiad provides In addition, each prize is accompanied with The is seeking an assistant editor, Armenian Mirror-Spectator interscholastic academic competition in the an obsidian medallion made in Armenia. The working 20-25 hours a week. fields of physical sciences and life sciences for road to the 13th AESA Science Olympiad has two grade levels, middle school (grades 6-8) and three requirements: a filled out application The ideal candidate should have a good grasp of journalism and high school (grades 9-12). by the deadline of March 14; a $25 applica - be willing to cover a variety of subjects. Some editing will also “We are actively seeking the community’s tion fee per project to be included with the support in encouraging family members in application (check to be written in order of be required. grades 6 to 12 to participate with a prepared AESA Science Olympiad); and the project Salary commensurate with experience. science project and spend a fun day of science poster is to be dropped off at a designated with their peers” stated AESA President Vasken location no later than March 19, 2014. The Send resumes and writing samples to [email protected]. Yardemian. The Science Olympiad follows the application can be downloaded at California State Science Fair rules and regula - www.aesa.org/Committees/ScienceOlympiad. 8 S ATURDAY , M ARCH 8, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS S ATURDAY , M ARCH 8, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS

The Friends of HMADS at the Gala Dinner Dance 2013 Friends of HMADS Celebrates 20 Years of Service

school board treasurer, Hovannes Malikyan, Spain. Headed by guitarist Pedro Cortes, a Gala Dinner Dance. On behalf of the entire By Arpi Arukian and comprises a group of supporters includ - talented Flamenco group mesmerized the Friends committee, I cordially invite you to ing board members, current and former par - packed church auditorium with their pas - join us for this special evening commemo - ents and alumni. The committee’s mission is sionate performance. rating the 20th anniversary of the Friends BAYSIDE, N.Y. — This year marks a his - to raise funds, consequently contributing to Every fall, Friends of HMADS sponsors committee. The event will take place on toric anniversary for the Holy Martyrs the economic growth of the school. Thanks the Annual Telethon, one of its major Saturday, May 3rd at Woodbury Country Armenian Day School (HMADS) community. to the efforts of Friends, the Day School is fundraising events. Last year, once again, Club in Woodbury, Long Island. The Its fundraising pillar, the Friends of HMADS able to maintain an affordable tuition. Berj Haroutunian of Vital Transportation evening’s festivities will commence at committee, celebrates 20 years of benevo - Throughout its 20-year history, Friends of kindly offered use of his company office and 7:30pm with a lavish buffet and open bar, fol - lent service to the school. Established in HMADS has promoted Armenian perform - equipment to Telethon volunteers. Over the lowed by a delicious multi-course dinner 1994, the all-volunteer group of HMADS ing arts groups, including Sayat Nova Music course of two evenings, the volunteers tele - served at 9pm. Throughout the evening, supporters, led by former school board School from Yerevan and Navasart Dance phoned hundreds of local Armenian house - musical entertainment will be provided by chairman, Nurhan Adarian, set out to ensure Ensemble from France, as part of its holds to seek pledges to sustain their cher - popular international singer Elie Berberian the financial stability of their beloved insti - fundraising efforts for the school. This past ished school. The Friends committee would and his band. tution. Little did they realize what an impact November, thanks to the efforts of Malikyan like to officially thank all HMADS support - For further information about this event, their ambition would have in the many years and his wife, Ellza, the committee intro - ers for their generous pledges. or to find out how to become a part of the to follow. duced the HMADS community to the art of The spring brings with it the most exciting Friends of HMADS, contact the school Friends of HMADS is chaired by current Flamenco song and dance from southern Friends event of the school year: the annual office.

Hamazkayin of New York Holds Its Third Annual Literary Event

NEW YORK — Two years have passed since Armenia Dr. Hamo Ohanjanian; and stage direc - ally charged and often autobio - the day the inaugural readings by contempo - tor and art critic Kaspar Ipekian.” graphical. Her next book, Meet Me rary Armenian authors took place at the Caprielian introduced the master of cere - in 412: Diaries of a New York City Armenian Center in Queens. At the time, there monies and one of the organizers of the Teacher, will be completed by the were trepidations and hope that the event evening, Zilelian-Silak. end of this year. would earn the respectable annual title. There The first reader was poet Aaron Poochigian, After a short intermission, was much pride as well for the idea and the fact whose pensive and soulful poems captured the Toumani took the stage. Her name that four writers — all women to boot — read audience. He earned a PhD in Classics from the and writing are familiar to those their works with admirable generosity toward University of Minnesota in 2006 and now writes Armenians, who followed her the audience. No covert glances at their watch - poetry full-time “in a state of non-romantic reportage. Currently, she is based in es, no acceleration of the speed of reading... poverty,” in his own words. His book of trans - New York City. She has written on Just a marvelous disposition and honest shar - lations from Sappho, Stung With Love , was diverse topics: foreign affairs, books ing of their works, that is to say their thoughts published by Penguin Classics in 2009 (with a and music for the New York Times and feelings with the audience. Here is an preface by UK Poet Laureate Carol Anne Sunday Magazine and Culture opportunity to thank again Nora Armani, Duffy). Penguin will publish his translation of pages, The Nation, n+1, Salon.com, Lucine Kasbarian, Lola Koundakjian and espe - the Greek epic Jason and the Argonauts later the Boston Globe, GlobalPost, The cially Aida Zilelian-Silak, who offered her assis - this year. For his work in translation he was National , and Travel & Leisure . In the group photo: writers Aaron Poochigian (poet), Maryam Dilakian (prose), Aida Zilelian-Silak (prose), Meline Toumani tance in the subsequent literary events. awarded a 2010-2011 Grant in Translation by Between 2003 and 2009 she spent (journalist). Two years later, the Third Annual Readings, the National Endowment for the Arts. His first much of her time working abroad, organized by the New York chapter of book of original poetry, The Cosmic Purr (Able reporting from Armenia, Turkey, Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Muse Press) was published in March of 2012, Russia and Georgia, and was a journalism fel - Anderbo Novel Contest. The sequel, The Cultural Society, took place on February 22 at and several of the poems in it collectively won low in residence at the Institute for Human Legacy Of Lost Things, was recently accepted the cafe Waltz in Astoria. The participants were the New England Poetry Club’s Daniel Sciences in Vienna in 2007. She graduated for publication and is slotted for release in July Maryam Dilakian, Aaron Poochigian, Meline Varoujan Prize. His work has appeared in the from U.C. Berkeley with high honors in English (Bleeding Hearts Publication). Toumani and Aida Zilelian-Silak. Almost noth - Financial Times, Poems Out Loud and Poetry and public policy, and holds a master’s degree For those who are not yet in the loop, her ing ever goes as planned, and because “life hap - periodicals. in journalism from the Cultural Reporting and published works can be found at pened” to the multitalented Arto Vaun, who The second reader was Yerevan-born Criticism Program at NYU. Her first book, www.aidazilelian.comThe receptive audience was scheduled to be there. Dilakian. She received a Master of International There Was and There Was Not: Turkey, the and the forthcoming disposition of the readers The opening remarks were made by Dr. Ara Affairs degree at the School of International Armenians , and the Story of a Never-Ending had created an uncommonly warm atmosphere, Caprielian, one of the founding members of the and Public Affairs at Columbia University, History , will be published by Metropolitan so everyone lingered long after the program, New York chapter. In his brief outline of focusing on international security policy and Books in November 2014. despite the cafe manager’s stern looks. Hamazkayin’s origin and history, he stated: the domestic and foreign policies of post-Soviet The fourth reader, Zilelian-Silak, is no Members of the current executive committee, “The Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and states. She worked for the National Democratic stranger to the reading public. She has estab - Asdghig Sevag (vice-chair), Berjouhie Yessayan Cultural Society, is a major organization of the Institute for International Affairs, chaired by lished herself as a serious writer, dedicated to and Hovhannes Yessayan, as well as Arevig Armenian Diaspora, with a presence in every former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. her work. She is certainly a “raconteur” who Caprielian, a member of New York chapter and significant Armenian community worldwide. In She helped shape democratic development pro - can easily take you to the place she depicts, and the Eastern Regional Executive Committee of addition to organizing cultural events, the grams for Armenia, and worked with civic advo - make you walk with her willingly. Her astute Hamazkayin, were in the audience. Hamazkayin runs schools, publishes books cacy and election monitoring organizations in observations and her subtle humor make her Get ready for the next year’s reading, fellow through its printing press, maintains book - Central Asia, the Balkans and Africa. True to prose all the more enjoyable. Armenian Writer, because Hamazkayin of New stores, publishes a literary magazine, Pakine, her upbringing in a humanitarian family and Zilelian-Silak is a New York City-based writer York is determined to continue those annual and organizes the Hamazkayin Forum in her natural inclinations, Dilakian left interna - whose stories have appeared in numerous jour - events for as long as there are talented Armenia. It was founded on May 28, 1928, in tional political arena, and joined the New York nals and anthologies such as Wilderness House Armenian authors. Since there is multi-millen - Cairo, Egypt by a group of nine Armenian intel - City Teaching Fellows program. She holds a Literary Review, The Writer’s Block, Ararat nial evidence that Armenians never suffered lectuals, including the writer and educator Master of Science in Education degree from Magazine and Theurgy (UK). She is the cura - from lack of brilliant writers, this annual event Levon Shant; historian, critic, and first minister The City College of New York, and is now in her tor of the Boundless Tales reading series in might go on for indefinitely long time. of Education of Armenia, Nigol Aghbalian; for - seventh year as an English teacher for immi - Astoria. In 2011 her first novel, The Hollowing mer Foreign minister of the Republic of grant students. Her prose is gripping, emotion - Moon, was one of the four semi-finalists of the — Arevig Caprielian 10 S ATURDAY , M ARCH 8, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living

Mazda Press Pianist Artun Releases New Miskciyan in Recital DETROIT — Pianist Artun Miskciyan will give a concert on Saturday, March 29, at 7 p.m., at Book by Prof. the Steinway Piano Gallery, 2700 E. Maple Road, Commerce Township. Bournoutian Miskciyan was born in Turkey in 1995. He started playing the NEW YORK — Prof. George Bournoutian’s piano at age 6. In 2004 new book, From Tabriz to St. Petersburg: he was accepted to the Iran’s Mission of Apology to Russia in 1829 , Mimar Sinan State has just been released by Mazda Academic Conservatory and con - Press. tinued his piano educa - This original volume, based solely on tion with Prof. Metin Persian and Russian primary sources, Ulku. In 2008, he par - describes the yearlong journey of the Iranian ticipated in the delegation to Russia to apologize for the mur - Summer Sonata der of the Russian ambassador and the mas - Program at the Artun Miskciyan sacre of the entire staff of the Russian Cleveland Institute of embassy (save one) by an angry mob in Tehran Music, Ohio. There, he in February 1829. The incident, which was took a master class from Dr. Sean Schultz. In sparked when an Armenian man and two April 2010, he participated at the Pera Armenian women who sought refuge or who International Piano Competition and received were brought to the Russian Embassy in the “Best Baroque Interpreter Prize.” That Tehran, endangered the recent peace between same year, he participated in the National Russia and Iran following the Second Russo- Chopin Piano Competition, which was held in Iranian War of 1826-1828. Ankara, Turkey, and received the “Polish The Iranian representatives left Tabriz in two Embassy Special Prize”. In 2011, he graduated groups: the first in March and the second in from Mimar Sinan State Conservatory with May 1829. The first group went through honors. To continue his piano education he Nakhichevan, Yerevan, Sardarabad, moved to Canada with his family in 2011. He Echmiadzin, Gumri, Spitak and Stepanavan to currently attends the Etobicoke School of the Arts, and is continuing his piano study with Tiflis. The second group went through Catholicos Gevorg V Sureniants at Echmiadzin with Armenian orphans Karabagh and Ganja to Tiflis From there the Prof. Marietta Orlov at the Young Artists two groups united and went on to Moscow and Performance Academy in the Royal from there to St. Petersburg, where they stayed Conservatory of Music. for more than two months. The program will include pieces by Bach, The mission, headed by Khosrow Mirza, the Beethoven, Chopin, Bartok and Khachaturian. 16-year-old seventh son of Crown Prince ‘The First Refuge and The concert is sponsored by the Metro Abbas Mirza, carried letters of apology and Detroit Tekeyan Cultural Association and dedi - gifts to the Tsar. It returned on February 27, cated to Margaret Benian. 1830, after successfully accomplishing its task. The Last Defense’ A reception will follow the concert. The young Prince had not only charmed the Tsar, the royal family and the nobility, but had also managed to reduce Iran’s war indemnity payment to Russia. His skillful diplomacy Major Exhibit Issued by ANI, AGMA, and Armenian Museum saved Iran from Russian retaliation, strength - Assembly Available Online ened Russo-Iranian ties, and lessened the Presents ‘Journey to British influence in Iran. WASHINGTON — The Armenian National Institute (ANI), Armenian Genocide Hayastan’ Museum of America (AGMA) and Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) jointly, and in cooperation with the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin, the Armenian WATERTOWN — The Armenian Museum of Genocide Museum-Institute in Yerevan and the Republic of Armenia National America presents “Journey to Hayastan.” This Archives, announced the release of a major exhibit consisting of 20 panels with over exhibition of paintings by award-winning artist 150 historic photographs documenting the role of the Armenian Church during the Philip Hagopian runs March 16 through May 4. Armenian Genocide. An opening reception for the exhibition will Titled “The First Refuge and the Last Defense: The Armenian Church, be held on Sunday, March 16, from 3 to 5 p.m., Etchmiadzin, and The Armenian Genocide,” the exhibit explains the importance of attended by the artist. The opening reception is the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin during the Armenian Genocide. It also exam - free and open to the public. Refreshments will ines the vital leadership role played by the clergy during the Armenian Genocide, be provided. especially the all-important intervention of Catholicos Gevorg V Sureniants in alert - Hagopian is a member of the Artists’ Union ing world leaders about the massacres, effectively issuing the first “early warning” of Armenia and has exhibited both nationally of an impending genocide. and internationally. Born in 1959 in The sacrifices of the Armenian clergy are well documented. Thousands, among Massachusetts, Hagopian is a graduate of the them several primates in Western Armenia and other parts of the Ottoman Empire, Art Institute of Boston and studied with master paid the price of martyrdom for their faith during the Armenian Genocide. Far less painter Frank Mason in Stowe, Vt. His first solo well known is the extent to which the Armenian Church in Eastern Armenia, then exhibition was in 1980 at Earthlight Gallery in under Russian rule, came to the assistance of the Armenian people in its hour of Boston and he has since exhibited throughout plight. New England and New York. The exhibit provides ample evidence of the aid extended by fellow Armenians to Hagopian’s artworks were exhibited in the refugees fleeing Ottoman Turkey as the Young Turk regime pursued its path Armenia recently, with appearances at Tekeyan toward the destruction of the Armenians. It is now almost forgotten that the first Cultural Center, Naregatsi Art Institute, people to come to the aid of the fleeing and starving were Armenians across the Boyadjyan Art Gallery and Artists’ Union of Russian-Turkish border who welcomed their countrymen into their homes and Armenia. The present study, utilizing Persian and threw open the doors to their schools, hospitals, and other facilities to house, care, Russian contemporary accounts, is a detailed and feed the hungry, the sick and the homeless. and daily account of the long journey and expe - At the epicenter of this outpouring of aid was Echmiadzin, the primary destina - riences of the Iranian delegation in Armenia tion of the Armenians fleeing the massacres along the border regions of the and Georgia, its stay in the various Russian Ottoman Empire, especially as a result of the great exodus of the Armenian popula - cities such as Vladikavkaz, Stavropol, Voronezh, tion of Van. They had dared resist extermination only to find themselves abandon - Moscow, and especially its long stay in St. ing their homeland, when the Russian forces that arrived to deliver them shortly Petersburg. The Iranians met a number of thereafter retreated. After the slaughter of 55,000 Armenians in Van province alone Armenian officials in the service of Russia and in April 1915, the survivors, 100,000 in all, concentrated in the city of Van, were left visited the Lazarian Institute. It should serve as with no choice other than exile. As armed Turkish and Kurdish bands pursued them a primary source on Russo-Iranian relations in every mile of their trek across the rugged landscape of mountains, valleys, and rivers the first third of the 19th century. cutting through gorges, the exodus turned into the road of massacres. The 360-page book contains eight special see EXHIBIT, page 11 maps, photos, facsimiles of the original One of the works by Philip Hagopian, which will be on display at the Armenian library manuscripts and can be obtained from Mazda Academic Press. S ATURDAY , M ARCH 8, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 ARTS & LIVING Major Exhibit Issued by ANI, AGMA, and Assembly Available Online

EXHIBIT, from page 10 sionary in Van Dr. Clarence D. Ussher, Prince Echmiadzin, at the time still a medieval fortress encyclopedic work on the Armenian Genocide. With testimony from survivors and witnesses, Argoudinsky-Dolgoroukov, Komitas, Alexander surrounded by bastions to protect Armenia’s I also must recognize the invaluable support the exhibit reconstructs this particular chapter Khatisian, Aghassi Khanjian and General most sacred site from marauders; and the and participation of the staff of the Armenian of the Armenian Genocide, a chapter often over - Andranik Ozanian. Gevorgian Academy at Echmiadzin, Armenia’s Assembly, in particular Joe Piatt and Aline looked in the context of the mass deportations The central role of Near East Relief, the premier educational institution soon converted Maksoudian, whose technical skills forged the of the Armenians from all across Ottoman American philanthropic organization constitut - into a hospital by Tumanian. elements of the exhibit into this impressive pre - Turkey to the interior of the Syrian desert ed in response to the spreading news of the des - The evidence exhibited was collected from sentation.” where hundreds of thousands perished from perate state of the Armenians during World multiple sources including the United States Adalian explained that the pictorial evidence hunger, thirst, and slaughter. The episode in War I, is a subject that has been widely explored National Archives, the Library of Congress, the supporting the story of the Armenian Genocide Van was no less tragic as the death toll was no due to the availability of extensive documenta - Republic of Armenia National Archives, the as documented at Echmiadzin coalesced with less ferocious even after thousands seemingly tion and testimony. In comparison, because of Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin Archives, the the identification of the exact location of a his - reached safety only to die of exhaustion, fright, the subsequent disasters that struck Eastern Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, toric photograph taken of the medical volun - starvation, and raging epidemics as the Armenia, the role of local Armenian philan - Nubarian Library, Research on Armenian teers assembled by Hovhannes Tumanian. resources in Eastern Armenia were quickly thropic organizations operating in the Russian Architecture, and from many other helpful indi - Thereby the rest of the pictures from that era overwhelmed and Echmiadzin transformed Caucasus that hastened to relieve the plight of viduals and institutions in Armenia and in the were assembled in a sequence consistent with overnight into a vast and fetid refugee camp. the Armenian refugees has been overlooked by Diaspora. A catalog identifying all the contents the testimony of the refugees, volunteers, wit - With three maps, 12 historic documents and historians. of the exhibit is in preparation. nesses and other contemporaneous records. news clippings, as well as 16 survivor testi - A variety of benevolent groups, local Red “I am particularly proud to recognize the “His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II and monies specific to the details of the events doc - Cross committees, and, in particular, assistance provided by colleagues in Armenia,” Archbishop Vicken Aykazian were invaluable in umented with over 150 photographs, the exhib - the Fraternal Aid Committee, authorized by the stated Dr. Rouben Adalian, ANI director who helping create this remarkable exhibit,” added it reconstructs the Armenian Genocide in a sin - Catholicos Gevorg V Sureniants, led the initial created the exhibit. “I take the occasion to ANI Chairman Van Z. Krikorian. “The time to gle region of historic Armenia and reveals how responses to the Armenian Genocide. Months thank them publicly, among them Dr. Hayk share important, and especially previously the people of Eastern Armenia became aware of before any relief was delivered from overseas, Demoyan, director of the Armenian Genocide undisclosed, evidence on the Armenian the policies of the Young Turks during World fellow Armenians, medics, nurses, clergymen Museum-Institute, Dr. Amatuni Virabian, direc - Genocide, and the responses to it, is now. We War I. The exhibit combines images retrieved and countless volunteers hastened to tor of the Republic of Armenia National really appreciate the help of the Catholicos, from archives and repositories in Armenia and Echmiadzin and nearby towns to assist the Archives, Sonya Mirzoyan, director of the for - Vicken Srpazan, and other clergy in moving for - America and connects them together in this refugees. This heroic response within a matter mer State Historical Archives in Armenia, Dr. ward. This exhibit also reminds us of another first extensive narrative exhibit on the of days to the crushing reality of tens of thou - Harutyun Marutyan of the Institute of lesson from the past. When so much crumbled Armenian Genocide. sands of Armenians made homeless remains a Archeology and Ethnography of the Armenian in the face of the genocidal violence of the These dramatic pictures highlight the role of neglected episode in Armenian history deserv - Academy of Sciences, Dr. Susanna Young Turk government, our clergy and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin during the ing greater attention. Certainly the photo - Hovhannisyan of the Literature Institute of the Echmiadzin served beyond their capacities as critical years of 1915 and 1916. They also graphic evidence gathered in this exhibit attests Armenian Academy of Sciences, Samvel an indispensable stronghold of the Armenian explain the invaluable national role of to the scale of the response and dedication of Karapetyan, director of Research on Armenian people. That is something to be proud of, share Armenian church leaders as exemplified by four the Armenian volunteer aid organizations. They Architecture, and Dr. Petros Hovhannisyan, openly, and emulate.” of its outstanding catholicoses, namely Mkrtich were the Transcaucasian counterpart to the holder of the chair in Armenian history at the In December 1912, Catholicos Gevorg V I Khrimian, Gevorg V Sureniants, Khoren I Armenian General Benevolent Union operating University of Yerevan.” Sureniants wrote: “The Armenian Question, Muratbekian, and Garegin I Hovsepiants, the out of Egypt at the time that reached out to fel - “An exhibit of this size must rely upon the which 34 years ago was raised in front of first three, Catholicos of All Armenians and the low Armenians wherever it could deliver assis - anteceding pioneering research of numerous European diplomacy, remains unanswered to fourth, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia. tance in the Middle East. scholars who have issued specialized publica - this day. If the Armenians are once again The exhibit also explores the role of the laity The mass of evidence that was gathered for tions on the Armenian Genocide and related ignored, it would amount to delivering an entire in responding to the appeals of the Armenian the exhibit required careful examination in subjects,” added Adalian. “While the list is long, people to final annihilation.” It indeed remained Church and reveals how the Eastern Armenian order to establish the context of the pho - for the purposes of this particular exhibit, I for him to issue to the world the first ever geno - intelligentsia, as represented by figures such as tographs from that era. The effort to recon - need to recognize Dr. Dickran Kouymjian and cide alert, in April 1915. With the Armenian Hovhannes Tumanian, the most prominent writ - struct this history relied upon historic sites well his valuable works on the history of Van communities across Ottoman Turkey utterly er of his era, and the famed artist Martiros documented with imagery. For the purpose of province; Rev. Dr. Zaven Arzoumanian who is devastated and the survivors dispersed across Sarian, closely cooperated with the Mother See this exhibit, these primary markers were the the continuator of Malachia Ormanian with his the barren landscape of Syria, Iraq, Jordan and in order to assist the Western Armenian famous monastery and school of Varag near contribution to Azgapatum (National [Church] other places where they were left to die, as the refugees. Van, where Khrimian Hayrik once presided as History) covering the era of Catholicos Gevorg Turkish armies advanced upon Eastern Numerous other important figures are also abbot; the American missionary station in Van, V Sureniants; Dr. Benedetta Guerzoni who has Armenia threatening the very extinction of the represented through photographs and testimo - where Dr. Ussher and his family ministered to completed cutting-edge research on the Armenian people, the great weight of the ny in the exhibit, including United States the educational, spiritual, and medical needs of Armenian Genocide era imagery as revealed moment once again fell upon the shoulders of President Woodrow Wilson, US Secretary of Armenians and others who sought their ser - with the recent release of her book; and Dr. Catholicos Gevorg V Sureniants, whose defi - State William Jennings Bryan, American mis - vices; the compound of the Mother See of Holy Raymond Kevorkian for his monumental and ance in May 1918, as the danger neared the very doorstep of Echmiadzin, inspired the remaining Armenians to rally for a last stand at Sardarapat. It was also with the authorization of Catholicos Gevorg V that Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople Zaven Der-Yeghiayan estab - lished April 24 as a memorial day. The exhibit reproduces in translation the encyclical com - municating the heartfelt blessings of this great churchman who witnessed so much destruction and continued to stand in defense of humanity and civilization. “The First Refuge and the Last Defense” is also being issued in digital format for worldwide distribution free of charge as downloadable posters suitable for printing and display.

Entertainment Fridays and Saturdays 12 S ATURDAY , M ARCH 8, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING Child’s Tattered Dress Sheds Light on Armenian Genocide

MISSION HILLS, Calif. — Relics from the Armenian genocide will be unveiled during a conference focusing on the heroes and survivors of the genocide at the Ararat- Eskijian Museum on March 22. Filmmaker Bared Maronian along with British journalist Robert Fisk, Prof. Vahakn Dadrian, Dr. Hayk Demoyan, Ayse Gunaysu, Missak Keleshian, Shant Mardirossian, Dr. Rubina Peroomian and Prof. Vahram Shemmassian will take part in the daylong conference honoring those who aided in the rescue of survivors of the genocide from 1915 through 1930. While researching the stories of orphans of the Armenian genocide for his doc - umentary, “Orphans of the Genocide,” Maronian discovered information regard - ing a dress once owned by an orphan in Hadjin (now known as Saimbeyli), an Armenian town located roughly 125 miles north of Mersin in Turkey. After some time, he located the dress at the Bethel College Library in Mishawaka, Ind. “The dress belonged to an orphan, who survived the Adana Massacre of 1909 and walked from Adana to Hadjin, roughly 75 miles,” Maronian said. “She found refuge at the United Orphanage and Mission (UOM) in Hadjin run by a North American Mennonite congregation.” The UOM in Hadjin was subject to continuous threats and pressure by Ottoman authorities to cease operations. When World War I broke out, the missionaries were all called home. According to Maronian, in 1914 Sister Dorinda Bowman packed the orphan dress along with an unfinished rug the orphan girls had been weaving. “The dress, most likely worn by a 7-year-old orphan girl or a boy, is a significant tangible remnant of the Armenian Genocide,” Maronian said. “A close look at the dress makes you wonder what the chil - dren of the Genocide went through and how only a handful resiliently survived, while most were butchered or faced death of starvation or disease.” Roughly 1.5 million Armenians were killed during WWI during the Ottoman Empire’s reign over their homeland in what is modern day Turkey. The Adana massacre occurred in the Ottoman Empire province of Adana in 1909, which resulted in the deaths of as many as 30,000 Armenians in the course of a month. The dress and rug are currently on loan by the Bethel College The Hadjin child’s dress Library to the Ararat-Eskijian Museum for two years.

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All rates are per person based on double occupancy and includes cruise, all taxes and ACAA registration fees. S ATURDAY , M ARCH 8, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 ARTS & LIVING Ararat Center’s Spirit Soars CC AA LLEENNDDAARR NEW YORK — The Ararat Center’s 10th anniversary celebration set sail on the Hudson River amidst the snowflakes on Saturday, December 14. Attendees traveled from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York — all braving the storm that battered the East Coast — and boarded the ship for its scheduled 7:30 FLORIDA departure. While the wintry weather dampened MARCH 14-17 — Armenian Assembly Annual Trustees the highways, keeping some ticket holders at Meeting & Banquet, Boca Raton. Friday night, guests are home, it did nothing to dampen the revelry on invited to a welcome reception and on Saturday morning, the the yacht. Partygoers were warmed by hot hors annual trustees meeting will take place. During and after lunch, d’oeuvres and spirits from the open bar, fol - guests will hear from author Dr. H. Martin Deranian, Near East lowed by a delicious meal on the lower deck. Foundation Board Chairman Shant Mardirossian, and South As the ship rounded Liberty Island, guests Florida Filmmaker Bared Maronian. Saturday evening, the were awe-struck by a view of the Statue of Assembly will honor Michael Haratunian at a special dinner ban - Liberty, majestically illuminated against the New quet. A participant of the Airlie conferences that established the York sky. “Look how far we’ve come since our Assembly in 1972, Haratunian served as a member of the board grandparents first set eyes on the Statue of of directors for several years including four years as chairman. Liberty,” said Ararat Center Board Chairman All events will be held at the Marriott at Boca Center. Major Thomas Ashbahian. “They came to this country donor packages are available at the following levels: Benefactor with little but the clothes on their backs…. they ($1,000); Pillar ($2,500); Torchbearer ($5,000); and Guardian didn’t know the language…they were unsure ($10,000). Hotel arrangements can be made by calling 1-800- when their families would be reunited. Eighty- 228-9290 to get the special Assembly room rate of only eight years later, a group of Armenians came $159.00. To RSVP contact Assembly FL Chair Carol Norigian at together to cruise down the Hudson on a yacht [email protected]. Armenian Heritage Cruise XVIII 2015. A 7-day Caribbean Cruise aboard the Luxurious MSC DIVINA from January 17-24, 2015. Traveling to; Falmouth, Jamaica / Georgetown, Cayman Islands / Cozumel, Mexico and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. Cabin rates The Armenian Assembly Annual Trustees from $849.00 double occupancy, taxes and port charges includ - Meeting & Banquet will take place March ed. Armenian Entertainment, Armenian Cultural Presentations, 14-17, in Boca Raton. Friday night, guests Tavlou & Belote Tournaments and much more. Call TRAVEL - GROUP INTERNATIONAL 1-866-447-0750 Ext 103. Ask for are invited to a welcome reception and on Faye. Saturday morning, the annual trustees meeting will take place. During and after MASSACHUSETTS lunch, guests will hear from author Dr. H. Martin Deranian, Near East Foundation Board Chairman Thomas Ashbahian with MARCH 8 — Revolt of February 18 anniversary by Lowell Committee Members Rose Najarian Kedeshian Board Chairman Shant Mardirossian, and and Karen Durgarian. “Aharonian” Gomideh, 6:30, ARS Community Center, 142 South Florida Filmmaker Bared Maronian. Liberty St., Lowell. Buffet dinner and program, “More Unknown Saturday evening, the Assembly will honor Sites of Armenia” by Joe Dagdigian. Admission, $20 adults; $10 Michael Haratunian at a special dinner ban - as we snapped photos of the Statue of Liberty students. quet. All events will be held at the Marriott with our iPhones. I’ve always believed that if you MARCH 8 — Remembering an Armenian Heroine: The Fate & at Boca Center. Hotel arrangements can be want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go Legacy of Aurora Mardiganian, An Illustrated Lecture and together. On Saturday, December 14 we went Presentation of Newly Discovered Documents. Speaker Dr. Hayk made by calling 1-800-228-9290 to get the together in fellowship and to raise funds for a Demoyan, director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute special Assembly room rate of only place we hold near and dear — the Ararat Center.” Organized by the Armenian Cultural Foundation and co-spon - $159.00. To RSVP contact Assembly FL A festive mood was set with Armenian music sored by National Association for Armenian Studies and Chair Carol Norigian at south - provided by father and son Brian and David Research and Armenian International Women’s Association, 3 [email protected]. Ansbigian, along with George Terkanian and p.m., Armenian Cultural Foundation, 441 Mystic St., guest singer Steve Hovnanian, bringing atten - Arlington.Tel: (781)-646-3090. dees together on the dance floor. “I’m always MARCH 20 — Documentar y film “Dark Forest in the inspired by the camaraderie created when fel - Mountains” by Roger Kupelian, shot on location in Nagorno- low Armenians gather for a common cause,” Karabagh tells the story of war in the early 1990s that claimed Jonathan Hecht, James Miceli, Lawn and David Rogers, said Vice Chairman Andrea Karanian. tens of thousands of lives. Also, a presentation by Dro Kanayan Armenian members of the clergy, Middlesex County Sheriff The Ararat Center Board thanks Kathryn on the Armenian Genocide Education Committee and their Peter Koutoujian. Children from the Armenian Sisters’ Academy Ashbahian; Becky Kapur; Karen Durgarian, efforts to teach about the Genocide in the public school system. and St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School will sing America Nicholas Durgarian, and Rose Najarian-Kedeshian Seating is limited, admission free. 6:30 - 8:45 p.m., Memorial the Beautiful and the Armenian national anthem. A reception for their help, as well as all the participants. Hall Library, 2 N. Main St., Andover. Co-sponsored by the will follow in the Great Hall. Arakadz Lodge of the Knights of Vartan. For information email APRIL 26 —Unveiling of a new Genocide memorial by Lowell [email protected]. City Hall, sponsored by the Armenian Genocide Monument MARCH 23 — Publication party, Armenian International Committee of Merrimack Valley; 10 a.m., downtown proces - Women’s Association celebrates release of two books by Zabel sion, followed by program at City Hall and reception in St. Ann’s Yessayan newly translated into English: The Gardens of Silihdar Church Hall at noon. Main speaker, Margaret Ajemian Ahnert, and My Soul in Exile and Other Writings . 2 p.m. Armenian author, “The Knock on the Door.” Musical interlude by soloist Cultural Foundation, Arlington. Open to the public, free of Sevan Dulgarian; Sheriff Peter Koutoujian, MC. charge. For info, [email protected] or 617-926-0171. APRIL 27 — Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee MARCH 29 — Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Armenian Independent of Merrimack Valley observance, 3 pm, North Andover High Broadcasting of Boston presents a Musical Evening featur - School, 430 Osgood St., Arev Armenian Folk Ensemble per - ing Janet Khalarian, with the participation of the Hamazkayin forming; joint requiem service by MV Armenian churches; recep - Erebuni Dance Ensemble, St. James Armenian Church, Mosesian tion to follow; complimentary admission. Cultural Hall, 465 Mount Auburn St., Watertown. Donation $20. MAY 21 — Chefs Party for Our Park! Benefit for the Armenian For tickets, call (617) 926-6268 or Meri Memirjian at (781) 273- Heritage Park’s Ongoing Care., Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Royal 2770. Sonesta Hotel Boston, Cambridge. Celebrate with Boston’s Top APRIL 10 — A Place Far Away – Book Talk with Author Vahan Chefs presenting signature dishes inspired by parents, grand - Zanoyan, 7:30 p.m., Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall, parents or mentors for you to taste while you mix, mingle and Holy Trinity Armenian Church, 145 Brattle Street, Cambridge. enjoy. and mingle. Advanced Reservations required. To receive The Greater Boston area community is invited to a compelling the einvite, email [email protected] book talk with Vahan Zanoyan on his new novel, A Place Far Away, a powerful portrayal of the heart-breaking realities of MICHIGAN human trafficking in Armenia. Reception to follow talk. Signed books will be available for purchase that evening. All proceeds MARCH 29 — Young Turkish-Armenian pianist Artun from the sale of the book are being donated to organizations Miskciyan will per form at 7 p.m., Steinway Piano Gallery, devoted to protecting children and fighting human trafficking. 2700 E. Maple Road, Commerce Township. The program will For further info, contact the church office, 617.354.0632, or include pieces by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Bartok and email [email protected]. Khachaturian. The concert is sponsored by the Metro Detroit APRIL 11 — The 99th anniversary commemoration of the Tekeyan Cultural Association and dedicated to Margaret Benian. Armenian Genocide will take place at the Massachusetts State RSVP Diana Alexanian 248-334-3636 Leslie Balian 248-303-4690 House, House Chamber, 10:30 a.m. Keynote speaker, attorney Nora Azadian 248-303-7171. Tickets are $15 per person.A Mark Geragos. The program will feature state Representatives reception will follow the concert. 14 S ATURDAY , M ARCH 8, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

THE ARMENIAN COMMENTARY Mirror History Will Repeat Itself

ed forum for serious political discourse and he credits the devel - By Edmond Y. Azadian opment to the leadership of the Armenian National Congress, with Spectator some lip service to the “wonderful quartet,” meaning the Armenian National Congress, Heritage Party, Prosperous Armenia Recent political developments in Armenia are overshadowed by and the ARF. events in Ukraine, which in their turn will certainly impact on rela - He also finds positive trends in social movements which politi - tions with Russia’s “near abroad.” Armenia, being situated in that cize bread-and-butter issues, such as the hike in bus fares and the EstabElsisthabedlis1h9e3d2 1932 “near abroad,” certainly will not remain immune to fallout from the new pension plan which the government has been trying to imple - standoff there. ment. An AADnL APDuLb liPcuatbiloicn ation Throughout this turmoil created by Ukrainian events, Armenia Of course, his ultimate conclusion is that Serge Sargisian has to commemorated the anniversary of the March 1 2008 events which resign to bring an end to his “oligarchic kleptocracy.” As he said, had claimed 10 victims, following President Serge Sargisian’s elec - “This is the only honorable outcome for him.” EDITOR tion. To mark this occasion, the Armenian National Congress held Ter-Petrosian is not the only politician advocating regime Alin K. Gregorian a rally, with an ever-shrinking number of participants, where the change. Large segments of people believe that their fortunes will first president of the republic, Levon Ter-Petrosian, gave a long- take a turn for the better if a new leadership comes to power. But ASSISTANT EDITOR winded speech. That Ter-Petrosian is the most articulate political no one is able to annunciate how and under what conditions. Gabriella Gage leader no one doubts. His analytical mind is precise, his eloquence Granted, the current administration failed to improve the econom -

ASSOCIATE EDITOR is balanced and effective and his charisma remains undiminished. ic well being of the people. Especially, it could not find a viable Aram Arkun His speech as political analysis is worthy of being heard and dis - solution to curb the trend of depopulation, which is veering sected. Armenia toward extinction. But all of these changes are condi - ART DIRECTOR People continue to listen to him more than any other politician. tioned by outside factors, over which Armenians do not have con - Marc Mgrditchian But the Armenian National Congress, which he founded, was cut trol. Depopulation is the direct result of economic strangulation. to size in the last parliamentary elections. Members of his opposi - Should new elections take place in Armenia, or should there be tion group are mostly hotheaded novices and no one has his polit - a violent takeover of power, the Turks and Azeris will not lift the SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: ical acumen or eloquence to replace him. Most are oppositionists blockade. Nor will they rush to trade with Armenia. Edmond Azadian who are like a black eye on his party. Had the movement enrolled Pipelines, rail systems and roads are being designed in the politicians of Ter-Petrosian’s caliber, the opposition could have Caucasus to stir economic development, but through Georgian col - CONTRIBUTORS: gained more traction in the political life of the Armenian Republic. lusion with Ankara and Baku, all are bypassing Armenia to isolate Florence Avakian, Dr. Haroutiune Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Prof. Lacking loyalty or a cohesive platform instead of simply opposition it even more economically. Vahakn N. Dadrian, Diana Der to the powers-that-be, most jumped ship when the movement suf - The enemies are not waiting for a regime change to rescue Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, Kevork fered losses — and first to desert it was Ter-Petrosian’s former for - Armenia from its economic predicament. Keushkerian, Sonia Kailian-Placido , eign minister, Alex Arzoumanian, who later formed his own party, Ironically, all these hostile acts are taking place under the watch - Harut Sassounian, Mary Terzian, Hagop the Liberal Democrats. ful eyes of our “strategic ally” Russia, which has yet to lift a finger. Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian In his long speech, Ter-Petrosian analyzed the political situation Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly declared his policy of isolating and in Armenia. He dwelt at length on the 2008 events as well as the bankrupting Armenia, to see its population shrink to an unsus - CORRESPONDENTS: shocking slaughter in the Parliament in 1997, which has yet to be tainable level. Nor will Azerbaijan tone down its bellicose rhetoric, Armenia - Hagop Avedikian properly investigated and whose perpetrators have not yet been which keeps Armenia on war footing. Boston - Nancy Kalajian Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian brought to justice. The first president could have reached a broad - Armenians are their own worst enemies. And if today’s republic Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach er audience had he included among those traumatic events serv - fails to survive, we do not need to blame any one but ourselves. The ing as blemishes on the face of modern Armenian history the polit - number of people who believe that Armenia’s lot will be much bet - Contributing Photographers: Jacob Demirdjian, Harry Koundakjian, Jirair ical assassinations which took place on his watch (former KGB ter if a new government is brought to power is rising. But no one Hovsepian Chief Marius Yuzbashian, former Yerevan Mayor Hampartsoum has yet addressed solving the outside factors which have led to the Galestian, writer Vartkess Petrossyan, to name but a few), or the current situation. And no one can, in good conscience, attest that cases of diasporan investors who were ruffled or killed during his any former administration has been less corrupt, including that of administration. Ter-Petrosian. The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published Of course, he has harsh words for the current administration for Armenians brought the fall of medieval city of Ani by infighting weekly, except two weeks in July, by: failing in the domestic and foreign arenas. His points are well and handing the keys to the city to the Byzantine emperor. Also, Baikar Association, Inc. taken, if one disregards the contexts under which those policies are because of the infighting of the princes and their treacherous 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 formulated. Poverty, economic decline and depopulation are seri - scorched-earth policies, they weakened the Cilician Kingdom and Telephone: 617-924-4420 ous concerns that the former president dwells on. He specifically thus it fell prey to the Mamluks in 1375. We can extend this self- FAX: 617-924-2887 lashes out at the current president for making a U-turn on negoti - destructive instinct all the way to the fall of the First Republic, www.mir ror spectator.com ations with the European Union and adhering to Russia’s Customs when Armenians butchered each other until the beleaguered E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator .com Union. Yet, the current events in and around Ukraine fully explain republic was absorbed into the Soviet Empire. For advertising: [email protected] why Armenia had no alternative but to cling on to Russia. It looks like the trend is continuing and unless we heed our Focusing on parliamentary life, he expressed his satisfaction that ancestors’ warning, we are destined to allow history to repeat itself. for the first time, the Armenian Parliament has become a respect -

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U.S.A. $80 a year Joseph Berman Unqualified for Superior Court Canada $125 a year Armenian Genocide. that Mr. Berman should not be penalized for Other Countries $190 a year By Joseph Dagdigian Once it was known that Mr. Berman was his shameful failure, as a National not supported by the majority, Governor Commissioner of the Anti-Defamation Patrick postponed a vote and, instead, League (ADL), to take a moral stance against © 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator As suburban Boston constituencies look intensely politicked to urge Councilors to the ADL’s siding with Turkey and lobbying Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA on, Governor Deval Patrick is still insisting reverse their position. This culminated in to squash Armenian Genocide recognition and additional mailing offices. that the eight elected Governor’s Councilors Gov. Patrick’s withdrawing the Berman nom - resolutions in Congress. Genocide is an inter - ISSN 0004-234X accept his nominee, attorney Joseph ination, only to resubmit it, and call for a sec - national crime, and the US is a signatory to Berman, to be a Superior Court judge. ond hearing for Mr. Berman, which was just the Convention on the Prevention and POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The After Mr. Berman’s first hearing on held on February 26, 2014. Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Armenian Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472 November 13, 2013, a majority of Councilors As an attendee at that hearing, it appeared To what do we owe this sudden tolerance indicated that they would not vote in favor of to me that Councilors were bending to polit - and acceptance? How is it that some Other than the editorial, views and opinions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily Patrick’s desired candidate. ical pressure. I conclude this because when Councilors now seem willing to overlook Mr. reflect the policies of the publisher. Many of their reasons stem from issues of their formerly stated reasons for opposing Berman’s character and professional character. They included Mr. his nomination were inade - deficits? Berman’s not being honest quately readdressed on the During the hearing’s recess, Mr. Berman during sworn testimony OPINION floor, some Councilors surpris - was seen outside the meeting hall “high-fiv - when asked about his having ingly indicated that they now ing” some of his colleagues, signaling his elected officials lobby the Councilors on his found acceptable what they at first did not. perception of an imminent victory. Is this the behalf; his hefty campaign contributions to Now, Mr. Berman indicated he did not fully sort of sober comportment we want in a Democratic candidates since being turned understand the questions previously asked judge? Copying for other than personal use or internal reference is prohibited without down for a judgeship in 2004; his sarcastic about his lobbying efforts. Now, campaign It appears as if Governor Patrick is helping express permission of the copyright attitude when questioned by Councilors; his contributions suddenly appeared reasonable, Mr. Berman pursue a position for which he owner. Address requests for reprints or lack of criminal trial experience; his lack of given that he, too, was a Democrat support - is ill-qualified to hold. Massachusetts citi - back issues to: knowledge about and/or dismissive ing his chosen political party members. zens deserve a mature, reasoned and unbi - demeanor when asked about drug addiction Now, he was simply misunderstood when he ased judge on the bench. Mr. Berman does Baikar Association, Inc. issues; and his controversial decision to not had offered curt replies to questions. Now, not merit that distinction. 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 resign from the Anti-Defamation League – since the first hearing, he’s qualified since he an organization which hypocritically works read a book about drug addiction and gone (Joseph Dagidigian is a resident of against Congressional recognition of the to a drug court. Now, some Councilors felt Harvard, Mass.) S ATURDAY , M ARCH 8, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 COMMENTARY

Second call at 11:17 am: it. Then you could have done it… Bilal: …My brother [in-law] Berat has another idea. He says Bilal: We were able to give this much for now. It is hard we should give some of it to Faruk [Kalyoncu, president of already; it takes too much space. We are putting part of it a construction company] for the other job, so he can somewhere else, we gave part of it to Tunc, and then… process them like the previous ones. Shall we do that? We Erdogan: Did you transfer all to Tunc? My Turn can sort out a big amount of money that way. Bilal: They asked, I guess he said that he could only take Erdogan: Possibly. 10 million euros. By Harut Sassounian Bilal: OK. For the other part, because we started a business Erdogan: Whatever! Don’t talk on this [phone]. partnership with Mehmet Gur [managing director of a con - Bilal: OK, then, we will sort it. struction group], we thought of giving it to him saying, Erdogan: OK, do it. I am not able to come tonight. I’m stay - Corruption Scandal May End ‘keep it, you can use it as projects come up.’ This way, we ing in Ankara. Erdogan’s Political Career can reduce it and move the rest to somewhere else. Fifth call at 10:58 am on Dec. 18, 2013: Erdogan: OK, fine, as long as you do it…. It would be good Erdogan: I decided to call to see if there is anything new. In a series of secretly recorded phone conversations if you do… If you can liquidate them all. Bilal: No, nothing. We finished the tasks you gave us, with revealed last week, Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Bilal: Yes, we will liquidate them all today, God willing! God’s help. Erdogan was heard instructing his son to hide from police Third call at 3:39 pm: Erdogan: Has it been all liquidated? tens of millions of dollars of cash stashed in his Istanbul Erdogan: Did you complete the tasks I gave you? Bilal: Completely! How should I put it? I had Samandira house. Bilal: We will finish them by this evening. We sorted some and Maltepe’s money, 730,000 US Dollars and 300,000 This shocking revelation generated widespread calls for out; We sorted the Berat part, now we will first handle the Turkish Liras. I will handle these too. We owe 1 million Erdogan’s resignation who claimed that the phone record - part with Mehmet Gur, and the rest, we will do after dark…. Turkish Liras to Faruk sik [parliament member]; I will ings are fake or edited. It appears, however, that the wire - Erdogan: What did Sumeyye [daughter] do? give it to him and tell him to transfer the rest to the acad - tapped conversations between the Prime Minister and his Bilal: She took them out, brought them over, we spoke, etc. emy. son are authentic, according to Guarded Risk, an American Erdogan: Do not speak on the phone with each other. Erdogan: Do not speak so openly! cyber company that conducted a comprehensive forensic Fourth call at 11:15 pm: Bilal: Shouldn’t I? analysis of the phone calls. Bilal: Hi daddy, I am calling to… we did [it] mostly. Did you Erdogan: Don’t. OK? It is ironic that Erdogan who came to power as an call me just now, daddy? Bilal: OK, daddy Islamist with the declared aim of eliminating corruption Erdogan: No I did not, you called me. Erdogan: I mean, do not keep anything on your person, from Turkish politics, has fallen victim to the dictum: Bilal: I was called from a secret number. whatever it is Samandira or whatever… Send it to where it “power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely!” Erdogan: When you say ‘mostly,’ did you fully liquidate it? needs to be, why do you keep it on you? The phone calls were secretly recorded on the day police Bilal: It’s not zero yet, daddy. Let me explain. We still have Bilal: OK, daddy, but I think currently we are under sur - raided the homes of several cabinet members, prominent 30 million euros that we could not yet liquidate. Berat has veillance. businessmen, and the head of the state bank. They were all an idea. There was an additional 25 million dollars Ahmet Erdogan: What have I been telling you since the very begin - accused of involvement in bribery and other corrupt prac - Calik [businessman] should receive. They say let’s give this ning! tices. [to him]. When the money comes, we do [something], they Bilal: But is the security staff following us, father? Translation of excerpts from Erdogan’s five wiretapped say. And with the remaining money we can buy an apart - Erdogan: Son, you are being wiretapped. conversations with his son, Bilal: ment from Sehrizar, he says. What do you say, father? Bilal: But they are also visually monitoring us. Erdogan: Whatever, we will sort it out. Erdogan: That may be true. Now, we’ve just done some First phone call at 8: 02 am on Dec. 17, 2013: Bilal: Should we do it like this? things at the Istanbul police headquarters. Erdogan: …Take everything you have out of your house, Erdogan: OK, do it. Additional recordings have since surfaced in which OK? Bilal: Do you want them all liquidated, father, or do you Erdogan and his son talk about rejecting a $10 million Bilal: What would I have, dad? Your money is in the safe. want some money for yourself? bribe offer from a Turkish businessman for being insuffi - Erdogan: That’s what I am talking about…. Erdogan: No, it can’t be left over, son. You could transfer it cient. Bilal: What shall we do with it, daddy? Where shall we put to the other, with Mehmet you could transfer it there. Erdogan could end up losing not only his current posi - it? Bilal: Yes, we gave it to them. We gave $20 [million] to tion and the chance of becoming President later this year, Erdogan: In specific places, in some specific places… . Do them. but may also face prosecution and a lengthy jail term for it! Erdogan: For God’s sake, first you should have transferred his alleged crimes.

Prominent members of the collective were Avetik Isahakyan, Derenik Demirchyan, Levon Shant, Ghazaros Aghayan, Perch 145th Anniversary of Tumanian Proshyan, Nikol Aghbalian, Alexander Shirvanzade, Nar-Dos, Vrtanes Papazyan, Vahan Terian, Leo, Stepan Lisitsyan, Mariam Tumanian, Gevorg Bashinjagyan and many other PanARMENIAN.Net - Hovhannes Tumanian was born on significant Armenian figures of early 20th centu - February 19, 1869 in the village of Dsegh, Tiflis Governorate, ry. With some pauses, it existed until 1908. Russian Empire (now Lori Province, Armenia.) In 1912 Tumanian was elected the president of His father, Aslan (1839-1898), was the village priest known by the Company of Caucasus Armenian Writers. the name Ter Tadevos. He was an offspring of an Armenian In the fall of 1921, Tumanian went to princely family of Tumanian, branch of the famous royal house Constantinople to find support for Armenian of Mamikonian that settled in Lori in 10th-11th centuries from refugees. After months spent there, he returned ill. their original feudal fief of Taron. After surgery in 1922, he started to get better. But His mother, Sona (1842-1936) was an avid storyteller with a in September, Tumanian‘s disease started to particular interest in fables. Young Tumanian was the oldest of progress again. He was transferred to a hospital in eight children; his siblings were Rostom (1871-1915), Osan Moscow, where he died on March 23, 1923. (1874-1926), Iskuhi (1878-1943), Vahan (1881-1937), Astghik Tumanian’s works range from fairy tales, bal - (1885-1953), Arshavir (1888-1921), Artashes (1892-1916). lads and poems to novels to include: Anush From 1877-1979, Tumanian attended the parochial school of (1892), with Armen Tigranyan’s opera based on Dsegh. From 1879-1883 he went to a school in Jalaloghly. the poem, Gikor, David of Sassoun, The Dog and Tumanian moved to Tiflis in 1883, where he attended the the Cat (1886), Maro (1887), Akhtamar (1891), Nersisyan School from 1883-1887. Tumanian‘s wrote his first Davit of Sasun (1902), The Capture of Tmkaberb poem at the age of 12, while studying in Jalaloghly school. He (1902), A Drop of Honey (1909), The End of Evil lived at the teacher’s Hovhannes Tumanian at Vernatun (1908), The Shah and the Peddler (1917). Armenian Grief house for a while and Tumanian’s house in Tbilisi, Vernatun, built in was in love with 1854, was bought out by the local Armenian com - Bebutov Street in Tiflis (present-day Amaghleba 18, in Sololaki). munity to be turned into a cultural center. Armenian grief is a sea, teacher’s daughter Soon it became an influential literary group, which often gath - For many years, Yerevan has been honoring the great poet A fathomless, boundless main. Vergine. Tumanian ered in the garret of Tumanian‘s house. Vernatun means garret with Tumanian days, with the festive events annually lasting In that dark expanse drifts my soul, worked for Aghbyur, Murtch, Hasker and in Armenian, which was the name the group was referred to. from April 4 to 11. Mournful, in mortal pain. Horizon periodicals Now furiously it rears and also was engaged And the azure coastline seeks, in public activism. Now weary it disappears, In 1888, at the age and a daytime telephone number. Seeking peace in the deeps. of 19, Hovhannes Notice to Contributors But neither can it find the bottom, Tumanian got married — Deadline for submission of all articles and advertising is The Armenian Mirror-Spectator welcomes articles, commen - noon on the Monday of the week of publication. Nor can it reach the shore... to Olga Matchkalyan, taries and community news from our readers. In order to In the sea of Armenian sorrows 17. They had 10 chil - assure the accurate and timely publication of articles submit - — Photos will be published without charge at the discretion of dren: Musegh (1889- ted, please note the following policies: the editors and art director. Photos will be returned only if a My soul languishes evermore. self-addressed and stamped envelope is included. 1938), Ashkhen (1891- — All articles submitted should be typed, double (or triple) — The M-S will publish only one article about an upcoming 1903 1968), Nvard (1892- spaced and printed in a type size large enough to be clearly 1957), Artavazd (1894- legible (10 point or larger). Submissions that do not conform organizational event. For major special events, exceptions Hovhannes Toumanian may be made only by special arrangement with the editors. 1918), Hamlik (1896- to these specifications will be assigned lowest priority. — Telephone numbers, ticket prices and other details (at the 1937), Anush (1898- — Articles sent by fax are acceptable, and e-mail submissions discretion of the editors) will not be included in press releases, 1927), Arpik (1899-1981), Areg (1900-1939), Seda (1905-1988), are encouraged. but should be reserved for calendar listings and advertise - Tamar (1907-1989). — All submissions should include the name of a contact person ments. In 1899, Tumanian came up with an idea of organizing meet - ings of Armenian intellectuals of the time at his house on 44 16 S ATURDAY , M ARCH 8, 2014 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR

Razmik Panossian Brings Vision to And the Oscar Goes to…. Armenian- Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Owned Los Angeles Pizza Chain PANOSSIAN, from page 1 the number of students in Armenian schools In order to draw up his mission, he decided there has shrunk down to 8,000. He had com - PIZZA, from page 1 is identified by the chain as Edgar that “instead of sitting in Lisbon,” where the missioned a study there and intends to speak to DeGeneres milked the gag further by Martirosyan and “not an actor,” is shown in foundation is based, he should talk to “commu - all the responsible authorities there to imple - soliciting tips from Harvey Weinstein. Best a red hat and apron serving up a slice to nity leaders, see what needs are in the diaspo - ment steps to increase the number of pupils. supporting actress Lupita Nyong’o pitched Harrison Ford. ra.” Thus, the schools will receive bigger funds than in some lip balm. Big Mama’s & Papa’s Instagram page Therefore, he went on a tour of France, previous years, but need to abide by the condi - But Big Mama’s & Papa’s wants more now features shots of Brad Pitt digging England, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, Canada, tions and requirements of the foundation. out of the exposure than a few $20s tossed into a piece of pie by Angelina Jolie’s side, the US, Armenia and Turkey, met with In general, Panossian said, the demographic into a hat. a befuddled Dax Shepard, supporting-actor Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and trend in the Middle East indicates the rapid The chain, which counts Catholicos of the Great See of Cilicia Aram I, as shrinking of Armenian and Christian popula - a Sunset Boulevard loca - well as with teachers and other community tions. Only two and a half major Armenian cen - tion blocks away from the leaders. ters remain in the east, he said: “Aleppo has dis - awards site among its 20 “Some common themes emerged,” he said, appeared. Lebanon remains and Istanbul is the units, is following up the Top among the concerns, he said, was the dan - half. We still expect [the region] to be the Oscars with a publicity ger facing Western Armenian. “I did not know source of Western Armenian. The Armenian rampage. The chain, about the urgency.” Diaspora in the US, in Los Angeles, are places owned by Armenian-born Connected to that is the issue with schools, where they may be able to produce Armenian- Aro Agakhanyan, is now he said. “When I went to Lebanon, I realized speaking intellectuals. Montreal [has already] angling to also become the how difficult the situation of the Armenian created a generation of Armenian speakers.” official pizza of the Oscars. schools is and it emerged as an important Those are cases of diasporan successes that Consider that early esti - point,” he said. he wants to study and replicate in the east, mates peg Oscar viewer - “Good textbooks are one element, but not the where in earlier times, keeping the mother ship at an average of 40.2 solution,” he explained. tongue was effortless. million people during One issue facing the schools, both in the One practical problem facing the diaporas in prime time, a 9-percent Best Supporting Actor Jared Leto grabs a slice from Ellen Middle Eastern Diasporas as well as in the the east and west, with regard to learning boost over last year’s pre - Degeneres and Edgar Martirosyan. West, is the lack of good Armenian teachers. Western Armenian is that immersion in it is liminary numbers. With fewer students in Armenian schools, fewer becoming harder and harder. “If you want to DeGeneres’ stunt likely saved Big winner Jared Leto accepting pizza from people will go into teaching Armenian, he learn a language, where do you go to immerse Mama’s & Papa’s a fortune in advertising: DeGeneres and Kerry Washington with an noted. yourself in it,” he asked. Another part of his Kantar Media pegged the price of commer - entire box. Training Armenian teachers in the Middle East agenda is to create a list of books that need to cial slots during the ceremony at $1.8 mil - The company’s Twitter account, where and the West and rewarding top students are be available in Armenian, whether they were lion for 30 seconds. Kogi Taco Truck chef Roy Choi is one of more going to be priorities for the foundation. This originally written in Armenian or not. He added On the pizza company’s website, a photo than 5,100 followers, noted that DeGeneres’ segment of the plan will receive about $1 million that all aspects of the culture needs to be online of DeGeneres in her white suit and scarf talk show put in another order out of Big in funding. so that major Armenian publications that do dominates the page. The deliveryman, who Mama’s and Papa’s Burbank location. Teachers need to be trained, he said, through not have websites should be able to have access scholarships, in fact creating a “cadre of intellec - to one. tuals and teachers.” Panossian complained that Armenian seems “The cornerstone of the work of the founda - to have acquired a second-class status with organizations,” among other goals. Armenians to engage in. We cannot be naïve, tion is to support the work of schools in the many young Armenian speakers. “It is the lan - On an academic level, he said, plans are but [instead] very nuanced.” diaspora,” he explained. “We have usually sent guage of modern life versus the language of underway to give scholarships to students there Part of that shared history, he explained, is a little money to a lot of schools. Realistically, talking to your grandparents,” he said. to go abroad to take part in scientific confer - the singular contribution of Armenians to the what is $5,000 to a school with a budget of half Therefore, he explained, finding a way to bring ences, as well as working with the Ministry of Ottoman Empire. “Very few historians are inter - a million? Now we are going to give to fewer Armenian into the language of computers and Diaspora. ested in these issues. We need to create dialog” schools but larger amounts for specific pro - hand-held devices is one of the goals. And, he noted, it is not only Western through education, culture, civil societies, he jects,” Panossian said. Armenian that is disappearing. “It is taking only said. Schools in Lebanon are due to receive special Armenia, Syria and Turkey one generation in Russia” to lose Armenian. In Calouste Gulbenkian, Panossian said, was attention because of the attrition of students “The bulk of the work in the Armenia is first fact, he explained, Russia, home to one million always deeply involved and interested in the there. According to him, from a high of 25,000, to support civil society, organizations, youth Armenian expatriates, does not have a “single Armenian community. In fact, he said, one of Armenian day school.” the little-known facts about him is that he Syria is facing altogether different issues. bought the town of Anjar in Lebanon for use by “When the civil war is over, we will contribute Armenians only. to the rebuilding.” The foundation is already Panossian was appointed to the post at helping Syrian-Armenian compatriots, by giving Gulbenkian on January 24, 2013. He is the the largest single chunk of money last fiscal author of the critically-acclaimed book, The year — $800,000 — to that country, through the Armenians: From Kings and Priests to AGBU and the See of Antelias. Merchants and Commissars (Columbia The foundation, he said, does not have an University Press, 2006) and various other acad - office in Syria, instead choosing to send money emic publications on Armenian identity, politics there through other organizations in order not and diaspora. He was the director of policy, pro - to duplicate labor. “We are open to work with grams, and planning at the Montreal-based anyone willing to work with us,” he said. International Centre for Human Rights and A presence in Turkey is “relatively new for Democratic Development (2004-10), and has us,” Panossian said. “We ought to encourage worked for UNDP in New York as an interna - dialogue and [understanding of our] shared his - tional consultant (2011-12). He obtained his tory.” PhD from the London School of Economics His fear, he said, is “waking up on April 25, and Political Science in 2000, where he also 2015” and asking, “do we have an answer?” taught. Instead, he wants the foundation to focus on Since 2000, the Armenian Communities the future as part of “Armenians at 2115,” to Department of the Calouste Gulbenkian study what changes are taking place in Turkey. Foundation has given away $55 million in “There is an excellent opportunity for us grants and scholarships.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan Named Best Player Of Week by Bundesliga.com

YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Midfielder of the Mkhitaryan was chosen Armenian Footballer Armenian national football squad and of the Year in 2009, 2011 and 2012. In 2012 Borussia Dortmund star Henrikh Mkhitaryan he was voted as the best Shakhtar player of was recognized s the best football player of the 2011–12 season by the fans, and Ukraine week by the official website of the Bundesliga, Premier League MVP. In 2012, Mkhitaryan summing up the 23rd round of the German was named among UEFA’s Top 100 players by Tournament. UEFA European Football Yearbook 2012–13. He was praised for his goal against Mkhitaryan was voted the CIS Footballer of Nurnburg. the Year for 2012, making him the first Mkhitaryan is Armenia’s all-time top goal Armenian footballer to be named the best play - scorer, with 12 goals in 43 international er from post-Soviet countries. Mkhitaryan matches since his debut in January 2007. His received the nickname Heno from his fans in previous clubs include Pyunik Yerevan, Armenia and has recently been nicknamed Metalurh Donetsk, and Shakhtar Donetsk. Micki by his Borussia Dortmund fans.