JANUARY 14, 2012 MirTHE rARoMENr IAN -Spe ctator Volume LXXXII, NO. 27, Issue 4221 $ 2.00 NEWS IN BRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States PACE Turkish President Turkish Leaves Office BRUSSELS, Belgium (news.am) — Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Ambassador President Mevlüt Çavusoglu’s term has expired. He held the office for two years and will occupy another one in the Venice commission. Returns to The Armenian delegation has complained often about Çavusoglu’s bias. In particular, he hindered Armenian delegates’ speeches by displaying a France sharp, anti-Armenian disposition. Row Spreads to Algeria Six Armenians Are
PARIS (RFE/RL, Now Lebanon) — Among Injured in Turkish Ambassador to France Tahsin Burcuoglu has reportedly returned to Moscow Blast Paris at the weekend more than two Istanbul’s Surp Krikor Lusavorich Armenian Church MOSCOW (Armenpress) — At least two people weeks after being recalled to Ankara in died and another 39 were injured when an explo - protest against a French bill criminaliz - sion caused by a natural gas leak took place at ing the denial of the Armenian Genocide. the Italian Il Pittore restaurant in the Russian “The ambassador has finished the con - Istanbul’s Oldest Armenian capital. sultations for which he was recalled and As reported by the Armenian embassy in returned to France on Saturday [January Church Reopens Moscow, among those injured in the explosion and 7],” Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman fire are Roma Markosyan, (aged 24), Yelena and Selcuk Unal told the AFP news agency ISTANBUL (Hetq) — Istanbul’s Saint Gregory the Enlightener Armenian Victoria Aghajanov (aged 52 and 30), Nika on January 8. Apostolic Church was reopened after a six-month restoration on Sunday. Aghajanova (aged 3), Siranuysh Yeghusyan (aged Hurriyet Daily News reported last Surp Krikor Lusavorich Armenian Church, said to be the oldest Armenian 36) and Felix Mkrtchyan (aged 14). Only three of week that Burcuoglu would be sent back Church in Istanbul, was restored by the Sisli Municipality. It has a specific place them were hospitalized, but all were said to be in to Paris to “coordinate” Turkish efforts among the other Armenian churches with its conical dome. Inner illumination is stable condition. to prevent the Genocide bill’s passage by provided by the few narrow windows suitable to Armenian church design. The bel - the French Senate. fry next to the entrance is also in line with classical Armenian church architecture. The Senate is expected to debate and Aronian to Participate A mass was held at the church, which is located in the city’s Karakoy neigh - vote on the measure, strongly con - borhood. demned by Turkey, on January 23. In International Chess The French government and the oppo - Tourney in Holland sition Socialist Party, which holds a majority of seats in the chamber, have YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Armenian chess grand - signaled support for its passage. Armenian, Azeri Leaders master Levon Aronian will participate in the inter - The Turkish ambassador was recalled national chess championship in the Dutch town of for consultations immediately after the Veik-an-Zee. bill was approved by the lower house of The Tata Steel championship will be conducted France’s parliament, the National Set for Fresh Summit February 14-29, Armenia’s Chess Federation web - Assembly, on December 22. site reports. Ankara reacted furiously to that vote, ban - SOCHI, Russia (RFE/RL) — Russian Citing an “informed” Russian diplomat - Armenian chess player Elina Danielyan will also ning French military aircraft and warships President Dmitry Medvedev is expected ic source, the Regnum news agency participate in the championship. from landing and docking in Turkey and to host fresh talks this month between reported on Monday that the meeting is freezing political and economic meetings. his Armenian and Azerbaijani counter - scheduled to take place in the Russian Restoration School to Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip parts in an effort to kick-start the stalled Black Sea city of Sochi on January 23-24. see AMBASSADOR, page 3 Nagorno-Karabagh peace process. President Serge Sargisian’s office did Open in Matenadaran not refute the information. Commenting on it, Sargisian’s spokesman Armen YEREVAN (Armenpress) — A special restoration Arzumanian said that the presidential school is planned to open in the Matenadaran man - press service “announces meetings and uscript repository and museum this year to prepare Christmas, Blessing of the visits of the President of Armenia in due necessary specialists in the field. course and in an appropriate manner.” The head of the restoration department of the Water Celebrated in Armenia Arzumanian did not comment further. Matenadaran, Gayane Eliazyan, said as a result of There was no immediate reaction to the the program, future restorers will be selected from Regnum report from Azerbaijan’s among the students of the school. The most talent - ed will be appointed in the Matenadaran itself. Eliazyan said the school will not only provide restoration classes but also classes for miniaturists as well as teaching old Armenian. INSI DE
Azeri and Armenian delegations surround Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Armenian
President Ilham Aliyev and other officials in Baku. In his New Year’s address to the Culture nation, Aliyev accused the Armenian side of effectively renouncing further negotia - page 13 tions with Azerbaijan. That Aliyev and Sargisian will hold yet another trilateral meeting with Medvedev this month was confirmed by another source privy to Armenian-Azerbaijani INDEX peace talks mediated by Russia, the Arts and Living ...... 13 United States and France. The Russian Armenia ...... 2 president has organized about a dozen Community News...... 5 Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II blesses the water in Echmiadzin. See story Editorial ...... 17 and more photos on page 2. such meetings since 2008. Aliyev and Sargisian came close to International ...... 3, 4 agreeing on the basic principles of a see SUMMIT, page 20 2 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 14, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Christmas, Blessing of the Water
Tatev’s Wings Operates Celebrated in Armenia Year Round YEREVAN — Hundreds of Armenians GORIS, Armenia (Armenpress) — In January and attended the Holy Mass performed by February Tatev’s Wings aerial tramway will work the head of the Armenian Apostolic on Saturdays and Sundays. The interest in the Church Karekin II in Echmiadzin, cable way was big during the holidays. Working which is the seat of the Catholicos of only on January 5 and 6 the cable way served 150 All Armenians, to celebrate Christmas passengers. Friday. Director of the cable way Tigran Ghazarian said President Serge Sargisian, Foreign that since its opening in October 2010, through Minister Edward Nalbandian and other December 2011, about 75 000 people have made high-ranking officials attended the cere - use of the tramway, 10 percent of whom were resi- mony. Representatives of foreign dents of the nearby villages. Unlike tourists, they embassies in Armenia were also invited are using it as a means of transport free of charge. to the event. The director of the tramway said the majority of After the two-hour Holy Mass in the tourists are from CIS countries, the US and Holy Mother of God Cathedral in Europe. Echmiadzin crowds of believers sur - Ghazarian noted that the cables are regularly rounded the Catholicos of All inspected, adding that no changes are expected in Armenians, to touch his hand. the near future. The cost for using it is 2,000 drams In his sermon on Armenian one way, and 3,000 drams roundtrip. Christmas, Karekin II urged Armenians to return to the church and start Tsarukyan Receives embracing its values, if they want hap - President Serge Sargisian and his wife, Rita, walk with Catholicos of All Armenians pier lives. Karekin II in Echmiadzin on Armenian Christmas Day. Reconciliation Award “Through Christ, God’s love was revealed to mankind; the Son of God YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The Reconciliation came into the world to eliminate sin, modern world. It is burdened with man - this world, leading it towards the good Movement NGO has handed this year’s award to dissipate the darkness of death and to ifold difficulties, deprivations, contra - and perfect, the full life that was our Gagik Tsarukyan. Upon taking the award, he urged lead humanity to its Creator — to accept dictions and conflicts. The rejection of Lord’s earthly life, which was faith and everyone to unite toward strengthening Armenia. everlasting life. Through Christ, divine Christ and His commandments gives love for the heavenly Father and bless - “We are guided only with the principle of recon- birth to wars ing for mankind.” ciliation, tolerance and consent,” he said. For the and tragedies, He then offered blessings to every - third year, the NGO is granting awards to recognize harms our plan - one, singling out several leaders. figures who displayed political consciousness dur- et, becomes the “On the soul-renewing occasion of ing the year. cause of a weak - the Holy Nativity and Theophany of our For the first time, the award was given for artis- ening soul and Lord, we greet the incumbents of the tic efforts, this year to Ara Gevorgyan. spirituality, as hierarchal sees of our Apostolic Holy well as the vio - Church with Christ-bequeathed love: lent interruption His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Government Gives of God-granted Great House of Cilicia; His Eminence Amnesty to 2,490 People life – murder Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, and suicide. The Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem; His YEREVAN (Armenpress) — As of December 16, universal crisis Eminence Archbishop Mesrob about 2,490 people were released from prisons of our day, Mutafian, Armenian Patriarch of through the amnesty declared on May 26 by the which is Constantinople; President Serge Republic of Armenia National Assembly on the explained Sargsian of the Republic of Armenia occasion of the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s inde- through politi - and the First Lady, present here today pendence. cal, economic for the Divine Liturgy; and the state According to the official website of the Armenia’s and material officials of the Armenians. We extend judicial system, criminal cases against 514 people causes, is also greetings to President Bako Sahakian have been suspended and about 1,976 people have Catholicos Karekin II delivers a sermon on Christmas. fundamentally a of the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh. been released. result of the We convey our pontifical love and bless - alienation and ings to the oath-bound clergy of our love is dispersed throughout the world straying from the luminous path that Church and to all our people dispersed Warm Weather Worries entire — over man and nature — to leads toward God, the rejection of the throughout the world. With the glad Fruit Growers always renew and fill it with life and joy. gifts of heavenly love by sinful ways. tiding of the Holy Nativity, we greet the However a way of life opposed to the Christ is life and in keeping his com - spiritual heads of our Sister Churches YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — Residents of southern divine will turns life into a focus of prob - mandments, God’s love, truth, holiness, and the representatives of diplomatic villages of Armenia are concerned about the recent lems and challenges. Let us look at the justice and mercy are implemented in missions accredited in Armenia.” high temperatures because they worry that trees may blossom, and later the cold weather may dam- age this year’s crop. However, both official sources and experts of the British Ambassadors Promise to Strengthen UK Relations agricultural sector state that at the moment the weather does not threaten the agricultural yield. YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The newly the development and expansion of bilat - ening of Armenian-British ties. “As of now the weather conditions are quite nor- appointed ambassadors of the United eral relations. During the meeting Nalbandian mal, and there is no threat,” Vahagn Martirosyan of Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Aves and Leach said they would do expressed hope that the relations between the Ministry of Agriculture said. Ireland to Armenia, Jonathan James their best during their office to con - the two countries will expand in the fields Hrach Berberyan, head of Agrarian-Rural Union Aves and Catherine Jane Leach pre - tribute to the reinforcement and deep - of trade and cultural ties. of Armenia NGO, added that early budding is not a sented this week copies of their creden - widespread concern. tials to Armenian Foreign Minister “We have had a normal winter. The weather will Eduard Nalbandian. stabilize in a few days and there will be no problem The press office of the Ministry of of cold and warm weather,” Berberyan said. Foreign Affairs reported that Nevertheless, villagers of Armenia’s southern Nalbandian wished them success in regions are worried. Zarine Sargisian, a resident of their mission, expressing confidence Gladzor village, Vayots Dzor province, said that that the ambassadors will contribute to their trees are already budding. “I see at this moment that cherry trees are sprouted up and the buds are quite big. Now it is very warm here. If the temperature remains high, the apricot trees will also blossom. I understand Correction that the weather is warmer in our region [as com- pared to other villages of Armenia], but the tem- An article in last week’s Mirror- perature will drop soon, and the trees will be frost- Spectator on the upcoming con - bitten,” Sargisian said. gressional elections by Taniel However, cold weather is forecast. Koushakjian transposed the Representatives of the Emergency Situations names of two persons. Rep. Dale Ministry report that the temperature in Armenia is Kildee is retiring and his Ambassadors of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to expected to drop by several degrees. nephew, Dan Kildee, is seeking Armenia, Jonathan James Aves and Catherine Jane Leach meet with Armenian the seat. Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian. S ATURDAY , JANUARY 14, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL Trouble in the Region: Russian Military Base International News In Armenia Is Factor in Possible War on Iran Iranian Vocalist, groups in the South Caucasus, the war in Iran would mean the cutting of By Naira Hayrumyan Caspian, Mediterranean and Black Sea supplies through this channel.” Armenian Philharmonic regions.” The paper quotes sources at the Russia has also decided to “strike” To Perform in Tehran military department as saying that the Azerbaijan, dropping hints that it is from YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — The Kremlin has been receiving information its territory that Israel might attack Iran. TEHRAN, Iran (PanARMENIAN.Net) — Iranian United States has stepped up sanctions about plans for a US-backed Israeli strike On Thursday it was officially stated in vocalist Nazeri will perform a concert in the against Iran amid ongoing information against Iran’s nuclear facilities. “The Baku that Azerbaijan will not be used as Iranian capital in collaboration with the Armenian preparations for the possible application strike will be a sudden one and will hap - a springboard for an attack on Iran. But Philharmonic Orchestra this spring, Tehran Times of force against Iran. Both the Islamic pen soon, but the data is unspecified. military expert Col. Vladimir Popov reported. Republic and Russia, which remains a Tehran’s response is likely to be quick, thinks that in such a situation Azerbaijan Iranian composer Peyman Soltani will participate major player in the region, have warned too, with the possibility of a full-scale war, may also solve some of its problems as in the concert, which is titled “Melal,” director of that a military strike against Teheran may whose consequences could be unpre - well. Qoqnus Music Institute, Mohammad-Hossein entail unpredictable consequences. dictable,” according to the paper. “If against the background of the war Tutunchian, told the Persian service of ISNA on But Russia has gone further and, in “Military Base 102 [situated in Gumri, in Iran, Azerbaijan, with the support of January 3. fact, stated that it will take part in a pos - Armenia] is a key point, Russia’s outpost Turkey, attacks Armenia, then, of course, Nazeri received a Chevalier de la Légion d’hon- sible war, because it may affect its vital in the South Caucasus. It occupies a very all the attacks of the enemy aircraft neur medal from the French government in 2008. interests. important geopolitical position. But the against Armenia will be resisted by Russia Among these “vital interests” for Kremlin fears lest it should lose this situ - together with air defense units of the Russia may also be its military base, ation.” armed forces of Armenia. It is hard to say McCain Calls on which is located in Armenia, which also Remarkably, the Russian newspaper whether this will be considered as Azerbaijan to Release has the function of protecting the securi - suggests a new war is possible between Moscow’s participation in military opera - ty of the South Caucasus ally. Russia and Georgia. It says that Georgia tions. Undoubtedly, Russian troops will All Political Prisoners The influential Nezavisimaya Gazeta now blocks the only land transportation not participate in hostilities in the territo - Russian newspaper published an article route for Russian military cargoes meant ry of Nagorno-Karabagh. But in the event WASHINGTON (AzeriReport) — On New Year’s Eve, on Thursday quoting sources as saying for the military base in Armenia, and even of a military threat to Armenia, for exam - Sen. John McCain sent a personal letter to that the situation forming around Syria fuel now has to be obtained from Iran. “In ple, from Turkey or Azerbaijan, Russia is President Ilham Aliyev calling for the release of all and Iran “causes Russia to expedite the fact, the Russian-Armenian group in the likely to engage in ground battles,” said political prisoners. The Turan News Agency was course of improvement of its military South Caucasus is already isolated. The Popov. informed that McCain had praised the last act of clemency by the Azerbaijani president, in which youth activist and blogger Jabbar Savalan was released. “I urge you to immediately release 16 other prisoners convicted for organizing peaceful Churches in Israel Struggling to Keep up rallies, as well as all other prisoners of conscience,” the message says. The US senator expressed “extreme concern” that the authorities still hold With Mass Influx of Foreign Workers the brothers Farhad and Rafig Aliyev in jail, although both could be released in accordance with churches in Jaffa. While St. Anthony knows how many there are, but they Articles 76 and 78 of the Criminal Code (parole and By Julia Niemann and St. Peter offer only two Masses in also provide cheap labor in jobs no for health reasons). Arabic for the town’s native Arab Israeli wants to do.” Christian population, they now offer Sidawi said his community has about JAFFA and JERUSALEM, Israel four Saturday Masses in English. 1,000 Arab Christians and about 20 Requiem for Repose of (Ha’aretz) — Shifting demographics are Those services are attended primarily times as many church members who Souls of Syrian Martyrs changing the landscape of Israel’s by Filipina caregivers. hail from other backgrounds; in most Christian communities as an influx of Additional services are also offered in cases they come from the Philippines. A HASAKA, Syria (SANA) — The Armenian Catholic migrant workers poses a new set of Spanish and French for African separate church near Tel Aviv’s Central congregation of St. Joseph Church held on Sunday demands for local churches. migrants, and several are offered in Bus Station also caters specifically to a requiem for the repose of the souls of the Syrian While the number of Christians with South Asian languages. St. Peter holds Filipino churchgoers. martyrs who sacrificed their souls to protect roots in Israel — including Arabic, a service in Hebrew for more fully assim - “The language does make a differ - Syria’s security and peace. Ethiopian, Coptic, Greek and Armenian ilated Christian children and Russian ence,” said Sidawi. In some cases The participants prayed to God to preserve Syria, Christians — is diminishing due to immi - immigrants. Indians and Filipinos are able to follow protect its security and stability and bless its land gration, statistics show the overall pop - Fr. Ramzi Sidawi — an Arab Catholic along in shared services, he said; some - and people. ulation of Christians remains steady due from Jerusalem and the parish priest in times they understand Spanish. Leader of the Armenian Catholic community in to the arrival of many foreign workers. Jaffa — says the presence of foreign “That is why,” Sidawi explains, “there Qamishli, Antranig Ivasian, said the crisis Syria is In fact, the churches themselves appear workers poses a unique challenge for is little contact among them beyond passing through has consolidated national unitya- to be growing. the community. Some, he said, try to shared Masses on Christmas and other mong the Syrian people. But in many cases, the additional prove paternity or seek baptism for chil - festivals: 80 to 90 percent remain in Ivasian added that “Syria is the cradle of civi- membership is only temporary. Many of dren without papers. Recently, he said, a their own communities.” lization and an example to be followed regarding these foreign workers eventually leave woman visited his office who had a visa Non-Arab churchgoers in Jaffa tend to unity, tolerance and coexistence.” Israel, either after they’ve made enough for only two days. live elsewhere, he said, mainly in dis - money to return home or when their “They gave it to her on the 13th of tricts in south Tel Aviv with many for - visas expire. December and it [expired] on the 15th,” eign workers. These workers typically French Weekly Pays This shift in demographics is evident he said, shaking his head. “But some - bus to church. Tribute to Aznavour in the Masses at two Roman Catholic how these people manage. Nobody “I have been living here for 30 years now,” said Shirley, a Filipino immigrant PARIS (Armenpress) — All four May issues of the whose son is a altar server at St. Anthony. French weekly Telerama will be devoted to singer “We are very warm and friendly with Charles Aznavour. The weekly has a circulation of Turkish Ambassador Returns to France each other in this church,” she said, not - 1 million. ing that Arab churchgoers often keep to An Armenpress correspondent from Shirak AMBASSADOR, from page 1 Ouyahia noted that Turkey had been themselves. reports a correspondent of the weekly, Clementine a member of NATO during the indepen - Shirley said her community has Derodit, is in Armenia. She has already been in Erdogan slammed the French bill as dence war in Algeria and as such had changed drastically due to deportation Yerevan and Gumri and will soon visit Vanadzor “politics based on racism, discrimina - provided material support to France. over the past 10 years. Sidawi also has and Akhalkalak. tion and xenophobia” and accused “We say to our [Turkish] friends: Stop noticed a change. He recalls the many “Telerama is an art weekly. Annually four issues French President Nicolas Sarkozy of making capital out of Algeria’s colo - Romanian foreign workers who once are being prepared especially for one author. In pandering to France’s influential nization,” he added. lived and worked in Israel in the early May the weekly will fully be dedicated to Charles Armenian community. But Soltani said Sunday: “We don’t 1990s. “They all vanished,” he said. Aznavour. It is impossible to speak about Aznavour He also claimed that France itself accept anyone saying that Erdogan is Provost Uwe Grabe of Jerusalem’s and not present Armenia, the artist’s ties with committed genocide in Algeria, its for - making the blood of Algerians their Church of the Redeemer now speaks of Armenia,” Derodit said. mer colony. business,” he told reporters. “a completely new Christianity in the The French journalist said she has been treated Erdogan’s references to colonial-era Bouguerra Soltani, the leader of an Holy Land.” It remains unclear whether, warmly. killings in Algeria prompted criticism Algerian Islamist party, denounced in the long run, it will be possible to cre - “Of course, in France everyone accepts Charles from Algerian Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia’s comments as “a service ren - ate a dialogue between the old and new Aznavour as a great art figure but in Armenia he is Ouyahia. dered to France.” communities, he said. If not, he said spoken about with special warmth. It is strange He said on January 7 that “nobody Soltani said Erdogan asked nothing they risk becoming disconnected, frag - that in Armenia people insist that Aznavour is a has the right to make the blood of of Algeria. “He just told France ‘You say mented islands — a trend he foresees world star and present their love toward him very Algerians their business.” that Turkey exterminated the happening in the future to West Bank modestly. Aznavour is like a key: you say Aznavour Ouyahia noted that Turkey was a Armenians in 1915, I am reminding you Christians. and all doors open. Generally, I have been in many member of NATO during the indepen - that you exterminated the Algerians,’” According to Grabe, Christian emigra - countries but Armenia is the first one to love dence war in Algeria and as such pro - he told journalists. tion from the West Bank is causing a French people so much, and be so hospitable,” she vided material support to France. Soltani, head of the Social Movement continuous decrease in the number of said. “We say to our [Turkish] friends: Stop for Peace (MSP) party, backed Erdogan Arab churchgoers. Eventually there will making capital out of Algeria’s colo - after he was criticized by Ouyahia. only be a few communities left around nization,” AFP quoted him as saying. “We have a historic cause,” he added. the holy sites, he warns. 4 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 14, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR INTERNATIONAL The Muzzle Tightens in Turkey
and former military personnel, intellectuals and politi - By Dan Bilefsky and Sebnem Arsu cians who have been linked to what officials say was a plot to overthrow the government by an organization called Ergenekon. ISTANBUL (The International Herald Tribune) — been a victim in a revenge operation — nothing else.” Four years into the investigation, no one among the Human rights activists say the government of Prime The European Human Rights Court received nearly more than 300 suspects charged in the case has been con - Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey is repressing 9,000 complaints against Turkey of breaches of press free - victed, even though courts have heard more than 8,000 freedom of the press through a mixture of intimidation, dom and freedom of expression in 2011, compared with pages worth of indictments, many of them based on tran - arrests and financial machinations. 6,500 in 2009. In March, Orhan Pamuk, a Turkish writer scripts of surreptitiously recorded private telephone con - A year ago, the journalist Nedim Sener was investigat - and Nobel laureate, was fined about $3,670 for his state - versations. ing a murky terrorist network that prosecutors maintain ment in a Swiss newspaper that ‘“we have killed 30,000 Advocates for press freedom say that the government was plotting to overthrow Turkey’s Muslim-inspired gov - Kurds and one million Armenians.” has also moved to mute opposition by using punitive fines ernment. Today, Sener stands accused of being part of Human rights advocates say they fear that with the and by intimidating the ownership of leading media com - that plot, jailed in what human rights groups call a politi - Arab Spring lending new regional influence to Turkey, the panies. cal purge of the governing party’s critics. United States and Europe are turning a blind eye to In a celebrated case in 2009, the Dogan media group, a Sener, who has spent nearly 20 years exposing govern - encroaching authoritarianism there. “Turkey’s democracy large conglomerate, was saddled with a $2.5-billion fine by ment corruption, is among 13 defendants who appeared may be a good benchmark when compared with Egypt, the Tax Ministry for unpaid taxes. Dogan officials say pri - in state court this week at the imposing Palace of Justice Libya or Syria,” said Hakan Altinay, a senior fellow at the vately that the real reason was that its publications had in Istanbul on a variety of charges related to abetting a Brookings Institution, a US research organization. “But given prominent attention to a series of corruption scan - terrorist organization. the whole region will suffer if Turkey is allowed to disre - dals involving senior government officials. The other defendants include the editors of The European Union has expressed concerns a staunchly secular website critical of the gov - about the chilling effect of the fine, which was ernment and Ahmet Sik, a journalist who has negotiated down to about $621 million, officials written that an Islamic movement associated familiar with the case say, as part of a tax with Fethullah Gulen, a reclusive cleric living There are now 97 members of amnesty issued last year. in Pennsylvania, has infiltrated Turkish securi - Now, some journalists who work for the ty forces. Dogan group say there is an unwritten rule not At a time when Washington and Europe are the news media in jail in Turkey, to criticize the governing party. Erdogan, who praising Turkey as the model of Muslim has previously called on his supporters to boy - democracy for the Arab world, Turkish human cott the Dogan group, strongly denied any polit - rights advocates say the crackdown is part of including journalists, publishers and ical motives behind the fine. an ominous trend. Most worrying, they say, After Erdogan swept to power in 2002, are fresh signs that the government of Prime human rights activists initially lauded him for Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is repressing distributors, according to the Turkish expanding free speech. But after an unsuccess - freedom of the press through a mixture of ful attempt by the secular opposition to ban intimidation, arrests and financial machina - Erdogan’s party in 2008, critics say, Erdogan tions, including the sale in 2008 of a leading Journalists’ Union. embarked on a systematic campaign to silence newspaper and a television station to a company linked to gard the values of liberal democracy.” his opponents. the prime minister’s son-in-law. Among the most glaring breaches of press freedom, They say the curbs on press freedom also reflect the The arrests threaten to darken the image of Erdogan, human rights advocates say, was the arrest of Sener, 45, a fact that Turkey no longer feels obligated to adhere to who is lionized in the Middle East as a powerful regional German-born reporter who was working for the newspa - Western norms at a time when it is playing the role of leader who can stand up to Israel and the West. Widely per Milliyet at the time of his arrest. In 2010 he won the regional leader and its talks on joining the European credited with taming the Turkish military and forging a International Press Institute’s World Press Freedom Hero Union are in disarray. religiously conservative government that marries strong award for his reporting on the murder of Hrant Dink, a Sener and Sik were defiant in March as police officers economic growth with democracy and religious tolerance, prominent Turkish-Armenian journalist who was assassi - took them into custody at their homes before television he has proved prickly and thin-skinned on more than one nated in Istanbul in 2007. cameras. “Whoever touches it gets burned!” Sik shouted, occasion. It is that sensitivity bordering on arrogance, Sener said he believed that he was in jail because he referring to the Gulen movement, whose members, ana - human rights advocates say, that contributes to his ani - dared to write a book criticizing the Turkish state’s negli - lysts say, have infiltrated the highest levels of the coun - mus against the news media. gence in failing to prevent Dink’s murder. His defense try’s police and judiciary. There are now 97 members of the news media in jail in team says the prosecution’s case rests on spurious evi - In March, the unpublished manuscript of Sik’s book on Turkey, including journalists, publishers and distributors, dence, including a file bearing his name that an indepen - the movement, The Army of the Imam , was confiscated by according to the Turkish Journalists’ Union, a figure that dent team of computer engineers concluded had been police officers. But the police were unable to stop its pub - rights groups say exceeds the number detained in China. mysteriously installed by a virus on a computer belonging lication on the Internet, where at least 20,000 users down - The government denies the figure and insists that with to OdaTV, an anti-government website. He was held for loaded it. the exception of four cases, those arrested have all been seven months without charges. If convicted, he faces up While the Internet has become the main weapon charged with activities other than reporting. to 15 years in jail. against censorship, more than 15,000 websites have been Last month, the Turkish justice minister, Sadullah “Nedim Sener is being accused on the basis of rumors blocked by the state, according to engelliweb.com, which Ergin, blamed civic groups for creating the false impres - and fantasies,” said his lawyer, Yucel Dosemeci. “He is tracks restricted pages. For more than two years until last sion that there were too many journalists in jail in Turkey. being targeted to create a culture of fear.” autumn, YouTube was banned on the grounds that some He said a new plan to enhance freedom of expression this In late December, Turkey drew fresh criticism after the videos on the site were insulting to Mustafa Kemal year would alter perceptions. police detained at least 38 people, many of them journal - Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. In court Wednesday, a defiant Sener, looking gaunt and ists, saying they had possible links to a Kurdish separatist The monitoring agency last summer called on websites pale, accused the police officials he had investigated of group. But critics say dozens have been arrested whose to ban 138 words, including “animal,” “erotic” and “zoo” setting him up. only offense was to have expressed general support for the in English and “fat,” “blonde” and “skirt” in Turkish. It is “It has been 11 months that I have not been given the rights of Kurds, a long-oppressed minority here. a tribute to Turkey’s still vibrant media culture that the chance to utter a single word to defend myself,” he said, Over the past year, the government has been arresting prohibition inspired an online competition to create the speaking to friends during a brief intermission. “I have prominent critics like Sener, as well as dozens of current best short story out of the banned words.
Armenian Air Charter Armenian Consulate Opened in Madras Arrives in Aqaba
MADRAS, India (news.am) — The agreement was dated June 22, 1688 and followed by the legendary Coja Petrus AQABA, Jordan (Petra) — An Armenian air char - Armenian Ambassador to India Ara was in due course communicated to the Uscan, Aga Shawmier Sultan and Aga ter arrived last Friday at the King Hussein Hakobyan visited this city recently to inau - principal Armenian merchant in Madras, Samuel Moorat. When Samuel Moorat died International Airport. gurate the new Armenian consulate, the Gregorio Paroan, and his associates. in 1816, his son, Edward Moorat, ran The flight was part of a program that included the Hindu reports. The first Honorary Consul It was also promised that as soon as through his huge patrimony in enjoying a arrival of 400 Armenian tourists over two days. of Armenia in Madras is businessman there were 40 Armenian merchants in life of luxury. With his death, the Armenian The Governing Authority of the Aqaba Special Shivkumar Eashwaran. Madras, they would be granted land to presence in Madras began to fade. Economic Zone (ASEZA) has recently launched an The Armenian presence in Madras began build a permanent church. initiative to support charter flight operations to to increase from 1688 when the East India The first well-known house of an One Armenian of this era who left a dif - Aqaba to make a contribution to the marketing costs, Company, finding the Armenians “sober, Armenian in Fort St. George is called ferent kind of heritage was the Rev. which are needed to open new tourism markets and frugal and wise,” gave them the same trad - Admiralty House. It was built by Coja Harutyun Shimavonian, who started in to support existing ones. ing rights as English freemen. These privi - Nazar Jacob Jan who arrived in Madras in Madras in 1794 the first Armenian journal The initiative aims to encourage tour operators leges were granted after negotiations 1702. in the world, Azdarar , and published sever - to include Aqaba in their programs and to increase between Coja Panous, Calendar of Aga Nazar Jan was the first of the great al Armenian classics before he died in the destination’s exposure through joint market - Isphahan and the Company in London. The Armenian merchants of Madras and was 1827. ing. S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 14, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 Community Ne ws
NAASR to Present University of Michigan Workshop Continues Five-Week ‘Visual Assessment of the State Journey through Of Armenian Studies Armenian History’ ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Leading experts in Armenian Studies from around the world BELMONT — The National recently gathered at the University of Michigan Association for Armenian Studies and to assess the current state of Armenian Studies Research (NAASR) will offer a five- in academic institutions in North America, week “Visual Journey Through Europe and the Middle East. The cross-discipli - Armenian History,” presented by Joe nary meeting took place from October 14-16, Dagdigian, beginning Monday, 2011, as part of the ongoing project to assess February 13 and running through “The State of Armenian Studies.” The gather - March 12. Each session will take place ing was organized by the Armenian Studies from 7 to 9 p.m. at the NAASR Center, Program (ASP) of the University of Michigan, 395 Concord Ave. Ann Arbor, and convened parallel to events “A Visual Journey Through marking the 30th anniversary of the establish - Armenian History” is an introduction ment of the first endowed chair in Armenian to Armenian history utilizing, wherever studies at the University in 1981 and of the pro - possible, images of historical sites, arti - gram itself. facts, maps, etc., to illustrate 3,000 The project has been able to gather a tremen - years of Armenian history and culture. From left, California Supreme Court Justice Marvin Baxter, Garo Mardirossian and dous amount of information on Armenian stud - It is intended primarily for those seek - California Court Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno ies and had made that information available to ing a basic overview of Armenian his - the participants for their analysis and com - tory and a sense of what Armenia’s ments. past and present look like. Ambitious in its scope, the three-day meeting A portion of the proceeds from this Armenian Bar Association to sought to have the input of these scholars to class will be donated to the Shengavit survey a wide array of programs, activities and Historical and Archaeological Cultural Host ‘European Court of Human publications in Armenian studies over the last Preserve in Armenia. 30 years throughout the world, not including The course starts with the Armenian Rights Ruling Regarding Turkey’s Armenia. The research team at the University arrival on North American shores, then had prepared lists of books published in goes back to the origins and early his - Rule 301’ Conference French, German, Farsi, English, Spanish, tory of the Armenian nation and covers Turkish, Italian and Russian; the gathering up to the present Republic of Armenia. made an general assessment of publishing inter - There will also be considerations of Garo Mardirossian to Be Honored ests and trends and laid the groundwork to Armenian art, oral history and litera - complete even more extensive surveys of works ture. Many of the images used in the LAS VEGAS — The Tropicana Hotel and Casino will be the venue as the published in Armenian, Polish and other lan - course are the instructor’s own pho - Armenian Bar Association (ArmenBar) gathers on January 14. Garo Mardirossian, guages. The meeting sought to bring to light all tographs taken on many journeys in past chairman of the Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles, who has gained acclaim of the undergraduate and graduate courses as a civil litigator, will receive recognition at a luncheon in his honor. that have been offered in Armenian studies over The panel discussion dealing with the European Court of Human Rights will the last decade in order to better grasp how the focus on the case filed by Turkish national and chairman of Armenian Genocide next generation of scholars is being trained and Studies at Clark University, Prof. Taner Akçam. The case is titled “Taner Akçam to make recommendations regarding what vs. Republic of Turkey.” A ruling was rendered on October 25, 2011, declaring kinds of courses need to be offered in the Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code to be a violation of human rights. future. The continuing relationships between On June 21, 2007, Akçam submitted an application against the Republic of Armenian studies as it stands in the university Turkey for violations of Articles 7, 10 and 14 of the European Convention on system and other institutions outside of that Human Rights (ECHR). The application arose from the effective criminalization system — such as research centers and archival under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code of historical scholarship and public and cultural organizations — were also surveyed discourse relating to the 1915-17 destruction of Ottoman Turkey’s Armenian pop - and discussed. Additional reports were pre - ulation. pared separately to address the state of the field Akçam was investigated under Article 301 for “insulting Turkishness” on regionally, such as in the US, in Europe and in account of an editorial opinion in Agos newspaper in which he defended his close the Middle East. friend and colleague Hrant Dink, a prominent Turkish-Armenian journalist and The goal of the meeting was to gain a more editor of Agos , prosecuted under Article 301 for alleged use of the term “geno - complete understanding of recent advances in cide” in describing the events of 1915-17. On January 19, 2007, an assailant Ogün scholarship relevant to the field as well as to Samast murdered Dink in Istanbul and justified his act by claiming that Dink con - survey avenues for future research, to discuss siders “Turkish blood is dirty.” It is widely believed that the murder resulted from the relationship between Armenian studies pro - Dink’s stigmatization under Article 301. grams and the general public, to brainstorm Joe Dagdigian Appearing on behalf of Akçam, McGill University Law Prof. Payam Akhavan, how to attract both established professors Associate Legal Officer Sheila Paylan and Armenian Bar Vice Chairman Harry already in the university as well as new stu - Dikranian, argued that the Turkish Court has been wholly indifferent not only to Armenia. dents, and to ensure that scholars in Armenian the violation to freedom of speech and the principle of non-discrimination, but also Dagdigian previously offered a ver - Studies continue to produce work that is cut - to the right to life, liberty and security of the person. sion of the course as a non-credit per - ting-edge in terms of recent methodological and The Turkish Court has in effect stated that any person that uses the term “geno - sonal enrichment course at Middlesex theoretical developments within greater acade - cide,” in relation to the 1915-17 destruction of Armenians, is inciting violence Community College. mia. against himself. Dagdigian was brought up in Lowell, The director of ASP, Gerard Libaridian, has The fact that the Turkish Court on its own initiative and without any justifica - and has a bachelor’s in electrical engi - been at the helm of the State of Armenian tion whatsoever declares Akçam a criminal pursuant to Article 301 and orders the neering with a master’s in computer Studies Project for the last four years, and the initiation of a prosecution, was said to be a deliberate attempt to stigmatize Akçam engineering from UMass-Lowell. He recent gathering of scholars to discuss the find - with the foreseeable consequence that he may suffer the same fate as his close has studied Armenian at the Nshan ings of the project represents a milestone — but friend and colleague Dink. Palanjian Jemaran in Beirut. He is a by no means an endpoint — in the ongoing pro - The panel will focus on the history of the case, article 301 and the ruling ren - past chairman of the Armenian Youth ject. Most recently, scholars were invited to dered by the ECHR. Attorneys attending the lecture will receive 2.5 units of con - Federation Central Executive, past co- respond to a series of questions about various tinuing legal education credits. chairman of the Armenian National dimensions of Armenian studies. All respon - In 2000, Mardirossian was voted CAALA’s “Trial Lawyer of the Year.” He has Committee of Merrimack Valley and dents to the questionnaire were invited to con - been on the Board of Governors for 16 years and is the first person of Armenian serves on the Board of the Cambridge- tinue the discussion at U-M in Ann Arbor. The descent ever to be president of the prestigious organization when he was appoint - Yerevan Sister City Association. With participants included many seminal and active ed in 2009. Anahid Yeremian, a physicist at the figures in the field, such as Robert Thompson, Mardirossian and his wife Kathy are the managing partners of Mardirossian and Stanford Linear Accelerator Center in Ara Sanjian, Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Peter Associates, a seven-lawyer boutique personal injury firm, where Mardirossian has California, he is a co-founder of the Cowe, Susan Pattie, Sergio La Porta, Robert achieved multi-million dollar jury verdicts in several cases over his 28-year career. Support Committee for Armenia’s Hewsen, Khachig Tololyan, Asbed Kotchikian Notably, a $24.85 million judgment rendered in the case of Dole v. County of Los Cosmic Ray Division (SCACRD). and Marc Mamigonian, as well as the faculty of Angeles in 1995 remains the largest police brutality verdict ever achieved in For more information, including fees, ASP at U-M: Kathryn Babayan, Kevork California. As recently as May 2009, Mardirossian obtained a judgment of $21.6 or to register for the class, contact Bardakjian, Ronald Suny and Libaridian. Post- million in the case of Pannu v. Land Rover North America, Inc. In that case, NAASR at [email protected] or visit the doctoral fellows and graduate students associ - see ARMENBAR, page 7 headquarters. ated with ASP at U-M also participated in the see ASSESSMENT, page 6 6 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 14, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS
Diocesan Sunday School Worship Program Underway University of Michigan
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Workshop Continues In 2009, the Eastern Diocese launched a Assessment of the State Sunday School Pilot Of Armenian Studies Program to cultivate atten - dance at the Divine ASSESSMENT, from page 5 Liturgy each Sunday as discussion. Many others from around the goal and core of the the world had participated in the traditional Sunday School preparation of the charts, lists, and spe - curriculum. Two years cial reports. later, most Sunday Schools Generally, organizations that are ded - are involved and have icated to one academic discipline will found the effort — which is assess overall trends in scholarship and coordinated by the make recommendations for future Diocese’s Department of research and pedagogical practices Youth and Education every five to 10 years. The problem, (DYE) — productive. however, is that Armenian studies is Many students are in not a discipline — that is, a specific church more regularly and methodological approach to train a cer - for longer periods, and tain type of scholar, such as a historian, they are receiving Holy literary critic, anthropologist, sociolo - Communion more often. gist or political scientist — but rather a Although each school’s field related to every aspect of morning schedule contin - Armenian life past, present and future. ues to be tweaked and This is not a weakness of Armenian challenges addressed, edu - Studies, but is generally believed to be cators and pastors have a strength of the field, as it is informed said the program is a “suc - and shaped by many different kinds of cess in progress.” scholars working together across mul - The program is modeled tiple disciplines to create new bodies of on the morning schedule Rev. Krikor Sabounjian delivers an object lesson to Sunday School students at the Church of the Holy Translators in knowledge. The flourishing of that was developed at the Framingham, Mass. Armenian studies programs, however, Armenian Church of the has merited a report on par with what Holy Translators in other disciplines produce every five to Framingham, by the parish’s pastor, the Rev. Liturgy is the central aspect of life in the church in time for the object lesson and com - 10 years. To this end, the meeting con - Krikor Sabounjian. Sunday School students church, and stresses the importance of includ - munion and remain in church through the Last cluded with preliminary plans to pub - go directly to church with their families at 9:30 ing children in this integral portion of the Blessing and hokehankist . lish a report on the state of Armenian a.m. They are able to hear the Epistle and Armenian faith as they grow up in the church. Sunday School students throughout the studies which could be put to good use Scripture Readings, recite the Nicene Creed Holy Translators Sunday School superinten - Diocese are well versed in the Badarak by the by scholars around the world, as well and respond to the prayer petitions of the dea - dent Laurie Bejoian remembers having grown time they graduate, but at Holy Translators stu - as serve to inform the general public of cons. They sing with the choir and other up with the experience of attending Sunday dents get a truly thorough acclimation. Other what topics are of utmost importance parishioners and experience the hymns where School class in the morning and then going to parishes and pastors have addressed the chal - today in Armenian studies, how to con - they appear in the liturgy, not just as isolated church at the end of Divine Liturgy. “I lenge of accommodating classroom and tinue to grow the field, what still needs songs to be learned. Prior to receiving com - thought as a child that the Badarak was only Badarak worship in a variety of different ways, to be done and why it matters within munion, Sunday School students sit in the communion and hokehankist ,” she said. “It’s guided by local circumstances. Thanks to the and beyond academia. chancel for an object lesson from Sabounjian. such a joy to see our young people partici - dedication of innovative pastors and superin - The project is co-sponsored by the After communion, they attend Sunday School pating in the Badarak from the beginning of tendents and to model programs such as the National Association for Armenian classes for approximately one hour. The pro - the service.” one in place at Holy Translators, and elsewhere, Studies and Research and the Society gram extends into fellowship where the chil - Teens regularly attend the entire Divine Diocesan Sunday School students and their for Armenian Studies, currently dren are joined by their parents. Liturgy, taking on active roles during the ser - families are enjoying a more holistic Sunday chaired by Bardakjian. This approach recognizes that the Divine vice. On such days, the younger grades go to morning experience.
OBITUARY Telephone (617) 924-7400 Harry Kullijian Aram Bedrosian Married to Broadway’s Carol Channing Funeral Home, Inc. LOS ANGELES (Fresno Bee) — Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 Longtime Modesto-area resident and former City Council member Harry MARION BEDROSIAN 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET Kullijian died Monday, January 9, in PAUL BEDROSIAN Southern California with his wife, WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN Broadway star Carol Channing, at his side, according to their founda - tion. Kullijian would have celebrated his 92nd birthday on Tuesday. B. Harlan Boll, head of publicity for the Los Altos-based Channing- Kullijian Foundation, said late GF UiNrEaRgAoL sHiaOMn E Monday that Kullijian was at the couple’s Rancho Mirage home last James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC week when he was stricken. His wife Funeral Counselor was doing a Christmas show in the 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 area December 21. www.giragosianfuneralhome.com Kullijian collapsed the next day and was taken to Eisenhower Medical Center, where he was treat - ed for an aneurysm. Boll said he was treated for the same condition two Edward D. Jamakordzian, Jr. d/b/a years ago. Kullijian spent Christmas at home with his family, but Monday Harry Kullijian with Carol Channing was rushed back to the hospital, Edward D. Jamie, Jr. where he died. Kullijian is perhaps best-known today as the “We go to these celebrity events and, of husband of Channing. But he served for eight course, everyone knows and loves Carol and LicensedFinuNneweYrorak landCNhewaJperseey l years on the Modesto City Council, began wants to talk to her,” Kullijian said in an inter - 208-17 Northern Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361 Service any hour, Citizens Leading Effective Action Now view, in October 2011. “Then they point to me (718) 224-2390 or toll (CLEAN) to fight against pornography and and ask, ‘Who’s he?’ So I’ve adopted a new any distance spent the past decade working with Channing name: Who’s he? It doesn’t matter who I am; it free (888) 224-6088 to raise funds to keep the arts in public schools. only matters that I’m helping someone else.” S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 14, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS AGBU Young Professionals, Northern California to Host Global YP Network
SAN FRANCISCO — The AGBU Young Gala dinner dance, will be held at the Green Professionals of Northern California (AGBU- Room at the San Francisco War Memorial YPNC) are preparing to host the 13th Annual Performing Arts Center in downtown San AGBU San Francisco Winter Gala — “A Sweet Francisco. The gala will feature a four-course Escape” February 17-20. The weekend will be meal, open bar and Armenian dancing to the the largest gala weekend to date with three full sounds of DJ Raffy and DJ Tigran. days of events. AGBU-YPNC will donate a por - Sunday, February 19 brings the newest addi -
Guests pose outside the hall. tion of the weekend proceeds to the AGBU Hye tion to the Winter Gala weekend, a Napa Valley Geen Pregnant Women’s Centers in Armenia. Wine Tour, with a party bus departing from the The weekend kicks off Friday, February 17 host hotel. Attendees will experience an all- with a welcome reception, at the host hotel, the inclusive tour to two of Napa Valley’s finest Sir Francis Drake in Union Square. Following wineries, a gourmet boxed lunch and round trip the mixer guests will head to Monroe Night travel. The Wine Tour concludes the weekend Club where DJ Raffy will be spinning the best long “Sweet Escape,” as attendees say farewell hip-hop, top 40 and mash-ups in a venue with to new and old friends alike an upscale lounge experience infused with the “Each year we work to improve on the previ - classic taste of yesterday. ous, and offer the best experience for YP’s The fun continues on Saturday, February 18 around the world, while raising funds for AGBU Revelers took to the dance floor. with a walking city tour which departs from the charities. This year we are offering the largest host hotel and will explore exciting districts of Gala weekend to date, and a true escape for out- San Francisco, such as Chinatown and North of-towners and locals alike,” said Steven and to benefiting a wonderful charity such as age specials and to donate, visit Beach to name a few. Later that evening, the Cherezian, AGBU-YPNC chairman and gala Hye Geen.” www.agbusfgala.org. For information, email weekend’s signature event, the “Sweet Escape” chairman. “We look forward to hosting the YP’s For event information, tickets, weekend pack - [email protected].
Armenian Bar Association to Host ‘European Court of ACYOA Members Become a Part of ‘Lay Ministry’ Human Rights Ruling Regarding Turkey’s Rule 301’
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — On Sunday, December 18, 2011, 21 Armenian Church ARMENBAR, from page 5 membership, and to honor one of the nation’s Youth Organziation of America (ACYOA) members gathered to celebrate Christmas at the Mardirossian proved that a defective design in leading attorneys,” said Edvin Minassian, chair - West Palm Beach Garden Mall. The event was organized by Rev. Nareg Berberian and the Land Rover resulted in an accident causing man of Armenbar. “While this legal education Andrew Merjian. his client to become paralyzed. Armen event is geared toward the legal community, we The youth enjoyed each other’s company and created stronger bonds. Several new ACYOA Akaragian, Mardirossian’s nephew and an asso - invite members of the public to attend what members signed up. Berberian welcomed everyone and emphasized the importance of youth ciate in the firm, assisted in trying the Pannu promises to be a fascinating presentation,” said in the life of St. David Armenian Church. He explained that this year was declared the “Year case. Minassian. of Lay Ministry.” He hoped that the youth (particularly the girls) of St. David would become Mardirossian currently represents the family The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., a part of this ministry by contributing their time and talents. Most of the boys are already of Kelly Thomas, a homeless man who was beat - in the Tropicana Conference Center and will altar servers. en to death by members of the Fullerton Police include a luncheon and an evening reception The ACYOA members promised to take a more active role at St. David Armenian Church Department. The case has received national following the lectures. and serve in various capacities in the organizations of the church. attention. For more information about the event, includ - “We are extremely proud to present such a ing fees for attending, visit the Armenian Bar distinguished group of legal scholars to our Association website at www.armenianbar.org.
Members of the St. David ACYOA From left, Armenian Bar Treasurer Sara Bedirian, Garo Mardirossian, Armenian Bar Chairman Edvin Minassian and Armenian Bar Rights Watch Chairman Saro Kerkonian 8 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 14, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS A Prayer for Cory Garabedian
As of this writing, Garabedian remains critical ular visits and prayers of healing. By Tom Vartabedian inside the Intensive Care Unit of Rhode Island E-mails and Facebook messages continue to Hospital under the care of a Russian specialist arrive from around the country from friends, named Bella Arvanessian who happened to acquaintances and even total strangers. PROVIDENCE — Cory Garabedian is the graduate from nearby Brown University. The annual AYF Convention wrapped up in type of son any parent would be proud to call Garabedian had planned to finish his educa - Philadelphia with $1,700 being raised for their own. tion at Dean College in Franklin, Mass. and play Cory’s medical expenses. According to insiders, A fine student-athlete, he has been an even football after distinguishing himself in high fines were purposely being imposed to enhance better Armenian-American whose heritage school. the fund. Additional contributions are expected never wavered — not for a moment. Michael Varadian, a highly-regarded to be raised through raffle proceeds at the As a member of two champion relay teams at Providence mentor, holds a high position with Providence AYF Victory Ball the end of the AYF Olympic Games, Garabedian represent - the Rhode Island Department of Health. January, far surpassing other amounts from the ed his Providence Chapter the way a fervent Varadian contacted the hospital’s chief of staff past. politician stood for a political party. With con - and chief of vascular surgery to watch over A special fund has been created to assist with viction and plenty of gusto. Best be said, he did - Garabedian. medical and rehabilitation costs. Checks can be n’t just fit the mold. He broke it! Numerous surgeries have taken place to made payable to Friends of Cory and sent to Cory Garabedian Today, the 23-year-old lies in a hospital bed, address a fractured neck and other injuries. A Sovereign Bank, attn: Ryan Purcell, 184 his fate in God’s hands. He suffered serious leg was amputated from the knee down. An Taunton Ave., East Providence, RI 02914. injuries in a horrific auto accident Christmas induced coma has kept him from feeling the “Cory could be seen wearing the jerseys of played high school basketball, baseball and foot - Eve morning when his vehicle swerved to pain. According to reports, his injuries are sur - local Armenian teams, including the ACYOA ball at Central Falls High School, where he was avoid another automobile before striking a vivable. and the AYF,” said Steve Elmasian, his advisor- named the Most Valuable Player of the Division barrier. Garabedian was ejected 75 feet from Rev. Shnork Souin of St. Sahag and St. coach. “A whole new world opened up for him 4 Super Bowl a few years ago. the back seat. The end result has become a Mesrob Church joins Rev. Archpriest Gomidas and he was taking it all in as fast as he could. All his AYF and ACYOA friends turned out on living nightmare. Baghsarian of St. Vartanantz Church with reg - Cory’s talent for the game was something to a cold and wet day with a large Armenian flag behold, whether he was making plays or shoot - in the stands, leaving him with an indelible ing three-pointers. He made it look so easy.” impression. Garabedian later admitted it was all Basketball shares the spotlight with his track the inspiration he would ever need to help his prowess. He ran the anchor leg on two gold- team to victory. Legal Scholar Garo Ghazarian Appointed medal-winning relay teams during the AYF “I saw my flag and you all made me proud to Olympics in New Jersey and Rhode Island. be an Armenian,” he told his admirers. To Glendale Civil Service Commission He played on HMEM teams that traveled to Meanwhile, an entire Armenian community Montreal and Washington, DC. A trip to waits anxiously for a son to heal from injuries GLENDALE — The City Council of Glendale Besides his commitment to the City of Armenia was negated when Garabedian was that may have taken a lesser person. has unanimously confirmed the nomination of Glendale for the next four years as one of its called to duty in Cuba with the Army National “The power of prayer is what Cory needs law school dean and professor, Garo Ghazarian, five Civil Service Commissioners, Ghazarian Guard after high school. He spent time in now,” said Elmasian. “Most people would never to the City’s Civil Service Commission. In mak - continues to serve as the dean of the Peoples Guantanamo Bay as a military police officer. have survived the crash this great-grandson of ing the nomination, Glendale City Council College of Law in Los Angeles, where for the “Cory can run like the wind,” said Elmasian. Genocide survivors has endured. My guess is member and two-time former mayor of past 17 years he has been a professor of crimi - “He’s a true team player and complements that that this young man is quite special because Glendale, Rafi Manoukian, referred his Council nal law. In addition, he is the vice-chair of the with a kind, funny, endearing and respectful he’s getting an enormous amount of requests colleagues to Ghazarian’s vast array of relevant Armenian Bar Association, co-chair of its pro- personality — a coach’s delight. He wears his every day to get well. There’s a long road ahead uniform with pride.” for Cory but knowing him, he’s up for the chal - Apart from the Armenian arena, Garabedian lenge.”
WE REMEMBER: JANUARY 19, 2007-JANUARY 19, 2012
Coffee Hour in Memory of Hrant Dink
From left, Edvin Minassian, chair, Armenian Bar Association, Garo Ghazarian, Los Angeles city attor - SUNDAY ney, Carmen Trutanich and former Los Angeles County District Attorney, Robert Philibossian JANUARY 22, 2012 legal experience and to his significant commu - bono committee, a board member of Mexican- nity involvement. The nomination was second - American Bar Association, Political Action ed by Council member Frank Quintero, who Committee (MABA-PAC), a board member of following church services had this to say about Ghazarian, “He is a great Yerevan-based think tank Armenian Center for nominee and he is going to do a very good job National and International Studies (ACNIS) and on the Civil Service Commission.” a regular legal commentator on national and St. James Armenian Apostolic Church Council Member Ara Najarian, a past international news networks, including CNN, Glendale mayor, added, “I support Mr. Headline News and Al Jazeera English TV. Tarvezian Hall Ghazarian. I’ve known him for many years. He “Garo Ghazarian is an indispensible member is a very active member of the community, the of the Armenian Bar Association,” said 465 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472 law enforcement community and the local bar Armenian Bar Chairman Edvin Minassian. “His associations. Garo Ghazarian is not afraid to service to the community is vital and well doc - speak his mind, and does so with due respect.” umented. His appointment to the Glendale Civil Laura Friedman, Glendale’s presiding mayor, Service Commission confirms his great com - Featuring remarked that though she does not personally mitment to serving his community.” know Ghazarian, “Looking at his resume, I The Civil Service Commission establishes Reflections by Khatchig Mouradian: thought to myself, wow, what a catch!” With the rules and policies under which Glendale’s ȃIt has been 5 years and couǰ ¢ǷȄ that, the mayor concluded by saying, “I am very merit system operates, ensuring continuation happy to support the nomination.” of Glendale’s reputation as a city whose Ghazarian, having taken the oath of office, employees attain and keep their positions on Hosted by Friends of Hrant Dink attended his first Civil Service Commission the basis of ability, training and experience, P.O Box 382061, Cambridge, MA 02238 hearing on December 14, 2011. From the dais, rather than on unwarranted considerations FHD is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, tax exempt organization he thanked Manoukian for the nomination, and and affiliations. It also serves as a quasi-judi - the City Council for the appointment. He also cial body in hearing employee appeals against Website: www.friendsofhrantdink.org ~ Email: [email protected] congratulated his predecessor, Ara Hatamian, disciplinary actions such as suspension, reduc - for a job well done during his tenure. tion or removal. S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 14, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS MLK Jr. Unity Priceless Ruby Sculpture Taken in Theft Breakfast in Kazanian Brothers’ Liberty veillance photos of the four suspects — three who who burst inside. Watertown on wore ski masks and one who waved a gun — and The men raced around the store, found four Bell Likeness Had Been a replica of the U-Haul rental van with stolen employees inside, and bound them with plastic January 16 Headed for Museum New York license plates that the robbers used. zip-tie handcuffs, forcing them to lie face down The bandits took cash from the register and used on the floor. They dashed to the display cases WATERTOWN, Mass. — Members of the small sledgehammers to smash glass cases hold - holding high-value jewels, smashing the glass community are invited to attend the 12th ing the most expensive pieces, some valued at and scooping out necklaces, earrings, rings and annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Unity By Cris Barrish and Adam Taylor more than $75,000, Stein and fellow employees other pieces made of diamonds, platinum, gold, Breakfast on Monday, January 16, at 9 said. sapphires, emeralds and rubies. They didn’t a.m. at the Hellenic Cultural Center, 25 ‘It cost me a robbery’ touch the less expensive silver, pearl or other Bigelow Ave. WILMINGTON, Del. (News Journal) — When Stein and his staff gave the News Journal a semi-precious stones, such as blue topaz or aqua - The sponsor is World in Watertown, in four bandits pulled off a dramatic smash-and- blow-by-blow account about the bold, frightening marine, said office manager Jamie Stein, one of collaboration with Survival Education grab robbery and tied up four employees at a four-minute heist, which will be the subject of a the four employees who were tied up. Fund, Inc. and Watertown Citizens for swank Wilmington jewelry store in November, segment on the television show “America’s Most Stein recalled that, while lying on the ground, Peace, Justice and the Environment.. they made off with more than the $2-million Wanted” in February. When a reporter visited she thought to herself, “Please don’t shoot any - The keynote speaker will be James worth of high-end pieces adorned with dia - the store last week to conduct interviews, a film body. Get what you are getting and leave with deWolf Perry, executive director of the monds, gold, emeralds and other precious gems. crew from the crime show was setting up its everybody alive.” Tracing Center on Histories and Legacies They also took a rare piece, valued at about $2 equipment. Dan McGrath, the store’s gold buyer, who also of Slavery, based in Watertown. million alone, made from what the FBI calls the Employees also revealed several new details, was bound, said the robbery “happened so fast I In addition, music will be provided by largest mined ruby in the world. such as the fact that a witness followed the rob - didn’t have time to get nervous about it.” the Greater Boston Intergenerational That piece, known as the Liberty Bell Ruby, is bers’ van up Interstate 95 at about 100 mph in a After clearing out the cases, the robbers forced Chorus, under the direction of Joanne a one-of-a-kind sculpture that its California own - Mercedes sedan, speaking to a 911 operator Stein’s son, Edward, to let them into the vault, Hammil, and Chosen Voices of Harmony, ers hoped to sell to a philanthropist who would much of the way, only to stop the pursuit north where they took the box holding the ruby as well under the direction of Sylvester Hill. donate it to the National Liberty Museum in of Chester when the bandits opened the rear as other pieces, including an opal and several Tickets are $10. Email Mark Harris at Philadelphia. door and pointed a gun at his car. loose stones. [email protected] for advance Jim Stein, owner of Stuart Kingston Jewelers Stein theorized that the ruby would have little Jim Stein, who was in the back of the store, sale tickets. on Pennsylvania Avenue in Wilmington, kept the value on the black market because it is so iden - said he ran outside to call police, and after wait - Tickets are also available at the door on jewel in his walk-in vault for about two years tifiable and few people would be interested in ing a few minutes, ran back inside, only to be the day of the event. while trying to broker a deal to sell the ruby. purchasing a non-gem ruby that cannot be worn. chased outside by the fleeing bandits. He saw About five inches high and weighing four He speculated that the robbers probably sold it them escape in the $19.99-a-day rental truck. pounds, the ruby found near Mount Kilimanjaro for $10,000 just for the diamonds. The ruby was created in 1976 for Beverly Hills- in Africa more than a half-century ago was sculpt - The jeweler also thinks that a November 2010 based Kazanjian Brothers jewelry company by Women’s Guild of ed into a Liberty Bell guarded by a bald eagle News Journal article about the Liberty Bell sculptor Alfonso de Vivanco for the US bicen - and bedecked with 50 diamonds, one for each Ruby might have spurred the crime. Stein had tennial. It was made in the same spirit as sap - St. David Church state. Though the ruby is not of gem quality and hoped the story about the ruby would generate phire busts of presidents that the jeweler’s char - lacks the clarity to be made into conventional interest and attract a buyer. itable foundation presented to the White House Celebrates Christmas jewelry, Stein said the sculpture is unique, more But Stein said an investigator told him an when Dwight D. Eisenhower was president. a work of art than jewelry. inmate had told authorities he knew that some The ruby sculpture, however, went unsold, so At Sundy House The News Journal learned about the theft of people were discussing a hit on the store to get two years ago, the jeweler partnered with Stein, the ruby when a reporter was searching the the gem, which the newspaper story said was who had been negotiating with potential buyers DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — On Saturday, FBI’s website for an unrelated story. On kept in the vault. Though the bandits didn’t ask who would donate the sculpture to the National December 10, the Women’s Guild of St. November 1, when the heist occurred in broad for the ruby in particular, they demanded access Liberty Museum just blocks from the real David Armenian Church celebrated daylight at the store in the same complex as the to the vault. Liberty Bell at Philadelphia’s Independence Hall. Christmas at the Sundy House, a historic busy Michael Christopher hair salon and Santa “We were trying to trump up, publicize this as The Wilmington jeweler said the Kazanjians landmark restaurant here. Fr. Nareg Fe restaurant, a short news release by much as possible,’’ Stein said, “and it cost me a are immigrants from Armenia who have become Berberian was present at this event, at Wilmington police did not mention the ruby. robbery.” philanthropists and “very patriotic people who which 55 Women’s Guild members Wilmington police said they asked the FBI to The Theft wanted to give back to America, which gave enjoyed each other’s company. disseminate more information about the crime At about 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 1, a them an opportunity when they came here.” Marge Lave was recognized by the within days. The FBI put the additional informa - man appeared at the door to the store and the Michael Kazanjian, the store’s owner, did not Executive Board and was given a gift as a tion on its website on November 17, but neither receptionist, only glancing up at his face, hit the return calls for this story, but Stein said they are token of their appreciation. Rose Killian, agency notified Delaware media about the ruby. buzzer to unlock it — the normal security proce - distraught about the loss. Virignia Norsesian, Lucy Hamalian, Alice Neither the FBI nor city police would comment dure for the store with millions of dollars worth Gwen Borowsky, chief executive at the muse - Mikaelian, Nina Stapan and Makruhi on the status of the investigation. of inventory on display. Once inside, the man um, said she did not know about the ruby’s theft Movsesyan were also awarded a gift for The FBI’s release contained new details about waved a gun and the receptionist yelled while the until last week, when a reporter notified her. their service in the Women’s Guild. After the crime, including a picture of the ruby, sur - bandit held the door open for three other men “It’s such a shame,” she said. the luncheon, Stapan, Zepure Andreasian and Louise Apoian led the singing of Christmas Carols. Gifts were exchanged among the members, and a lottery was Ex-Navy Secretary Paul. R. Ignatius to Speak in Calif. drawn. They were all in a festive mood. There were beautifully hand-crafted cen - GLENDALE — Former Secretary of the Navy will sponsor a talk by Ignatius at USC, his alma and obscure) and Hollywood brushes with terpieces prepared by Virginia Norsesian, Paul R. Ignatius will give a pair of talks in Southern mater, at the Colloquium in Armenian Studies, greatness, military service during World War II Christmas ornaments by Stapan and com - California, on January 29 and 30, in connection Von Kleinsmid Center, Room 156. Both events and more. plimentary homemade chocolate by with the publication of his memoir, Now I Know in are free and open to the public. In the book’s foreword, Ignatius writes that, Mikaelian. Part , in a revised and expanded edition. Now I Know in Part , a substantially revised “There is quite a lot in these stories about The Women’s Guild of St. David is an On Sunday, January 29, Ignatius will speak at and expanded edition of a memoir that was first Armenia and my parents’ Armenian friends. I active organization in the community and 2:30 p.m. at the Glendale Public Library, an published privately in 2000, was issued in late never thought much about all this when I was they have numerous social, cultural, spiri - event sponsored by the University of Southern 2011 by NAASR’s Armenian Heritage Press. growing up, probably because it would make tual and educational programs prepared California (USC) Institute of Armenian Studies, The book will be available for purchase and me seem to be different from my schoolmates, for the year 2012. See the upcoming fly - the Ararat-Eskijian Museum and the National signing by the author at both events. and I wanted to be just like everyone else. Now ers and Retreat Program on the website Association for Armenian Studies and Research A descendant of Armenian parents from the I look with a different eye on my heritage. I and e-Newsletter. (NAASR). On Monday, January 30, at noon, Kharpert region of Historic Armenia, Ignatius have come to believe that I am a more interest - — Carol Norigian NAASR and USC Institute of Armenian Studies is a native of Glendale and a graduate of USC. ing person, to myself and to others, because of He earned an MBA from Harvard University this background.” after serving as a naval officer in World War II. Also, he adds, he enjoyed telling “stories about He is also the author of On Board: My Life in the old days, about growing up in California with the Navy, Government, and Business (Naval parents of Armenian heritage and getting to Institute Press, 2006). know a lot of characters, mostly Armenian, who Ignatius served for eight years in the presi - came to our house in Glendale. I would acquaint dential administrations of John F. Kennedy and them with William Saroyan’s Uncle Aram , who Lyndon B. Johnson, first as an assistant secretary told jokes in crazy ethnic dialects, and with of the army, then as under secretary of the army Levon Agha and Armenag Effendi Kurkjian and and assistant secretary of defense and finally in how my brother and I did the wash in the old 1967 as secretary of the navy. Following his gov - Maytag and invented silly languages in our ernment service, he was president of the shared bedroom before going to sleep.” Washington Post for two years and president of Chapters newly added for this second edition the Air Transport Association for 15 years. include reminiscences of Ignatius’ former boss, He is the recipient of the Army Distinguished Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, dur - Civilian Service Award, the Navy Distinguished ing a difficult time in US history, and two home - Public Service Award, and the Department of comings of a sort: one to Hoover High School Defense Distinguished Public Service Award. in Glendale and the other a visit to ancestral In Now I Know in Part , Ignatius looks back lands in Historic Armenia. on family history, childhood in Glendale, long For more information, contact NAASR at before it had was home to a large Armenian [email protected] or visit NAASR at 395 Concord community, colorful characters (both famous Ave., Belmont, MA 02478. 10 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 14, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS TCA Arshag Dickranian School Holds its 31st Christmas Program
LOS ANGELES — The Tekeyan Cultural Nalbandyan, much to the delight of the audi - Association’s Arshag Dickranian School held its ence. Next, students from the fourth, fifth and 31st Christmas Program on Wednesday, sixth grades enacted various scenes of the way December 21, 2011 at the school’s Walter and of life in Bethlehem around the time before the Laurel Karabian Hall. birth of Jesus. Then, third-grade student Hamlet Oganesyan gave the tid - ings of Jesus’ birth and the program took a more fes - tive turn. The pre-kinder - gartners took the stage and performed a Christmas Broadway dance wearing shiny hats, followed by recitations of Christmas poems in Armenian, after which the kindergartners danced to Silent Night . A series of Christmas carols per - formed by the school choir, and medleys and dances were then per - Bedourian family: Der Karekin, Yeretzgin Sevan and newly-christened Megheti formed by students rang - ing from pre-kindergarten through sixth grades, the theme of which was “to give rather than receive.” One Priest’s Mission: Next came a performance by 10th and 11th-grade students who danced an First-grade students Katrina Kourouyan and Gevork Nalbandyan wel - Armenian folk dance to the 16,000 Miles in 48 Hours for come guests. delightful voice of soloist and 2010 school alumna Ani Nercessian. Child’s Christening The program was jointly organized by pre- Near the end, 12th-grader Morris Sarafyan kindergarten teacher Madlena Marikyan, made an imposing entrance dressed as Santa Kindergarten teacher Anahid Avanessian and cheering the crowd. Students then circled him NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. and KESSAB, Syria — On the same day in this very same city, the oldest Armenian resident was buried hours before a child was chris - tened. One woman’s death was offset by the breath of a new life. The woman was 104-year Kalila Yaralian-Manjikian, somewhat of a matriarch they call Nene in this heavily-populated Armenian community. The child belongs to Rev. Karekin Bedourian and his wife Sevan. The two had traveled 8,000 miles in 24 hours to get there — a place they both call home. Double it both ways. Even more ironical was the date, November 11, 2011 or, putting it numerically, 11/11/11. It turned out to be the same church the couple were raised in and bap - tized in their day in the same font. Soorp Asdavadzazin Church was By Tom Vartabedian also the setting for their wedding day in 2008 and Bedourian’s ordi - nation the following year. “It was the natural place to have our daughter Megheti christened,” said Der Karekin, pastor of St. Gregory Church in North Andover. “We wanted her to have close ties with our beloved Kessab community with both families present. Many of those who attended the funeral in the morning came to the christening that after - noon. The emotion of this day will live with us forever.” The family left by car for New York where they boarded a flight at JFK Airport. From there, they flew to Jordan, then to Aleppo, followed by a three-hour drive to Kessab over winding, unpaved roads. Megheti was well-behaved throughout her journey, bewildered by the planes and Tenth- and 11th-grade students performing Armenian folkdance with 2010 school alumna and soloist hordes of people at the airports. Once inside a car, she fell asleep. Ani Nercessian The Bedourians arrived home to an exuberant family greeting, especially with a 16-month-old in tow. On hand were both sets of parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and her assistant Tamara Nahapetyan, Armenian and danced to the tune, Eem Anoonne cousins. It marked Karekin Bedourian’s first return visit home since his ordination teacher Emma Umroyan, music teacher Hayastan Eh , while parents cheered to the bril - in 2009. Komitas Keshishyan and dance teacher Robert liant performances of their children. “Tears of joy were shed,” he described. “It’s very difficult being removed from Arakelian. Principal Vartkes Kourouyan delivered the your family circle but such is the lifestyle of a priest and his Yeretzgin. Careers take Students ranging from pre-kindergarten closing remarks by thanking all the hands hold. By traveling to Kessab for my daughter’s christening, I made an entire village through 11th grade participated, performing a involved in the preparation and production of happy. Nothing is more satisfying for me than this.” medley of stage presentations and dances, inter - this event, giving guests, faculty, students and Some 150 guests turned out on a Friday afternoon for the service, performed by jected by recitations and Christmas carols sung teachers his best holiday wishes and inviting Very Rev. Tatoul Anoushian, accompanied by the host pastor, Rev. Muron by the school choir. The program began with guests to socialize and enjoy refreshments. Avedisian. A celebration followed in the church hall. Earlier that day, Bedourian the welcoming and humorous remarks of first- For more information, visit participated in the Yaralian-Manjikian funeral service. grade students Katrina Kourouyan and Gevork www.dickranianschool.org. “Until she was immersed into the holy water, Megheti was very happy,” her father beamed. “Then came the tears. For us, tears have a very special meaning of rebirth.” The child was dressed in a special white dress bearing crosses made especially for this occasion. Together with Megheti, the Bedourians have cultivated a lifestyle inside their new church. It has been a marriage blessed with tremendous faith and love. The two have known each other since their kindergarten days in Kessab. They were classmates through school. While Bedourian pursued his theological studies at Antelias, she waited patiently for him. Six hundred guests turned out for their wed - ding at Soorp Asdavadzazin Church. The choices was simple: either have the child christened at St. Gregory Church where he was assigned or make the trip to Kessab. They chose Syria. “When Megheti gets older, she will visit Kessab and the church where her roots are planted,” said Bedourian. “It’ll be a very significant moment in her life, know - ing that was where her parents were baptized and the church where I was ordained.” Kindergarten students dance to Silent Night. S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 14, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 Ne w York M E T R O New York’s St. Vartan Cathedral Resounds With ‘Good News’ of Christmas on January
NEW YORK — In more than one way, Friday, January 6 turned out to be a beautiful day in New York City. Outside, it was clear and unsea - sonably mild. Inside St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian cele - brated the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany, before a large crowd that had gathered to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Individuals as well as families, young and old alike, took time off from work or school to wor - ship. Hundreds of people took part in the Christmas celebration over the course of the day’s events. Local parishes throughout the Eastern Diocese reported that their own January 6 (and later on Sunday, January 8) ser - vices were likewise well attended. In his homily, the Primate noted that, while modern society is awash in bad news of all sorts, “What sets Christians apart is that we proclaim the Good News. The Good News is timeless, eternal; always good and always new. The Good News can sustain us against all the bad news of the world. Indeed, the Good News has sustained the Armenian people for count - less generations.” He reminded listeners that the words medz avedis — great Good News — are an essential part of the traditional Armenian Christmas greeting. And he defined that world-altering news as the faith that, “In Jesus Christ, God became incarnate as man. Beneath the stars which he created, God lay as an infant, in the arms of a young mother. He lived as a human Archbishop Khajag Barsamian presided over the Armenian Christmas service at New York’s St. Vartan Cathedral on Friday, January 6. being, redeeming our lives, giving us an exam -
ber, to a friend, or even to a stranger. In Public participation was also robust at the Christ’s name, go forth and perform this simple Armenian Christmas Eve service on the but meaningful ministry: this Ministry of the evening of January 5. The celebrant was Faithful. And shine the light of Christ into our Gizirian. The Christmas Eve service featured world.” scripture readings by students from the As celebrant during the January 6 liturgy, the Diocese’s Khrimian Lyceum, who also added Primate was surrounded on the altar by a number their voices to the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir’s of clergymen, deacons and seminarians. singing of the Divine Liturgy. A festive recep - Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian, former Primate of tion followed the Christmas Eve service.
Khoren Mekanejian directs the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir in its beautiful rendering of the sacred music of the Divine Liturgy, with Florence Avakian at the organ (not shown). ple of true humanity…. He is intimate with to share the medz avedis with those around human concerns and knows each of us person - them. “In everything you do,” he said, “do it in ally. He feeds our hunger and renews our spir - a spirit of sharing the Good News of God’s love its. He gives us hope.” for mankind. Proclaim with love and pride, our He concluded by exhorting the worshippers beautiful Armenian greeting — to a family mem -
The Blessing of Water ceremony — commemorating Jesus’s baptism by John the Baptist — is per - formed during the Armenian Christmas service, by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian. The godfather of this year’s ceremony was Dr. Raffy Hovnaessian. churorhnek
the United Kingdom; St. Vartan Cathedral dean Fr. After the service on January 6, a reception Mardiros Chevian and cathedral priest Fr. Sooren convened in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Chinchinian all participated in the service. Auditorium, where a dance performance was Dr. Raffy Hovanessian served as godfather offered by the Akh’tamar Dance Ensemble of for the churorhnek , or Blessing of Water New Jersey. Ceremony, which commemorates the baptism Concurrent with the Armenian Christmas of Jesus by the hand of John the Baptist. Dr. observances, a special art exhibit was on display Hovanessian stood on the cathedral altar in the in the cathedral complex. In “Armenian company of his three young grandsons — the Christmas and the Legacy of Ten Armenian eldest of whom the doctor had first brought to Artists,” curator Vicki Shoghag Hovanessian the cathedral 15 years earlier, on Armenian assembled works by prominent Armenian Christmas 1997, just days after the child’s birth. artists, which conveyed both aesthetic beauty The sacred music of the Divine Liturgy was as well as religious devotion. performed throughout the service by the St. A traditional home-blessing ceremony round - In Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium, a dance performance was offered by the Akh’tamar Vartan Cathedral Choir, under the direction of ed out the Armenian Christmas program. Dance Ensemble of New Jersey. Khoren Mekanejian. Accompanying on the Vartouhi Papazian and her team of chefs pre - organ was Florence Avakian. pared the food for the reception. 12 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 14, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Ne w York M E T R O Syracuse Surgeon, Dr. Samuel Badalian, Trains Doctors and Helps Patients Here and Abroad
$1,000 to $1,500 each — some with imminent By Kathleen Poliquin expiration dates — from American medical and surgical supply companies. Badalian can only do a limited number of SYRACUSE, N.Y. (Post-Standard) — Dr. surgeries during his jam-packed visits, but he Samuel Badalian’s heart sinks when he sees also instructs and lectures as much as he can, surgical supplies going unused and being dis - sometimes with surgeons from other coun - carded in the operating room at St. Joseph’s tries. On a typical day, he would perform hospital, where he is chairman of the surgeries on patients in an auditorium from Obstetrics and Gynecology Department. His 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. before nearly 300 physicians, heart sinks, not because he is worried about speaking into a microphone while a camera cutting costs in his department, but because filmed over his shoulder. From 5 to 7 p.m., he he knows first hand how rare and precious would give lectures, then eat and go to his those supplies are in countries such as room. Armenia and Kazakhstan. “Even physicians from other countries are Badalian visited Kazakhstan in July, and watching,” Badalian said. “They’re watching Russia and Armenia, where he was born, in me, I’m watching them. I’m learning from October, to perform urogynecological surg - them, they’re learning from me. That’s an eries and to teach doctors there surgical tech - exchange of experience also. It gives me ener - niques — something he has been doing for gy.” almost seven years. And he plans to keep Badalian has seen progress in Russia since going back. he first traveled there six years ago. American Besides his leadership position at St. surgical supply companies now have sales reps Joseph’s, and his duties as clinical professor at there and some physicians in the larger cities SUNY Upstate Medical University, the Manlius are able to perform the intricate surgeries. doctor has a bustling private practice and a Regarding the week he spent in July in full calendar of about 170 surgical cases here Kazakhstan, Badalian said, “I was with anoth - each year. But his advanced urogynecological er physician from Israel. It is a Muslim coun - surgical skills, coupled with his fluency in try and there I am from the US and he is there Armenian, Russian, French and English, put from Israel, and both of us were teaching him in high demand abroad, where wait-listed them how to do surgeries. They were very surgical patients eagerly anticipate his return happy and very excited. They plan to call us and doctors strive to learn and replicate his back. They have everything — gas, oil, a lot of techniques. money, but they don’t know how to do these Many of the patients Badalian treats over - complicated cases.” seas suffer from unrelenting pain and inconti - Badalian said he hopes to travel to Ghana in nence. Typically, the women have a condition the spring to do surgeries and to teach there. called prolapse, which results when the mus - He would also like to take more physicians cles and ligaments supporting their pelvic with him when he returns to Armenia next organs weaken due to age, heredity or com - fall. plications of childbirth, causing the organs to “When you go and see what’s going on in slip out of place. Many have already had up to those places, you truly appreciate when you three ineffective surgeries that have left them come back,” Badalian said. “Your work ethic scarred, deformed and desperate. Their doc - changes, you are becoming a different doctor. tors, absent proper training, may have tried to You are working differently, you are helping approximate surgical techniques they watched people differently. You really appreciate your on Internet videos. And because of a shortage place, your hospital, your work. You are treat - of proper surgical devices and supplies, it’s ing your patients and your colleagues much not unheard of for doctors to cobble together better than if you don’t know what is going on hand-made devices from non-sterile materials behind you. Plus, you are giving them your or to reuse single-use instruments many times. knowledge. When you are teaching other While he uses his own resources to fund his physicians, it makes you a better physician, overseas travel, Badalian asked for and much significantly better. And with this, we received donations of surgical kits, which cost will try to make a difference.” ANSEF Selects 2012 Winners
NEW YORK — For the last 12 years, the sium in Armenia to celebrate ANSEF’s Armenian National Science and Education successes, and to unite the many scien - Fund (ANSEF), which is sponsored by the tists and scholars who have produced so Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), has sup - much. The date of symposium will soon be ported world-class scientific research and announced. education in Armenia by awarding grants ANSEF was established in 2000. It was to top research groups. modeled on western funding agencies ANSEF’s review board recently complet - such as the National Science Foundation, ed its marathon review of more than 200 and adapted to meet Armenia’s special proposals for the 2012 ANSEF awards. needs. For the past 12 years, ANSEF has The list of the 25 awardees includes 12 provided more than $1.4 million dollars to groups in the physical sciences, nine in fund research by over 700 scientists in the natural sciences, three in engineering Armenia. This has resulted in hundreds of and one in the humanities. publications from Armenia about the cut - As chairman of ANSEF, Prof. Yervant ting edge physical sciences, engineering, Terzian said, “The results of the vigorous natural sciences, humanities and social 2012 competition showed that 51 propos - sciences and has ultimately slowed als received very high evaluations from Armenia’s “brain drain.” For many of our reviewers — leading scientists in their Armenia’s brilliant minds, the ANSEF respective fields — the highest percentage award has become a springboard from in 12 years. We are painfully aware that which they can achieve international some excellent proposals are not in the recognition. final list. Unfortunately, ANSEF can pro - Fund for Armenian Relief is extending vide funding for only 25 awards.” its appreciation to the ANSEF board, the In 2012, the ANSEF Board of Trustees research council and reviewers from will conduct its very first ANSEF sympo - around the world. S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 14, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 Arts & Living
AFFMA Founder Calliope Sylvia Minassian Ensemble to Receives Cultural Present Benefit Medal of Honor Concert for LOS ANGELES — Prominent Hollywood actors, directors, producers and media repre - sentatives gathered at the House of Armenia, Armenian the new Los Angeles office of the Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia, for an end- of-the-year reception and surprise ceremony. Heritage In his opening remarks, Consul General of Armenia Grigor Hovhannissian thanked the Foundation Armenian American cineastes for their valuable contributions towards promoting Armenia and BOSTON — Calliope, Boston’s collabo - the Armenian talent in the creative capital of rative choral/orchestral ensemble, will the world. Alex Kalognomos, director of Arpa close their fifth season with “Immigrants International Film Festival, recapped the year to Our Shores,” a benefit concert for the 2011, which was ripe with significant projects Armenian Heritage Foundation, on both in Hollywood and Armenia. Saturday, February 4, at 7:30 p.m. at First The highlight of the forum was the Golden Church Boston, 66 Marlborough St. Medal of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic “Immigrants to Our Shores” will feature of Armenia honoring Sylvia Minassian, founder music by and about a variety of immi - of Arpa Foundation for Film, Music and Art grants to the Boston area, including those (AFFMA) and Arpa International Film Festival. of Armenian, African-American, Asian, Minassian was awarded one of the highest Czech, Jewish, Irish, Italian and Puerto Armenian cultural awards for her outstanding Avignon: Jean-François Colosimo, with ascot, next to unidentified citizen, in front of Rican descent. Largo from Dvorak’s New contribution to promoting Armenian cinematic statute of Jean Althen (Hovhannes Altounian) in Avignon, with plaque honoring World Symphony , along with a few tradi - arts domestically and internationally. Armenian Genocide victims and Armenians who sacrificed their lives fighting for France tional spirituals and excerpts from In a surprise award ceremony, Hovhannissian Menotti’s “The Saint of Bleecker Street” bestowed the honor to Minassian on the 15th and “West Side Story,” are planned for this program. Given the cause of the evening, there will be a particular focus on France Celebrates Armenian music, including Alan Hovhaness’ Prayer of Saint Gregory, Parsegh Ganatchian’s Oror and Dexter Morrill’s setting of texts by Peter Balakian and arranged specifically for Calliope and Armenian Culture this performance. In a time when many arts organizations are struggling to survive, Calliope, a non - PARIS — On October 16 to 23, 2011, a major profit volunteer music organization of By Aram Arkun festival called “Arménie-Arménies,” or, in more than 75 singers and instrumentalists Mirror-Spectator Staff English translation, “Armenia-Armenias,” was serving Boston and surrounding commu - organized in France celebrating Armenian cul - nities, continues to thrive. This season it ture and the 20th anniversary of indepen - has grown into a new performance venue dence of the Republic of Armenia. More than 20 Armenian writers and intellectuals at Boston’s First Church. Directed by its from the Republic of Armenia and the diaspora took a train trip aboard the storied founder, Julia O’Toole, Calliope seeks to Orient Express from Marseille through Avignon, Valence, Lyon to Paris. Along the encourage collaboration between musi - way, they gave talks on Armenian cians, promote positive social change and literature, politics, history, culture inspire young people to become listeners and society, participated in discus - and participants in the world of music. Its sions, and met with representatives musicians bring a great variety of choral of the media. Traditional and litur - and instrumental training and experience gical Armenian music and jazz to their music making. The group takes its were performed on a number of name from the eldest of the nine Muses, occasions, a guided tour of Calliope, whose name means beautiful Armenian manuscripts at the voice. Bibliothèque National Française The Armenian Heritage Foundation is was given, and during the last two the sponsor of Armenian Heritage Park, days of the festival, films of Sergei a gift to the City of Boston and the Paradjanov, Atom Egoyan and Commonwealth from Massachusetts Robert Guédigian were shown. At Sylvia Minassian with the medal Armenian-Americans. Armenian Heritage least one art exhibition — the sculp - Park commemorates lives lost during the tures of Toros (Rast-klan, or Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923 and all anniversary of Arpa International Film Festival, Rastguelénian) and an exhibition of genocides that have followed, acknowl - AFFMA’s signature event. photographs by Antoine Agoudjian, edges the history of Boston as a port of In 1995, with the help of other civic-minded were held. Armenian cuisine was entry for immigrants and celebrates those Armenians, Minassian founded AFFMA to discussed as well as tasted. who have migrated to Massachusetts and enhance the artistic climate of Los Angeles and This itinerant festival was finan - contributed to the richness of American bridge the cultural divide, unifying diverse peo - cially sponsored by the French life and culture. For more about the Centre national du livre (CNL or ple and cultures through the arts. Arpa Poster for Arménie-Arménies Armenian Heritage Park, visit International Film Festival was created two the National Center of the Book), www.armenianheritagepark.net. years later. AFFMA has staged networking with the support of the cities visit - As has become tradition, a raffle and events, concerts, art exhibits, fashion shows, ed, various local French and auction will be held during intermission at book signings and various fundraising events to French-Armenian institutions and the French media. Armenian culture was the first this performance as part of ongoing promote emerging Armenian talents, most sig - to be celebrated in a series of forthcoming events that the CNL will organize as part efforts to support Calliope’s future. nificantly, the international film festival. of CNL Mondes (CNL Worlds). The CNL is an institution which is part of the Individual tickets for this performance Since 1997, the festival has honored more French Ministry of Culture and Communication. The present minister of culture, can be purchased in advance through than 100 artists and filmmakers with grants Frédéric Mitterand — nephew of François Mitterand, the late president of France — Calliope’s website www.calliopemusic.org and awards. Minassian was born in Istanbul, was in favor of this decision. as well as at the door on the day of the Turkey and came to the US in 1960. She CNL President Jean-François Colosimo explained in an interview with Krikor performance. Discounted rates are avail - attended California State University in Fresno Amirzayan in Nouvelles d’Arménie that “Armenia occupies a special place in our able for groups of 10 or more. (Fresno State College) and completed post-grad - hearts and spirits,” and in addition to what the French knew already about the To find out more about Calliope, ticket uate work at Clairmont University and UCLA. Armenians, it was the presence of around 500,000 French-Armenians that led prices or this upcoming performance visit With a teaching credential in French and see FRANCE, page 15 www.calliopemusic.org. Spanish, Minassian embarked on a career in see MEDAL, page 16 14 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 14, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING Lucy Der Manuelian Pursues Love of Armenian Art
BOSTON (Rocky Mountain Hye the famous cathedrals of Europe. Some schol - appointee to the Dadian/Oztemel ture from the Old and New Testaments : Adam Advocates) — Rocky Mountain Hye Advocates ars examined those medieval cathedrals, Professorship, the first-ever endowed chair at and Eve, Jonah and the Whale, David and offers a profile of Prof. Lucy Der Manuelian Notre Dame for example, and realized that the a university devoted to Armenian art and Goliath, the Nativity and important Armenian and her pioneering work on Armenian monas - building techniques used by European archi - architectural history. Der Manuelian saints. teries and churches. She states it perfectly: tects for those towering churches were similar explained at the time: “Tufts’ new chair is Inside the church is embellished with wall “My mission was to present to as wide an audi - to the ones used centuries earlier by important for the field of art history because paintings that illustrate more than 34 biblical ence as possible — academia, museums, the Armenian architects building their own it acknowledges the significance of Armenian events in the dome, a series of paintings general public — the distinctive achievements churches.” She became the first Western art and is an important step for the support of depicting unusual scenes from Genesis.” Der of Armenian art and architecture. I’m very scholar to research the hundreds of medieval research and training the next generation of Manuelian says “this is the oldest surviving happy if my work opened other people’s eyes churches and architectural sculptures in scholars.” Christian church with such a wealth of deco - to a different part of the world.” In 1990, the McGill Reporter quoted Der ration. There is nothing like it anywhere else The now-retired Tufts University art histori - Manuelian: “From the time Armenia adopted in the world.” an broke ground establishing public concern Christianity in the fourth century it protected As her career was concluding, Der for the preservation and restoration of 1,000- the West from invasion, fending off attacks by Manuelian literally broke new ground using a year-old cliff-side monasteries. She chronicled Persian, Arabs, Seljuks, Mongols and Turks. ground-penetrating radar system developed her research in “Lost Treasures of After each period of war and struggle, the by Geophysical Survey Systems to Armenian Christianity: The Ancient Monuments of nobles returned to church building and com - and conducted a geophysical survey of 12 Armenia,” televised in the mid ’90s on many missioning manuscript copying in the monas - early Christian and medieval sites and two public broadcasting stations. As reported at teries — these were sacred duties.” From the Urartian fortresses to detect architectural the time: “The program offers a spellbinding fourth to the 14th-century, thousands of remains beneath the ground’s surface. Her look at Armenian’s medieval castles, churches, churches were constructed and Ani was the pioneer work “uncovered hidden treasures, and monasteries, stone-carved images and heart, soul and vibrant commercial crossroad bringing to light obscured landmarks and brilliantly illuminated manuscripts.” Aerial on China’s silk road. Der Manuelian describes neglected monuments.” views of the monasteries carved into cliffs and Armenia’s ancient city of Ani and its thousand “Armenia was a very great civilization and perched on mountaintops were filmed by Der Lucy Der Manuelian and one churches with beautifully carved the churches the Armenian nobility built are Manuelian, using her savvy negotiating skills outer walls as “a cross between Camelot and the most important documents of Armenia to bargain the use of a Soviet helicopter. Hong Kong.” Ani is now the political epicen - achievement and impact, especially with the Der Manuelian’s early life was defined by Armenia while living at the Yerevan ter and hope for H. Res. 306 in realized preser - historical inscriptions cared on their walls. the Genocide. Her father’s parents and sisters Polytechnic Institute. Der Manuelian’s disser - vation of what remains of Armenia’s rich and Their architecture is a record in stone. It is my were all brutally murdered. Despite this inher - tation advisor, Harvard Prof. Oleg Grabar, ancient culture. hope that others will also see in it the heart of itance of loss, her godfather, Arshag noted her fundamental courage. “Despite Der Manuelian clearly enunciates the a great Christian kingdom and one deserving Fetvadjian, an authority on Armenian archi - encountering many obstacles and challenges intended purpose of H. Res. 306: “It is often of dedicated preservation.” tecture, had, at the turn of century, docu - in the former Soviet Union, she succeeded in said that the soul of a people is revealed more Der Manuelian is the author of three vol - mented the ruins of Ani in thousands of photographing, studying and writing about fully in its architecture than in any other way. umes on Armenian architecture, as well as of sketches, watercolors and paintings which hundreds of medieval monasteries while If so, there can be no more eloquent numerous other publications. She has written were widely exhibited throughout Europe. It undaunted by unheated apartments, threats spokesman for the Armenians than the hand - and narrated three television documentaries was Fetvadjian who nurtured her curiosity, by the KGB and scary helicopter rides.” some medieval churches that have stood for on Armenian art, has appeared on radio and which eventually led to her life’s work. She In more firsts of many throughout her rich centuries perched at the crests of mountains, television news programs, including the reflects: “When I was little I knew he had career, Der Manuelian was awarded the first nestled or silhouetted against massive cliffs. “McNeil-Lehrer News Hour” and has given done something special but it was quite unex - PhD in Armenian art ever granted in the They tell a haunting tale of a people with a more than 1,000 public talks on the subject of pected when my intellectual interest coincided United States. Her Armenian spirit of adven - religion and an identity to preserve — at all Armenian Art and Architecture. In 1994, she with this emotional memory. If I had deliber - ture persisted and in 1988 she traveled by costs.” received the “Woman of Achievement” award ately started out to fulfill my godfather’s mis - jeep far and wide through Soviet Armenia The Tuftonian , in 2000, reported on Der at the First International Conference of the sion, I couldn’t have done it in a better way.” with 200 pounds of rented Hollywood filming Manuelian’s work documenting the medieval Armenian International Women’s Association Der Manuelian’s quest began during her equipment to accomplish her vision and cre - Church of the Holy Cross on the island of in London. She is listed in several Who’s Who graduate years. “I was researching my disser - ate her documentary, which she literally Aght’amar, Turkey build in 915 by King Gagik catalogues, including the Who’s Who of tation when I read of the possible connection smuggled out of the country. I. The building’s exterior is almost completely Women and the Who’s Who of American between Armenian art and architecture and Later in 1989, Der Manuelian was the first covered “with richly-ornamented relief sculp - Women .
Lecture on Hawaii Artist Arman Manookian MISSION HILLS, Calif. — Prof. John Seed of Constantinople, where he studied at the FRIENDS OF HRANT DINK Mt. San Jacinto College in Southern California Armenian school where Daniel Varoujan served will speak on Sunday, January 22, at 4 p.m., at as principle, as well as his training in the US Presents the Ararat-Eskijian Museum, 15105 Mission and his experiences and paintings during his Road. The lecture, titled “Arman Manookian: short stay in “Paradise.” He will cover historic An Armenian Artist in Hawaii,” will be cospon - events during his lifetime as well as how they AN EVENING WITH AHMET ALTAN sored by the museum and the National affected his thinking as well as the lives of his Editor and Founder of Tarafǰ ¢Ȃ Association for Armenian Studies and Research family members and his teachers. (NAASR). The event is free and open to the Manookian, a survivor of the Armenian Recipient of the 2011 International Hrant Dink Award public. Genocide, spent his final years in Hawaii, where Seed is the winner of a 2002 Society of he is recognized as one of the state’s greatest Professional Journalist’s award in art and enter - artists. In 2011, the Honolulu Academy of Arts Turkey After tainment writing and has written about art and held a retrospective of his work. artists for Harvard Magazine , Maui No Ka Oi, There will also be a short presentation about Hrant Dink Honolulu and Christie’s auction houses. He is the relationship of post-traumatic stress disor - the author of the book, Arman Manookian: An der, genocide and genetics. Across the Turkish-Armenian Divide Armenian Artist in Hawaii . More information about the lecture may be and the Future of Genocide Seed has done extensive research into the life had by contacting the Ararat-Eskijian Museum Recognition in Turkey and art of Manookian (1904-31). He has delved at [email protected] or NAASR into his childhood and education in at [email protected].
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2012, AT 6:30 P.M.
Armenian Library and Museum of America 65 Main St. Watertown, MA 02472
Public parking available in lot behind museum building.
Sponsored by Friends of Hrant Dink P.O Box 382061, Cambridge, MA 02238 FHD is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, tax exempt organization Website: www.friendsofhrantdink.org ~ Email: [email protected] S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 14, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 ARTS & LIVING France Celebrates Armenian Culture
FRANCE, from page 13 Arzoumanian), Lithuania (Vahagn Grigorian), together for a full week a group of Armenian the world, and said: “…it wasn’t called Western to this choice. The CNL president visited Estonia (Gohar Markosyan), Romania (Varujan writers from various places in the world. We and Eastern Armenia, but ‘Arménie-Arménies,’ Armenia twice and met with the Armenian min - Vosganian) and Switzerland (Vahé Godel), along had a chance to get a sense of what other writ - thus emphasizing the question of identity. So ister of culture in order to obtain advice con - with France, of course, (Daniel Arsand, Nathalie ers are doing. It gave me a deeper sense of the we realized that as there are different ways of cerning the organization of the festival. Baravian, Krikor Beledian, Denis Donikian, complexity of whatever it might mean to write being ‘Armenians,’ so there is more than ‘one’ Alexis Lacroix, advisor to the CNL president Raymond Kévorkian, Michel Marian, Gaïdz from an Armenian cultural zone. A typical con - Armenia. And I do think that only a mature and the moderator of several of panel discus - Minassian, Claire Mouradian and Ara Toranian). ference is a day or two and you can’t get to population, a population that grows out of the sions in the festival, said in an interview with The French Orient-Express, a very fancy old- know your colleagues, but here we had time to place of the victim, that grows out of the idea René Dzagoyan in the same French-Armenian fashioned train apparently, took the Armenians hang out and talk; it created a unique kind of persecution, could accept such differences periodical, Nouvelles d’Arménie , that Colosimo along the same path that the post-Genocide of potential for literary community. I’m in touch among themselves that enrich their own identi - initially came up with the idea of a traveling fes - Armenian immigrants to France traversed. The now with writers I didn’t know a few months ties, heterogeneous identities.” All this, she con - tival and then immediately thought of the train only traveled during the day, and the ago.” cluded, was expressed in French thanks to the Armenians. Presenting their culture would not Armenians stayed in hotels in the various cities Martirosyan noted that more than two-thirds possibilities given by French culture. On the only examine the diasporan experience but also Orient Express, “we were almost obliged to be have something to say to the French. all together, these orphaned brothers that tried Lacroix felt that as a diasporan experience, to show to each other whom the “moth - the Armenian one was emblematic of the con - er/motherland” loved more! I felt compassion - dition of all peoples faced with advanced glob - ate.” alization. Identity is no longer an immediate When Arzoumanian returned to Argentina, “natural” given but an open question, to which she gave a talk with all the books, novels, art can help reformulate answers. The films poems and photographs that she took during shown in the festival are evidence of this. the trip, thus giving both Armenian and non- Lacroix said, “the camera of the great filmmak - Armenian Argentines the opportunity to learn ers of Armenian origin is, together with the about the complexity of Armenian reality. She novel, the other ‘medium’ by which a dispersed also made a video available on YouTube with people tries to recognize that which creates, images from the trip and text in French despite its dispersion, its mysterious unity.” (http://youtu.be/2lGtvDyvOsU). Certainly, then, the films of Paradjanov are Balakian, whose lecture text on Bishop marked by Soviet filmography, just as all the Krikoris Balakian was printed in the Mirror- films of Egoyan depend on the canons of North Spectator issue of November 12, 2011, was American cinematography, while Guédiguian deeply impressed by the event, and the connec - incontestably fits in the French tradition of tion the French had with Armenian culture. He social film. However, a part of their works, also declared, “It was clear to me that the French visible and immediately perceptible, contains have a deep feeling about Armenian history and the persistent enigma of “Armenianness.” culture and a sense of the long historical ties In the introduction to the official program between the two cultures. It was refreshing to brochure Colosimo said that Arménie, see how France embraced the Armenian liter - Arménies was intended to raise questions con - ary voice and culture. Unlike in our country, in cerning the nature of Armenian culture and France, there was no fear of the Armenian intel - identity, both in the diaspora and in the lectual voice. Everywhere we went we were Republic of Armenia, and how different com - feted in high style and embraced by govern - memorative reconstructions have taken place From left, translator Michael Celemensky, CNL panel moderator Alexis Lacroix and Peter Balakian ment officials, the people, and the media. I after 1915. The intent of the CNL series was to thank France and for putting on such splendid show that “the book remains the best key for festival, and feel great gratitude to the French understanding a world in transformation.” people for their embrace.” The Armenian participants are creators and in which they stopped. One of the writers invit - of the discussions dealt in some fashion with Balakian contrasted the French attitude to transmitters of Armenian culture not only in ed from Armenia, Martirosyan, jokingly wrote genocide and diaspora, while there was much that of Americans: “The problem here is that Armenian, but in many other languages such as afterwards that the first thought that came to else in Armenian culture to be discussed, along our government is afraid of Turkish pressure, French, Spanish and English. Some, like Peter mind when hearing of the French plan was of with life in contemporary Armenia. Despite the and so things Armenian become a source of Balakian, do this though they do not speak Agatha Christie’s detective novel, Murder on focus on the Armenian Genocide and its after - anxiety. It’s an absurd situation because the US Armenian. The invitees — actually 22 in num - the Orient Express , which made him wonder math, as noted by CollectifVan.org, the final government is capable of, I believe, at least I ber, but 20 is more symbolism due to the whether a few Armenians might disappear dur - program announcement avoided the actual use think. . . of standing up to Turkey.” anniversary — were from eight different coun - ing the trip. of the word genocide, using terms such as Lacroix in his Nouvelles d’Arménie maga - tries: the Republic of Armenia (Karen The collective trip was useful not only for “l’abîme de 1915 [the abyss of 1915]” in its zine interview summarized the results of the Antashyan, Henrik Edoyan, Violet Grigoryan, audiences, but also for the participants, as place. cultural events: “Through the stops of the Vahram Martirosyan and Shushanik Martirosyan declared. Balakian said to the Arzoumanian, an Argentine poet, found Orient Express in Marseille, Avignon, Valence Tamrazyan), the US (Peter Balakian, Viken Mirror-Spectator that “one of the important Arménie-Arménies to have a great significance and Lyon we noted with satisfaction that our Berberian and Marc Nichanian), Argentina (Ana dimensions of the festival was that it brought as a meeting of Armenian writers from all over festival has generated a great response, sparking passionate encounters and discus - sions with the public. …This large audience of Arménie-Arménies is inseparable from the great welcome reserved for this literature which many Frenchmen still know poorly.” Sponsor a Teacher in Armenia and Karabagh 2012 One result which will be realized in the future is the translation into French and publication of more works from Armenia and the Since its inception in 2001, TCA’s ‘Sponsor Armenian diaspora. a Teacher’ program has raised over $477,750 and reached out to 3,700 teachers and school workers in Armenia and Karabagh.
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K Yes, I want to sponsor teachers in Armenia and Karabagh to continue helping them to educate the children, our future leaders. I would like to have the teacher’s name and address. K $160 K $ 320 K $ 480 K other $ ————————— Name Address City State Zip code Tel:
Make check payable to: Tekeyan Cultural Association – Memo: Sponsor a Teacher 2010 Mail your check with this form to: Entertainment Fridays TCA Sponsor a Teacher 5326 Valverde, Houston, TX 77056 and Saturdays
Your donation is Tax Deductible. 16 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 14, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING AFFMA Founder Sylvia Minassian Receives Cultural Medal of Honor
MEDAL, from page 13 Don Hannah and Troy and Chris Minassian. education at Carlsbad High School in Southern In addition to serving as a forum for Armenian California. Other professional highlights include and American cineastes, this gathering, which is being the first female representative ever hired designed to become a tradition, will also help to by Gillette Company. take stock of major developments in the She is married to Dr. Haig Minassian and they Armenian movie industry. have three children — Levon, Lori and Melissa — 2012 marks the 15th anniversary of Arpa and three grandchildren. For more than 25 International Film Festival, which will be held in years, she volunteered for such organizations September at the Egyptian Theatre in and educational institutions as AGBU (Ladies Hollywood, Calif. Auxiliary chairperson); ChildHelp USA (vice AFFMA and Arpa Film Festival grant and chairperson); Alex Pilibos High School Special award recipients (partial list since 1995): Eric Events and Educational Committees and numer - Agopian, France, film; Joseph Siraki, US, writ - ous schools and medical societies. Minassian ing; Open Letter, US, writing (Literary Group); continues her philanthropic work through Tina Bastajian, Canada, film; Armen
Producer Valerie McCaffrey, Actor Vache Mangassarian, Diyanna Ghazarian, Minassian with AFFMA Board members Sonia Keshishian, Appo Jabarian and Zaven Khachaturian
AFFMA. Chakmakian, US, music; Oshin Saginian, US, Before making the announcement of the art; Hamlet Sarkissian, US, film; Michael award and in an effort to surprise Minassian, Tolajian, US, film; John Altoon, US, art; Nora Hovhannissian invited award-winning filmmaker Armani, France, film; Robert Davidian, US, film; Eric Naziarian and actor Ken Davitian to speak Ara Ebrahimian, US, film; Levon Ichkanian, about Minassian’s unending devotion to the arts Canada, music; Sam Kodjoglanian, US, music; and the development of artists. Moved to tears Levon Minassian, France, film; Zadik Zadikian, by the recognition, Minassian accepted the US, art; Georges Adourian, US, film; Kevork Medal of Honor and spoke of her vision to see Andonyan, US, music; Patrick Antonyan and Armenian artists produce great works of cine - Baruir Panossian, US, music; Vahe Berberian, matic art that would be appreciated by a global US, writing; Viken Berberian, US, writing; audience. Abelina Galustian, US, art; Eric Hachikian, US, Tekeyan Cultural Association The evening was attended by a host of promi - music; Annette Gurdjian, US, art; Armineh sponsors the nent personalities representing the Hollywood Johaness, France, art; Meher Kouroyan, US, film projection and presentation of movie industry as well as Minassian’s immediate film; Jay Krikorian, US, film; Ara Oshagan, US, family. Participants included Victoria art; Vem Zadikian, US, writing, Armen Donelian, Opera Buffo Gariné Hovhannissian; actors Anne Bedian, Marco US, music; Karina Epperlian, US, film; Linda by Dikran Tchouhadjian Kahn, Davitian and Vache Mangassarian; artist Ganjian, US, art; Vahe Hayrapetyan, Armenia, English Subtitled and actor Vahe Berberian with wife, art decora - music; Emy Hovanesyan, US, film; Aram tor, Betty Berberian; filmmakers Sevak Vrej, Kouyoumdjian, US, writing; Eric Nazarian, US, Gerald Papasian, Actor/Director Carla Garapedian, Haik Ghazarian and Nazarian; film; Levon Parian, US, art; Asbed Pogarian, US, will make the introduction in person Toni Hagopian, wife of filmmaker Michael J. film; Susanna Tchoubarian, US, music; Araz Remarks by Dr. David DiChiera Hagopian; producers Maral Jerejian and Valerie Artinian, Canada, film; Christopher Atamian, Director, Michigan Opera Theater McCaffrey. Members of the press included: Appo US, writing; Vasken Brutyan, US, art; Manuella Jabarian (publisher USA Armenian Life Guiragossian, US, film; Greg Kojar, US, music; Tuesday, January 24, 2012 Magazine ), Ani Tadevosian (Horizon), Azzie Ara Madzounian, US, writing; Tigran Martikyan, 6:30 pm Refreshments Program begins 7:00 pm sharp Mekhtarian (Yerevan Magazine) and Harut US, music; Mariam Matossian, Canada, music; Sassounian. AFFMA board and committee mem - Elsie Mehagian, writing; Lara Minassian, US, Bloomfield Township Library bers in attendance included: Armen Toumajan, art; Dan Teager, US, music; Ani Maldjian, US, 1099 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield, MI Maral Kazazian, Dr. Zaven Khachaturian, Sonia music; Ashot Shiroian, US, music; Garine (corner of Telegraph and Lone Pine) Keshishian, Jacqueline Der Mesropian, Eileen Torossian, Canada, film; Arno Yeretzian ,US, Public is cordially invited Keusseyan, Aida Navasargian, Maro film; Martin Yearnazian, US, film, and Lori Khodaveerdi, Alex Kalognomos, Talia Tanielian, Bedikian, US, writing. Tekeyan Cultural Association will screen Gerald Papasian’s modified version of Dikran Tchouhadjian’s “Gariné” Opera at the Bloomfield Public Library. The Opera will be presented by Gerald Papasian, the artistic director of the Dikran Tchouhadjian Research Center of Paris, and will be followed by the projection of the performance. Tchouhajdian’s “Gariné” operetta, originally called “Leblebiji Horhor Agha, ” was written in 1875 in Turkish, and quickly became a hit. Tchouhadjian used the urban and folk melodies of his time in the framework of a comic operetta. The setting was in the harem of Prince Khurshid Bey, in the 18th century. The prince fell in love with young Fatime, whose father, Horhor Agha, was a poor chickpea seller. He wanted to save his daughter from what he thought was a kidnapping, but his daughter was actually in love with Khurshid. The operetta was translated into Armenian while Tchouhadjian was still alive, and in the 20th century it was translated into Greek, French, Russian and German. In the 1940s, it was performed in Soviet Armenia under the new title “Gariné.”. In 1967 the Armenian version was made into a film. It was still set in Istanbul, but the harem story was changed. While Tchouhadjian’s original score has been lost, Papasian discovered scores in Paris in French translation that were intended for a French production that never occurred. After this discovery, and through lots of detective work, Papasian was able to use the various versions to make his own revisions for a new Western Armenian script. He changed the figure of the father from a poor vendor into a rich man, changing also the development of the love story to allow for a livelier plot. Gariné gradually falls in love with Armen, a young intellectual who returns from his studies in Venice and establishes the theatre company in which Gariné performs. After creating a new Western Armenian version, with a revised script, Papasian translated the operetta into French and English. The French version was staged in Paris and Marseille last year by a company of 40 singers/actors, dancers and musicians (including Gerald Papasian as the father, Horhor Agha), to critical acclaim. Sylvia Minassian with her family, from left, Dr. Haig Minassian, Lori, Melissa and Levon For more information call 248-302-7576 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 14, 2012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 17 ARTS & LIVING The Music of Hayg Boyadjian: A CD Titled ‘Vientos’
for flute, Tigran Gevorgyan, and cello, Karen texts by Georg Trakl and Rainer Maria Rilke. Larget-Caplan is on the faculty of the Boston By Robin McNeil Kocharyan. There is a marvelous section in this They are dark and unbelievably tragic with no Conservatory, the New School of Music and has work where the writing for flute is very close to chance of respite. They are beautifully written an active private studio in Boston. He is a grad - J. S. Bach’s writing for the violin. It is echoed, and performed. The soprano has near perfect uate of the New England Conservatory of I’ve been fortunate recently to discover some then, by the cello. It sounds just as difficult for technique except for one item: her diction. It Music in Boston where he studied with David new CDs, one of which has really kindled my the flute as Bach’s writing has to be for the vio - could be the recording process, but I found it Leisner and Eliot Fisk. interest for a variety of reasons. The new CD linist — and cellist. This work alone is worth the impossible to understand her words. Latshaw is the music director of the that I will tell you about is titled “Vientos” price of the CD. Boyadjian’s fluency as a com - The trio, Vientos , is the seventh track on this Bloomington Symphony Orchestra and (named after the seventh work on this CD), poser and his artistic ability are readily notice - CD. Remember, as I stated above, vientos Principal Guest Conductor of the Ars Nova which means winds. It is a selection of compo - able. means wind. It is written for guitar, violin and Chamber Orchestra in Washington DC. sitions by the Armenian/Argentine/American The third work on this CD, which also shows mandolin: Matt Gould, Beth Schneider-Gould Armbrust has currently completed her mas - composer, Hayg Boyadjian. This CD has allowed the influence of Boyadjian’s interest in astrono - and Avi Avital. I have listened several times to ter’s at Indiana University where she held the me to discover this composer, and his music is my, is Pleiades. This work is dedicated to this composition, and I am still puzzling over merit-based Viola Associate Instructorship quite exciting. In addition, I am also fortunate Pellerite, who plays the Native American flute. how Boyadjian creates the sound in this work. while studying with Atar Arad and was a mem - enough to know one of the outstanding per - The other members of this chamber group are: His writing and the instrumentation truly cap - ber of The Kuttner Quartet, the university’s formers on this CD, James Pellerite, who was a Kathryn Lukas, flute; Rose Armbrust, viola; tures the fitful capriciousness of the wind. It is quartet in residence. professor of flute at Indiana University. On this Yotam Baruch, cello; Brian Blume, marimba, a wonderful example of his compositional abili - Baruch, at the time of this recording, was CD, Pellerite performs on the Native American and Charles Latshaw, conductor. ty, and you simply must hear it. studying with cellist Janos Starker at the Jacobs flute, which has been a passion of his now, for As Boyadjian points out in the notes, the This is an excellent CD, which shows the School of Music at Indiana University. several years. Native American flute is played like a recorder, artistry of a composer with whom I was unfa - Blume is also a graduate of Indiana All of the performers on this CD are truly out - and it sounds more like a Baroque recorder miliar. It is a joy to listen to, and it is firmly on University and is currently percussionist with standing, which makes it one of the most enjoy - than a transverse flute. Pellerite has made my iPod. The compositions are masterful and so the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra and has able CDs of chamber music that I’ve heard for improvements in the instrument so that it has a are the musicians — they are truly artists. I have also played with the Lafayette Symphony, a while. wider range, and one can also play it chromati - listed them below. Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, Carmel Quoting from Boyadjian’s website: cally so that there is more versatility. This CD was recorded in 2010 on the Albany Symphony and Bloomington Camerata “Hayg Boyadjian was born in 1938 in Paris, This is an amazingly haunting piece, and the label: TROY1219. Orchestra. France. At an early age, he immigrated with his Native American flute has an unusually sooth - Pellerite served for many years as professor Gevorgyan has been a professor of flute at family to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he ing quality of sound. It is dulcet and warm, and of flute at Indiana University, and many of his the Yerevan Conservatory since 1985. started his musical studies at the Liszt Pellerite is remarkably skilled in bringing out a students now hold prominent university and Conservatory. In 1958, he immigrated to the wide variety of dynamics, which help shape the symphony positions. (This review initially appeard in the music US, and presently lives in Lexington, Mass. In phrasing. Boyadjian has written some very Khorozyan, clarinetist, has been principal blog, OpusColorado.) the US, he continued his musical studies as a sophisticated rhythm, which gives this relative - clarinetist of the Armenian Philharmonic special student first at the New England ly slow piece a definite forward momentum. Orchestra. Conservatory and later at Brandeis University. There is no question that Pellerite is making Grigoryan is a professor of the Yerevan State Among his teachers were Beatriz Balzi (student the Native American flute a main-stream instru - Conservatory and since 2004, director of Aram Boyadjian to Speak in of Alberto Ginastera, with whom Boyadjian had ment. If other flautists perform on this instru - Khachaturian house-museum. several consulting meetings), Seymour Shifrin, ment with his ability, perhaps more composers Kocharyan is one of the founding members of Merrimack Valley Feb. 2 Alvin Lucier and Edward Cohen. He has com - will write compositions for the instrument. the Khachatyryan trio, first solo cellist of the posed a large number of works from chamber to Boyadjian and Pellerite deserve much applause. Armenian Chamber Players (ACP), associate NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. — Grammy symphonic. Many of his compositions have As Boyadjian says in the program notes, it concertmaster of the Armenian Philharmonic nominee Hayg Boyadjian will discuss his been performed throughout the world: the US, would be very difficult to dance to Mi Tango , Orchestra. music career February 2 during an Avak lun - Brazil, Argentina, Japan, Korea, Russia, France, the second composition on the CD. In order to Geghamyan has been a principal soloist with cheon at St. Gregory Church, 158 Main St. Holland, England, Spain, Armenia and others. give it his own particular flavor, Boyadjian the National Opera Theatre since 1999. Boyadjian will also play excerpts from A number of his scores are available through changed the accents in the tango, and also used Mandalyan has been a lecturer on the faculty some of his 11 recordings, including his the American Music Center, New York and on different meters other than the common of the State Conservatory’s School of Training latest called “Vientos,” which has been the Internet through Sibelius Music. Some of two/four of the tango. Frankly, though it is an for Concertmasters since 1988. critically acclaimed. The composition is his chamber and symphonic compositions are absolutely wonderful composition, I am not Duo46 classical guitarist, Gould, (BM accompanied by flute, cello and vocals. recorded on the following CD labels: Living sure that I would recognize it as a tango. Aaron Peabody Conservatory, MM University of Since emigrating here in 1958 from Music, Society of Composers Recordings, Larget-Caplan is the guitarist in this work and Arizona, DMA Arizona State University) has Argentina, Boyadjian has carved a niche in North/South Consonance Recordings and his musicianship seems to be entirely effortless. been described by former teacher Manuel the classical music world. A number of his Opus One Recordings. The fourth, fifth and sixth bands on this CD Barrueco, as “a guitarist capable of giving per - scores are available through the American “He is a member of the Composers’ Union of comprise the three-song cycle, De Profundis . formances of great beauty, enthusiasm and con - Music Center, in New York, as well as the Armenia, ASCAP, Society of Composers, the The cycle is performed by the soprano, Gayane trol.” Internet through Sibelius Music. He is cur - MacDowell Colony and others. His name is found Geghamyan. She has a wonderful voice quality, As a member of Duo46, violinist Schneider- rently working on an Armenian suite and in the Who’s Who in American Music and the though, at least, in the first song, De Profundis, Gould (B.M. Indiana University Bloomington, living in Lexington. International Who’s Who in Music. He has she seems to be more of a mezzo that a sopra - M.M. University of Arizona) made her solo A number of his writings on music and received awards from ASCAP, Meet the no. Mind you, now, that is certainly no criticism; debut at the age of 16 with the Cincinnati poems have been printed in various publi - Composer, the Lexington Arts Council, the New it is simply an observation. She has a beautiful Symphony Orchestra. cations. England Foundation Meet the Composer, the voice. The Israeli mandolin player, Avital, is recog - Boyadjian’s presentation will follow a 50th Anniversary Commission Project-American These three songs were inspired by the nized by the New York Times for his “exquisite - luncheon at noon. The event is free. Music Center and others. A number of his writ - Armenian Genocide of 1915. Boyadjian uses ly sensitive playing” and “stunning agility.” ings on music and a number of his poems have been published in various publications.” Boyadjian is an amateur astronomer, and in the first work on this CD, which is titled Cassiopeia, he took the shape of the constella - tion, which is roughly a W, and made a five-note cell and traces that letter, and thus the melodic line, in the score. The motive that process cre - CC AA LLEENNDDAARR ates can easily be heard as it comes back in sev - eral sections of the piece. When I hear brand- new works such as this one, I am amazed at so many styles of avant-garde music, which I grew up with that have fallen by the wayside. No longer is there an era of experimentalism. And, really, while there may be snippets here and MASSACHUSETTS there of serialism, or 12-tone derivation, that, On January 21, at 8 p.m., too, is not so prevalent anymore. Most com - JANUARY 21 — The Armenian Missionary Association of the Armenian Missionary posers have fallen back — or, truly, they have America (AMAA) presents jazz sensation Grace Kelly in fallen forward — into tonally-centered music. Concert. Proceeds to benefit the Avedisian School in Association will present a The opening work, Cassiopeia, has some dis - Armenia. National Heritage Museum, Lexington. Tickets concert by Grace Kelly, pic - sonant opening chords and then there is a $35, $20 with student ID. Cocktails at 6:30 p.m., concert at tured here, with proceeds remarkable driving rhythm, which is irrevoca - 8 p.m. For tickets or more information, call AMAA at (201) to benefit the Avedisian ble, it makes you feel as if you get in the way, it 265-2607; Jean Marie Papelian at (781) 904-2700 or visit School. Tickets are $35 and will simply run you down. It is performed with www.gracekellymusic.com or www.amaa.org. $25 with student ID. For great excitement by the clarinetist, cellist and more info, visit pianist. Those individuals are Suren Khorozyan, www.gracekellymusic.com Karen Kocharyan and Armine Grigoryan, NEW YORK or www.amaa.org. respectively. This is a beautiful piece of music built around snippets of counterpoint and it is MAY 19, 2012 — HMADS Gala Dinner Dance. Details to fol - incredibly difficult. low, June 25. HMADS 30th Commencement Exercise at 8 The next work on this program, which is also p.m., Kalustyan Hall. inspired by astronomy, is titled Perseus. However, this work has no pianist: it is written 18 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 14, 20012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY
T HE A RMENIAN COMMENTARY Mirror- Genocide Bill Makes Waves in France and Beyond
Turkish history.” By Edmond Y. Azadian When they know the outcome of a study, calling an “impartial Spectator committee of scholars” is tantamount to political charade. Also, which scholar will dare to pronounce the word “genocide” when Criminalizing the Genocide in France has touched off a politi - article 301 is in the Turkish penal code and when publisher cal debate with international repercussions. The passage of the Recep Zarakolu is in prison, exactly for speaking out as an “impar - bill on December 22 in the French National Assembly has tial scholar.” Established 1932 angered Turkish leaders, who are threatening France with a num - Mr. Juppé’s misstep in Turkey touched off a firestorm in the ber of measures and decrying the “irreparable damage” to French-Armenian community and it did not make a dent on the An ADL Publication Franco-Turkish relations, should the bill be ratified by the French Turkish resolve to fight the issue. Senate before end of January, as predicted. Another political storm is brewing across the Mediterranean in In the past, Ankara used to recall its ambassador for a period Algeria. When the Turkish prime minister accused France of com - EDITOR and gradually forget its threats of retaliation. This time around, it mitting “genocide” against Algerians during the colonial war, that Alin K. Gregorian does not seem to be business as usual. Indeed the Turkish country’s prime minister, Ahmed Ouyahia, responded that Ambassador to France Tahsin Burcuoglu has returned to Paris “nobody has the right to make the blood of Algerians their busi - ASSOCIATE EDITOR after consultations in Ankara and he has been assigned to lead ness.” This gave the opportunity for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Aram Arkun the political campaign against the passage of the bill in the Erdogan’s government to play its Islamic card. While maintaining ART DIRECTOR French Senate. a dignified posture, Erdogan put to action the Islamist parties in Marc Mgrditchian Instead of keeping the ambassador out of France, Turkey has Algeria to fight their own prime minister and the French threatened to discontinue discussions with Paris on the develop - PRODUCTION Parliament. The first party to react was Algeria’s Social Dilani Yogaratnam ments in Syria. Movement For Peace (MSP), a large party aligned with the As has become common knowledge by now, Washington has Muslim Brotherhood. Its leader, Bougerra Sultani, backed the begun using surrogates in the Middle East to topple regimes hos - Turkish Premier Erdogan. SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: tile to Israel, as was the case in Libya, rather than sacrificing Another Algerian opposition party, Ennahda, known as the Edmond Azadian 4,500 of its own military, as it happened in Iraq. Islamic Renaissance Movement, also reacted negatively to the Syria is the next target in line, which compels cooperation prime minister’s statement. It looks like the debate sparked a CONTRIBUTORS: between Paris and Ankara. Turkey is also threatening to revise its political crisis in that country, since even Ouyahia’s coalition part - Florence Avakian, Elizabeth Aprahamian, military and economic relations with France. France is Turkey’s ners joined the barrage of criticism. Daphne Abeel, Dr. Haroutiune fifth largest export market and sixth largest importer with bilateral Turkey and Azerbaijan have been skillfully using the Islamic Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Prof. trade worth $14 billion in 2011 and growing. France is also a con - Vahakn N. Dadrian, Diana Der card, especially in the annual convocations of the Islamic confer - Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, Kevork tender to build a nuclear power plant in Turkey, which also has ence, where resolutions are adopted routinely on the issue of Keushkerian, Sonia Kailian-Placido , become a political hot potato in the current atmosphere of tension. Karabagh conflict and Armenia is always condemned. Harut Sassounian, Mary Terzian, Hagop In the meantime, some developments have emerged inside and While Turkey shows its Western face to be admitted to the Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian outside of France, which may have a bearing on the Senate vote. European Union, it remains a power broker in the Islamic world, One development is the opposition party’s position on the where nuanced politics hardly make any sense, since everything CORRESPONDENTS: issue; indeed, the passage of the Genocide bill had become an is black and white; suffice it to taint any issue as a religious con - Armenia - Hagop Avedikian election campaign issue for President Nicolas Sarkozy. But the flict, Islamic nations rally around it in defense. Boston - Nancy Kalajian Socialist candidate for the presidency, Francois Holland, stole the In all this turmoil, pitting parties and countries against each Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian wind out of Sarkozy’s sail, when he announced that he would other, a small voice has also been heard in the Istanbul patriar - Contributing Photographers: also support the Genocide bill. chate. Turks push forward the hostage Armenian Patriarchate in Jacob Demirdjian, Harry Koundakjian, Jirair This announcement rendered the issue as a double-edged Istanbul. On behalf of the Patriarchate Archbishop Aram Hovsepian sword; on the one hand, the bill gains bi-partisan support, espe - Ateshian has stated that the problem should be addressed within cially when the Socialists have a majority in the Senate; on the Turkey, and Armenians are “in favor of solving our problems with other hand, it loses its political value, allowing Armenians to vote our [Turkish] state,” adding that “second hands, arms and opin - The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published for either candidate. ions should not interfere with the issue.” weekly, except two weeks in July, by: Another development was a misstep by France’s Prime Minister Of course nothing else could be expected from the poor cleric, Baikar Association, Inc. Alain Juppé in Ankara. who himself is a political pawn. He certainly cannot speak on 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 Traditionally, France has a policy of preventative action. We behalf of all Armenians, because the Genocide and the murder of Telephone: 617-924-4420 should remember the day when the late President Francois 1.5 million Armenian souls is not a parochial issue in an Istanbul FAX: 617-924-2887 Mitterrand walked in unannounced into an Armenian gathering neighborhood. The Turkish government supported Ateshian’s to dispense his unbound love for the Armenian people and pledge www.mir rorspectator.com candidacy to succeed Archbishop Mesrob Mutafian, who was his support for Genocide recognition. That was just on the eve of used and abused by the Turkish state for its political ends and E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator .com the French Court’s announcement of its verdict on some now he is rendered a shadow of his former self. The state support For advertising: [email protected] Armenian youth arrested for political violence in France. Only for Ateshian is paying its political dividends today. later did it dawn on the Armenians that it was a measure to soft - While we understand the archbishop’s predicament, a non- en the blow. statement on the issue would have been much more powerful. Similarly, a preventive strike was taken by the French prime SUBSCRIPTION RATES : One of his predecessors, His Beatitude Archbishop Shnork minister, after Mr. Sarkozy threw “his bombshell” in Yerevan, Kalousdian, kept a low profile during the reign of the harshest U.S.A. 2nd Class $75 a year warning Ankara to take steps before the end of the year, other - political dictatorship in Turkey thus did not provide anti- 1st Class $120 a year wise France was to implement its own policy. France needed Armenian ammunition to the Turkish state to be used against the Canada some damage control before the December 22 vote. Thus Mr. world Armenian community. Air Mail $125 a year Juppé headed for Ankara, where he fell into the Turkish trap by While denying the right to Archbishop Ateshian to speak on All Other Countries espousing one of Ankara’s hollow, favorite arguments about the behalf of all Armenians, we understand that any responsible com - Air Mail $190 a year Genocide issue. To appease angered Turks, he offered to host a munity leader has to bear in mind that the Turkish state can Display advertising r at e: $7 per column inch group of representatives from both sides “to study” the issue, as unleash a September 6 massacre anytime. if anything else was left to study, after the recognition of the Returning to the French Senate vote, it looks like the bill has Genocide by 20 nations, and after the numerous statements by gained momentum, but nothing is certain until it is done. The internationally-recognized Genocide scholars. French have treated Armenians in a cavalier manner many times Turkish leaders know that they are trying to dupe the interna - in history. Sarkozy himself is known to turn against his closest © 2011 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator tional community, by trying “to leave history to the historians,” allies, driven by political expediency. We hope this time around, Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA while emphatically maintaining that “there was no Genocide in political expediency moves him in the right direction. and additional mailing offices. ISSN 0004-234X POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The Armenian Mirror-Spectator, P.O. Box 302, Watertown, MA 02471-0302 Other than the editorial, views and opinions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily Notice to Contributors eflect the policies of the publisher.
The welcomes articles, commentaries daytime telephone number. Armenian Mirror-Spectator and community news from our readers. In order to assure the accurate — Deadline for submission of all articles and advertising is noon on the and timely publication of articles submitted, please note the following Monday of the week of publication. policies: — Photos will be published without charge at the discretion of the edi - Copying for other than personal use or — All articles submitted should be typed, double (or triple) spaced and tors and art director. Photos will be returned only if a self-addressed internal reference is prohibited without printed in a type size large enough to be clearly legible (10 point or and stamped envelope is included. express permission of the copyright larger). Submissions that do not conform to these specifications will be — The will publish only one article about an upcoming organiza - owner. Address requests for reprints or M-S back issues to: assigned lowest priority. tional event. For major special events, exceptions may be made only — Articles sent by fax are acceptable, and e-mail submissions are by special arrangement with the editors. Baikar Association, Inc. encouraged. — Telephone numbers, ticket prices and other details (at the discre - 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 — All submissions should include the name of a contact person and a tion of the editors) will not be included in press releases. S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 14, 20012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 19 COMMENTARY
Bryza as ambassador to Azerbaijan in late 2010 without This is an American issue and Armenia had no role in it. In Senate approval. The president seemed oblivious to the fact, the biggest losers are those who lobbied long and hard potential damage to his own reputation, the prestige of the for the confirmation of an ill-qualified Ambassador who United States and US-Azeri relations, should the Senate was more intent on serving the interests of Baku in not confirm Bryza’s nomination, forcing him to leave his Washington than those of America in Azerbaijan. My Turn post and return to Washington upon expiration of his 12- In my opinion, the real losers are: month appointment. 1) President Obama who picked a poorly qualified nomi - By Harut Sassounian As Ambassador Bryza’s temporary assignment was end - nee and stubbornly pushed for his confirmation when it ing in December 2011, Obama administration officials pres - was crystal clear from day one that Bryza did not have the sured Senators Boxer and Menendez to allow him to con - chance of a snowball in hell to get confirmed. Azerbaijan and Obama Suffer tinue serving in Azerbaijan by confirming his nomination. 2) The government of Azerbaijan which spent a fortune Setbacks As Ambassador Bryza’s The two Senators remained steadfast in opposing Bryza, on lobbyists who miserably failed to get the job done. even though it is not easy for these Democratic politicians 3) Azeri and Turkish organizations, such as the Service is Cut Short to turn down a request from the President of the United Azerbaijani-American Council, Azerbaijan Society of States, who also happens to be the nominal leader of their America, Pax Turcica Institute, US Azeris Network, and As a result of successive political blunders by the Obama own party. Assembly of Turkish-American Associations, which issued administration, Matthew Bryza was forced to abandon his The Senators were also pressured by the government of countless press releases and sent thousands of e-mails to ambassadorial post in Azerbaijan last week. Azerbaijan and its powerful lobbying firms which went into the Senate — to no avail. By supporting Bryza, they con - President Obama ignored repeated warnings that the overdrive to justify their exorbitant fees. Through their spe - firmed that in fact he was “their man,” and not an unbiased candidate he was nominating as ambassador to Azerbaijan cial connections they were able to get the Wall Street diplomat. in May 2010 had serious flaws. Members of the Senate Journal and the Washington Post to publish editorials 4) The Wall Street Journa l and the Washington Post Foreign Relations Committee accused Bryza of having a attacking the Senators and the Armenian National which compromised their journalistic integrity to please pro-Azerbaijani bias and questionable ties to Azeri officials. Committee of America which had spearheaded a public their “petro-friends.” The Senators were troubled by reports that foreign officials campaign against this unqualified Ambassadorial nominee. 5) The 36 former US officials who signed a joint letter had given Bryza lavish gifts at his Istanbul wedding, dur - Not surprisingly, the Wall Street Journal heaped lavish urging the Senate to confirm Bryza. It is no mere coinci - ing which the foreign minister of Azerbaijan had served as praise on Bryza, calling him a “respected career foreign ser - dence that most of these signatories are currently associat - a groomsman. In addition, the nominee’s Turkish-born vice officer,” and accused the two Senators of “kissing up ed with think tanks and lobbying firms that are funded by wife, Zeyno Baran, was accused of conflict of interest while to the Armenian-American lobby.” Azerbaijan or expect such funding in the future. working on Caspian energy issues at a Washington think The Washington Post was even nastier. Its editorial could There are, however, two clear winners: tank. She had also antagonized the Armenian-American be described as outright racist and anti-Armenian. Contrary 1) The Armenian-American community which has sent a community by testifying against recognition of the to its claim of defending “the larger US national interest,” the loud and clear message to Baku, Ankara, and Washington Armenian Genocide at a Senate Subcommittee hearing. newspaper was actually advocating the confirmation of an that it represents a powerful political force to be reckoned When President Obama failed to take these concerns Ambassador with questionable credentials who would weak - with. seriously, Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Robert en, rather than strengthen America’s interests. 2) Matthew Bryza and his wife, who as lobbyists for Menendez (D-New Jersey) had no choice but to place a hold The Washington Post concluded its shameful editorial by Azerbaijan and Turkey, can be expected to make millions on Bryza’s nomination, effectively blocking his confirma - accusing “oil-poor” and “isolated” Armenia as being the by cashing in on their high-level connections in Baku and tion. Obama then compounded his error by appointing biggest loser in the Bryza controversy. We beg to disagree. Ankara.
French Genocide Bill Provokes Uproar, Sparks Debate
Turkish Overreaction independence war. As many journalists noted, patient effort to convince the doubting their inheritance in Turkey. this was a backhanded admission of wrongdo - Thomases or ideological denialists that what Thirdly, Turkey must erect some monuments May Backfire ing on the part of the Ottoman Turks. they hysterically reject did in fact occur? and build museums for these massacred, great Finally, criticism from Ankara pointed out This leads to the real point, and the one occu - people who had lived in these lands for thou - that French President Nicolas Sarkozy, whose pying center stage in the debate inside Turkey, sands of years but faced extinction because of UMP party presented the bill, was doing so a debate ironically nourished in part by the some secular-nationalist Committee of Union By Muriel Mirak-Weissbach because it was speculating on winning support French vote. The real issue is Turkish recogni - and Progress (CUP) dictators’ faulty, to say the from the estimated half million Armenian vot - tion of what occurred in 1915. Why cannot the least, decisions and actions.” ers in France in the next elections. No irony Turkish establishment acknowledge the histori - Although the author compromises with the The bill voted up on December 22 by the here: it is quite obvious that Sarkozy is using cal record, relieve itself and its people of the official Turkish propaganda line, carefully side- French parliament (Assemblee Nationale), the Armenian issue as a political football. This burden of collective guilt, apologize to the stepping any reference to the documented which would make denial of genocide (includ - is, sadly, not the first time that the Genocide descendants of the victims and work towards intent to annihilate the Armenian people, what ing the 1915 genocide against the Armenians in issue has been cynically exploited. Whenever reconciliation? Energized by the debate about is noteworthy in his article is his insistence that Ottoman Turkey) a crime, has provoked strong Washington would get upset with some foreign the French vote, it appears that a growing num - Turkey must somehow finally deal with its past. reactions from the Turkish government and policy initiative coming out of Ankara, the knee- ber of individuals and civil society organizations That such an article could appear in a leading sparked a debate among Turks and Armenians jerk reaction would be to threaten are accelerating their efforts to English-language Turkish publication indicates worldwide. The bill, which must still be debated to use the “g-word” at the White arrive at just such a goal. The the breadth of the debate now raging in Turkey. by the senate, would penalize anyone denying House. Recently, the Israeli OPINION Human Rights Association The same Zaman carried a similar piece days the Genocide with up to one year in prison and Knesset has brought up discus - Istanbul Branch, put out a press later by Sahin Alpay, who saw the crux of the a 45,000-euro fine. sion of the Armenian Genocide, as release on December 22, titled issue in the fact that, despite controversy over The response from Ankara was swift and furi - a not-so-subtle response to Turkey’s having put “Let’s Raise Our Voice Against Denial, Not the the term “genocide,” Armenians were indeed ous. Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan announced bilateral relations on ice. Such exploitation of French Parliament.” killed through forced deportations, during that he had recalled his ambassador from mass murder is morally repugnant and only In their view, denial of a crime against which even denialists estimated that up to France, frozen all military cooperation with adds to the offense against the memory of humanity, like genocide, could not be consid - 700,000 died. He concludes with a call for an France and suspended economic and political those who perished in 1915-1917. ered a violation of freedom of expression. On official apology and cites a retired Turkish meetings. That said, there are a couple of intriguing those grounds, they called on intellectuals and ambassador, Volkan Vural, who said: “What In addition, Turkish President Abdullah Gul questions provoked by the French legislators’ others to end their campaigns against the happened in history is unworthy of the urged that France withdraw from the Minsk move worth mention. First: is the vote truly rep - French parliament and instead “work for the Republic of Turkey. If I were in charge, I would Group, on grounds it could no longer claim to resentative of the French parliament’s view - recognition of the Armenian Genocide, the also apologize. A state like ours has to do this. be impartial in the Nagorno-Karabagh dispute. point? According to French press reports, the Assyrian genocide and the ethnic cleansing of The state must tell the deported Armenians and There were not a few ironies to the develop - bill passed by a “large majority of the 50 or so Greeks by the state and the society as a whole.” to Greeks forced to leave the country…. ‘I am ment. First, Turkish opponents to the bill parliamentarians present,” and “about half a On December 24, the DSIP (Revolutionary extending citizenship to you and to your claimed it would criminalize free speech and dozen voted against it.” Out of a total of 577 Socialist Workers’ Party) put out a press release descendants.’ The Armenian problem can be hamper historical research — yet, according to members of parliament, this does not strike me arguing along similar lines, and urged recogni - solved not by historians but by politicians. Turkey’s penal code Article 301, any mention of as constituting an overwhelming mandate. tion of the Genocide including all relevant legal, Historical facts are well known.” the Armenian Genocide, in so many words, is But numbers aside, is it in principle the pre - cultural, and political aspects. With all their limitations, what these articles deemed an offense and is punishable — so much rogative of any elected parliamentary body to A day earlier, Today’s Zaman carried an arti - illustrate is an unprecedented discussion for free speech and historical research. Over the determine by vote whether or not genocide has cle by Ahsan Yilmaz who criticized the Erdogan process unfolding in Turkey. Robert Fisk, a sea - past months, scores of Turkish intellectuals, been committed? To most honest intellectuals, government reaction as exaggerated and went soned journalist for the Independent , provided journalists and civil society leaders have been the Armenian Genocide is a historical fact doc - on to suggest that the proper way to deal with further insight into it in a piece, titled, jailed on allegations of affiliation with terrorist umented through primary sources on various the problem would be to seek “normalization “Turkey’s long road to reconciliation,” pub - organizations simply because they have spoken sides, including American, Danish, German, as vis-à-vis 1915.” Citing the official Turkish ver - lished on December 25. out regarding Kurdish civil rights or the well as Armenian and Turkish. Secondly, can sion of events, according to which “several hun - He was reporting on a promotional tour in Armenian issue. For years, writers who one legislate morality, by criminalizing denial of dred thousand Armenians were either massa - Turkey that he had just completed to push the addressed the Armenian case, even those who historical facts? If it becomes illegal to deny the cred or died because of the terrible conditions Turkish translation of his book, The Great War judiciously avoided using the proper term geno - Genocide, does that make its affirmation some - during their forced deportation,” he put for - for Civilisation . He had conducted a whopping cide, have been jailed, mishandled, and, in the how “more true?” Does that mean that those ward the view that the state had had a duty to 21 interviews with Turkish TV and press to case of Hrant Dink, murdered. A further irony who deny it will, under threat of punishment, protect these citizens and had failed to do so. introduce his book. And the book, he writes, lies in Erdogan’s charge that France has no alter their views? Is it not wiser to thrash out “Turkey has to apologize,” he concluded, “at contains a chapter on 1915 titled, “The First right to launch such accusations when it was the issues of the controversy, as prominent least for its inability to protect them. Then, it Genocide” — yes, “genocide” even in the itself guilty of genocide against Algerians in the genocide historians continue to do, in the must invite Armenians abroad to come and get see DEBATE, page 20 20 S ATURDAY , J ANUARY 14, 20012 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Vernissage: A Mosaic of Armenian Cultural Treasures
(TOM VARTABEDIAN PHOTO) The eye sets upon a cache of skeleton keys? to the people. By Tom Vartabedian Another table held electronic bits and old A largely dormant concrete park dur - razors. Something for everyone, goes the sales ing the week, the place blossoms on pitch. You feel like a child running amok in weekends in the heart of the capital city YEREVAN — As the sun rises over Yerevan, grandma’s attic. by a monument dedicated to the late visages of an outdoor flea market come to life If anything, the shopping paradise represent - painter Martiros Saryan. like a Brigadoon. It is Saturday — and people ed a cornerstone in a mosaic of cultural art. A fascinating potpourri of historic arti - are getting restless. Business can’t wait. “The spirit of art is alive and well,” a mer - facts was tastefully blended with contem - A vagabond strolls the dirt aisles, looking to chant told me. “Ancient traditions and culture porary goods to entice the most discrim - peddle his wooden bookmarks. He tells you are reinvented and reborn each week. Tourists inating shoppers both young and old. they’re hand-made but who knows? A limp and love this place. So do our residents.” Lawns of the park disappear under rows a mercenary look are easy sells for this street More important than the merchandise was of paintings, indicating the spirit of art vendor. the manner in which these vendors bonded. was alive and well here. The place is an outdoor flea market, the The competitive attitude ran parallel with a A child was seen holding two bags of biggest in all Armenia, as a cornucopia of art sense of economic well-being. I was on a mis - merchandise she had purchased. and crafts are up for grabs. For the right price. (TOM VARTABEDIAN PHOTO) Elsewhere, a woman in her 80s was bar - Negotiations are part of the trade. You might gaining with a craftsman. They went call Vernissage a bargain-hunter’s paradise. back and forth before settling on a price. What’s your pleasure? Is it jewelry? I picked up three dolls. The dealer Woodwork? Pastels? Ceramics? Books? Coins, made a tempting offer. Buy another and stamps and medallions? Hardware? the fifth one would be free. She also included a ceramic urn in case one broke during transit. The man with the crutch selling book - marks appeared cloned. He was every - Armenian, Azeri where with his hands extended. Paying no attention to proper protocol, I assumed he was the bearer of gifts. I took Books are always an attraction among bibliophiles at Leaders Set for one, thinking it was complimentary. Vernissage. I may as well have robbed the jewelry Fresh Summit counter at Tiffany’s. Two merchants left their booths and chased times what the craft was worth, out of chagrin. SUMMIT, from page 1 me down, annoyed that I had taken advantage Far be it for me to leave the country with a tar - peaceful settlement proposed by the three of a handicapped man. One of his bookmarks nished reputation. As the day wore on, I man - mediating powers at their most recent face-to- was jutting from my pocket — the one I had aged to exceed my anticipated budget. face talks held in the Russian city of Kazan assumed was free. A visit to Vernissage left me with an impres - last June. But they failed to overcome their “He was expecting some money,” one guy sion of how a certain class of people made differences, raising more questions about the said in Armenian. “He survives on what he the best of their artistic talents — sharing it future of the peace talks. earns here. Please show some respect.” with others to keep the economy stable. The The two leaders said through their foreign Without a moment’s hesitation, I returned to view of Mount Ararat from afar was an added ministers last month that they are ready to Armenian vendor peddles his wares at the lame derelict and paid him perhaps three bonus. meet again “in the near future.” Vernissage toting a New York Yankees hat. In an interview with Azerbaijani state tele - vision aired later in December, Medvedev insisted that the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict sion to bring home gifts for my family. Friends may still be resolved in the near future also passed along their requests. The Armenian despite the current impasse in the negotiat - While one opted for a gold Armenian cross, ing process. “In my view, this is perhaps the another wanted a cloth doll. A painting of only conflict in the post-Soviet space that can Ararat was on the list. So was a tavlou board, be settled at the moment,” he said. duduk, some CDs, lace and handicrafts. If I Analysts are skeptical about Karabagh arrived with two suitcases, the return trip Mirro r-Spe ctator peace prospects, however, pointing to contin - would be enough to fill four. uing bitter recriminations traded by the con - I was quick to learn that “vernissage” was a flicting parties and their diametrically oppo - French word that entered the parlance of YES, I would like a 1 – year subscription to The Armenian Mirror-Spectator. site public statements on how the dispute Yerevan during the late 1970s by Armenian should be resolved. artists who wanted to bring fruits of their labor USA /Second Class Mail $75.00 CANADA /Air Mail $125.00 USA /First Class Mail $120.00 J THE SUBSCRIPTION IS FOR ME French Genocide Bill Provokes Uproar, Sparks Debate NAME ADDRESS DEBATE, from page 19 when Fetiye Cetin published her book, My CITY STATE ZIP Turkish translation, despite Article 301. Grandmother , in 2004. Since then numerous Fisk said that that most journalists did not biographical studies have appeared in Turkey as THE SUBSCRIPTION IS A GIFT FOR: even question his account, for the simple rea - personal memoirs or institutional studies docu - J son that, although officialdom denies it, “[f]or menting the fact that tens if not hundreds of NAME hundreds of thousands of Turks, the Armenian thousands of Armenian children, especially ADDRESS Genocide is now a fact of history.” How so? he girls, were spared death and forcefully assimi - asks rhetorically. And he explains that it is lated as concubines, slaves or wives of Turks. CITY STATE ZIP because “[t]housands of Turks are digging into Their offspring and their descendants now bear their own family histories. Why, they are asking, witness to this fact. But how to interpret this Please make check payable to: The Armenian Mirror-Spectator and mail to: did they have Armenian grandmothers and unique occurrence? On the one hand, it shows 755 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472-1509 great-grandmothers?” that, although some Turks sought to exploit the Fisk poses the obvious question: why can’t Armenian females, others sought to save the All payments must be drawn on US banks the Turks face up to this history as the young girls out of human compassion. On the Germans dealt with the Holocaust? He referred other hand, it demonstrates a very fundamental to Erdogan’s admission just a few weeks earlier principle: truth will prevail. If the 1.5 million of the massacres of thousands of Kurds, adding Armenians slaughtered in the Genocide can not that Zaman ’s coverage of that event had come back and testify before a court of law as queried whether or not this might be a prelude to what happened, their grandchildren, born of SUB SCRIBE to acknowledgement of the Armenian mixed marriages with Turks, can. They need Genocide. Again, Fisk pointed out, the phrase not go to court. Their mere existence as Turkish used by Zaman was not “alleged genocide” but citizens of Armenian descent constitutes the “genocide.” Such ostensibly minor details might most damning proof of what happened almost be considered nitpicking, but they are actually 100 years ago. For a discussion of the implica - loaded with significance and may indeed tions of this phenomenon in Turkey today, see: presage some positive developments. http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2011-11- Looking at such events as part of a long but 22-seminar-in-germany-focuses-on-inner-turkish- steady process of questioning inside Turkey, it debate-of-1915-. appears that the French bill, quite irrespective of its merits or demerits, may have given a (Muriel Mirak-Weissbach is the author of healthy nudge to that process. Through the Wall of Fire: Armenia – Iraq – TODAY! The phenomenon of Turkish citizens’ discov - Palestine: From Wrath to Reconciliation . She ering their Armenian ethnic roots going back to can be reached at the Genocide first broke through public silence [email protected] or