OCTOBER 26, 2019 Mirror-SpeTHE ARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXX, NO. 15, Issue 4608 $ 2.00 NEWS The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 INBRIEF Archbishop Bekchian Ryan Air to Start Armenian Assembly Calls for Boycott of Presses Congress to Istanbul Patriarchate Sanction Elections Flights to WASHINGTON —The Armenian ISTANBUL (Panorma.am) — Archbishop Karekin Assembly of America presses Bekchian, one of the candidates for Armenian Congress to work quickly and fully Patriarch of Constantinople, issued a letter on (RFE/RL) — After months of international airport. sanction Turkey, especially given October 21 addressed to Bishop Sahak Mashalian, negotiations with the Armenian govern- Revazian negotiated with Ryanair repre- Turkey’s ongoing attacks in northern the locum tenens of Turkey’s Armenian ment, the Irish budget airline Ryanair sentatives in Dublin early this year before , even while a temporary “cease- Patriarchate. announced on Wednesday, October 16m announcing in March that Ryanair is con- fire” was brokered by US officials. According to the report by Ermenihaber, that it will launch flights between Europe sidering becoming the world’s first budget “It is crucial that the United Bekchian spoke about his decision to withdraw his and Armenia in January. States Congress follow through with candidacy for the post given the violation of the The company said it will ini- sanctions imposed on Turkey for its rights of other candidates amid the Turkish gov- tially fly from Yerevan to Milan violent invasion and seizure of ernment growing interference in the elections. and Rome four times a week. northern Syria. The Turkish govern- In the letter, Bekchian, who once served as It pledged to open two more ment has shown no compassion for locum tenens of the Patriarchate, called on all can- routes next summer: from the many lives lost this week, just didates to boycott the elections in solidarity of Yerevan to Berlin and from like a hundred years ago. This terri- those whose rights had been violated. Gyumri to the southern tory that Turkey is invading is home The development came after Turkish authorities German city of Memmingen. to mass graves of Armenian issued guidelines for the election of a new patri- “These four new routes Genocide victims. Turkish leaders arch for the Armenian Apostolic Church. The guide- will further promote have indicated that they will contin- lines included a new condition that would preclude Armenian tourism, and will ue fighting until their demands are clerics serving outside of Turkey from participating deliver over 130,000 cus- met,” Assembly Co-Chairs Anthony in the election and severely restrict the number of airline to fly to Armenia. She said in July tomers annually to/from two European Barsamian and Van Krikorian said. individuals eligible to stand for election. that the Irish carrier is seeking financial countries to one of Europe’s fastest-grow- “There are many reasons why The election for Patriarch is scheduled to take concessions from the Armenian side for ing tourism destinations,” said David Turkey is not our ally. To name a few place on December 11, 2019. O’Brien, Ryanair’s chief commercial offi- that purpose. examples, Turkey continues to vio- cer. Revazian said that the Civil Aviation late all basic human rights, denies “We can service from 86 different cities Committee has drafted a bill that would religious freedoms especially to French Armenian and airports, whereas our competitors exempt Ryanair from a fixed $21 tax levied Christians, and has proven to be a Magazine Offices offer far less opportunity for Armenia,” from every air ticket sold in the country. lifeline for ISIS. It is further disturb- O’Brien told a joint news conference with She was confident that the government ing to find reports that nuclear Ransacked Tatevik Revazian, the head of the will approve the bill and send it to the weapons are being held ‘hostage’ by Armenian government’s Civil Aviation Armenian parliament next month. Erdogan at Incirlik Air Base in PARIS (Armenpress) — The Union of Journalists Committee, held at Yerevan’s Zvartnots see FLIGHTS, page 4 Turkey, at a time where Turkey is of Armenia has condemned the October 21 attack acting so irresponsibly. The US on the office of the Nouvelles d’Arménie publica- should have never been put in that tion. position. Our weapons are not safe “This isn’t the first attack on the magazine, and there, and should be removed.” as stated by the magazine’s personnel, none of the see SANCTIONS, page 4 previous cases have unfortunately been solved. The reputed media outlet has for many years dealt with raising issues of pan-Armenian significance, con- demning the denial of the , its support for the . Any kind of Teen Pianist Eva violence or pressure against free speech is a great problem for any democratic state. Representatives Gevorgyan of the editorial board of the Armenian magazine are linking the attack with Editor-in-Chief, CCAF Delights Boston Co-Chair Ara Toranyan’s participation in the anti- Turkish demonstrations in Paris and his support YerazArt Audience for Syria’s Kurds, and this is an alarming signal. The frequent attacks against the press, especially related with political realities, must become subject of everyone’s strongest condemnation,” the union By Alin K. Gregorian said in a statement. Mirror-Spectator Staff The Armenian Embassy in France said the crim- inals stole video cameras and three computers. The embassy condemned “this despicable attack” and “Michael Aram – Eternity Sculpture – Welding” BOSTON — The Boston-based arts aid called it “a serious attack on freedom of expression organization YerazArt held a fundraising and republican values.” recital at the First Church on Marlborough NAASR Will Host Grand Opening Street, featuring Eva Gevorgyan, a 15-year- old pianist from Russia. Of New World Headquarters The church was packed with supporters and music lovers who were delighted with INSIDE the talented young musician. New Sculpture by Michael Aram to Be Unveiled Gevorgyan performed pieces by Aleksandr Scriabin, Franz Liszt and Aram BELMONT, Mass. — On Friday, November 1, the National Association for Khachaturian, reflecting her Russian and Carrying Armenian Studies and Research will host the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Armenian heritages and showcasing her of its spectacular, new, state-of-the-art global headquarters, named after Vartan immense talent and poise. Gregorian, president of the philanthropic foundation Carnegie Corporation of see PIANIST, page 17 New York. The new building’s official name will be the NAASR Vartan Gregorian Building, fulfilling the request of the building’s principal benefactors, Edward and Page 12 Pamela Avedisian of Lexington. The public is invited to attend the ceremony from 4 to 7 p.m., at 395 Concord Ave. This event is the result of a national campaign to build a prosperous future for Armenian Studies and will celebrate NAASR’s 65 years of achievement and mark a new era as NAASR looks toward the future and welcomes the next generation. INDEX Featured at the grand opening will be the unveiling of a site-specific sculpture Arts and Living ...... 12 that was donated by world-renowned Armenian-American artist, Michael Aram. Armenia ...... 2 His sculpture is an interpretation of a traditional Armenian symbol of eternity, or Community News...... 5 “Arevakhatch.” Editorial ...... 18 International ...... 3,4 see OPENING, page 20 Eva Gevorgyan 2 S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 2 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia

Jailed Ringleader of 1999 Parliament Attack Applies For Early Release YEREVAN (Panorama.am) — Nairi Hunanyan, who is sentenced to life imprisonment over the 1999 shooting in the Armenian parliament, has applied for early release from prison, the Penitentiary Service of the country’s Ministry of Justice reported on October 22. According to the source, the petition was received on September 11 and the decision over the case is expected to be made within an 80-day period by the respective bod- ies. It is noted that that the application by Hunanyan referred to the legal provision for prisoners serving life sentences who are entitled to apply for parole after 20 years of imprisonment. Hunanyan, along with four other gunmen, organized the terrorist attack on the Armenian parliament on October 27, 1999, killing Armenia’s then Prime Minister , Parliamentary Speaker and six other officials. The dignitaries outside the new Armenian-Iranian Scientific-Cultural Center Armenia Elected to UN Human Rights Council Artsakh President Attends Opening of YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Armenia was elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR) with Armenian-Iranian Scientific-Cultural Center 144 supporting votes on October 14. “Armenia is elected to UNHRC for 2020-2022 — with SHUSHI, Artsakh (Armenpress) — On October 14, Artsakh ilizational dialogue, as well as the development of tourism in 144 votes — a strong testimony of recognition by inter- Republic President Bako Sahakyan was present in the town Shushi. national community of our democratic transformation of Shushi at the opening ceremony of the Armenian-Iranian Primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic and substantial progress in protection and promotion of Scientific-Cultural Center. Church Archbishop , Artsakh Republic human rights and fundamental freedoms,” Prime Sahakyan expressed gratitude to the IDeA and National Assembly chairman Ashot Ghoulyan, State Minister Minister Nikol Pashinyan tweeted. Preservation for Eastern Historical Heritage foundations for Grigory Martirosyan, minister of education, science, culture In turn, Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab the implementation of the project, expressing hope that the and sport of the Republic of Armenia Arayik Haroutyunyan, Mnatsakanyan said: “Great result! Big thank you to all center would play an important role in cementing the high-ranking officials, representatives of the Diaspora and for- our supporters, UN member states for the trust! Armenian-Iranian relations, promoting inter-religious and civ- eign guests took part in the events. Committed to work hard and cooperating with all our partners in promoting the human rights agenda.” Airports Report Growth Pashinyan Denies Persecuting Constitutional Court Head YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Prime representatives of that party. This Lawyers for Tovmasyan’s family said In Passenger Flow Minister Nikol Pashinyan denied through explains their support for their, so to NSS officers asked his daughters on YEREVAN (Panorama.am) — Armenia’s two airports a spokesman on Monday, October 21, speak, last of the Mohicans.” Friday questions about a car and a saw a strong growth in passenger traffic in September opposition claims that he ordered crimi- The official also made clear that garage which they received as a gift from 2019 against the same month of 2018. nal proceedings against the chairman of Pashinyan stands by his recent claims that a cousin who emigrated to the United Yerevan Zvartnots International Airport and Shirak Armenia’s Constitutional Court, Hrayr Tovmasyan, who used to be affiliated with States in 2016. According to them, Airport in the second largest city of Gyumri handled Tovmasyan, in a bid to force the latter to the HHK, was installed as Constitutional Tovmasyan’s 75-year-old father was sum- 324,755 passengers last month, up 16.5 percent from resign. Court chairman as a result of legally ques- moned to the NSS headquarters to September 2018, Armenia International Airports told Pashinyan’s spokesman, Vladimir tionable political deals cut with Armenia’s explain who repaired the roof of his Panorama.am this week. Karapetyan, at the same time effectively former political leadership. house in a village near Yerevan. In September, Zvartnots Airport reported a 18.8-per- accused Tovmasyan of complicity in Tovmasyan, who also served as justice cent increase in passenger traffic. The airport served “crimes” committed by members of the minister from 2010-2013, dismissed 312,240 passengers against 262,816 of the past former ruling Republican Party of those claims. He said on October 2 that September. Armenia (HHK). the authorities want to force him out in Arslanian: Armenia Shirak Airport welcomed 12,515 passengers last Two law-enforcement agencies order to gain control over Armenia’s Can Be Part of month, down 21.3 percent from September 2018 when announced separate criminal investiga- highest court. passenger traffic comprising 15,904 people. tions into Tovmasyan on October 17 two Under Armenian law, Tovmasyan cannot Blockchain Revolution Since the beginning of the year passenger flow at the days after seven of the eight other be prosecuted without the consent of at two airports of Armenia has grown 11.4-percent com- Constitutional Court rejected the least five other members of the YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Henri pared to the same period last year. Armenian parliament’s calls for his dis- Constitutional Court. In a joint statement Arslanian, Chairman of the FinTech missal. issued on Friday, seven court justices said Association of Hong Kong (FTAHK), The Special Investigative Service (SIS) they are “monitoring developments relat- says Armenia has the necessary condi- Japan PM Advisor Meets said it is investigating a possible “usurpa- ing to Hrayr Tovmasyan and members of tions for the development of blockchain tion of power” by Tovmasyan and former his family and will react if need be.” technologies. Pashinyan in Yerevan senior officials that helped him become The head of the SIS, Sasun “Today a blockchain revolution is tak- YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Prime Minister Nikol head of the country’s highest court in Khachatryan, stressed on Monday that ing place in the four parts of the world. Pashinyan met on October 17 with Japanese Prime 2018. For its part, the National Security Tovmasyan has not been charged or This flow also reaches Armenia which Minister Shinzo Abe’s Special Advisor Eiichi Hasegawa, Service (NSS) interrogated his father and regarded by his investigators as a suspect has a startup ecosystem, a developing the Prime Minister’s Office said. two daughters. as yet. But he did not rule out the possi- civil society, a banking system which it Hasegawa was in Armenia for the Global Innovation HHK representatives as well as other bility of such charges. trusts, and a diligence. All these factors Forum. critics of Pashinyan denounced the crim- “Do you want me to make presump- are very important for the development Pashinyan said Armenia values political dialogue with inal proceedings as acts of political pros- tions?” Khachatryan told reporters. “I of blockchain,” Arslanian said during Japan and the productive cooperation which has been ecution. They were particularly critical of repeat that … a criminal case been the ChainPoint19 international developed on this basis has potential for expansion. the NSS’s actions, saying that the author- opened in connection with the existence blockchain conference in Yerevan, on He expressed gratitude for the assistance provided to ities are now targeting Tovmasyan’s rela- of signs of an apparent crime.” October 14. Armenia as part of JICA and noted that the implemented tives as part of their efforts to oust the SIS officers raided the Constitutional Arslanian said this is similar to cook- joint projects are contributing to the development of the court chairman. Court and HHK headquarters in Yerevan ing, as all the components are impor- Armenian-Japanese ties in various sectors. Karapetyan brushed aside those to confiscate some documents on tant. Hasegawa thanked Pashinyan for the meeting and con- claims. “If the NSS has some questions Thursday. He emphasized that many countries veyed Abe’s greetings on the occasion of the ongoing regarding corruption issues then I see On Friday, the NSS sought to justify its define laws over blockchain as every reforms in in Armenia. He said that the Government of nothing wrong with that,” he told decision to summon Tovmasyan’s father company wants to understand how Japan is interested in deepening relations with Armenia RFE/RL’s Armenian service. “That body and two daughters for questioning. they can record progress by using these and is ready to discuss prospects of further developing can address questions to any person. The In a statement, the former Armenian technologies. “We see that the tradi- bilateral partnership. proceedings are carried out at this level branch of the Soviet KGB said it is inves- tional financial companies are also The two discussed the process of infrastructure devel- at this point, and any talk of [govern- tigating a possible misuse of some 855 entering into the blockchain world. The opment in a number of sectors as well as prospects of ment] pressure is just meaningless.” million drams ($1.8 million) in funding major banks gradually started to make deepening ties in education, tourism and humanitarian “They know very well who Hrayr allocated by the Justice Ministry in 2012 experiments with blockchain and also sectors. Tovmasyan is,” Karapetyan said of the for capital repairs of three buildings. It cryptocurrencies,” Arslanian said. HHK critics. “He shares their ideology, said also suspected that Tovmasyan’s rel- He highlighted the role of education he is well aware of the spate of crimes atives had not submitted accurate asset and the development of laws in the which … had been committed by many declarations to a state body. respective field. S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 2 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 INTERNATIONAL Young Armenian Authors Attend International News

Frankfurt Book Fair President Attends Japan

Print, and . The and her poetry. She has published in Emperor Enthronement By Muriel Mirak-Weissbach ARI Literary and Talent Agency, several international media, including YEREVAN (Armenpress) — President of Armenia Antares Ltd. and GSM Studio were pre- the New York Times, Eurasianet, BBC Special to the Mirror-Spectator Armen Sarkissian, together with his wife Nouneh sent, as well as the Mother See of Holy and the Guardian. She has issued three Sarkissian, attended the enthronement ceremony of Echmiadzin “Vatche and Tamar collections of poetry, Poems (2002), new Emperor of Japan Naruhito in Tokyo on FRANKFURT, Germany — The Manoukian” (Library) Tabu (2005) and Beautiful (2015), as October 22, the Presidential Office reported. Frankfurt Book Fair is a highpoint in Publishing House Vagharshapat. well as a volume of photos, From The ceremony was attended by delegates from 183 the German cultural calendar, and one Members of the Ministry of Education, Princess to Slave, which deals with vio- countries, including royal families, heads of state and that I look forward to every October. government, other high-ranking officials, heads of Hundreds of thousands of new books international organizations. are on display at stands set up by pub- Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe delivered con- lishers individually and in groups, gratulatory remarks at the ceremony. according to country. About 7,000 Emperor Akihito, 85, stepped down this year in exhibitors were present and the official April. Starting from May 1, his eldest son Crown catalogue had to be 800 pages long to Prince Naruhito, 59, became a new emperor. include all their names. Every year a guest of honor, this year Norway, holds center stage, with a special pavilion and Armenian Pianists Win a vast array of events to present the Top Prizes at Riga country’s literature and culture. Beginning on a Wednesday, this year, International Piano October 16, and following for three days, the fair is open to people in the Competition book trade, among them, authors, pub- RIGA, Latvia (Panorama.am) — Armenian pianists lishers, media groups, literary agents, Armenian presents its authors and books. Arthur Grigoryan and Armen Puchinyan won gold translators, booksellers, illustrators, medals at 8th Riga International Competition for librarians, film makers, actors and jour- Young Pianists held on October 12-15. nalists. On numerous stages set up Science, Culture and Sport came from lence against . Her Both musicians are members of the Armenian and throughout the several buildings on the Yerevan and visitors could become recitation of the poems “The Beautiful” Artsakh state target program (Artistic Director – huge fair grounds, writers engage in acquainted (indirectly) with Prime and “Winter without Fear” displayed Honored Artist of Armenia Armen Babakhanyan), debates, interviews and round table dis- Minister Nikol Pashinyan through a the musical quality of her poetry, with ANM Media reported. cussions, more often than not broadcast brief selection excerpted from his book, its rhythmically repeated phrases. Artur Grigoryan was awarded the 1st prize in the on national radio or television. Special The Other Side of the Earth, which was Sargssyan was born in Armenia in Best Solo Artist category, while Armen Puchinyan guests include the winners of the Nobel distributed in English translation. 1994 and began to write while still a and Artur Grigoryan won the Piano Duo category. Prize for Literature, Polish author Olga On October 18, two young Armenian teenager. He has published both online Tokorczuk (2018) and Austrian Peter and in literary journals. In 2019 he Handke, and the announcement of the received the prize of the President of Pashinyan Meets with winner of the Frankfurt Book prize the Armenian Republic for his first always coincides with the fair’s opening. book, Chinese Wall, a volume of stories New German This year it went to Bosnian-born published by Aktuel Arvest. His stories Ambassador author Sasa Stanisic. are a means to try to understand him- After three days of contacts and con- self and the world around him, through YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Prime Minister Nikol tracts, meetings and discussions among reflections on childhood and youth, Pashinyan held a meeting with the new Ambassador people in the trade, on Saturday and friendships, marriage and the city of of Germany Michael Johannes Banzhaf, on October Sunday, the doors open up wide to the Yerevan. The excerpts he read from 22, the Prime Minister’s Office announced. general public and tens of thousands of Etudes posed the question of what it Pashinyan congratulated the ambassador on book lovers stream in, to see some of means to write, to be an author. assuming office and wished productive work for the the four hundred thousand new titles It was a new experience for some benefit of the further development and strengthen- that have appeared this year. And in members of the audience to hear the ing of the Armenian-German relations. 2019 members of the general public , and this was pre- Pashinyan noted that Germany is an important had the chance to purchase books on cisely the reason, as moderator political and economic partner for Armenia and that site. Long lines would form, as visitors, Saribekyan explained, why they had during the last 1.5 years a good dynamics in bilater- clutching their brand new copies of a chosen to present the readings in both al cooperation has been recorded. book, would patiently wait to have it the original and German translation. The PM attached importance to the German govern- signed by the author, who had just Some of Hayrapetyan’s poetry has ment’s support to the ongoing changes in Armenia, been the featured guest at an event. Anahit Hayrapetyan appeared in German translation, by an including the development of democracy and the All the World’s in Frankfurt Austrian publisher. reforms in combating corruption and other sectors. No country is too small to take part On the following day, Hayrapetyan “We have one goal: to conform Armenia to the in this international gathering of writers appeared in person on the appeared together with three other pho- highest democracy and anti-corruption standards,” booklovers. To be sure, the larger coun- Author’s Stage with readings from their tographers on the ARTS + Stage, to pre- he said. tries with greater strategic weight, like works. Introduced by moderator sent a box-book of photographs from Pashinyan especially noted the presence of strong Russia, the United States and Germany, Astghik Saribekyan, Anahit Artsakh. The group, known as 4Plus, is economic ties with Germany and the close coopera- have more prominent representation, Hayrapetyan and Norayr Sargssyan a joint initiative by Armenian women tion with the KFW bank and the GIZ in the effective but Monaco and Lichtenstein, as well as read selections in Armenian which were photographers, aimed at empowering implementation of economic and social projects. Qatar and Kosovo are also on hand. followed by German translations. women and documenting social issues, Pashinyan stressed the need for boosting the work The stand of the Republic of Armenia Hayrapetyan is both a poetess and a especially violations of human rights. of the Armenian-German inter-governmental com- was small but well attended, buzzing photographer. Born in Armenia, she Another member of the group is Nelli mission for the utilization of the complete potential with activity. Two large portraits of completed studies at the State Shishmanyan, a freelance photographer of bilateral economic cooperation. Hovannes Tumanyan and Komitas, University for Architecture who has published internationally. Also The ambassador thanked for the warm reception and whose 150th birthdays we celebrate (Department of Computer Systems and a musician, she conducts the Avet noted that the Armenian-German ties have developed this year, provided the backdrop for the IT) as well as the Caucasus Media Terteryan Art School children choir and more after the 2018 Armenian Revolution, when the stand, which was organized as a collec- Institute (photojournalism). She has is a member of the Hover State Chamber country began coherent steps for the development and tive exhibition, with several publishers, lived in Frankfurt since 2012 and has choir. Nazik Armenkakyan, one of the strengthening of democratic institutions. including Zangak, NewmagEdge, Edit won prizes for both her photography cofounders of 4Plus, has worked for “Your country is making big steps in the fight Armenpress, Yerevan magazine and against corruption and the Government of Germany ArmeniaNow.com. Her photographs will continue supporting Armenia with the purpose have won international acclaim and have of productively advancing the reforms,” Banzhaf been published in the New York Times said. and Der Speigel, among others. She is The ambassador noted that during the last one also the author of two books on photog- year the German tourists’ interest towards Armenia raphy. Piruza Khalapyan also studied at grew significantly, which is also associated with the the Caucasus Institute organized by ongoing changes in the country. World Press Photo. Her work has been The sides discussed a number of issues related to exhibited in Armenia, Georgia, France the development of the Armenian-German coopera- and other countries, and has received tion in the fields of energy, construction, industry, awards, including from the British tourism and infrastructure. Council. They also exchanged ideas over the Armenia-EU On October 19, Saribekyan hosted relations and partnership within the framework of another reading, this time by Agapi the Eastern Partnership program. Mkrtchian, whose German translation of fairy tales by From left, Astghik Saribekyan, Norayr Sargssyan and Anahit Hayrapetyan appeared this year, on his 150th birthday. 4 S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 2 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR INTERNATIONAL Armenian Assembly Presses Congress to Sanction Turkey

SANCTIONS, from page 1 Hollen (D-MD) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) sanctions and apply real pressure to Turkey to would apply to anyone who provides financial, “The United States needs to make it clear that introduced the “Countering Turkish end this madness.” material or technological support to or know- Turkey cannot do whatever it wishes and kill Aggression Act of 2019” to impose sanctions “At a time when the United States needs to ingly conducts a transaction with the Turkish indiscriminately as it seeks to occupy a large sec- against Turkey following their invasion of speak with a clear voice regarding Turkey’s armed forces, including defense articles, petro- tion of land in Syria. If the US stood up to northeastern Syria and their slaughter of the invasion into northeastern Syria, this bipartisan leum and natural gas. This bill also extends the Turkey, as President Ronald Reagan and other Kurdish people. Last week they introduced the sanctions bill is that clear voice,” said Senator sanctions placed by CAATSA on Turkey in world leaders have done when they reaffirm the framework of the bill. Graham. “Our legislation builds upon the response to its purchase of the Russian S-400 Armenian Genocide, then Turkey would not be The legislation would apply new sanctions to Administrations’ efforts to sanction Turkey and Triumph anti-missile defense system, opposed behaving in such a barbaric manner and assume senior Turkish officials, including President goes further in important areas like prohibiting by the United States. it can get away with it,” the co-chairs added. Erdogan, key Turkish banks, military transac- military assistance and transactions to the “We are very focused on what’s happening in New footage show ongoing attacks by Turkey tions, and their energy sector activities in sup- Turkish Armed Forces as well as mandates Syria and Turkey. The situation in Syria today across northern and eastern Syria, including a port of the Turkish Armed Forces. It would sanctions due to the S-400 purchases.” remains serious, remains grave,” Rep. Cheney hospital hit in Ras al-Ain. Immediately following require the US Treasury to move forward with In addition to Senators Van Hollen and said. “We’ve been working very closely with the the announcement of the “ceasefire,” Turkey’s delayed sanctions under Countering America’s Graham, the bill is co-sponsored by Senators Senate, working very closely across the aisle as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Jeanne Shaheen (D- well, but it’s very important to recognize the Minister Mevlut Cavusolgu said that the mili- over Turkey’s decision to obtain the S-400 NH), Rob Portman (R-OH), Richard Blumenthal impact, in particular, that the Turks now are in tary operation was merely “paused for 120 Russian missile defense system. It also would (D-CT), Pat Toomey (R-PA), Chris Coons (D-DE), a situation where we risk the resurgence of hours” rather than a “ceasefire.” prohibit US military assistance to Turkey, bar Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Tammy Duckworth ISIS, where the Turks have gone in and we see “We will only stop the operation if our con- President Erdogan and Turkish leadership from (D-IL), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), evidence of atrocities being committed, and ditions are met,”Cavusoglu said in a press con- visiting the United States, and require reports Mitt Romney (R-UT), Tom Carper (D-DE), Susan where our allies, the Kurds, frankly, are facing ference. He added that “as a result of our pres- on the net worth and assets of Mr. Erdogan Collins (R-ME), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ). what looks like a betrayal from the United ident’s skillful leadership, we got what we want- amid concerns of corruption. On October 16, Republican Conference States that could have very negative conse- ed.” The “safe zone” proposed by Turkey will be “This isn’t a political fight – this is about the Chairwoman Liz Cheney (R-WY) and over 110 quences and impacts for us globally.” under full control of the Turkish Armed Forces. countless people who are being slaughtered of her Republican colleagues in the House House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman “Giving a break does not mean to withdraw our and the revival of ISIS. That is why we have introduced legislation to sanction Turkey in Eliot Engel (D-NY) and Ranking Member forces,” Cavusoglu stated. “We will go on being come together on a bipartisan basis to act response to Ankara’s military offensive against Michael McCaul (R-TX) also introduced the there.” quickly,” said Senator Van Hollen. “While we US-allied Kurdish forces in northern Syria. Protect Against Conflict by Turkey (PACT) Act, US Senate work to pass the House resolution condemning The sanctions include a ban on US military which is legislation to impose sanctions and On October 18, US Senators Chris Van these actions, we must move forward on these assistance to NATO ally Turkey and, separately, other consequences against Turkey for its inva- sion of northern Syria. The PACT Act sanctions senior Turkish offi- cials involved in the decision and those commit- Russia, Turkey Agree to Remove Kurdish Fighters along Turkey’s Border ting human rights abuses; penalizes Turkish financial institutions involved in perpetuating President Erdogan’s corrupt practices and those morning. “Until now, there is no withdrawal from which deal with the Turkish defense industry; By Kareem Fahim and Sarah Dadouch other areas.” prevents the sale of arms to Turkey for use in Erdogan said shortly before departing for Russia Syria; requires the Administration to impose on Tuesday that between 700 and 800 Kurdish CAATSA sanctions for Turkey’s purchase of the ISTANBUL (Washington Post) — Russia agreed Tuesday evening. If the withdrawal is completed, fighters have withdrawn as part of the agreement. S-400; requires a series of reports to address the on Tuesday, October 22, to help remove Syrian Ankara has agreed to permanently halt its offensive, “It is said that the remaining 1,200, up to 1,300, are negative consequences of the Turkish invasion of Kurdish fighters from a large swath of Turkey’s which is aimed at creating a vast buffer zone for continuing to exit rapidly,” he said, citing informa- northern Syria; and mandates a report on southern border, giving its blessing to a Turkish mil- Turkey along much of its border with Syria. tion from Turkey’s defense minister. Erdogan’s net worth and assets. itary operation against a Kurdish-led force that had Erdogan’s meeting with Putin, the Syrian gov- “Of course we are tracking them. They are all “What’s happening in Northern Syria right allied with the United States. ernment’s most powerful supporter, had been wide- going to leave, and this process will not end before now is a disgrace,” said Engel. “Today, we are The agreement, reached after an hours-long ly expected to center on the thorny aftermath of they leave,” Erdogan added. introducing sanctions to hold Erdogan account- meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Turkey’s military operation and the rapidly shifting One of Putin’s other difficult tasks is to broker an able. Congress must continue bipartisan work Erdogan and Russian President in Syrian map of control, as US troops withdraw and accommodation between Erdogan and Syrian to address the disastrous consequences of the Black Sea resort town of Sochi, addressed sev- competing factions rush to fill the void. President Bashar al-Assad, who have been adver- President Trump’s decision.” eral of Turkey’s core security demands, including “These are very critical days in the region,” saries throughout Syria’s eight-year civil war. Russia McCaul said: ”The carnage that we have seen the establishment of a “safe zone” that would push Erdogan said after being greeted by Putin in Sochi. has used its military power to help Assad beat back over the past week against our Kurdish part- the Kurdish-led force back from its frontier. “The Peace Spring operation and this meeting will the Syrian rebellion and is trying to ensure that his ners and innocent civilians has been unbear- And it cemented Russia’s role as Syria’s central create very important opportunities,” he added government regains control over the entire country. able. There must be consequences. That’s why power broker, at a moment when the influence of referring to the title Turkey has given its military “The Russian military cannot give permission we introduced a very tough and comprehensive the United States in the region is dissipating. operation. for the Turkish forces to either stay or leave the sanctions package to punish Turkey for its The agreement said Russia and the Syrian gov- There were signs of trouble with the cease-fire Syrian territory. Only the legitimate government of actions. The President has already begun imple- ernment, its ally, would start removing Kurdish mili- even as the meeting in Russia got underway. The the Syrian Arab Republic can do that,” Putin’s menting sanctions and this legislation builds tias from the border region beginning at noon Kurdish-led militias, known as the Syrian spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters at a press upon those. My number one priority is protect- Wednesday. That expanded on a previous agree- Democratic Forces, said they had only partially briefing in Sochi. ing the homeland from external threats and ment between the United States and Turkey, which completed their withdrawal from an area that Erdogan’s desire for a “safe zone,” stretching that’s at the heart of this bill.” had established a Turkish military zone along a nar- stretches roughly 70 miles along Turkey’s border, across much of northern Syria, complicates that rower strip of the border. and 20 miles deep into Syrian territory. plan. Assad, during a visit Tuesday to his troops in After the Kurdish militias had withdrawn, Turkey Mervan Qamishlo, an SDF spokesman, blamed Syria’s northern Idlib province, called Erdogan “a and Russia would begin joint patrols in the border what he said were ongoing attacks by Turkey and thief” who has stolen Syrian land. region. allied forces for the delay and said Kurdish-led Putin’s role as Syria’s central power broker was The Erdogan government had earlier threatened forces had withdrawn only from the Syrian town of bolstered after the Trump administration Ryan Air to Start to restart its military offensive if the Kurdish fight- Ras al-Ayn. announced it was withdrawing its remaining troops ers did not fully withdraw from a predetermined “It seems that Turkey is not serious about the from the north. The announcement — shortly after Flights to Armenia area along Syria’s northern border with Turkey by agreement,” he said in a text message on Tuesday Erdogan spoke with Trump earlier this month — cleared the way for the Turkish offensive against FLIGHTS, from page 1 the SDF, the main US military partner fighting the The government hopes that Ryanair’s entry Islamic State militant group. into the Armenian civil aviation market will cut President Sarkissian hosts Vartan Gregorian and “Erdogan is well aware that the United States is the cost of air travel and attract more tourists an external factor for the region and for the con- to Armenia. Lord Ara Darzi flict, while Russia is now an internal factor,” Fyodor Armenia’s international air traffic has already Lukyanov, a Russian international affairs analyst grown rapidly since the liberalization of its civil YEREVAN (Armenpress) — President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian hosted co-founder of the who has advised the Kremlin, told the Vedomosti aviation sector in 2013. The former Armenian Aurora Humanitarian Initiative newspaper. “Russia controls these processes, and a government decided to switch to the so-called Vartan Gregorian and Director lot depends on Moscow … What Turkey wants to “open skies” policy following the bankruptcy of of the Institute of Global Health achieve in Syria is impossible without agreements the Armavia national airline. The liberalization Innovation at Imperial College with Moscow. No serious military action can hap- has led to lower ticket prices, giving a strong London, Professor, Lord Ara pen there that counteracts Moscow.” boost to the country’s growing tourism indus- Darzi, the Presidential Office A large convoy of US military vehicles left Syria try. announced. on Monday and crossed the Iraqi border. The con- Ryanair’s ticket prices are expected to be sig- Sarkissian and the guests voy was heckled in places by Kurds who accused nificantly lower than those of airlines already exchanged views on pan- the United States of betrayal, and hurled rocks and flying to Armenia. Armenian issues, the effective vegetables at the vehicles. “Ryanair’s average fare for all routes across use of the Armenian people’s On Tuesday, Iraq’s military said the newly arrived the year is something like 35 euros ($38.5),” united potential, as well as US forces would have to withdraw from the coun- noted O’Brien. But he gave no concrete figures Armenia’s development From left, Lord Ara Darzi, Dr. Vartan Gregorian and try. “There is no agreement for these forces to stay for its upcoming flights to Armenia. prospects in the changing President Armen Sarkissian in Iraq,” a military statement said. “To celebrate the launch of its first Armenian world. Armen Sarkissian high- US Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper said the airports, Ryanair has launched a seat sale with lighted the importance of fares from just 29.99, for travel until May arriving troops would not remain in Iraq “inter- € serving the Diaspora’s high-quality specialists’ experience and skills for the benefit of the minably” and that the aim was to eventually get 2020, which must be booked by midnight homeland and its people, as well as creating respective opportunities for this purpose. them home. The details would be worked out in dis- Friday,” read a statement released by the com- cussions with Iraqi officials, he said during a visit pany. It did not specify how much Ryanair cus- Tuesday to an air base in Saudi Arabia. tomers will be charged after October 18. S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 2 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 Community News

Society for Armenian Armenian Assembly Studies Marks 45th Calls for Passage of Anniversary with Armenian Genocide International Resolution Conference in WASHINGTON — The Armenian Assembly of Honor of Tölölyan America echoes the condemnation expressed by leaders of the House and Senate with LOS ANGELES — On October 12-13, the respect to Turkey’s invasion of Syria and the Society for Armenian Studies (SAS) held a bloodshed therein. On October 17, Turkey major conference at the University of California, reluctantly agreed to a temporary, 120 hour Los Angeles (UCLA) titled “Diaspora and cease-fire in northern Syria after pressing ‘Stateless Power’: Social Discipline and Identity ahead with its military offensive attacking Formation Across the dur- Kurds and minorities in the region for over a ing the Long Twentieth Century,” to mark its week. 45th anniversary. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) welcomed the The two-day conference also honored cease-fire but indicated that “the other terms Khachig Tölölyan, one of the most prominent cave to the maximalist demands of Erdogan scholars of diaspora studies in general and of and would allow Turkey to ethnically cleanse a Armenian diaspora in particular. big swath of Kurdish areas and lead to a revival Chairlady Alice Chakrian, YWCA Glendale Executive Director Tara Peterson of ISIS.” Co-sponsored by the Calouste Gulbenkian and Archbishop Hovnan Derderian Foundation, the Richard Hovannisian Endowed “While the ceasefire in northern Syria is a Chair in Modern Armenian History (UCLA), the step in the right direction, Turkey should not Narekatsi Chair in Armenian Studies (UCLA), be rewarded for its actions. For too long the the Meghrouni Family Presidential Chair United States has turned a blind eye on (University of California, Irvine), the Institute of Agape Circle Raising Turkey’s abysmal human rights record. This lat- Armenian Studies (University of Southern est assault on vulnerable ethnic groups demon- California), the Armenian Studies Program strates the need for Congress to unequivocally (California State University, Fresno), the Awareness and Funds affirm the Armenian Genocide and adopt the Armenian Studies Program (California State resolutions pending in the House and Senate. University, Northridge), and the National We call on Congress to act now,” stated Association for Armenian Studies and Research Armenian Assembly Executive Director Bryan At Home and Abroad Ardouny. (NAASR), the Conference brought together scholars from Armenia, England, France, Turkey’s actions this past week have been Germany, Holland, Mexico, Portugal and the BURBANK, Calif. — The cities of Yerevan and Los Angeles were inextricably eerily similar to what happened to the United States. linked at the Agape Circle’s 6th Annual Luncheon at the Castaway Restaurant’s Armenian people during the Armenian The conference opened on the morning of Starlight Room in a philanthropic event that both raised and distributed funds Genocide, a point that has not gone unnoticed October 12. In his opening remarks Sebouh for noteworthy organizations, from by the media. The Chicago Tribune article titled Aslanian (UCLA), acknowledged the presence Children’s Hospital Los Angeles to “Trump snub allows Turks to replay Armenian of Richard Hovannisian, the co-founder of SAS By Taleen Babayan YWCA Glendale to Our Lady of strategy” makes the clear connection. and the first chair of Modern Armenian history Armenia, on Thursday, October 17, “Turkey’s assault on the Kurdish people in at UCLA, thanked SAS president Bedross Der under the auspices of Archbishop Syria — ‘Operation Spring Peace’ — is a replica Matossian (University of Nebraska, Lincoln) and Hovnan Derderian of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North of what Turks did to the from 1915 former president Barlow Der Mugrdechian America. to 1922. The laundered term is ethnic cleans- (California State University, Fresno) for making Among the highlights of the afternoon, hosted by Sato Yessayan in memory ing, but it is genocide, aimed at a one-time US the conference happen. of her mother Araxi Barooni, included the honoring of community members, ally in the Mideast,” reported in Chicago Aslanian dedicated most of his opening learning about the global reach of Agape Circle’s donations, as well as a rele- Tribune article. “Of course, the Turks have remarks to Tölölyan’s life as “scholar, editor and vant panel discussion on women, family and health, from local professionals in denied for decades their persecution of the educator,” whose work has significantly shaped the field. Armenians and the estimated 1.5 million deaths the fields of diaspora studies and Armenian In his keynote address, Dr. Thomas Lee, director of the Vision Center at during the holocaust. Just as they deny the mil- diaspora in particular. Tölölyan’s life story, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA) and associate professor of ophthal- itary incursion into Kurdish-held territory in Aslanian observed, “is quite representative of a mology at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, traced the medical advances he ini- Syria is to cleanse the region of civilians and more general pattern of a twentieth century tiated in Armenia since his very first trip to the country in 2009 with the combatants, using one of the world’s strongest diaspora condition that binds all of us here, Armenian Eyecare Project. Through the partnership and generosity of the military forces.” whether we like it or not, together as accom- Agape Circle, $100,000 was donated to CHLA, in turn serving Armenia, under “The Turks maintain they undertook the plices in the same history of displacement, the guidance of Archbishop Hovnan Derderian. assault into Syria to stifle roving bands of ter- transplantation, rebirth, of being in-between, of “We ensure that everything we do makes an impact,” said Lee, who expand- rorists, which they contend are Kurds. They living in difference and creative hybridity, a life, ed his outreach work in Armenia after his initial mission trip through labeled Armenians the same more than a cen- in short, that is punctuated by civil wars and telesurgery mentoring by setting up remote guidance to stream surgeries out tury ago to justify the genocide of a peaceful revolutions. This is the very same diaspora con- of Yerevan’s operating rooms, and inviting doctors from Armenia to be trained people,” the article continued. dition the study of which Tölölyan has long at CHLA. Staying current with advances in technology, Lee now crowdsources “I do not have a high level of confidence — in interrogated, made sense of, and helped shape multiple doctors from around the world on conference calls in a partnership fact, I have no confidence — that Turkey will in profound ways.” with Microsoft, while also establishing advanced training for nurses through preserve true religious freedom or protect Der Matossian acknowledged the founders of the same system. “Our future relies on the health of our children.” those religious minorities,” Tony Perkins, the SAS, namely Hovannisian, Dickran Lee’s latest venture, Avetis (Good News), provides electronic health records Chairman of the US Commission on Kouyumjian, Nina Garsoïan, Avedis Sanjian and for Armenia’s children. International Religious Freedom, told NPR. Robert Thomson, and the important role the “I noticed that the hospitals in Armenia didn’t have electronic records and “We could see another genocide in that SAS has played since then in promoting there was a lack of data collection on patients,” said Lee. “We decided that if region.” Armenian Studies in the United States and see AGAPE, page 7 Eric Edelman, former US Ambassador to internationally. “There are many challenges fac- Turkey and Undersecretary of Defense for ing Humanities in the 21st century, and Policy in the George W. Bush Administration, Armenian Studies is also adapting itself to the said in a recent interview published in The new realities of the academic world,” Der Jerusalem Post he was fairly certain that geno- Matossian stated. “One of the continuing chal- cide was an option, saying the only time a lenges is how to make Armenian Studies rele- Turkish government tried to move a million- vant to the current academic and non-academic plus people into Syria was in 1915 — “and that audience.” didn’t work out too well” — referring to the Der Matossian continued enumerating the Armenian Genocide. new podcast series and other projects that the Human rights lawyer Eitay Mack added: SAS has embarked on since 2018 in order to “There is absolutely no doubt that Turkey’s suc- disseminate knowledge of the field and make it cess in preventing international recognition of relevant to a 21st century audience. He thanked the Armenian genocide between 1915 and all the sponsors and organizers of the confer- 1923 has emboldened Erdoan to commit hor- ence and invited the first chair and panelists to rific crimes against the Kurdish people in take the stage. 2019.” “For their part, they are resisting a century of The first session was titled “The Liminal Panelists and members of the Agape Circle Board Space: Armenian Immigrants in the Turkish efforts to erase Kurdish identity and Transnational Context.” Chaired by Salpi language within the country’s borders, as the see SAS, page 9 see RESOLUTION, page 8 6 S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 2 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR US Congressional Delegation Visit Armenian American Wellness Center

WASHINGTON — Members of U.S. Congress, (includes prostate cancer screening); (7) Dental Frank Pallone [NJ-06], Jackie Speier [CA-14], Health Clinic; (8) Ambulatory/Outpatient and Judy Chu [CA-27], arrived in Armenia in Surgery; (9) Diagnostic Imaging (CT Scanner, early October at the invitation of Speaker of the Digital X-Ray, and Osteoporosis Screening Armenian National Assembly Ararat Mirzoyan using DEXA units); and (10) Orthopedic to discuss relations between the United States Services. and Armenia. Since April 28, 1997, through July 31, 2019, On Monday, October 7, at 10:30 a.m., 626,608 services have been provided to Congresswomen Jackie Speier and Judy Chu 496,633 patients. To date, close to 9,600 lives of paid a visit to the Armenian American Wellness Women/Mothers have been saved through Center (AAWC or Wellness Center), known for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment being an exemplary model of public-private provided at AAWC. Furthermore, 201 “Miracle partnership. The Wellness Center was founded Babies” have been born to couples struggling in 1997 by the Armenian American Cultural with infertility from chronic infections from Association, Inc. (AACA), a non-profit organiza- four to fourteen years. In addition, AACA has tion based in the Washington, D.C. organized and sponsored 80 medical exchanges Metropolitan Area. Established as a single between AAWC and eight U.S. medical univer- department to introduce previously non-exis- sity centers to provide training both on site in tent mammography screening in Armenia, with Armenia and in the U.S.A. support from AACA the Wellness Center has Furthermore, AACA and AAWC have been grown to include 10 departments equipped recipients of numerous international and with cutting-edge medical technology. national recognitions and awards, including After taking a tour of the Wellness Center annual public confidence awards, for being an and its departments, the Members of Congress exemplary medical facility providing high quali- wrote the following in the Center’s Guestbook: ty healthcare services as well as promoting “The Clinic is amazing and state-of-the-art. I patient care and women’s health. am so impressed with the professionalism of the The Wellness Center continues its life-saving staff, equipment and facility. God bless Rita mission, thanks to the hard work and dedica- Balian,” said Speier. tion of its Founders, mainly Rita Balian, who “This Clinic is inspirational! You are doing donates her time as AACA President and such important work for so many women,” said CEO/CVO (Chief Volunteer Officer), AAWC Chu. Executive Director Khachanush Hakobyan, and In 1997, in response to alarming breast can- From Left to Right: Congresswoman Jackie Speier; Khachanush Hakobyan; and Congresswoman the 128 AAWC Staff Members, of whom 104 cer crisis in post-Soviet Armenia, Rita and Judy Chu in front of the Main Donors Screen in the lobby of the Wellness Center. are women and 24 are men. Vartkess Balian from the United States, work- AACA and AAWC extend their gratitude to ing closely with Hranush Hakobyan, then-min- ister of social welfare of Armenia, established Hovsep Sarafian from Michigan. the first mammography center in the country Today, the Wellness Center represents a state- and named it the Armenian American of-the-art medical facility providing advanced Mammography University Center (AAMUC), preventive healthcare services to patients from later renamed to the Armenian American Armenia and the wider Caucasus region. The Wellness Center. Registered as the first non- mission of the Wellness Center is to save, pro- profit entity/“Foundation” in Armenia on the long, and improve the lives of women and moth- campus of the Yerevan State Medical ers through the early and accurate detection of University, AAMUC was created to provide their diseases and provide appropriate treat- mammography screening for early and accurate ment. For the past twenty-two years, the Center has served a wide range of patients, including vulnera- ble populations in remote regions of Armenia during its Outreach Medical Missions provided free of charge – 356 to date. Since the establishment of a partnership between AACA/AAWC and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Photo taken in the main lobby of the six-story building of the American Armenian Wellness Center. From Left to Right: Dr. Hovhannes Vardevanyan, Chief of Diagnostic Imaging Department; Mrs. Khachanush Hakobyan, Executive Director; Congresswoman Judy Chu; Congresswoman Jackie Speier; Dr. Anzhela Ohanyan, Chief of Cytology Department; and Dr. Ani Hakobyan, Chief of Breast Screening and Diagnosis Department. Old Soviet-style building BEFORE reconstruction donated to AAWC by the the early 2000s, AAWC has expanded to the Government of the Republic of Armenia, Armenian Government in include the following 10 departments the Embassy of the United States of America in 2002. equipped with advanced medical technology: Armenia, the United States Agency for (1) Breast Screening and Diagnosis; (2) International Development (USAID), American Gynecology; (3) Pathology Lab (Cytology and Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) detection of breast cancer. Histology); (4) Family Medicine and Program, and all the major and grassroots In 2002, through a Endocrinology; (5) Pharmacy; (6) Urology donors for their continued support. Special Presidential Decree, the Armenian Government AAWC Building AFTER reconstruction, expansion, and seismic rein- donated the entire dilapidat- forcement of AAWC. The new building combines Armenian architec- ed five-story building, along tural designs and California-style structural engineering techniques. with its land, to the Armenian American Wellness Center, which had previously occupied only the first floor of the building. With support from AACA, AACA’s grassroots fundrais- ing, contributions from major donors from the Armenian Diaspora, and USAID grants, the building has gone through extensive reconstruction, expansion, seismic reinforcement, and renovation. The entire process was initiated and supervised by the late Vartkess M. Balian, an archi- tect-engineer and real estate Toshiba Aquilion Lightning CT-Scanner (made in Japan) installed at developer in the the Diagnostic Imaging Department. This innovative machine reduces Conference Hall of the Wellness Center located on the sixth floor. AAWC Medical Team holding Washington, D.C., radiation exposure to the patient by 80% and also provides virtual public confidence awards, trophies, and other recognitions presented to them annually since 2004, Metropolitan Area, with the colonoscopy. during award ceremonies held at the Opera and Ballet Theater of Armenia. assistance of architect S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 2 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 7 COMMUNITY NEWS Agape Circle Raising Awareness and Funds at Home and Abroad

AGAPE, from page 5 “I’ve come to future citizens of the homeland. we were going to create this content, then we understand the power “It is an orphanage, but a better name is a had to set up a digital health platform for the and importance of House of Love,” said Yerevanian, thanking her children.” community because it family and friends for their encouragement and He went back into action, collecting and storing is this community support of the organization. “The children are information digitally on the weight, drug allergies, you’ve created that’s happy, strong and healthy because that house is and diseases of 22,000 Armenian children that are making a difference filled with love and I encourage all of you to visit now in the system through the Cloud for populations of chil- the home because it is a life-changing experi- (myavetis.com), enhancing the country as a whole dren as well as individ- ence.” as it “gives the government and the Ministry of uals like myself,” con- “We’ve been inspired by the incredible mis- Health data on the country’s population.” cluded Lee. sion work that Our Lady of Armenia has accom- Health Mission for Children in Armenia Heart of Agape plished by putting smiles on these children’s “If you have a compelling mission, getting Award faces,” said Derderian. “Over the years I’ve other people to come on board is not that diffi- Expanding on the observed Marlene’s charitable work that she has cult,” said Lee, who along with 12 CHLA col- theme of humanitari- done as a Christian filled with humility, love and leagues flew to Yerevan last summer with a cod- an endeavors, the a compassionate heart.” ing team and met with the Deputy Minister of Heart of Agape Award During the project presentation segment of Education and Deputy Minister of Health, as Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Dr. Thomas was given to Marlene the program, Chakrian announced a $10,000 well as President Armen Sarkissian, to launch Lee and Alice Chakrian Yerevanian for her contribution to Tara Peterson, executive director this venture in collaboration. contributions to Our of the YWCA Glendale, noting that Agape Circle Prompted to travel to Armenia a decade ago to Lady of Armenia, a is “honored to be part of the mission of YWCA help diagnose and treat an “alarmingly high and Mary Press Humanism Award (CHLA) and non-profit that secures the development of because we want every woman who goes there rate” of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), a Humanitarian of the Year Award (Western Union orphaned, abandoned and needy children in the to feel love and dignity.” complex and aggressive blinding disease that was and Microsoft Health Innovation Award). homeland. A special video presentation, filmed In response to the donation, Peterson said she affecting one third of Armenian premature “We all love our children so deeply there’s no on site in Gyumri, highlighted Marlene’s efforts was “deeply grateful and emotional” and felt infants, Lee maintains his ties to the country reason parents in Yerevan can’t experience the and generosity since her first visit in 2006. Agape “inspired” by Lee’s mission work, spurring her through ongoing medical trips and missions same type of care we get here in Los Angeles,” Circle Chairlady Alice Chakrian presented the thoughts about making a connection between while building relationships with physicians and said Lee. “For me that’s been the hallmark of award to Marlene, along with a $2,000 contribu- the Women’s Support Center in Armenia and healthcare providers on the ground. In recogni- why I became a doctor.” tion to benefit the organization that provides how the YWCA Glendale “can be a resource to tion for his efforts, he was awarded the Ellis Expressing his gratitude to the Armenian com- mental, spiritual, social and educational develop- women and children in Armenia.” Island Medal of Honor, Barbara M. Korsch munity, the Western Diocese and Agape Circle, Lee ment for children and teenagers, with the goal of “I know this contribution will go a long way,” Award for Medical Education (CHLA), Morris emphasized the significance of a communal society. making them independent and self-sufficient said Peterson, stating that the funds will be ear- marked for the renovation of the shelter’s back- yard to provide a peaceful outdoor space for women and children. “We are going to name it the Agape Circle Garden of Hope because it will provide women and children with a sense of pride.” “Each and every one of us here are so thank- ful for what you do because it’s unacceptable to see one woman being abused, as God forbid that,” said Archbishop Derderian. “You’ve responded to God’s call and we thank you for inviting us to be a partner in your most God- pleasing mission.” What Women Want to Discuss A panel discussion, led by moderator Eileen Keusseyan, titled “What Women Really Want to Talk About,” featured Nora Chitilian, Lisa Arslanian, Aida Torosyan and Stella Baghdassarian, who explored a variety of topics related to family, women and health. The invocation by Rev. Khajag Shahbazyan commenced the luncheon followed by welcom- ing remarks by co-chairs Armine Bedrossian and Peggy Kankababian, who emphasized the far- reaching impact of the organization’s work that has been led by “divine love” as the Agape Circle continues to expand its family. “We hope you take home with you a sliver of compassion and energy you witness today,” said Kankababian. “Please open your heart and help us give to those who are in such need of assis- tance.” Honing in on Lee’s work, the co-chairs spoke of his “compassion” by providing noninvasive and surgical treatment to children in Armenia suffering from retinal diseases, essentially “sav- ing newborns from going blind.” Bedrossian hailed the “direction, encourage- ment and support” of Derderian, who has led Agape Circle to new heights. “Let’s strengthen and spread our Agape Family,” she concluded. Over the last five years, Agape Circle has donated $100,000 to CHLA to support the Vision Center, Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases, and Newborn and Infant Critical Care Unit, with another ongoing $50,000 pledge commitment; distributed gift cards to 50 needy families for the Christmas from the Hearts ini- tiative and $2,500 to the Homeless Prevention Project, sponsored through the Glendale Chapter of the Armenian Relief Society; con- tributed close to $20,000 to the St. Peter Armenian Church and St. Leon Armenian Cathedral; gifted $5,000 to the Starkey Hearing Foundation; contributed $10,000 for YWCA Glendale Women’s Shelter Garden Renovation; and donated $2,000 to Our Lady of Armenia. The Agape Circle committee members include Alice Chakrian, Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, Armine Bedrossian, Celene Culhaoglu, Silva Derbalian, Angie Garibyan, Vicki Grigorian, Peggy Kankababian, Eileen Keusseyan, Silva Sepetjian, Aida Sethian, Maggie Sumian, Silvana Vartanian and Sato Yessayan. For more informa- tion visit www.wdacna.com. 8 S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 2 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Armenian Bar’s Judges’ Night Attracts Hundreds of Enthusiasts, Scores of Judges

GLENDALE — On October 1, the Armenian judges that appear at vir- election and retain her seat. Bar Association welcomed 70 members of the tually any other bar asso- As is the tradition for hon- state and federal judiciaries at its Annual ciation’s judges night orees at the Annual Judges’ Judges’ Night Dinner in Glendale, California. event!” said Chairman Nights, Judge Kwan and Justice Despite it being a Tuesday evening, hundreds Gerard Kassabian. “Our Bendix were presented with gathered at the magnificent Phoenicia Annual Judges’ Night is beautiful works of classical, illu- Restaurant to honor California Court of Appeal also very special because minated art prepared by Justice Helen I. Bendix and California Superior it gives us the opportuni- renowned artist Seroon Court Judge Ruth Ann Kwan for their distin- ty to create meaningful Yeretsian, each with peaceful, guished service and their exemplary roles as and often life-enhancing majestic representations of paragons of integrity and emulation. connections when we heavenly peacocks and with “It was a thrill and a blessing to have such a introduce sitting judges original inscriptions of praise flourishing wealth of federal, appellate and trial to aspiring law students. and honor. court judges join us as we recognized two This rich tradition grows In an evocative musical inter- exemplary jurists for their unwavering commit- in popularity year after lude, Salpy Kerkonian chan- ment to the advancement of the rule of law and year!” neled the stirring, expressive the administration of justice,” stated Armenian The master of cere- works of Komitas and Aram Bar Executive Committee Member, Saro monies, legal-eagle Honorees Bendix and Kwan surrounded by the Armenian Bar’s Leadership Circle Khachaturian. She embellished Kerkonian. Armen Akaragian, her musical inflections with The Annual Judges’ Night Dinner honors delighted the audience poignant background informa- jurists who have distinguished themselves with quick-witted jokes tion about Komitas, paying beyond the laudable lines of high intellect, effi- and profound improvisations throughout the support greater diversity on the bench. homage to the great muse for bringing tradi- ciency and consistency. It singles out for dis- evening. Stepping off-stage, Akaragian reflect- Judge Kwan accepted her award to a rousing tional Armenian melodies to the modern era. tinction those who have opened broadly the ed, “It truly was special to be part of such a ovation and praised the Armenian Bar, describ- Also part of the evening program, not planned public’s access to justice, advanced the precepts memorable night where we all reveled in the ing her interesting path to the judiciary. To but most appropriate, saw Chairman Kassabian of the rule of law, incorporated compassion into glow of so many distinguished jurists and out- many people’s surprise, her journey to the making public the Armenian Bar’s appreciation standing professionals.” bench included more Armenians than many for the altogether comprehensive commitment of Honorable Zaven Sinanian of the California may have expected. Judge Kwan recalled that the chief engineer of the event, the Association’s Superior Court opened with a heartfelt intro- when she began considering a role in the judi- Vice-Chairperson, Lucy Varpetian. duction of the first honoree, Justice Helen ciary, her husband’s business associate, Ashot, The Annual Judge’s Night was an event to Bendix. He enumerated Justice Bendix’s accom- introduced her to none other than Judge remember. “This was my first time at the plishments during her tenure within the Los Dickran Tevrizian over lunch at the Tevrizian Judge’s Night and I came away impressed by the Angeles Superior Court’s Mandatory home. With first impressions being the lasting vast array of judges who came, obviously Settlement program, including noting that one, Judge Tevrizian wrote her a letter of rec- enjoyed, and stayed till the end. Kuddos to the Justice Bendix shepherded the program into ommendation immediately after the lunch. Armenian Bar Association for getting together the success that it is today. Judge Sinanian’s Judge Kwan also recalled that when she was so many amazing and talented legal profession- fond memories of working with Justice Bendix challenged while on the bench, the Armenian als for an unforgettable night,” said Arthur provided a gracious touch to the already-famil- community of Montebello helped her secure the Saakian, a Glendale litigator. ial affair. Accompanying Justice Bendix at the Left to right, Presiding Judge Kevin Brazile, event were her husband, U.S. District Court Judge Ruth Kwan, Justice Helen Bendix, Judge Judge John Kronstadt, and their children. Zaven Sinanian Justice Bendix received her well-deserved Armenian Assembly Calls for Passage of honor, thanking the Armenian Bar for selecting her for the commendation. Of Jewish descent, the fabric of their characters, and guided others Justice Bendix spoke movingly about the deep Armenian Genocide Resolution connections between the Armenian and Jewish in profession and in life. RESOLUTION, from page 5 given Turkey’s historical precedent of eliminat- peoples, including their shared trait of enduring Phoenicia’s outside patio swelled with pre- Turks have done to other ethnic minorities in ing minority groups that it perceives as a threat, the challenges of their harsh histories, leading dinner chat and cheer during the bustling social the past. Let’s not forget, the very ground we’re as it did during the Armenian Genocide.” each community to be more resilient than ever. hour, a felicitous prelude to the allure of the speaking about in northern Syria, down the “Now would be a good time for the United Judge Kevin Brazile, who is the presiding heaping, luscious Armenian fare at the tables. Euphrates River Valley, is the same location to States to recognize the Armenian Genocide,” judge of the entire Los Angeles Superior Court The main event began with masterful flutist, which survivors of the Armenian genocide fled, Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) wrote on Twitter. system, introduced the next honoree, Judge Salpy Kerkonian, performing the national having become the first victims of Turkish “The Hitler of our century,” Boston Celtics Ruth Ann Kwan. He took a somewhat different anthems of the United States and the Republic nationalism,” according to a report in Rolling basketball player Enes Kanter has said, is the and refreshing approach by sharing beautiful of Armenia. Stone. president of his native Turkey,” according to an and captivatingly-positive comments made by “I am extremely proud of our achievement President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s actions are article in The Spectator. “It’s been time for justice other judges about Judge Kwan. On a personal tonight and must emphasize that it is our hum- not being lost on Congress, as well. On October for Turkey’s victims, but there is now an oppor- note, Brazile indicated that Judge Kwan had ble privilege to welcome 70 judges, which is 16, the US House of Representatives over- tunity for President Trump, given the tension encouraged him to take affirmative steps to more than double or triple the number of whelming passed legislation which “calls on between the US and Turkey due to our newly Turkish President Erdogan to immediately imposed sanctions in response to their military cease unilateral military action in Northeast campaign in northeast Syria, to formally recog- OBITUARY Syria and to respect existing agreements relat- nize Turkey’s past and contemporary crimes.” ing to Syria.” And in that bill, Congress refer- “The [Armenian] Assembly is urging enced that “Turkey has historically threatened, Congress to affirm the Armenian Genocide now Haig forcibly displaced, and killed Syrian Kurds, that the circumstances have become not only including during military operations in the overdue but especially ripe by adopting H. Res. Manoukian Afrin District.” 296,” The Spectator article continued. “The Last week, Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ) stated: best time to acknowledge Turkey’s crimes was MONTREAL — Sonia Manoukian and her “These actions are particularly concerning yesterday. The second best time is today.” sons, Arek and Chirac; Arto Manoukian and his daughter, Lori; Aren and Madeleine Manoukian and their son, Alek and the Soghomonian, Tchaylakian, Kalpakdjian and Pinkenberg fami- Telephone (617) 924-7400 lies announce the passing of their father, hus- band, brother and uncle, Haig Manoukian, on Aram Bedrosian October 18. The wake was held on Monday, October 21 and the funeral services were held on October Funeral Home, Inc. 22 at Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945 Outremont, Quebec. The burial was at the Cimitiere Saint-Laurent. MARION BEDROSIAN To honor his memory, the family has estab- 558 MOUNT AUBURN STREET PAUL BEDROSIAN lished a fund in his name, “The Haig WATERTOWN, MA 02472 LARRY BEDROSIAN Manoukian Fund.” Nardolillo Funeral Home Est. 1906 John K. Najarian, Jr. GiragosianF UNERAL H OME Rhode Island’s Only Licensed Armenian Funeral Director James “Jack” Giragosian, CPC Mark J. Giragosian 1278 Park Ave. Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 942-1220 Funeral Counselors 1111 Boston Neck Rd. Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 789-6300 576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606 www.nardolillo.com www.giragosianfuneralhome.com S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 2 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS Society for Armenian Studies Marks 45th Anniversary With International Conference in Honor of Tölölyan

SAS, from page 5 Komitas within Armenian diasporic contexts. close reading of the Ottoman-Armenian consti- to show how denial had been the most impor- Ghazarian (USC), the panelists explored the his- Session three in the afternoon titled tution through the framework of governmen- tant denominator of Armenians living in torical and contemporary Armenian migration “Institutions, Governmentality and Power tality that resembled something close to a state- Turkey. trajectories across North America, Europe and Relations in the Shaping of Armenian Diasporic hood within a state with the patriarch having The second panel was devoted to the the Middle East. Nareh Galsytan (University of Diversities” was chaired by Vahram the ultimate authority. Christopher Sheklian Armenian Diaspora Survey, a project sponsored Milan) reexamined the diaspora-homeland rela- Shemmassian (California State University, (Zohrab Information Center) highlighted the by the Armenian Communities Department of tions by focusing on the Syrian nationals of Northridge). Hasmik Khalapyan (American important role of the Armenian Apostolic Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and imple- Armenian and Assyrian backgrounds in the University of Armenia) examined the power Church in incorporating the Armenian immi- mented by the Armenian Institute, London. Netherlands. Carlos Antaramian (El Colegio de struggle in the diasporic Armenian press dur- grants from Baku and Syria into established Chaired by Kasbarian, the panel was titled la Frontera Norte, Mexico) explored the Armenian immigration patterns to Mexico, ille- gal border crossings between Mexico and the U.S., and the formation of Armenian communi- ty in Tijuana in 1923-1932. Boris Adjemian (AGBU Nubar Library, Paris) emphasized the sedentariness of diasporas by examining the Armenian experiences from Addis Ababa, Jerusalem to Valence and Paris. Gegham Mughnetsyan (University of Southern California) tackled yet another less explored area by focusing on the Armenian displaced persons experiences from Funkerkaserne camp near Stuttgart, Germany, to their contemporary residence in Montebello, Calif. Chaired by Houri Berberian (University of California, Irvine), the second session “Imagining the Diasporic Space: Social Memory and Cultural Production in the Armenian Diaspora” explored the literary and cultural production, and their effects across the Armenian diaspora. Focusing on the works by Vahe Oshagan, Hakob Karapents and Vahe Berberian, Lilit Keshishyan (USC) explored the ways in which “stateless power” informed those writers’ cultural character. Helen Makhdoumian (University of Illinois, Urbana- Champaign) focused on Michael Arlen’s Passage to Ararat to suggest a critical examina- tion of transnational memory work and kinship- making through translation and transcultura- Scholars at the SAS Diaspora Conference Held at UCLA tion. Talar Chahinian (University of California, Irvine) examined the Western Armenian liter- ary canon that established the so-called hayetsi ing the late 19th and early 20th century Armenian communities and in shaping their “Giving Voice to the Diaspora: The Armenian mode of production and its limiting effects on Europe. Simon Payaslian (Boston University) identities. Daniel Fittante (University of Diaspora Survey Project.” Hratch Tchilingirian the possibilities for benefiting from multi-local explored the conceptualizations of homeland California, Los Angeles) pointed to the emer- (Oxford University), the director of Armenian and transnational contexts. Sylvia Alajaji independence in the Armenian-American peri- gence of what he called “ethnopolitical entre- Diaspora Survey, presented the results of the (Franklin & Marshall College) suggested a crit- odical press in the first decades of the 20th cen- preneurs” by examining the challenges of incor- Pilot stage implemented in Boston, Pasadena, ical examination of the concept “Armenian tury. Nareg Seferian (School of Public and porating immigrants into political processes Marseille (France), and Cairo () in music” by discussing the various perceptions of International Affairs, Virginia Tech) suggested a based on the case study of Armenians in May/June 2008, and the current survey being Glendale. carried out in Argentina, Canada, and Keynote Address by Tölölyan Romania. The panelists, Razmik Panossian The afternoon of October 12 continued with (Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation) and a remarkable keynote speech by Tölölyan Tölölyan stressed the importance of the survey Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church (Wesleyan University), titled “From the Study in providing rich data that researchers, policy of Diasporas to Diaspora Studies.” The speech makers and academics can use for developing Providence, RI explored three broad themes: diaspora studies informed policy proposals or for academic and studies of diasporas, power and choice. By research and publications. examining the historical development of the The final session, titled “Diaspora Policy and Food Fair conceptualizations of the term “diaspora” Diaspora Politics: Discourses, Ideologies and since the ancient biblical texts until modern Governmentality in (Soviet) Armenia-Diaspora scholarship also within the Armenian tradi- Relations,” was chaired by Marc Mamigonian and tion, Tölölyan suggested new directions for (NAASR). Hratsin Vardanyan (Republic of future research. He continued to suggest Armenia) discussed some typologies of diaspo- thinking of diasporic “stateless power” as a ras and examined the pros and cons of various Bazaar form of “soft power” that needs further explo- classifications of the Armenian Diaspora. Vahe ration in the case of Armenians and theoreti- Sahakyan (University of Michigan, Dearborn) cally. suggested a critical examination of the concept The morning session of October 13, chaired “governmentality” in the context of diaspora, by Barlow Der Mugrdechian (California State and demonstrated how “governmental efforts” November 2 and 3 University, Fresno) was titled “At Home in the of diasporic elites in the Armenian case led to Diaspora: Armenian Communities in the Middle the fragmentation of the Armenian diasporic East.” Sossie Kasbarian (University of Stirling, communities locally in many countries and UK) examined the various experiences of transnationally. The final talk by Hagop Syrian Armenians in the Republic of Armenia, Gulludjian (University of California, Los challenging the conventional perceptions of Angeles) explored the ways in which the com- “home,” “homeland” and “diaspora.” peting ideologies and visions on Armenianness Ara Sanjian (University of Michigan, among Armenian diasporic actors have dealt Dearborn) explored the political and confes- with the problems of diaspora. sional contexts in Lebanon and the nature of In his closing remarks Peter Cowe (University Lebanese political parties to demonstrate how of California, Los Angeles) highlighted several Armenian political parties internalized the pre- takeaways that complicate the perceptions of vailing social-political inner workings of non- diaspora, nation-state, home, homeland, host Armenian Lebanese political parties. Tsolin land, as well as the agency and role of diaspo- Nalbantian (Leiden University, Netherlands) ran elites and institutions in shaping diasporic focused on the complex relations between the subjectivities. Cowe closed the conference by Catholicosate of Echmiadzin, Catholicosate of expressing appreciation of the work done by Cilicia, various Armenian and Lebanese politi- the organizers, speakers, sponsors, students cal circles developing during and after the con- and the audience “rendering this conference troversial 1956 elections in the Catholicosate of the success it has truly been.” Cilicia. The fourth panelist, Talin Suciyan For more information on the Society for (Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich), Armenian Studies, visit the SAS website at soci- examined the Armenian experiences in Turkey etyforarmenianstudies.com. 10 S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 2 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS St. Vladimir’s And St. Nersess Seminaries Mark 50 Years of Collaboration

YONKERS, N.Y. — Bishop Daniel Findikyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, delivered the annual “Fr. John Meyendorff Memorial Lecture” to celebrate 50 years of collaboration between St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary and St. Nersess Armenian Seminary. The special event on Friday, October 11, on St. Vladimir’s Seminary campus, began with vespers at the Three Hierarchs Chapel celebrat- ed according to the Armenian rite. Findikyan — a graduate of both seminaries — then delivered the lecture, titled “The Sacrament of Theological Education: St. Vladimir’s and St. Nersess Seminaries at 50 Years.” “I should like to propose that the 50-year col- laboration of St. Vladimir’s and St. Nersess Seminaries illustrates the sacred, ecclesial, and truly sacramental essence of the theological enterprise, understood in its broadest, most Orthodox sense,” said the Primate. “And if that is true, then our half-century of common work The service at St. Vladimir’s Seminary (Ryan Tellalian photo) in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ has great implications for us in this room, for Orthodoxy, for the Body of Christ, and, I think, for the Nersess Dean Fr. Mardiros Chevian, St. well as faculty, staff, seminarians, alumni, and In 2004, the partnership resulted in the world.” Vladimir’s President Fr. Chad Hatfield and its friends from both institutions. launch of the Treasures of the Armenian The celebration was also attended by St. Academic Dean Dr. Ionut-Alexandru Tudorie, as “It is remarkable for someone like me, who Christian Tradition Series (AVANT) through St. wasn’t around 50 years ago, to encounter so Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) Press. many alums from both St. Vladimir’s and St. The schools renewed their commitment to Nersess … who come and tell me stories,” said work together in 2016, via an Inter-Seminary Fr. Chad Hatfield, “and most of those stories Agreement of Collaboration signed with the also conclude with reminiscence of life-long Gevorgyan Seminary of the Mother See of Holy friendships. And I think that’s one of the most Echmiadzin, in Armenia. At present, seminari- important things about what we’re doing here ans studying at St. Nersess take approximately tonight.” 40 percent of their course load at St. Vladimir’s. The October 11 celebration continued with a Milestones of Collaboration reception following the lecture Friday evening A formal relationship between St. Vladimir’s and a special fellowship event Saturday on the and St. Nersess began in 1968, when negotia- campus of St. Nersess, which included a tour of tions with the former resulted in St. Nersess the campus and lunch. Five wood-carved cross- becoming a satellite institution. Over the com- es from Armenia were given out as awards to ing decades, the two seminaries formalized (and guests from St. Vladimir’s Seminary, while the later revised) a joint Master of Divinity (M.Div.) event concluded with the Antranig Dance curriculum. Group performing three dances.

Fr. Chad Hatfield, left, with Bishop Daniel Findikyan (Ryan Tellalian photo)

CHELMSFORD, Mass. — The Women’s Guild at Sts. Vartanantz, Chelmsford is in “Hye” gear preparing keufteh for the church’s annu- al Fall Food Festival and Bazaar, November 22-23. The Festival will include a wide range dinner kebabs, Armenian pastries, a country store, raffles, attic treasures, live Armenian Music and dancing on Friday evening, and a narrated slide presentation and of the church sanctuary and vestry. S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 2 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 11 COMMUNITY NEWS 12 S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 2 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living

Diocese Celebrates The Heritage of The Great Armenian Sacred Music Escape

EVANSTON, Ill. — A three-day celebration of Armenian Church music brought clergy, dea- Punching through cons, choir singers, instrumentalists, and lovers of liturgical music to the St. James of Nisibis The Iron Curtain Church here, over the weekend of October 4-6. Bishop Daniel Findikyan, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, presided over the “Sacred Music Festival,” orga- By Philip P. Ketchian nized by the Eastern Diocese’s Sacred Music Council (SMC). Around 50 people took part in This was not what he had struggled to come its expert-led instructional workshops, educa- so far for. The water was ice cold. His legs were tional seminars, and concert performances. numb and not responding. He thought he had a The tightly-packed schedule included a remedy for that, so he slashed his legs with his keynote address by the Primate, and sessions sharp knife. That was no help and he was drown- led by Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, Fr. Hovhan ing. Instead, refusing to panic, he took a deep Khoja-Eynatyan, Dn. Rubik Mailian, Solange breath, dived down and crawled on the river bot- Merdinian, and Sevag Derderian. It began on tom. After repeating that a few more times he Friday evening with a reception for parish choir resurfaced the last time to witness a scene directors and clergy hosted by Findikyan. straight out of a Hollywood horror film. A drag- Following a vespers service and dinner, on-like object belching steam and smoke was Mailian gave a stunning lecture and recital trundling into view from the east. It was lit up titled “Gomidas Vartabed at 150 Years: His with multiple searchlights in all directions turn- Contribution to Armenian Sacred Music.” At ing night into day. The roar of its engine echoed various points in his presentation, he had the back and forth against the canyon walls. He audience singing along with his renditions of heard Surik call out to him to dive so as not to Gomidas’ hymns. As a prelude to the recital, St. be spotted. It was the Erevan train out of Baku James Church’s Narek Children’s Bell Choir rumbling down the tracks. Border guards posi- performed a short set of pieces. tioned on the train, with submachine guns at the Saturday involved a full day of activities, ready, were scouring the area searching for any- beginning with a morning service and one foolish enough to try to illegally cross the Findikyan’s keynote address, “When Soviet border in either direction. It was a pas- Armenians Sing with the Angels.” senger train and they would be confined under “Srpazan’s speech truly set the tone for the the watchful eyes of the soldiers to their seats entire festival, and had people talking about liv- the entire stretch of the trip, so that they could ing up to the ideal of ‘singing with the angels,’” not attempt to leap off the train as they traveled said Evanston pastor Fr. Hovhan Khoja- so close to the international border. Those ‘The Hidden Map’ searchlights would also be illuminating the plowed strip of land between the railroad tracks and the river revealing the footprints the three Documentary Slated for Arpa friends had made crossing it. An alarm would be raised and border guards armed to their teeth And Pomegranate Film Festivals, Wins and with trained dogs would be headed there very soon. He came up for air once more to see ImpactDOCS Award the end of the train disappearing around the bend in the distance. They had made it out safe- LOS ANGELES — Arpa (Los Angeles) and Pomegranate (Toronto) Film Festivals ly! It was three o’clock in the morning on have slated Ani Hovannisian’s new documentary “The Hidden Map” for their 2019 October 26, 1957; exhausted and shivering, they festivals in November. Prior to any public screenings, “The Hidden Map” has been fell down prone on the ground on the Iranian recognized with an ImpactDOCS award in an esteemed international documentary side of the Arax River. film competition. Just minutes before, the trio of friends had A broadcast journalist by education and training, Hovannisian directed and pro- been standing atop a 3,500-foot-high craggy duced numerous true human-interest stories for television and other international peak, and with the faint glow of the waxing cres- audiences before setting out to make her first film. “The Hidden Map” was conceived cent moon spotted the shimmering ribbon of the when Hovannisian, traveling through historic Western Armenia with her father, his- Arax River some 1,200 vertical feet below. At the Eastern Diocese’s Sacred Music Festival torian Richard G. Hovannisian and a small group led by Armen Aroyan, had a chance Freedom was on its far shore. Little did they in Evanston, IL, pastor and musician Fr. Hovhan encounter with an enigmatic Scottish explorer, Steven Sim. Camera always in hand, know, at the time, that the famous Julfa Khoja-Eynatyan leads a session on instrumental Ani began following the steps of the solitary explorer and learned that he had been Armenian Cemetery was located a short distance accompaniment during the badarak. documenting the relics of the lost Armenian past for 30 years. Though he had always to the east of them. Also visible were the railroad traveled alone, almost invisibly, Sim agreed to set out together. tracks and the plowed strip of land with the Eynatyan, who chairs the Sacred Music Council The Armenian and Scotsman trek through the layered landscape, digging barbed wire fence behind it. This was the closest and led the effort to organize the festival. beneath the surface of modern-day Turkey to uncover the crumbled remnants and the Erevan-Baku rail line came to the river. First, Breakout sessions involved instructors offer- see FILM, page 14 however, they would need to climb down the ing workshops on vocal technique, choir direc- steep and treacherous slope, the surface of tion, youth outreach, and the use of the organ which was made up of crumbling rock. It was and other musical instruments in the church tougher than they could have imagined. They setting. had no ropes or any other special equipment. So Attendees learned about the formal aspects they lay on their backs and inched down careful of Armenian sacred music pertaining to mean- not to dislodge any of the stones that could cre- ing and performance. But they also received ate a rock avalanche on its way down and send practical training on topics like posture, nutri- a warning to the border troops. Halfway down tion, and exercise, which can significantly the slope they spotted a lone soldier walking enhance individual ability, and help singers along the track. Had any rock fallen down at the adapt their talents as they age. time they would have been immediately discov- The Sacred Music Council gave a presenta- ered. They gave him enough time to go out of tion on digital resources it has developed to aid earshot range. Next to a large rock they choirs and deacons. undressed and left all unnecessary items there Festival attendees also came together to and continued their descent. When they finally rehearse two compositions by Gomidas — his had reached level ground at the foot of the hill settings of Hayr Mer and Sourp, Sourp — in just shy of the rail tracks they could breathe a anticipation of the next day’s Divine Liturgy. sigh of relief. They cautiously looked about and In their occasional free time, attendees Ani Hovannisian in Dzitogh along both sides of the rail line. The coast was explored downtown Evanston and clear. Surik put on his gloves and the trio ran Northwestern University campus, as well as the helter-skelter across the rail tracks, see DIOCESE, page 15 CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 2 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 13 ARTS & LIVING

FROM PREVIOUS PAGE assistance from any other source, but he had pack came to an abrupt halt. Hagop took a quick Surik and Dikran were rejected their requests over the plowed strip of land toward the barbed made a crude sketch of a possible route to follow look back and was amazed to see that the dogs mostly because of apparent health problems. wire fence. With his gloved hands Surik grabbed on that map. Sworn to secrecy, the three friends had all stopped on a dime. No barrier of any kind That did not suit Hagop and he refused to leave the lowest electrified barbed wire and the second did not utter a single word to any family or was visible anywhere. After negotiating the last for America without his two friends; after all, wire above from the ground with the other and sep- friends. three peaks and valleys they had reached the top they had been together in this from the very arated them just enough for them to squeeze When Surik announced that the time had of that final hill. It had been important for them beginning. He was able to maneuver things and through. Only one final obstacle remained in front come to leave, Hagop caused a delay. His father to avoid the population centers. They had done send them to America a few months ahead. of them, and that was the Arax River flowing some was building a better home for them and Hagop so by traveling some 40 miles south from Dikran’s father had not returned home from the 15 feet below at an elevation of some 2,350 feet would not leave before completing the pouring Bardzruni and arriving at the border just a few war, so he was hoping that his father had some- above sea level, and about 250 to 300 feet wide at of cement for the ceiling. That done, the trio short miles west of Julfa. It appears that due to how survived and immigrated to the US. Assisted this spot. Not leaving any time for hesitation or sec- were ready to hit the road in search of freedom its rugged terrain and some mysterious stroke of by the Tolstoy Foundation, which had been ond thoughts, like zombies they had plunged into and a better life. Early on the morning of luck, they may have come across one of the least established by the youngest daughter of Leo the water. October 21, in total secrecy the three friends left protected spots of the entire border. Tolstoy, Hagop was to follow them a few months Hagop (Akop) Yeremian was born in Peristeri, their homes and met at the bus station in central Early next morning they were awakened by the later, in October 1959. a suburb of Athens, Greece, in 1938. His father, Erevan as planned. They took along some tools sound of barking dogs. Standing over them was a In Boston he was sponsored by the Armenian Barsekh, a Genocide survivor from Ushak, had a with them together with Hagop’s permit for young soldier aiming a rifle at them. The Iranian Revolutionary Federation and reconnected with construction business, and his mother, Eli, was working in the restricted border regions to be border guard was shouting a threatening order at his two friends. He initially found employment at an ethnic Greek. He also had an older brother able to say that they were traveling in search of Hagop in an incomprehensible language and Deran’s Confectionary Company in Cambridge and a sister. The neighborhood was inhabited construction jobs. Their bus did not leave that appeared ready to shoot. That was when Hagop Mass., owned by Deran Hintlian. A bit over a year mostly by Armenians, and Hagop attended the day for lack of passengers. Instead, they hitched became aware that he was still holding the knife later he was fortunate to be hired by Haig school established by the Armenian Church. His rides on trucks heading north to the town of tightly in his hand. Once he dropped it to the Merian. A recent immigrant himself, Haig had father was successful in his business and his Sevan on Lake Sevan and to Martuni from there ground, the soldier greeted them in a friendly man- formed his own successful business, “Merian expertise was much in demand during the post- on the southeastern shore. They blended in and ner and walked them over to their adobe hut bor- Carpet Service,” and was happy to teach Hagop WWII reconstruction boom in Greece. But the followed a circuitous route. Next they headed der post nearby. Meanwhile, a beehive of activity the profession. Surik and Dicran were also to wave of repatriation also hit the Armenian dias- join the team soon. pora with the force of a tsunami and the Haig Merian, from the village of Dzovinar, had Yeremian family got caught in it just like the served in the Soviet Army during WWII and was many hundreds of their neighbors. captured by the Germans. Rather than return to Hakop’s mother was reluctant to make the the after the war, where the Gulag move. However, to keep the family together she was awaiting him, Merian was fortunate to be went along. Mr. Yeremian signed up to go to able to immigrate to the US. Armenia, to rebuild and apply his expertise to the A year later Hagop was drafted in the US development of Armenia. This was despite the Army. After completing service for his adopted many pleas from the Greek Government for him country, Hagop returned to work with Merian for to remain and lend his expertise to rebuilding the another year. By this time he had learned local infrastructure. Thus, he packed his belong- enough of the trade to go on his own and start ings in crates and headed for the harbor to board “Akop’s Carpet Service.” the Soviet ship “Chukotka” in November 1947. Hagop married Judith King in 1966, and one Unbeknown to him at the time, he had done year later they had a daughter named, Maro. something that would end up being a lifesaver I am in the course of including a chapter in my for his family. The house that he had built for his own memoir dedicated to a number of attempts family in Peristeri ended up far too large for his made by members of the Armenian-American current needs. He, therefore, had opened a gro- repatriate community to escape from the clutch- cery store in the unused portion. Now, not know- es of the Stalinist regime. All such prior ing what to do with all that foodstuff, flour, attempts, as far as I know, were exposed by the beans, olives, olive oil, canned foods etcetera, he KGB early in the planning stages. Unfortunately, loaded the entire inventory into crates and most were arrested and sent to the Gulag. My ARAX RIVER shipped it off with the rest of his belongings. own father may have been the only one who had Only once he was in Armenia did he realize what This is a view of the area from east to west. The Arax River is visible flowing through the canyon. taken a further step and visited a village on the a treasure trove he had. Nakhichevan is on the left side of the river. The ribbon of the railroad track is visible snaking along border with Turkey. He had, somehow, been able After a stormy passage through the Black Sea the Nakhichevan side of the river. The Soviet and Iranian border crosses through the river center. The to receive a permit by claiming to visit a sick rel- they disembarked in the Soviet port city of Batumi. trio of friends crossed the river at the spot where the railroad passes the closest to the river [see ative there. That “relative” was able to provide In Erevan they were temporarily taken in by rela- arrow]. (Google Earth 3D) my dad with the rare opportunity, and surrepti- tives who had repatriated back in the 1930’s. tiously show him the lay of the land. He had Yeremian soon took the 30,000-ruble loan that pointed out the multiple lines of in-depth defense the government provided to the repatriates for south to Yeghegnadzor and halfway to was taking place across the river. The Soviets were the barbed wire fences and the guard towers, the building a new home. Being familiar with the Bardzruni they dismounted and continued their facing a major breech of security, soldiers with dogs secret observation posts and other security business was crucial for them to move out, since journey on foot from there on. They had to pass were gathered around the spot where they had devices the Soviet Border Guards had set up in their relatives were treating his goods as their by Surik’s village of Bardzuni, some 20 miles crossed earlier in the morning. The footprints left in order to foil or intercept anyone bold or naïve own. Hagop’s father was thoroughly familiar south, making a wide arc around it to their right, the neatly plowed soft ground would have revealed enough to attempt such an endeavor. with the latest European construction tech- to assure that they were not spotted and recog- that three adult males had managed to illegally My dad was wise enough to realize that cross- niques, so he was able to apply that knowledge nized by any of the villagers. Bardzruni is locat- cross the border. The trio had fled the coop and ing the border into Turkey was impossible for for completing any project faster, cheaper, and of ed less than a mile from the Nakhichevan border. there was nothing the mighty guardians of the him, especially with a wife and two children in better quality. He was soon made responsible for Those days the borders of the Soviet Republics Soviet borders could do about it. Heads would roll tow, and therefore he immediately dropped that the construction of a number of important indus- were wide open and not restricted. That first day back there but the boys were safe. The Iranians at plan. We never learned of anyone able to escape trial projects. in Nakhichevan they took refuge in the ruins of the post met them with dry clothing and food. from Soviet Armenia in that fashion during our Meanwhile, Hagop entered school. It was day an abandoned Armenian church, a short distance From there they were moved to Tabriz, and then to long stay in Armenia. However, upon returning school for the first seven years and night school from the Armenian border. What lay ahead was Teheran where they were interrogated and treated to the US in 1965 and visiting my cousin Armen for the last three. He played soccer with the a wild desolate hilly landscape stretching all the fairly well. Dedekian in Watertown. I met with the trio of neighborhood boys whenever he got a chance. way to the Nakhichevan and Iranian border some Iran did not have an extradition treaty with friends who by then were living and working in While assisting his dad he had met Surik and 40-plus miles in the distant south. From there on the USSR; however, it was generally believed that the area. Armen had also recently returned from Dikran. Surik Bagdasarian was 27 years old and they were walking only at night and hiding by it returned defectors back to Soviet custody. But, Soviet Armenia and met and befriended them. I from the small village of Bardzruni, situated a day. The local Azeris would have been suspicious perhaps, because of the tense relationship was full of admiration for them and their heroic short mile from the Nakhichevan border. Dikran of three Armenians heading toward the border between the two countries, after three months deed. Therefore, when writing my chapter of Karapetian was 21 and from the Nubarashen dis- and would report them to the authorities. While they were flown over to Frankfurt, West unsuccessful escape attempts, I included their trict of Erevan. Both Surik and Dikran were born traveling through Armenia the trio had been Germany and handed over to the US Military story. On the other hand, I came to realize that in Soviet Armenia. As it turned out, Surik was an able to scrounge some food, however, from this authorities there. After being shuffled from a lux- their story is far more remarkable than that and avid listener of banned foreign radio broadcasts, point onward that would only be a distant mem- urious villa to the center of town, they ended up deserves to be retold in greater detail. and was beginning to broaden his views of the ory. Traveling light and fast they had neglected in a labor camp in nearby Kaiserslautern. The Nevertheless, I still harbor a suspicion that Surik outside world. to pack any food or water with them. All they camp was mostly inhabited by refugees of all may have had some assistance in selecting that Another influence on him were the repatriates had was a bottle of vodka between them which nationalities from behind the Iron Curtain. Here route. who had recently arrived in Armenia. It was clear- was tossed out when emptied. That was a big mis- the trio of friends were provided with favorable At this time only Hagop is alive and willing to ly evident to him that these fellow Armenians take on their part, as water was scarce and lack- conditions; it was meant to be a longtime home. be interviewed. His memory for details is remark- had come from countries with higher standards ing any kind of containers or cups when water Their living quarters were neat and comfortable. able. With the help of Google Earth he was able of living and greater freedoms. Hagop and was even found it was difficult to reach. They had The rooms were cleaned and bed sheets changed to locate and “walk” me to the exact spot where Dikran would also listen in from time to time. no choice but to drink from whatever brook or weekly. They were provided with three meals a they had crossed the border to Iran on that fate- Hagop had had firsthand knowledge of his own puddle they came across, filtering it through day and hired as security guards for the nearby ful October night. There is no doubt that he had to that, and was probably able to reinforce that their sweatshirts. US Ramstein Air Force Base. Outfitted with uni- been fully aware of the many unsuccessful thought. Eventually, Surik began making brief The going was tough and they had passed the forms and carbines they guarded the perimeter attempts of escape made by others before him. walking trips from his native village of Bardzruni point of no return. They trudged along up and of the base, and picked up their pay twice a The risks were high, nevertheless, he accepted over into Nakhichevan surveying the terrain. down the dusty rocky hills, following the route month. They were free to leave the camp and go this once-in-a-lifetime challenge. When asked Detailed maps were not available to the public in laid down by Surik. One night when nearing the to town on their own time. They were finally free! whether he is happy for his life in the US, he the Soviet Union but he had a passable physical border they were spotted by a pack of dogs. What more could they want? … They wanted to always answers: “I have been living the life of map of Soviet Armenia, which also included the These burly shepherd dogs were aiming at them. come to America. Riley!” That is even though he still can occasion- Nakhichevan Autonomous Soviet Socialist The trio took flight for their lives in the opposite Hagop had wanted to travel to Greece to visit ally wake up in the middle of the night in a cold Republic. Nakhichevan has always been an direction only to be pursued by another pack his relatives there. However, Greece rejected his sweat not knowing which side of the Iron Armenian province until Stalin and his coming at them head on. request fearing that he would spread Communist Curtain he is in. Bolsheviks handed it over to Azerbaijan. It’s not Once again they altered their escape route. propaganda. He did request to settle down in the clear how far Surik had reconnoitered into The two packs joined into one and continued the US and was told that that would be possible in September 2019 Nakhichevan on his own or whether he had had pursuit. Just as it appeared that all was lost, the the very near future. Belmont, Massachusetts 14 S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 2 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING ‘You Could Never Not Be Who You Are, Could You?’

12much to me, except to arouse my sympathy folk music which Kharpert was famous for, and cooking Kharpert Kufta the cuisine will die — By Harry Kezelian for suffering people? If he explained to me that which survives predominantly in the US is also or be left to the Turks to claim? Do we realize this valley was the center of an entire school of in danger of dying out; how Kharpert was that we ARE Western Armenia? That every Special to the Mirror-Spectator literature (I was thinking of Tulgadintsi, who famed for its “kufta” meatballs which are a spe- Kharpertsi in New England IS Kharpert? That sat in the center of the graduating photo), that cialty dish of Armenians in the diaspora…. every Sepastatsi in Detroit, New York, or CHICAGO — The background image on my it was the homeland of people who spoke and We Armenians who follow community affairs Chicago IS Sepastia? That every Dikranagerdtsi laptop is a panoramic photograph of the village wrote a very special and poetic form of a liter- and take an interest in our history assume that in New Jersey IS Dikranagerd, individually and of Husenig with its surrounding mountains and ary dialect of Greek that no longer exists in pre- it has some kind of intrinsic value, that there is collectively? the city of Kharpert on the mountainside above sent-day Greece, if he told me that they had a importance is knowing where we come from. But more importantly, do we look at our- it. The other day I was looking at this image as very special form of music that doesn’t exist in We proudly rattle off names of villages or towns selves as others would see us, if they knew the well as the image of the 1910 graduating class of the Getronagan Varjaran in Kharpert, which I have taped above my desk, and something in my head clicked as it never had before. I work as a US History teacher in the Chicago Public Schools, but I am originally from Detroit. I have a fellow teacher, about 15 years older than me, Greek-American, raised in Chicago. One day he asked me, “have you ever been to Armenia?” and when I replied in the affirmative, he continued, “do you guys have a house there or some place you go?” I saw where he was going with this line of thought. Many Greek-Americans, particularly those with roots in the Greek Islands, have summer homes back in Greece, on an island – getaways where they can spend time in the summer with family, and reconnect with the inhabitants of not only their native country, but the very native villages from which their families came. I had to explain to my friend that the situa- tion was not the same with us. Armenian- Americans of Western Armenian descent do not have the luxury the Greeks possess, except for those from Istanbul and (until recently) Kessab. Our ancestral homes have vanished, our vil- lages are populated by Turks and Kurds, and only in the last few years has it even become safe to go and take a look at those places. No one would dare buy a summer home in Kharpert or Sepastia — if the Turkish govern- ment would even allow it. And even if one could buy a home there — why would one go? To reconnect with the Kurds and Turks of our native provinces? All of these points, I know, have been dis- Husening (Photo Courtesy of Houshamadyan) cussed and stated time and time again by think- ing Armenians. Why am I repeating them? Well, I was looking at this picture of Kharpert, and as Greece anymore but is only played in parts of in Western Armenia – and often we do this whole picture? Why don’t we all just give up I said, something clicked. North America and that its greatest masters are whether we are Diasporan or Hayastantsi. and speak Eastern Armenian? Why don’t we Even if I was to explain to my Greek friend old men who live in the old Greek settlement of But do we realize that what we are doing is, either move to Armenia, or give up the fight? what this valley between three mountains was, Tarpon Springs, Fla., would any of that mean in eyes of the world, quite bizarre? Do we real- Why don’t we forget about that music with the where it was located, how many thousands of much to me? So why would I ever expect that ize that we are walking anachronisms? Does it oud and clarinet? Why do we cling to this val- years it had been populated by Armenians, and it was going to mean anything to him to hear occur to us that with a free and independent ley surrounded by three mountains, a valley we why it was so important to me as the birthplace about Kharpert, how it was the center of the Republic of Armenia, which has developed its are never going back to? of my mother’s paternal grandparents — it provincial school of Western Armenian litera- own modern culture and lifestyle for the past My great-grandfather Nushan Hovsepian was wouldn’t mean much to him, even considering ture; how it was the most educated and 200 years quite independently of us, that very born in that valley. His brother Krikor was a stu- that he is Greek and something of a fellow Westernized place in the Armenian provinces, few people aside from Diasporan Armenians dent of Tulgadintsi. His son, my grandfather countryman. Think about it — if he explained to including both the Orthodox and Protestant care about what happens to Western Armenian Peter, loved Armenian music to his dying day, me about a special valley, formerly Greek, which Armenian community; how the people spoke a language, music, cuisine, and culture? Does it asking me to play my oud for him when I saw — let us leave the Turks out of this for a charming rural dialect which nevertheless was occur to us that we are walking remnants? That him just before he died. My mother, Peter’s moment — had perhaps been overrun by quite close to literary Western Armenian; how if we stop speaking Western Armenian, the lan- daughter Patricia, raised me to be loyal to God Bulgarians, or Albanians, and was no longer a Western Armenian itself was now an endan- guage will die. That if we stop dancing the first and my community, the Armenian commu- part of the Greek homeland, would it mean gered language; how the Western Armenian “Tamzara,” the dance will die. That if we stop nity, second. Just like a good Armenian. These people were not and are not crazy. They were not rabid nationalists. This was just their reali- ty. They easily connected who and what they were with Armenia as they knew it, as my moth- Documentary Slated for Arpa, Pomegranate Film Festivals, Wins ImpactDOCS Award er knew it when she visited in 1976. But they weren’t from modern Armenia. They were cut FILM, from page 12 from the cloth of Kharpert. Everything they did buried stories of the forbidden past. He is con- was dictated by where their ancestors came sumed with finding and giving voice to the from. Being Armenian was something taught by ruins before they disappear entirely. She is their grandparents, not learned in Sunday determined to come face to face with the omi- School, or in a youth group, or through a book, nous past, lifting long-silenced stories out of or through a trip to Armenia. One hundred oblivion and people out of shadows as she years later, they were still a walking anachro- reaches for home. Together, they reveal “The nism — a group of people who were really from Hidden Map.” Kharpert (circa 1905), but who just happened Active in the American-Armenian community to be living in 21st century Metro Detroit. since her youth, Ani Hovannisian Kevorkian And the same can be said for my dad’s fami- was an anchor and reporter at TeleNayiri and ly. And the families of so many of my friends. Horizon Armenian Television in Los Angeles When I moved to Chicago, a woman at my new for more than a decade. She has traveled to pre- church, who knew my mother and father, saw sent-day Armenia since childhood, and seven me helping out in the kitchen and said to me years ago, rooted in the stories of her genocide- “you could never not be who you are, could survivor grandparents and their entire genera- you?” No, I couldn’t. And neither could they. tion, and shaped by the lifelong dedication of And if that means we are going to walk around her own parents, Ani embarked on the first of Steven Sim and Ani Hovannisian for the rest of our lives eating a cuisine, playing several journeys into the historic Armenian a style of music, and attempting to speak a lan- homeland, where she continues to document guage that is tied to a group of remote valleys living history through the stories of the land November 9, at 3:15 p.m. Festival and film information, trailer and tick- in a distant part of the world, because of a his- and the people. Hovannisian’s film will be shown at the ets are available at: http://www.arpafilmfesti- torical connection that most Americans would “The Hidden Map” will be featured at the Pomegranate Film Festival in Toronto on val.com/documentary-film-the-hidden-map-at- laugh at us for trying to maintain – I say, let Arpa Film Festival at the historic American Sunday, November 17, at 1 p.m. followed by a 2019-arpa-iff/ and http://pomegranatefilmfes- them laugh. We may seem funny to some, but Legion theater in Hollywood on Saturday, discussion with the filmmaker. tival.com/films/the-hidden-map/ . we can never not be who we are. S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 2 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 15 ARTS & LIVING ‘No Place Like Home’ Topic of Lecture with Aysenur Korkmaz

FRESNO — Aysenur Korkmaz, from the University of Amsterdam, will present a talk “‘No Place Like Home’: Ergir and the Ex- Ottoman Armenians in Soviet Armenia” at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30, in the University Business Center, Alice Peters Auditorium, at Fresno State. The presentation is part of the Armenian Studies Program Fall 2019 Lecture Series and is support- ed by the Clara Bousian Bedrosian Fund. This talk explores spatial attachments among the ex-Ottoman Armenians who survived the Armenian genocide and settled in their ‘new homeland’, Soviet Armenia. It addresses the question of how the refugees dealt with loss ‘Gorky’s Dream Garden’ in New York and displacement and reflected on their former hometowns, referred to as “Ergir,” a spatial con- NEWARK, N.J. – The artist Arshile Gorky’s life was transformed Gorky, especially from his creation of his dream world in 1939 to struct denoting a symbolic “Armenian home- into a musical theater opera called “Gorky’s Dream Garden” by com- 1948, and on occasion he would dream of his ancestral home and vil- land” or a “local homeland” in Anatolia. poser Michelle Ekizian. It was performed on September 7 at the lage, in its simplicity, and its apricot trees. Korkmaz argues that Newark Museum of Art to It was pleasant to hear in the musical sections of the opera, here the refugees conceptual- an audience full of artists and there, Armenian melodies which remind us of our recent past, ized Ergir not only in rela- By Hagop Vartivarian and intellectuals from New such as in the Lullaby. Gorky, this survivor of the Armenian nation, tion to their expulsion York and New Jersey. managed to impose his creations on the world with the art he inher- but also the socio-political Among the performers ited from his people. factors that influenced were Brent Barrett, in the role of Gorky; Karen Lubeck as Gorky’s tal- This reminds me of a beautiful day many years ago, when art critic them in Soviet Armenia ented wife; mezzo soprano Hasmik Mekenejian as the ghost of Shahen Khachaturian, arriving from Yerevan, asked me to take him in three periods. The first Gorky’s dead mother, Shoushan; Adela Maria Bolet as Gorky’s sister, to the Newark train station, where Gorky had created a large mural era of reflection on Ergir Vartoosh; and actor John Sannuto, as the memorializer of Gorky’s art. on one of its walls. This was the first time I had communed with was the 1920s and 1930s, Aysenur Korkmaz The members of the Motion Dance Theater created moving scenes Gorky’s art, and afterwards, each time I visited New York’s art muse- replete with nostalgic sen- throughout the performance, accompanied by music. ums I went to see his works. timents. The second was The composer Ekizian has worked on this project for more than 10 Michelle Ekizian should be congratulated on her great creative the suppression of the theme of Ergir, between years. It is set in an era of American society which required immi- achievement. 1936-1960, particularly during political crack- grants to assimilate culturally. This was not an easy situation for (Translated from the Armenian) downs in Stalin’s era. The third period saw the revival of Ergir and marked a new phase in the conceptualizations of ‘homeland’ in which the displacement from Anatolia in 1915-1916 and the Stalinist purges have been enmeshed into one tragedy of the ex-Ottoman Armenians. Korkmaz is a PhD researcher at the University of Amsterdam in European Studies. She earned her master’s degree at Central European University in Nationalism Studies with honors. Her main areas of Recipe Guest Recipe interest are the late Ottoman Empire, Soviet Armenia, as well as anthropological concepts of homeland, sacralization, and materiality. She has published several articles on the Hamidian Massacres, and the lives of Ottoman Armenian intel- lectuals in the nineteenth century, and the Armenian genocide. Korkmaz’s current doctoral research explores the post-genocide articulations of the Armenian homeland (Ergir), through materiali- ty and rituals. by Christine Vartanian Datian The lecture is free and open to the public. Vanetzi Ashkile (Spinach Soup) Diocese Celebrates the INGREDIENTS 2 lbs. stew meat (beef or lamb) Heritage of Sacred Music 2 large cloves garlic, chopped 1 large onion, sliced DIOCESE, from page 12 1 small can tomato sauce Lake Michigan shoreline with its vista of down- 3-4 cups chicken or vegetable broth or water town Chicago. 1/2 cup zezads (also known as wheat berries or whole wheat kernels) Saturday’s schedule concluded with the 2 large carrots, diced screening of “Singing in Exile,” a documentary 1 medium bunch green onions, chopped about a vanishing aspect of liturgical singing. It was followed by a discussion session with Aram 1 medium bunch parsley, chopped Kerovpyan, director of the Akn Choir featured 1 small bunch cilantro, chopped (optional) in the film, who answered audience questions Salt, pepper, to taste via Skype. 2 medium bunches fresh spinach, washed, chopped The culmination of the festival came Sunday Juice of 1 large lemon or 1/2 pound rhubarb, chopped morning, as Findikyan celebrated badarak with all 4 medium eggs, optional the festival attendees participating. Fellowship after- 1/2 cube butter or 1/4 cup olive oil, to taste wards gave everyone a final chance to enjoy each other’s company before returning home. PREPARATION “People were very excited after the festival,” Brown stew meat in a large pot in butter or olive oil, tossing. Add the onions and garlic, and sauté until onions are translucent; braise said Khoja-Eynatyan. “And they were eager to for about one hour, tossing occasionally. have more gatherings like this. We need to con- Add the tomato sauce, broth or water, zezads, carrots, green onions, parsley, cilantro, and seasonings, and bring to a full boil. Stir, sider responding to that hunger, perhaps hold- reduce heat, and simmer for 25-35 minutes until zezads is tender. ing these festivals periodically in the Diocesan Add the spinach and lemon juice or rhubarb. Add more broth or water, if desired, to make a stew-like consistency. Simmer for 10 min- regions.” utes or until spinach is cooked. (Optional, break in the eggs and steam for a few minutes.) “No matter where in the Diocese — or the Serves 4. world — they live, Armenian altar servers and choir members share something deep and pro- *This is one of the treasured recipes published in the Armenian and Selected Favorite Recipes Cookbook by the Holy Trinity Armenian found in common,” observed the Primate. Apostolic Church Trinity Guild (now Ladies’ Guild) in 1970. The church is located in downtown Fresno, and is registered as a U.S. National “Our sacred music is a force that binds us, Register of Historic Places. The cost is $20.00 each to purchase the cookbook. Include $5.00 for shipping. Please make check payable to: elevates us, summons us closer to our Lord,” he Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church. To order, please call or contact: Nazik ArisianHoly Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church said. “This excellent festival was an important 2226 Ventura St., Fresno, CA 93721(559) 486-1141 (office) way to acknowledge the vital role played by these servants of the church, and to encourage others to join them.” 16 S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 2 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARTS & LIVING CC AA LL EE NN DD AA RR

Union of Armenia and Composer Maestro Konstantin Dance Lessons. 2-4 pm at the Armenian Museum of MASSACHUSETTSARIZONA Petrosian. Members free. Non-members free with $15 America Adele & Haig Der Manuelian galleries, 3rd floor NOVEMBER 2-3 — ARMENIAFest at St. Apkar Museum admission. 65 Main Street, Watertown. On the second Sunday of Armenian Apostolic Church. Weekend food and cul- NOVEMBER 1-2 — St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic every month, join experts Gary and Susan Lind-Sinanian tural festival featuring traditional Armenian foods, bever- Church Bazaar. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Armenian Cultural for a workshop on Armenian dance in our staple pro- ages, exhibits, music and dance performances. 8849 E. and Educational Center, Watertown. Chicken, beef and gram of the Second Sundays Cultural Series! Gary and Cholla St., Scottsdale. losh kebab. Kufteh and kheyma dinners. Pastries and spe- Susan have collected over 100 village dances and shared cialty gourmet items. Arts and crafts and auction items. these with the community for the last 42 years. Learn NOVEMBER 1 — 4-7 p.m., Friday, grand opening of the Armenian dances performed at American picnics and tra- CALIFORNIA National Association for Armenian Studies and ditional dances from the old country. Members free. October 26 – West Coast Premiere of Armenian Research: Complimentary Light Fare and Entertainment. Non-members $15. Register online or call Education National Institute (ANI) Exhibition titled “The NAASR, 395 Concord Avenue, Belmont, MA 02478. Join Coordinator, Garin Habeshian at 617.926.2562 Ext. 103 Lifesavers: American Humanitarianism and YMCA us as we cut the ribbon symbolizing a new era, celebrat- today! For more information visit: https://www.armeni- Philanthropy in Armenia 1918-1920” at California State ing 65 years of achievement while transforming its goals anmuseum.org/classes University, Northridge (CSUN) West Gallery (18111 for the future to welcome the next generation and NOVEMBER 16 — St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary Nordhoff St, Northridge, CA 91325). Exhibition opening launch a beautiful, new, state-of-the-art research center School 35th Anniversary Celebration. Keynote speak- is on Saturday, October 26 from 3-5pm, and the exhibit and gathering place. Open to the public free of charge. er: Dr. Diran Apelian, Professor of Engineering & Former will be available for the public until Thursday, November NOVEMBER 2 — National Association for Armenian Provost, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Distinguished 7. $8 parking at Lot E6.For media inquiries or for group Studies and Research (NAASR) 65th Anniversary Professor, UC Irvine. Entertainment: singer Artur reservations to schedule a guided tour of the exhibition, Gala. Sold Out. Wait list only. Royal Sonesta Hotel Grand Hakobyan (Mister X). Emcee: Lisa Gulesserian, Ph.D., please contact: Mihran Toumajan Ballroom. 40 Edwin H. Land Boulevard, Cambridge. 6 Harvard’s Preceptor on Armenian Language & Culture.@ at [email protected] or (818) 291-6466. p.m. cocktail reception, 7 p.m. seated dinner. The Westin Hotel Waltham-Boston. 6:30pm Cocktails / NOVEMBER 23 — Join the Armenian EyeCare Project Performance by Isabel Bayrakdarian, accompanied by the 7:30pm Dinner and program. More to follow… for its annual Gala celebrating another year of great Borromeo String Quartet. Distinguished Honoree: Dr. NOVEMBER 21 — Third Thursdays! Classic Groove with accomplishments in Armenia. Held at the beautiful Vartan Gregorian, President, The Carnegie Corporation special guest, John Berberian on Oud, 7 p.m. recep- Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach, at 6:30pm. Evening of New York. Master of Ceremonies: David tion, 7:30 p.m., concert at the Armenian Museum of begins with stunning cocktail reception and silent auc- Ignatius, Columnist for the Washington Post and Novelist America Adele & Haig Der Manuelian galleries, 3rd floor, tion followed by an exquisite five-course dinner, live NOVEMBER 4 — St James Men’s Club Dinner Meeting 65 Main Street, Watertown. Classic Groove draws on the Armenian music by the Hosharian Brothers Band, a live - social hour and mezza at 6:15 p.m. and dinner at 7 versatility of its members to perform a diverse mix of auction and more! Tickets are $450/person if reserved by p.m., St. James Armenian Church Charles Mosesian music for all occasions. Classic Groove’s repertoire ranges Oct. 10; $500/person after Oct. 10; and $250/person for Cultural and Youth Center - Keljik Hall, 465 Mt. Auburn from R&B to Top 40, Smooth Jazz, Latin, Country, Swing, those age 35 & under. All proceeds to benefit the AECP’s Street, Watertown. Guest speaker will be George Middle Eastern, show tunes, male and female duets, many sight-saving programs in Armenia. To RSVP or for Aghjayan, Director of the Armenian Historical Archives Blues, and Motown. They are thrilled to have a special more information, call 949-933-4069, email info@eye- and the chair of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation guest musician, John Berberian on the oud for this per- careproject.com or visit eyecareproject.com/gala (ARF) Central Committee of the Eastern United States. formance! This performance was made possible thanks Aghjayan’s topic will be “DNA Testing and Reconnecting to the Dadourian Foundation. Members free. Non-mem- FLORIDA Family Ruptured by Genocide.” Mezza and a Losh Kebab bers $15. (The museum’s elevator is in the process of & Kheyma Dinner $17/person. Ladies invited. For addi- being upgraded and is currently out of service.) DECEMBER 7 — Saturday, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. The tional information call the St. James Church office at 617- NOVEMBER 22 and 23 — Saints Vartanantz Armenian Women’s Guild of St. David Armenian Church in 923-8860 or call Hapet Berberian at 781-367-6598. Church, Annual Food Festival and Bazaar, 180 Old Boca Raton, invites all members, spouses & friends to NOVEMBER 7 — Lecture Series: Lives of the Desert Westford Rd., Chelmsford. Food and Pastries, and their Annual Christmas Luncheon & Fashion Show at the Fathers and the history of Armenian manuscript pro- Vendors, Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m. Wyndham Deerfield Beach Resort, 2019 NE 2nd Street, duction with Earnestine Qiu 6:30 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. to 7 p.m. Live Armenian Music and Dancing, Friday – 6 Deerfield Beach, FL, to enjoy an afternoon of fellowship, lecture at the Armenian Museum of America Adele & to 8 p.m. Narrated Slide presentation about Sts. delicious food, and exciting fashion provided by Mario Haig Der Manuelian galleries, 3rd floor, 65 Main Street, Vartanantz Church history followed by a Sanctuary Tour Pucci, among others. For reservations (deadline Nov. Watertown. Discussion of the illuminated fifteenth-centu- – Saturday, 11 a.m. Tavloo Tournament - Sartuday, 2 29th) and additional information, please call Diane ry manuscript of the Lives of the Desert Fathers p.m. For information, please call 978-256-7234. Also, Azarian (401) 556-3886, Ginny Kyvelos (781) 789-9169, (Jerusalem, Armenian Patriarchate, MS 285). This work possible to include the following picture and short article or the church office (561 994-2335. was produced in Crimea and belongs to a long textual on the bazaar. DECEMBER 13, 14, & 15 — Friday, Saturday, & Sunday tradition. However, despite its significance as a rare and NOVEMBER 24 — Second Sundays Cultural Series: - Friday - 6pm to 10pm; Saturday - 9am to 10pm; early example of an illustrated version of the text, Painting Mt. Ararat. 2-4 pm at the Armenian Museum Sunday - 1pm to 6pm; - St. David Armenian Art & Food Jerusalem 285 has received very little art historical atten- of America Adele & Haig Der Manuelian galleries, 3rd Festival, 2300 Yamato Road, Boca Raton, FL. Join us for tion. In addition to its aesthetic value, the quality and pro- floor, 65 Main Street, Watertown. Sunday. Led by Artist- an afternoon of delicious homemade Armenian food, duction of this manuscript provide a glimpse into the in-Residence Arevik Tserunyan, attendees will learn about fun, fellowship, raffles, and children’s activities while you vibrant Armenian community present in fifteenth-century artist Martiros Saryan and his depiction of Mt. Ararat to shop for Christmas gifts at our vendors. For more infor- Crimea. Furthermore, the afterlife of Jerusalem 285 testi- guide their own recreation. Members $28. Non-members mation, call the church office at 561-994-2335. fies to the rich and complex history of Armenian $35. To register, call Education Coordinator, Garin Admission is free and there is ample parking on the manuscript production. Free to the public. (The muse- Habeshian at 617- 926-2562, ext. 103 or email at church grounds. um’s elevator is in the process of being upgraded and is [email protected]. Limit 12 per class. currently out of service.) (The Museum’s elevator is in the process of being MASSACHUSETTS NOVEMBER 8 and 9 – Annual Autumnfest Bazaar upgraded and is currently out of service.) For more infor- sponsored by the Armenian Church at Hye Pointe, at mation visit: https://www.armenianmuseum.org/classes OCTOBER 19 – NOVEMBER 9 — Fall Studio Art Classes our new location 1280 Boston Road, (Rte. 125) Haverhill, DECEMBER 1 — A cappella Christmas Concert by Armenian Museum of America Adele & Haig Der Friday 12 – 7 pm and Saturday 12 – 7 pm. Lamb, Losh, Boston Jazz Voices to Benefit the Armenia Tree Manuelian galleries, 3rd floor, 65 Main Street, Chicken Kebab and Kheyma. Dinners served all day. Project. 5 p.m. at the Jenks Center, 109 Skillings Road, Watertown. Young artists will be inspired by objects on Pastry table, Armenian cuisine, gift baskets, raffles for Winchester. The venue has plenty of free parking. Event display in the galleries to refine their individual artistic tal- cash and prizes. For more info, visit www.hyepointear- will feature an a cappella performance, refreshments, raf- ents. Projects such as painting from observation, design- menianchurch.org or call (978) 372-9227. Take Rte. 495 fle, and silent auction. Tickets are $30 each and a family ing Armenian calligraphy, and pottery decoration will be N to exit 48, bear right at the end of the ramp. four-pack of tickets is available for $100. Tickets available presented.CANCELLED Members $96. Non-members $120. For more NOVEMBER 9 — Armenian Women’s Welfare via Eventbrite at www.armeniatree.org/acappella info and to register visit https://www.armenianmuse- Association, Annual Luncheon, honoring Carolann DECEMBER 6 and 7 — Friday and Saturday, Trinity um.org/classes, or call Education Coordinator, Garin Najarian, MD with AWWA Founders Humanitarian Christmas Bazaar, Friday, 12 noon-9 p.m., Saturday, Habeshian at 617-926-2562, ext. 103. Award on Saturday, 12 to 4 p.m. at Belmont Country 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater OCTOBER 27 — Sunday Cultural Series: Popular Songs Club,181 Winter St., Belmont. Tickets may be purchased Boston, 145 Brattle Street, Cambridge. For further infor- by Armenian Composers Performed by renowned online at www.eventbrite.com/d/ma—boston/awwa/ or mation, contact the Church Office, 617.354.0632. singers Arthur Ispiryan from Yerevan and Nara from by contacting Stephanie Ciccolo at sciccolo@armenain- DECEMBER 8 — Candlelit Labyrinth Walk: In Peace & California 2-4 pm, Armenian Museum of America Adele nursing.com or 617-522-2600 ext. 101, Complimentary Harmony “Boston’s Newest Holiday Tradition.” Sunday, & Haig Der Manuelian galleries, 3rd floor, 65 Main Street, valet parking available. 4:30-5:30 p.m., Armenian Heritage Park on The Watertown, MA. Please join us at the Armenian Museum NOVEMBER 9 —An Evening with Fr. Vasken Greenway, Boston. Meet & Greet. Celebrate. Walk the as we welcome renowned singers Arthur Ispiryan from Kouzouian: Celebrating 25 Years of Ministry, 6:30 Candlelit Labyrinth. Tie a Ribbon with Your Wish on the Yerevan and Nara from California as they perform popu- p.m., Cocktail Reception; 7:30 p.m., Dinner and Wishing Tree. Enjoy Hot Chocolate & Luscious Cookies. lar sons by Armenian composers. Special appearance by Celebration. Samberg Conference Center, MIT, Chang RSVP appreciated [email protected] Aram Satian, the president of the Composer’s Union of Building (E52), Floor 7. 50 Memorial Drive, Cambridge DECEMBER 15 — Christmas Holiday Concert – Erevan Armenia and Composer Maestro Konstantin Petrosian. MA 02142. Donation: $100 per person. Seating by Choral Society and Orchestra, 3:00 p.m., Church This performance is presented by Armenian Museum of advance paid reservation only, by November 1. Reserve Sanctuary, Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater America and the Composer’s Union of Armenia, and online at https://aneveningwithfrvasken.eventbrite.com Boston, 145 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA. Save the sponsored by the Dadourian Foundation. Special appear- or through the Church Office, 617-354.0632.. date; details to follow. For further information, call the ance by Aram Satian, the president of the Composer’s NOVEMBER 10 — Second Sundays! Traditional Armenian Church Office, 617.354.0632, or email [email protected]. S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 2 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 17 ARTS & LIVING Teen Pianist Eva Gevorgyan Delights Boston YerazArt Audience

PIANIST, from page 1 Festekjian and Anna Afeyan, “Funds raised will She was modest and charming, and only up benefit our various programs, including close did one realize her extreme youth. From YerazArt Scholarships for masterclasses, inter- afar, with her glamorous red sparkling gown national education and competitions, our and utter dedication, she could have been mis- Instrument Donation Program which focuses taken for someone a couple of decades older. on carefully selected rare instruments (mainly Gevorgyan played straight for an hour, chang- wind and brass), YerazArt Summer School and ing her tempo and touch for the various pieces. our newly established Young Artists Program.” In fact, her performance elicited sustained They added, “We hope to get more people to applause and even a standing ovation. join and support YerazArt to make it possible to Both the members of YerazArt and the 200 nurture more young musicians from Armenia. or so in the audience were delighted and Our vision is to expand our support to young enchanted by the young performer. musicians as we help them grow artistically and Yerazart Co-Chair Anna Afeyan expressed her professionally. Whether they join the local delight with the young performer. “She is an Armenian musical stage or achieve stardom on up-and-coming star. She has amazing stage the global stage, we feel we would have played presence and her musicality is remarkable for a role in their success and helped them reach her age,” Afeyan said. “I got so emotionally for their Yeraz (dream).” Seraderian thanked the Afeyans and the Festekjians for co- From left, Sylvie Zakarian, Nicole Babikian Hajjar, Eva Gevorgyan, Arman Padaryan, Nina founding YerazArt. Festekjian, Ani Stepanian, Seza Seraderian, Anna Afeyan and Piruz Bogossian Now, she said, “we represent Armenia on the global stage.” After the recital Gevorgyan said she was Piano Competition for Young Artists, the Grand Arman Padaryan, happy with how it went. She noted she loved Piano International Competition (Russia), the country director for the “very deep and challenging” pieces by Robert Schumann Piano Competition YerazArt in Armenia, Scriabin (Two Poems, Three Preludes and (Germany), T. Amirejibi International Piano thanked those attend- Valse). Competition (Georgia) as well as several other ing and said that And such musicality and precision don’t Competitions in Italy, Poland and Portugal. because of YerazArt, come easy; Gevorgyan noted that she practices In addition, she won second prize at the many students partici- about six to seven hours a day. Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition pate in master classes, She has received dozens of first prizes, in Dallas in June. thus helping their including from the Cleveland International Gevorgyan was born in Moscow to an future prospects in Armenian father and Russian mother. She has the music industry. received a scholarship from the International He also said Academy of Music in Lichtenstein. In addition, Eva Gevorgyan performing at the First Church in Boston YerazArt has provided she has performed in many festivals, including many music students Verbier and VP Bank Classic in Switzerland, in Armenia with Duszniki International Chopin Piano Festival in taken by her.” instruments, particularly wind instruments. Poland, Perugia and Ferrara Piano Festivals in Afeyan added said after the concert, “it is worth- “It is a relatively small organization that Italy and many others across Europe. while to be engaged in such an organization. It is makes a big difference,” he said.YerazArt in She has also performed with the Dallas our only fundraiser.” recent years has been focusing more on educa- Symphony, State Academic Symphony The program raised $40,000. tional programs in Armenia and less on concert Orchestra of Russia, among others. Gevorgyan is one of the performers who has tours, resulting in a better use of resources. In A Champagne reception featuring food from been helped by YerazArt, she added. She was previous years, talented young performers were Nina Festekjian’s anoush’ella restaurant fol- part of the Young Artist program and played brought to the US for exposure to various top lowed. with the Armenian National Philharmonic. performers, teachers and conservatories. “This From left, Noubar Afeyan, Eva Gevorgyan and For more information on YerazArt and their According to a joint statement by event chair has proven a more impactful use of our Festekjian activities, visit yerazart.org. Seza Seraderian and YerazArt Co-Chairs Nina resources,” the board said.

Gregory Enlightener Armenain Church of White Plains. Two Sundays, 12-12.30, Creative art by five local CC AA LENDARLENDAR artists for viewing and purchase. 1131 North St., White Plains. RHODE ISLAND

NOVEMBER 2-3 — Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Armenian NOVEMBER 16 — The Knights of Vartan, Nareg- MASSACHUSETTS Church 89th Annual Food Fair and Bazaar. 70 Shavarshan Lodge #6 and the Daughters of Vartan, Jefferson St., Providence. Saturday, 11:30 a.m.- 10 p.m.- Zabelle Otyag #12 will celebrate their respective 100th Sunday, Noon – 6 p.m. Daily Raffle & Silent Auction, Kids DECEMBER 31 — Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston and 70th organization anniversaries. Featuring: Kevork activities, Balloon man. Armenian Food Market and invites the community to welcome the New Year Artinian and his All Star Band at St. Mary’s Cultural Hall, Armenian Vendor gift shop. Shish Kebab, Losh Kebab, together, at its New Year’s Dinner-Dance celebration. St. 18100 Merriman Rd, Livonia. This is a fundraiser Kufta, Kheyma, Yalanchi, Armenian Pastries, Lahmajoon James Church’s Charles Mosesian Center/Keljik Hall, 465 Dinner/Kef Dance to celebrate Knights and Daughters as & many other delicious food available. All are welcome. Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown. Entertainment will be pro- well as a chance for future members to observe how our Handicap accessible. Cash, Check, Visa and Mastercard vided by popular singer Ispiryan and his band from community puts our heritage on display. All proceeds to Accepted. For further information, call church office 401- 272-7712. www.ArmenianFoodFairRI.com Armenia, and community’s very own DJ Rams! Cocktail fund renovation of school gymnasium, Knights of Vartan NOVEMBER 17 — Armenian Historical Association of hour is at 7 pm, with dinner served promptly at 8 pm. And #106, Elementary School, Yerevan, Armenia. For Rhode Island presents Ruth Thomasian, Founder and of course, there’ll be dancing ‘til 2am! Donation: Adult - Reservations Contact: Laura Lucassian, (248) 376-3794, President of Project Save Armenian Photograph Archives, $125; children (5-12): $75 For tickets please call Alina Cost $75 per person, $40 after 9:30 pm Inc. Program titled “A Look at Ourselves: Armenians Ashjian (617) 852-1816 or Mike Demirchian (617) 240- OCTOBER 25 — Banquet Honoring Dr. Taner Akcam through the Camera’s Eye.” Sunday. Refreshments at 8266 or go online SNDCNYE2020.eventbrite.com Tickets Abajian Hall St. Leon complex Fair Lawn, NJ 12:30 pm Lecture 1:00 pm. AHARI located at 245 are advance purchase only. Sponsored by Knights & Daughters of Vartan- Under the Waterman Street, 5th floor conference room Providence. Auspices of His Grace Bishop Daniel Findikyan, Primate. The AHARI Museum will be open from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. For Reservations please call Sona Manuelian 551-427- MICHIGAN Everyone is invited to bring family photos for Ruth’s “ 8763. $125 p.p. early reservations recommended. OCTOBER 26 — Kef Time Keghi IV 6:30 p.m. Saturday, at Antiques Road Show” evaluation after the presentation. St John Armenian Cultural Hall, Southfield, headlined NEW YORK [email protected] with Traditional Keghetzi Pagharch feast, full buffet dinner with dancing, music by the Keghi All-Star Armenian Band. NOVEMBER 15 – Book presentation by Adrienne G. Reservations call Laura Negosian Lucassian at 248-376-3794 Alexanian, editor of her father’s memoir Forced into Calendar items are free. Entries should not be or email at [email protected]. Donation: Adults $45, Genocide: Memoirs of an Armenian Soldier in the Ottoman Turkish Army - Fordham University Armenian Children under 17, $20. Cash Bar. Mail checks to Karen longer than 5 lines. Listings should include Society, Fordham University, 113 West 60th St. N.Y., N.Y. contact information. Items will be edited to fit Nigosian, 21919 Michigan Ave, Dearborn. MI 48124 Checks 10023 – Room 602 – 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. For information payable to Nor Keghi Association. Proceeds to support con- – [email protected] Book sales/signing following the the space, if need be. A photo may be sent with tinuing renovations at public schools and community pro- presentation. All proceeds from the sale of the books will the listing no later than Mondays at noon. jects in Nor Keghi, Armenia. Supported by parishioners of be donated to St. Nersess Armenian Seminary. the four Armenian churches in Greater Detroit. NOVEMBER 17 and 24 — Art show sponsored by St. 18 S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 2 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

COMMENTARY Mirror Pan-Turkism on the March

had claimed for Turkey “the lost territories” in Iraq and else- Spectator By Edmond Y. Azadian where; today, Mr. Erdogan is trumpeting the same idea. In the first place, Mr. Erdogan is very uncomfortable with the fact that the Aegean Islands on Turkey’s littoral were ceded to Turkey was the beneficiary of pre-Soviet-era turmoil in the Greece. These have led to numerous military skirmishes over Caucasus, signing the Treaty of Kars of 1923; it continues to those islands, between the Turkish and Greek air forces, who benefit also during the realignment of powers in the post-Soviet both are fellow NATO members. EstablishedEstablished 1932 1932 period. Following the collapse of the Soviet Empire, Ankara During the 1974 aggression titled “Operation Attila,” led by AnAn ADL ADL Publication Publication rushed into Central Asia, where Enver Pasha had unsuccessful- Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Turkey occupied 38 percent of ly attempted to create a Turkic empire and revive the caliphate Cyprus, which had been an Ottoman holding until 1878 when and tried to play the religion card. Different ethnic minorities, British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli brought it under his which had been educated under an atheistic regime, did not rule in exchange for fending off Russian forces from the warm waters of the Straits. EDITOR take the bait, however, despite the fact that Turkey invested mil- Alin K. Gregorian lions in building mosques and religious madrasas. Turkey has also stationed its forces on Iraqi territory, using a Ever since, Turkey has found a more effective means to create number of excuses and it is anyone’s guess if Ankara will move ASSISTANT EDITOR a zone of influence in the region, and that is the common lan- out its forces. Aram Arkun guage; “Six States and One Nation” is the motto at this time. Today, a security zone has been carved out on the southeast- ern region of Syria, from where the indigenous Kurdish people ART DIRECTOR Some historians and pundits had been dismissive of concerns Marc Mgrditchian that Turkey may indeed pursue such a plan. But a recent con- are being ousted and where President Donald Trump has decid- ference in Baku, bringing all Central Asian nations together, ed to keep token US forces to guard the oil wells, no one knows bound linguistically, is the proof of that plan. at whose expense. Very little, if anything, was heard from China, which is at odds To support his political and territorial ambitions, President with Turkey over the former’s treatment of its Muslim Uyghur Erdogan is clamoring to acquire nuclear weapons, to become a SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: minority population in its Xinjiang Province. It turns out that major menace in the region. Edmond Y. Azadian the revival of the Turkic dream not only affects China, but also The New York Times, in a dispatch from Washington, says, Armenia, among other nations. “Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, wants more than CONTRIBUTORS: Fresh from his incursion into the Syrian territory, Turkey’s control over a wide swatch of Syria, along his country’s border. Florence Avakian, Dr. Haroutiun President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rushed to Baku last week to He says he wants the Bomb. With Turkey now in open con- Arzoumanian, Philippe Raffi Kalfayan, take part in the Conference of the Turkic Nations. What hap- frontation with NATO allies, having gambled and won a bet that Philip Ketchian, Kevork Keushkerian, pened during the deliberations of that conference cannot be it could conduct a military incursion into Syria and get away Harut Sassounian, Hagop Vartivarian, with it, Erdogan’s threat takes a new meaning. If the United Naomi Zeytoonian underestimated by Armenia and Armenians around the world; States could not prevent the Turkish CORRESPONDENTS: leader from routing the Kurdish allies, Armenia - Hagop Avedikian how can it stop him from building a Boston - Nancy Kalajian nuclear weapon or following Iran in Los Angeles - Taleen Babayan gathering the technology to do so?” Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach Reading further down in the dispatch, Contributing Photographers: one can realize that Turkey technically Jirair Hovsepian and virtually has a nuclear arsenal at its disposal. “There is another element to this ambiguous atomic mix: The pres- ence of roughly 50 American nuclear The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published weapons, stored on Turkish soil. The weekly, except two weeks in July and the first United States had never openly acknowl- week of the year, by: edged their existence, until Wednesday, Baikar Association, Inc. when Mr. Trump did exactly that.” 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 Answering a question about how safe Telephone: 617-924-4420 the control of those weapons are, the FAX: 617-924-2887 writer responds: “But not everyone is so www.mirrorspectator.com confident, because the air base belongs E-Mail: [email protected] to the Turkish government. If relations For advertising: [email protected] with Turkey deteriorated, the American access to that base is not assured.” Turkey has already carved a security zone 444 kilometers long and 20 kilo- meters deep in Syria. The original plan was 500 kilometers with 30 kilometers SUBSCRIPTION RATES : deep. If history is any proof, no power can dislodge Turkey from that area. Turkey already occupies an entire U.S.A. $80 a year province, formerly Alexandretta, which was ceded by the French colonial rule to Turkey Canada $125 a year in 1939 and has renamed it as Hatay. Other Countries $190 a year If Turkey has bullied Syria, Iraq, Greece and Cyprus, snatching territories from them, certainly Armenia is no match for it. Analyst Karen Kareyan writ- © 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator ers in Tert.am.: “Today the prevailing Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA opinion is that it is important for our and additional mailing offices. in his speech at that conference, Azeri President Ilham Aliyev borders with Turkey to be protected by Russian forces and the ISSN 0004-234X raised a fundamental issue, blaming Armenia for interrupting Russian base on our territory. That is justified and serves the contiguous territory of the Turkic nations by having Armenia’s interests. Turkey has been ignoring condemnations Zangezur or Syunik, Armenia’s southern-most province. and world public opinion when committing military aggressions POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Some analysts took note of this dangerous development, while Armenian Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount Auburn against its neighbors. What guarantees do we have that the St., Watertown, MA 02472 Armenia, with its political and legal establishment are engaged in same could not happen to Armenia, when Turkey expresses its score-settling with the representatives of the former regime. Other than the editorial, views and opinions willingness to cooperate with Azerbaijan and liberate Artsakh?” expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily Aliyev’s speech is the sequel of a policy which he has been Then he writes about Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s polit- reflect the policies of the publisher. pursuing deliberately; that policy has to be analyzed within the ical conversion, stating, “We have not forgotten Pashinyan’s context of Turkey’s territorial ambitions. boasting that he does not bow to Moscow. But fortunately, he With the head of the most powerful nation in the globe “gen- visited Moscow and he became more Catholic than the Pope.” erously” donating the Golan Heights to Israel and another Indeed, even if Moscow one day fails to defend Armenia, its chunk of Syria to Turkey as a security zone, the game has military base in Gyumri continues to serve as a deterrent against Copying for other than personal use or become too dangerous to ignore. Turkish aggression. internal reference is prohibited without When Baku and Ankara have set their eyes on Central Asian The Kremlin has built its military base out of self-interest, and express permission of the copyright lands, President Erdogan’s attempts to revise the Lausanne not based on Armenian-Russian historic friendship or charity. owner. Address requests for reprints or Treaty of 1923 becomes a security threat to its neighbors. As we Russia is projecting its power from that base into the region and back issues to: know, Lausanne had dismembered the Ottoman territory to well beyond, in the Middle East. carve out the modern Republic of Turkey. The Turkish leaders, President Aliyev had made the thrust of his speech of Turkic Baikar Association, Inc. deep down, have never come to terms with the deal. Once upon nations in Baku the case of Zangezur, complaining that 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472- a time, it was former Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu who continued on next page 1509 S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 2 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 19 COMMENTARY

When two prominent Armenian writers, ASALA’s blending of armed struggle with Marxist ideology; and , met with Gorbachev in Moscow in February the dominant faction of ASALA considers Soviet Armenia as 1988, they reported that he was well briefed and assured liberated territory and the group concentrates its attacks them that he wanted a “just solution.” He acknowledged “the exclusively on Turkish officials. In fact, ASALA eventually peaceful nature of the [Armenian] demonstrations and would like to see ‘the Armenian provinces’ now located in My Turn emphasized his personal sympathy with the desire to reunite Turkey and possibly Iraq [?] reattach themselves to the Soviet Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia….” Armenian core. Furthermore, ASALA is now in a quiet phase, By Harut Sassounian Upon the return of the Armenian envoys to Yerevan, in a and its leader was assassinated on 28 April [1988]. radio broadcast on February 27, 1988, Kaputikyan called for Nevertheless, ASALA in early April did send a moderately Armenians to trust Gorbachev. “He knows about and under- worded appeal to Gorbachev supporting the reunification of A Declassified Top Secret CIA stands our problem and wants to resolve it personally…. We Karabakh with Armenia, while characteristically stressing Report On the Nagorno-Karabakh must do our utmost to ensure that no harm” is done to him, that Armenia is an integral part of the USSR and seeks only Kaputikyan announced. to rectify the border, not to pursue claims against Moscow.” Conflict Regarding Soviet concerns about foreign, particularly Finally, the CIA analyst explained the position of Turkey on Armenian-American interference in domestic Soviet turmoil, the Karabakh conflict: “Although the Turkish Government A 48-page Central Intelligence Agency Top Secret Report, the CIA analyst reported: “The recent unrest appears to have has not explicitly sided with Azerbaijan, Turkey’s fear of resur- prepared in August 1988 and made public in 2012 with some made Soviet officials more fearful about the role of foreign gent makes Ankara sympathetic to deletions, is titled “Unrest in the Caucasus and the Challenge actors in the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. Of the approxi- Baku. When the crisis broke in February [1988], Turkish of Nationalism.” Despite the passage of time, the Report mately 5.5 million people in the world today who speak Government spokesmen indicated publicly that international includes an interesting analysis of the Artsakh (Nagorno- Armenian, about 60 percent live outside the Soviet Armenian agreements entitle Ankara to a voice in the crisis, an appar- Karabakh) conflict from the perspective of US intelligence republic, about 1.4 million elsewhere in the USSR, and 2 mil- ent reference to the 1921 treaty between the USSR and services. lion abroad. So far, Armenian emigres — most of whom see Turkey that led to the shift of Nagorno-Karabakh and The CIA analyst, in the introduction of his Report, traced Turkey much more than Russia as the historic oppressor of Nakhichevan to Azerbaijan. Turkey no doubt especially feared the origins of the Artsakh conflict: “Enmity between their nation — have not been actively involved in pushing for that transferring Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia would whet Armenian and Azeri factions has existed for hundreds of change in the Soviet system or in Soviet policies. Moscow Armenian appetites and would lead to increased pressure to years, and the 1920s settlement subordinating Nagorno- worries that diaspora attitudes could turn sharply critical of change the status of Nakhichevan and to acquire former Karabakh — Armenia’s cultural and religious center — to the the USSR and that Armenians in the United States, particu- Armenian regions in Turkey. Turkish officials probably also Azerbaijan Republic has been a continual, albeit long-muted, larly, could grow into a powerful anti-Soviet pressure group. noted that some Armenian expansionist demands for a source of Armenian frustration and concern. Azeri animosity Soviet officials are wary of the large concentration of ‘Greater Armenia’ were based on historic claims rather than toward the Armenians has been intensified by political, eco- Armenians in California and New York, states with large elec- on the ethnic composition of the affected territories. Thus, nomic, and demographic trends that have adversely affected toral votes that have been closely contested in previous pres- some Armenians have demanded the return of Nakhichevan, the political status of Azeris and increased the gap in living idential elections.” even though Azeris now greatly outnumber Armenians in this standards between Azerbaijan and Armenia. In particular, the In a footnote at the end of the previous paragraph, the CIA region. Using such historical criteria, could give Armenians a rapid expansion of Azerbaijan’s young adult population has analyst specified that “the United States hosts at least claim even on some border parts of Turkey where only 50,000 put enormous strain on the Republic’s capacity to provide 600,000 Armenians. About 90 percent of America’s Soviet Armenians now live.” adequate jobs, housing, and education. Azeri frustration has Armenian immigrants came to California. Los Angeles — with The CIA analyst concluded his Report by outlining five options found an outlet in attacks on Armenians.” 100,000 — has the largest community of Armenians outside the USSR had for the resolution of the Artsakh conflict: The unnamed CIA analyst reported that a split within the Yerevan. The New York City region has about 70,000 1) “Sticking with the Status Quo” Politburo on how to handle the Artsakh crisis made the situ- Armenians, mostly from Lebanon and Iran.” 2) “Making Further Economic Concessions” to Armenians ation worse. Second Secretary Ligachev and KGB Chief The CIA analyst added: “Moscow may be concerned that 3 “Enhancing Autonomy of Nagorno-Karabakh Within Chebrikov were the hardliners who vehemently opposed the foreign Armenian terrorist groups like the Armenian Secret Azerbaijan” separation of Artsakh from Azerbaijan. They disagreed with Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA) could turn 4) Expanding “Extraterritorial Native Cultural Institutions” Gorbachev’s reforms and blamed foreign powers for inciting against Soviet targets — although we have no evidence that 5) “Reconfiguration of Nagorno-Karabakh” by splitting it unrest inside the Soviet Union. this is the case. Hitherto, the USSR has figured very little in between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Pan-Turkism on the March Kayseri Conference by Dink from previous page “Zangezur cuts up the Turkic world.” Foundation Cancelled Commenting about Aliyev’s pitch about the region, Hakob Patalyan, a political analyst, said, “It is not the first time that Aliyev has expressed his ambitions for Zangezur. Even if Aliyev kept silent, Armenia and Armenians need to worry that Zangezur and Armenia itself (The following open letter was issued by the Hrant Dink Foundation, will continue to remain a target for the Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem.” based in Istanbul, this past week.) The issue of Zangezur was raised by Aliyev even before this conference; in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, for a recent conference of former Soviet republics. At that meeting, Aliyev We could not understand the reason why the conference on “Social, Cultural and Economic blamed the Armenian government for honoring Garegin Njdeh, by erecting his monument History of Kayseri and the Region” that we were going to organize on October 18 and 19 at the in Yerevan. He characterized Njdeh as “a Nazi collaborator” but in fact, Njdeh is historical- Hrant Dink Foundation, Havak Hall has been banned. ly known as the defender of Zangezur. As is known to all, the conference, which was initially planned to take place in Kayseri was Indeed, during the attack of the combined forces of the Bolsheviks and the Turks, in banned due to the interference of the Kayseri Governorship. 1920, when the legitimate government lost control of its territory, it was Garegin Njdeh, Since 2008, the international conference series of the Foundation have contributed to a with his battalion of fedayees who defended Zangezur, eventually integrating it into detailed understanding of the changing social, economic, politic and cultural structure of vari- Armenia. Njdeh remains as the liberator of Zangezur in Armenian history. ous cities of Turkey during the 19th and 20th century, and allowed the recent academic research- But there is also truth to Njdeh’s collaboration with the Nazis and that is corroborated es to be heard internationally. The series have set a precedent for its scientific approach and qual- by Maria Zakharova, spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry. Every time Armenian- ity at international level. In the past years, the conference series were organized on Adana, Russian relations deteriorate, independent from Aliyev’s blame, Ms. Zakharova has asked for Diyarbakır, Mardin, Van and Izmir. This year, we have chosen Kayseri province as the theme of the removal of Njdeh’s monument outside the Armavir Armenian Church in Russia. the conference. Armenia is surrounded by hostile nations and it is not in the interest of the government Our main aim was to highlight the multicultural and rich history of Kayseri with an interna- to give in to partisan zeal and allow Njdeh’s controversial monument to create political prob- tional and prestigious conference and to share our detailed research and publication on the cul- lems with the neighbors. tural heritage of Kayseri prepared in 2016 with the support of the European Union and the Unfortunately, Njdeh and General Dro, the hero of the Battle of Kara Kelisa in May 1918, Ministry of EU Affairs (Turkey). both collaborated with the Nazis during World War II and we cannot justify nor explain The international scientific committee of the conference has selected the papers of 27 scien- those away. tists from various cities of Turkey as well as from the United States, France, Greece and Armenia The French Marshall Philippe Petain, the victor of the Battle of Verdun in 1916, was no and invited them to Kayseri to present their research during the conference to be held at a hotel less a hero than Njdeh or Dro. But he spoiled his reputation when Germans occupied France on October 18-19, 2019. Moreover, a cultural heritage tour of Kayseri was planned to take place during World War II and put him at the head of the Vichy Government. After the war, he after the conference for the conference participants to witness the rich history of Kayseri first received a death sentence as a traitor. hand. History should be the judge of Petain, Njdeh and Dro, not political expediency. Yet, as the Kayseri Governorship banned the holding of this scientific conference in Kayseri, When Aliyev accused Armenia in Ashgabat for honoring a Nazi collaborator, Prime our Board of Directors decided to move the conference to stanbul. Minister Pashinyan gave a valiant rebuke which made Armenians proud. He argued that At a time when all the preparations have been made, all speakers from Turkey and all around Njdeh was fighting the Turks and that the Armenians fought heroically during the war and the world have already arrived in Istanbul for the conference to take place today; on October sacrificed 300,000 young men and women. 17th, Thursday at 17:08, just 16 hours before the conference an official notice of ban was given However, the true answer should have been that the Germans formed “national battal- by the Sisli District Governorship to the Foundation based on the Law No:2911, which does not ions” recruiting the captured Soviet POWs. They formed Russian, Azeri, Belorussian and mention any justification for the ban decision. other “national battalions” tasking them with the responsibility of “liberating” their respec- The Hrant Dink Foundation was established in 2007 after the assassination of Hrant Dink to tive homelands from the Soviet rule. continue his dreams, legacy, language and heart. Encouraging dialogue, peace and the culture Thus, technically, all the POWs became Nazi collaborators. of empathy has been the main principles of the Foundation and during these 12 years the Zangezur is an important strategic territory for Armenia and Azerbaijan. That is why all Foundation has held many workshops and international conferences on culture, history, econo- Armenians were up in arms when almost gave the region of Meghri, on my, international relations, education and human rights and published reports regarding their the southern tip of Zangezur at the Key West summit to Heydar Aliyev, the current Azeri outcome both in Turkish and English. president’s father, in exchange for Artsakh. Since its establishment with a court decision, the Hrant Dink Foundation has been organiz- Turkey’s power is gaining momentum every day and Azerbaijan is deriving its intransi- ing similar conferences for many years which are in line with the articles stated in the charter gence from Turkey’s aggressive posture. of the foundation. The Alliance of Turkic Nations not only threatens Armenia but also Russia and China, and Foundations and political parties are outside of the scope of the Law No: 2911 on assemblies that is where all the national interests converge. see DINK, page 20 20 S ATURDAY, O CTOBER 2 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR NAASR Will Host Grand Opening of New World Headquarters

OPENING, from page 1 Vartan Gregorian will be present along with the Avedisians, and David Ignatius, Washington Post columnist and novelist, who will be the master of ceremonies for the NAASR Gala the following evening on November 2, which is already sold out. Also featured at the grand opening will be Ara Krafian, CEO of Symmes, Maini & McKee Associates of Cambridge, the architectural, design and engineering firm for the project; as well as Janet Ceddia, President of Altair Construction of Newton, the general con- tractor. “We invite everyone to attend our grand opening,” said NAASR Chairman of the Board Yervant Chekijian, who will serve as master of ceremonies at the opening, which will also include a blessing of the building from local clergy. Many other local and national people of note will be in attendance, and Governor Baker has been invited to speak. “We are sincerely grateful to all of the extremely generous and talented people who made our vision a reality. This building is NAASR’s gift to future generations,” said Chekijian. The ribbon cutting will be followed by tours of the building through many of its public spaces, as well as NAASR’s rare book Mardigian Library, one of the top-five Armenian libraries open to the public in the diaspora, with some holdings dating to the 1600s, and rare periodicals dating to the Rendering of NAASR’s new Vartan Gregorian Building 1800s, as well as the unique personal archives of prominent scholars, early Armenian-Americans, and religious leaders. Cultural Facilities Fund and The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has MassDevelopment of $225,000 awarded in given full support with a capital grant from 2017, for installation of an elevator, other the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s accessibility features, and fire suppression.

Kayseri Conference by Dink Foundation Cancelled

DINK, from page 19 Michael and demonstrations as stipulated by its article 4. The foundations can carry out any activi- Aram – ty, event or meeting which are in line with their charter, subject to the control of the General Eternity Directorate of Foundations. Sculpture – Despite the fact that we have been organizing these conferences on different provinces for Sculpting many years and that the date of this particular conference has been known since last year, we do believe that banning of the conference through a decision which is against the law, just 16 hours prior to the event, is a significant blow to democracy and science. We have not been able to understand this prohibition which damages the reputation of Kayseri as well as our country outside of Turkey and in scientific circles. We feel very embarrassed on behalf of our country for all of our guests who came from different parts of Turkey and abroad to participate in the conference. Zoravik Statement on Turkey’s Respectfully yours, Hrant Dink Foundation Invasion of Northern Syria

We, Zoravik, a collective of diasporan Armenian activists, express our solidarity with the Kurdish, Armenian, Assyrian and Arab population of Rojava (Northern Syria), and strong- ly condemn Turkey’s military offensive against them. We equally deplore President Trump’s decision to give Turkey the green light to begin its assault against the SDF, the Kurdish- led forces that defeated ISIS in that region. As a community of descendants of those who survived a genocide at the hands of the Ottoman Turks, we are outraged by Turkey’s use of force against innocent men, women, and children, which stirs up traumatic memories for all Armenians. The Trump adminis- tration is just as liable for these attacks due to its complicity in the atrocities and war crimes that have left scores of civilians dead and wounded. This autonomous region of Syria (Rojava) has shown the world a locally-powered, bot- tom-up democracy that values gender equality, environmental sustainability, and pluralis- tic governance. Letting this model of democracy perish would be a great loss to the Middle East, and to humanity as a whole. The towns being attacked by the Turkish army are home to a small but ancient Armenian population whose ancestors were massacred by the Turkish regime during the Armenian Genocide of 1915. These Armenians are once again being subjected to the trauma of war, ethnic cleansing, and displacement more than a century later. We applaud the Republic of Armenia’s condemnation of the Turkish invasion in north- east Syria, share their concern for the plight of ethnic and religious minorities in the region, and support their call for effective international measures to prevent mass atroci- ties in the occupied areas. We call on the US government and the world community to condemn Turkey’s unpro- voked aggression against Rojava. Finally, we urge all Armenians to contact their congressional representatives and voice their opposition to Turkey’s invasion of northern Syria, stressing the threat it poses to the safety and security of the civilian population, and to basic democratic values. We say NO to Turkish aggression against Rojava, NO to ethnic cleansing in Northern Syria, and YES to solidarity between Armenians and Kurds! In Solidarity, Zoravik - Armenian Activist Collective [email protected] www.facebook.com/zoravik October 14, 2019