THE ARMENIAN Mirrorc SPECTATOR Since 1932

Volume LXXXXI, NO. 33, Issue 4675 MARCH 6, 2021 $2.00 Boston Proclaims February 26 Khojaly Commemoration Day Mayor’s Office Apologizes To Armenians By Aram Arkun Mirror-Spectator Staff

BOSTON (defence.az, Azernews.az, Twitter, Press Herald) - Mayor Marty Walsh of Boston proclaimed Febru- ary 26 to be Khojaly Commemora- tion Day. The proclamation quotes Human Rights Watch as stating this was the largest massacre of the 1990s and that it was com- mitted by Ar- Boston Mayor menian armed Marty Walsh forces with the Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan greets his supporters during a rally in his support in Yerevan on March 1 support of a Soviet Russian rifle regiment. According to Azerbaijani sources, the proclamation was adopted on the initiative of Roza Shahzade, director of the New England-based Azerbaijan Pashinyan Agrees to Snap Elections Center. In addition, Azerbaijanis held a demonstration at Harvard Square in By Raffi Elliott minister also reiterated that the only way to tions, the prime minister would first need to Cambridge, according to the Azerbai- Special to the Mirror-Spectator change the composition of the current gov- submit his resignation in accordance with jani State Committee for Work with ernment is through legal, free and fair elec- Article 149 of the Constitution at which Diaspora, to commemorate the 29th YEREVAN — Prime Minister Nikol tions. “You elected me, and only you can point Parliament is given two attempts to anniversary of the Khojaly killings or- Pashinyan announced his readiness to hold oust me” Pashinyan shouted as supporters nominate a replacement candidate before ganized with the support of the same snap elections on the evening of March 1. chanted “Nikol, prime minister.” being dissolved and elections triggered. Azerbaijan Center. Some of the posters Addressing a large crowd in the capital’s Armenia’s current electoral code features These elections must take place within a pe- displayed used the word genocide to Republic Square at an event commemo- a complex mechanism for dissolving the riod of 30 to 45 days later. Any citizen describe the Khojaly event, in contra- rating the March 1, 2008, shooting of 10 government. In order to trigger fresh elec- see ELECTIONS, page 2 diction with the accepted definition of demonstrators by the Army, Pashinyan dis- this term. cussed allegations by opposition groups that Armenians in turn contacted the his previous suggestion for fresh elections mayor’s office in large numbers to pro- were insincere. test the proclamation, as confirmed by Open Letter to Foreign Minister a telephone respondent at the mayor’s office. Ara Ayvazyan In response to a question from the Mirror-Spectator about why and how The advent of a new sented in Washington, DC the mayoral proclamation was issued, US Administration and by a seasoned ambassador on March 2 Nick Martin, Chief Com- the start of the 117th Ses- with long years of experience munications Officer of the Office of sion of the US Congress, effectively advancing Arme- Mayor Walsh, stated: “We receive a in the wake of Turkey’s nia’s national interests at the high volume of requests for mayoral and Azerbaijan’s six-week war on Art- highest levels of international diplo- proclamations throughout the year, sakh, mark an era of new opportunities macy. He and his professional team are and our systems for processing them Opposition demonstrators rally near to foster stronger US-Armenia relations, well regarded by their US counterparts, are currently in flux as part of the may- the government buildings in Yerevan on check Turkish and Azerbaijani aggres- the Armenian American community, a oral transition. This situation is a re- February 27 to pressure Prime Minister sion, support the security of Artsakh, and broad array of allied organizations, and minder that, no matter the challenges, Pashinyan to resign realize the national and democratic aspi- the Washington, DC foreign policy com- it’s important and necessary to scru- rations of the Armenian people. munity. tinize all of those requests, especially The Republic of Armenia – through As a community – deeply integrat- ones having to do with international “Since the opposition flatly rejected our her diplomatic representation – and the ed into American civil society and with conflict, more closely before issuing proposals for snap elections, we concluded Armenian American community – as more than a century of experience work- a proclamation. We regret upsetting that holding one would be pointless without citizens of our great nation – each have ing with the U.S. government – we have, anyone with this proclamation, and we their approval” Pashinyan said, adding that vital roles to play in this regard. For her since the rebirth of an independent sincerely apologize to the Armenian if parliamentary quorum could be assured, part, Armenia is fortunate to be repre- see LETTER, page 2 see PROCLAMATION, PAGE 16 his party was ready to call a vote. The prime

SAINT LOUIS NEW YORK INTERVIEW Super Grandmaster Flame of Vilen Galstyan Levon Aronian to Faith “My life was spent in Move to Saint Louis, a wonderful creative Represent the US atmosphere” Page 7 Page 7 Page 12 2 SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR NEWS from ARMENIA Pashinyan Agrees to Snap Elections EU-Armenia Accord Takes ELECTIONS, from page 1 dent has 3 days to confirm or reject an or- — the Republican, Prosperous Armenia Effect March 1 of Armenia — not just sitting parliamentar- der from the National Assembly, failing to and Armenian Revolutionary Federation YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — The Com- ians — is eligible for nomination provided take action results in it automatically com- (ARF) parties — formed the government prehensive and Enhanced Partnership that they are over 25 years of age, speak ing into force. The president did add that he at the time of that incident. Former Chief Agreement (CEPA) signed by the Eu- Armenian and reside in the country. would submit a separate application to the of the Army General Staff Yuri Khatcha- ropean Union (EU) and Armenia more Given that only 67 parliamentary votes Constitutional Court to clarify the “legally turov and Former Defense Minister Seyran than three years ago entered into force are required to confirm a replacement prime on March 1, after being ratified by all minister, the government has been seek- EU member states. ing guarantees from the opposition that it The 350-page agreement commits the Armenian authorities to carrying would not nominate competing candidates out political reforms that will democra- in order to go to elections. On Monday, tize the country’s political system and March 1, Edmon Marukyan, who heads the boost human rights protection. They opposition Bright Armenia Faction, sig- must gradually “approximate” Arme- naled his readiness to recuse himself from nian economic laws and regulations to nomination and greenlight an election if those of the EU. the government agreed to reinstate General The EU’s foreign policy chief, Jo- sep Borrell, said the CEPA’s entry into Onnik Gasparyan. force “sends a strong signal that the EU Pashinyan promptly sacked Gasparyan and Armenia are committed to dem- after the latter called on the government ocratic principles and the rule of law, to resign — an act which the government as well as to a wider reform agenda.” considers to be illegal. The prime minister Oliver Varhelyi, the EU commis- called Gasparyan’s call a “coup attempt.” sioner for neighborhood and enlarge- Article 14 of the Armenian Constitution ment, was quoted in a statement as saying: “The entry into force of the states that the armed forces must “maintain bilateral EU-Armenia agreement on neutrality in political matters and shall be March 1 will allow us to strengthen under civilian control.” our work on the economy, connectivity, The Army’s statement likewise drew digitalization and the green transforma- concern from the European Union whose tion as priority areas. These will have spokesperson called for the crisis to be re- concrete benefits for the people and solved “peacefully and in strict adherence are key for socio-economic recovery and the longer-term resilience of the to the principles and processes of parlia- country.” mentary democracy.” The decision to sack the Chief of the The Armenian Foreign Ministry last Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan greets his supporters on March 1 month described the CEPA as a “solid Army General Staff, and the president’s legal basis” for deepening Armenia’s subsequent objection have pushed the ongo- ties with the EU in a wide range of ing political crisis towards a constitutional areas. The CEPA was signed in No- one. Several constitutional experts and civ- problematic” wording on the matter. Ohanyan were among the invited speakers. vember 2017 as a less ambitious sub- stitute for an Association Agreement il society organizations have criticized the Invoking the memory of the victims of Both men are currently facing charges of which Armenian and EU negotiators presidewnt for what they call a violation of the March 1, 2008 massacre, Pashinyan toppling constitutional order for their in- nearly finalized in 2013. Armenian Articles 133 and 155 of the Constitution. reiterated once more that “tanks cannot volvement in the 2008 shooting incident. President Serzh Sargsyan in its place Pashinyan reiterated his belief that the change governments, only the power of the At the rally, ARF Supreme Body mem- arranged Armenian membership in a Army’s statement was the result of pressure people”. He also asked the people of Arme- ber Ishkhan Saghatelyan reiterated his par- Russian-led trade bloc. from former-President Serzh Sargsyan. He nia, Artsakh and the diaspora to forgive his ty’s demand that the prime minister resign once again insisted on Gasparyan’s remov- government for what he called “many mis- immediately. “We will not leave this street Sarkissian Defends al, but said that no retributions would be di- takes” since taking office, as well as those until our demands are met” he told support- Opposition to Army Chief’s rected towards the co-signatories. “Thank of previous administrations, before leading ers. The Homeland Salvation Movement — Sacking God that Gasparyan and the Army have not a procession towards Myasnikyan Square. of which the ARF is a member, has repeat- yet crossed any red lines,” he said. At least three other demonstrations took edly rejected proposals for snap elections YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — President Armen Sarkissian defended on March Opposition leader Vazgen Manukyan, for place in the city in connection to the March organized under the current government 1 his decision not to fire Armenia’s his part, praised the general, and reiterated 1st anniversary, all of which were equally over concerns that it would use administra- top army general strongly criticized calls for the army, police and national secu- peaceful and without incident. The Arme- tive resources to skew the results. This in by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. rity forces to defy constitutional constraints nian National Congress — which had orga- spite of the fact that the Armenian Elector- Pashinyan petitioned Sarkissian on and join their movement. “We have almost nized the original protests which ended in al Code stipulates that the Central Election February 25 to sign a decree reliev- finished what we started,” Manukyan de- bloodshed in 2008 —held a church service Committee — not the prime minister — is ing General Onik Gasparyan of his clared amidst calls of ‘traitor’ [referring to before laying flowers near the site where in charge of organizing the vote. They in- duties shortly after the chief of the Armenian army’s General Staff and the prime minister]. most of the killings took place. Near the stead want to see power transferred to a 40 other high-ranking officers issued a Still, at the rally in downtown Yerevan, Matenadaran, another group of protesters, “transitional government of technocrats” statement accused the government of Pashinyan took a more conciliatory tone this time the nationalist supporters of the for a year. This concept has been rejected misrule and demanded its resignation. towards Sarkissian. “I hope that our pres- Sasna Tsrer militant group earlier marched by both the ruling party and the opposition Pashinyan rejected the demand as a ident, given his years of experience and under torch light. They blame the current Bright Armenia party. The legality of such “military coup attempt.” wisdom as a diplomat and politician, will authorities for losing the war but also ac- an arrangement has also been put in ques- Sarkissian refused to sign such a take the best interest of the people into cuse the previous government of decades tion by constitutional scholars. decree on February 27, saying it ap- pears to be unconstitutional and would consideration in his decision,” he told the of mismanagement and corruption. Of the two parliamentary opposition deepen the “unprecedented” political crowd, wishing him a speedy recovery. Activists of the “Homeland Salvation forces, only the Bright Armenia Party has crisis in the country. President Sarkissian has remained in poor Movement,” a coalition of 16 opposition since accepted the prime minister’s request Pashinyan criticized the refusal as health since contracting COVID-19 while parties, continued their sit-in in front of the to fast-track snap elections. The Prosper- “unfounded” and resent his motion to vacationing in London. National Assembly building. Supporters ous Armenia Party led by business tycoon Sarkissian. A senior lawmaker allied However, the next day, President Sark- have set up tents on the blocked street in a Gagik Tsarukyan has yet to accept. Tsa- to him suggested on February 28 that issian announced his intention not to sign scene reminiscent of the opposition camp rukyan’s party is the only member of the the president himself appears to have violated the constitution and therefore the order, but also didn’t outright reject it. which the authorities attacked on March 16-party opposition coalition to have par- might be impeached. Under the current Constitution, the presi- 1, 2008. The coalition’s primary leaders liamentary representation. The Armenian constitution allows the head of state to again reject the proposed decree by March 3 eve- ning. In that case, he will have to ask the Constitutional Court to rule on its legality. In a March 1 statement, Open Letter to Foreign Minister Ara Ayvazyan Sarkissian insisted that he acted “im- LETTER, from page 1 of Lilit Makunts, a divisive political figure who has no formal partially” and in strict conformity with the constitution. He denounced “un- Armenia, placed the highest of value on keeping Armenia’s diplomatic experience, to replace Ambassador Varuzhan Ners- acceptable” reactions to his weekend international diplomatic engagement on a plane above the do- esyan as Armenia’s Ambassador to the United States. With this decision. “The president of the republic mestic politics of our homeland. The stakes are simply too letter, we are requesting that you withdraw her nomination and does not represent the interests of any high for anything standard other than professional competence are also sharing with our own government the reservations we political force,” said the statement. in assigning diplomats abroad. Partisan or parochial concerns – hold regarding her suitability for this position. Pashinyan also held a meeting of Ar- however pressing they may seem in Yerevan – must never drive menia’s Security Council which called decision making with regard to how Armenia is represented on Sarkissian to stop blocking Gaspa- ADL District Committee Armenian abroad. Politics must, as they say, end at the water’s edge. ryan’s sacking, strongly condemning Eastern USA Central Committee Revolutionary It is in this context – at this particularly crucial moment – that “all attempts to draw the Armenian Eastern USA Federation Armed Forces into political processes.” we firmly and forthrightly oppose the ill-advised appointment SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR 3 ARMENIA

The thirst for light-hearted entertainment is palpable on Foreign Ministry stage and off. Issues Statement New Productions, If the reader still thinks this sounds a bit trivial in the midst of what is happening now in Armenia, I insist on the opposite Marking 33rd Revivals Bring Life view and say it is vital; a fundamental necessity that must en- joy the full support of the government. Anniversary of Allow me, on this occasion, to mention just two reproaches. To Yerevan Theatres This does not only refer to this particular performance nor this Sumgait Massacres By Gerald Papasian specific company. The contemporary Armenian stage suffers noticeably from a lack of voice and speech training. Diction YEREVAN — The Armenian Foreign Special to the Mirror-Spectator is mostly rather poor and quite often sentences are more dou- Ministry has issued a statement in con- YEREVAN — While protests erupted again in Yerevan on ble-guessed by the public than properly heard. The audience nection with the 33rd anniversary of the February 25, spectators rushed to the Malian Theatre to enjoy should not only fully understand the text but also avoid asking Armenian pogroms in Sumgait, Azer- once again my production of Hagop Baronian’s “The Dentist one another “what did he say?” Perhaps audiences are also to baijan that reads as follows: … Again?” blame for being less demanding in this particular field having ‘Thirty-three years ago, on February On the same evening, the State Chamber Musical Theatre been used to watching TV shows and not bothering to miss 27-29, 1988, pre-planned massacres of opened a new play, Marc Camoletti’s “Love French Style,” some of the dialogue. After all, speech is the most essential Armenians were carried out in the city which was repeated on February 26, despite continuous mas- craft to master in the art of theatre. I am hopeful that this defi- of Sumgait (Azerbaijan) amid the en- sive demonstrations right next to the theatre. ciency will be corrected shortly. couragement of the Azerbaijani author- Theatre lovers filled the house notwithstanding chaotic traf- The second, more dangerous problem, is the fact that most ities and the permissiveness of the law fic jams created by the riots. enforcement bodies. Hundreds of Ar- I attended the second performance of “Love menians were killed, including women, French Style” and witnessed how the public en- children and elderly, and thousands of joyed itself for an hour and a half, non-stop. Armenians were forcibly displaced. Some may find it frivolous to allow oneself The Sumgait massacre was a response such light “entertainment,” a typical naugh- to the aspiration of the people of Artsakh ty-naughty French comedy. to assert their inalienable right to a dig- Nonetheless, I’m not too sure if the “farce” was nified and safe life in their historical not taking place on the other side of the theatre homeland and to exercise their right to walls, in the street! Mr. and Mrs. Ceausescu’s ex- self-determination. Azerbaijan opposed ecution was re-enacted next door, on Baghramyan the attempts of exercising human rights Street, to the “amusement” of the protesters. Per- with the policy of collective punish- haps that sort of black humor is more to the taste ment, subjecting the Armenian popula- of some? Different lives on parallel streets! On tion of the Sumgait town to severe vio- one side: chaos and hatred, on the other, a cele- lence and torture. bration of life and love! The atrocities of Sumgait instigated The director of “Love French Style” was Kar- the ethnic cleansing and massacres of apet Karajyan, who successfully performed in Armenians in other cities of Azerbaijan, my production of Alan Ayckbourn’s “Bedroom such as Baku and Gandzak. Moreover, Farce” last year (to reopen incidentally on March the unequivocal justification of such 5th at the same theatre). This play was his official crime, the glorification of the murderers debut as a director, and he was able to maintain for killing Armenians were reflected in a fast pace, emblematic to French comedies. I was happy to audience members are still not wearing masks while the per- the efforts of the Azerbaijani authorities see how the Parisian tempo and dynamics were brilliantly ex- formers are risking their lives on stage to provide them with a to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh con- ecuted, something I had found lacking in Armenia when I first few hours of art and culture. flict with the use of force. directed an archetypally French Sacha Guitry play and the rap- Living-art performers ought to be considered as working in Last year, on September 27 the full- id-fire romp “Dentist” a few years ago. high-risk and therefore be fully supported by the Ministry of fledged war unleashed by Azerbaijan Karajyan was also able to fully exploit his young actors’ health and be tested free of charge. They must also be con- against Artsakh and its people was physical attributes and athletic/aesthetic gifts. It is so refresh- sidered priority cases like doctors and medical staff members accompanied by similar war crimes ing and encouraging to see this new generation getting rid of when vaccination reaches Armenia. against the Armenian identity, with one past “traditional-Armenian” taboos and archaic bashfulness To audiences, in Armenia, all I can say is to stop behaving difference – the murders of the civilians with such contemporary freedom of body and mind, physical like irresponsible children lest the theatres are closed down once were not carried out by controlled mobs, audacity, totally unafraid of goofing around with such unre- again. but by servicemen of the Azerbaijani strained silliness. “Love French Style” was designed by Mary Areyan, the armed forces and the relevant videos The youthful and enthusiastic cast includes a bunch of wild choreographer was Naka Mirzoyan and the musical design were uploaded on the Internet. and attractive actors; Hayk Petrosyan, Arthur Petrosyan, Georg was by the director himself. During the 44-day war, the Azerbai- Vardanyan, and hilariously droll (and sexy) comediennes Are- Congratulations to all and carry on the good and crucially jani armed forces, driven by a sense of vik Avetisyan, Laura Torosyan, and Ani Nikoyan. vital work. impunity, committed numerous viola- tions of international humanitarian and human rights law, which are manifesta- tions of mass atrocities, including ethnic Armenian Resettlement Coalition Launches to Benefit Displaced Families cleansing and war crimes. While adher- ing to the behavior of terrorist groups, YEREVAN — Four Armenia and dias- By addressing the critical issue of reset- the Azerbaijani armed forces committed pora-based community organizations have tlement in this complete and comprehen- violations against prisoners of war, ci- banded together to form the Armenian Re- sive manner, ARC’s beneficiary families vilians, barbarically destroyed histori- settlement Coalition (ARC) to immedi- will have the greatest chance for success cal-cultural monuments and desecrated ately address the thousands of Armenian in their new communities. The budget for sanctuaries. The executions of the Ar- families displaced from the Artsakh war one family resettlement is $37,500 and menian prisoners of war and civilians in that wish to permanently remain in Ar- ARC partners have committed a total of the Hadrut region of Artsakh and other menia. Focus on Children Now (FCN), $300,000 to resettle the first eight families. settlements fallen under the military Sahman NGO, Teach For Armenia and To date, more than 80 families have control of Azerbaijan are the results of the Paros Foundation have entered into a been initially screened and five have been the past uncondemned crimes. coalition agreement to form the Armenian selected as project beneficiaries. The Tav- Today, by paying tribute to the inno- Resettlement Coalition (ARC). Each of ush Region village of Nerkin Karmir Agh- cent victims of the Armenian massacres ARC’s members have agreed to take on an byur has been selected as the first reloca- in Sumgait, we once again emphasize important aspect of this complete restart The Tumanyan Family tion community and five homes have been the determination of the Republic of Ar- for these families in Armenia. purchased and reconstruction is underway. menia, Republic of Artsakh and all Ar- The Paros Foundation is financially Discussions are taking place with approved menians to live a free, independent and responsible for purchasing homes, home dergarten-aged children to attend school family members regarding economic op- dignified life in their homeland.’ renovations and its staff to identify and and secure the benefit of early education. portunity including agribusinesses. School The Sumgait pogrom targeted the Ar- screen families for resettlement. Sahman Teach For Armenia will provide each and village leaders in Nerkin Karmir Agh- menian population of the seaside town NGO, will finance, design and imple- school-aged child a computer tablet and byur are engaged and preparing to wel- of Sumgait in Soviet Azerbaijan in late ment a significant economic support ef- internet connection. In addition, Teach For come this new influx of people into their February 1988. It occurred in the ear- fort to enable each family to successfully Armenia’s Emergency Education Program community. ARC hopes to move the first ly stages of the Karabakh Movement. generate enough income to care for their will work directly with school leadership family into their home by early March. On February 27, 1988, mobs of ethnic family. Focus on Children Now (FCN) to provide additional educational and To donate to ARC and its effort to re- Azerbaijanis formed into groups and will completely furnish the family home psychological support for these children settle displaced Armenian families from attacked and killed Armenians on the including major appliances and will sup- as part of their community transition and Artsakh, visit: streets and in their apartments; wide- plement each of the family’s children with integration. Coalition partners will offer For more information, contact any of spread looting and a general lack of a three-month nutrition. In addition, FCN final approvals for each aspect of the com- the coalition partners or email armenian- concern from police officers allowed will underwrite the tuition of any kin- plete package for each family. [email protected] the violence to continue for three days. 4 SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR ARMENIA Unlawful Attacks on Medical Facilities And Personnel in Nagorno Karabakh Human Rights Watch visited the hospital in November had never been used for any other purposes, and that the New Research on Three and found that the attack had caused significant damage. International Committee of the Red Cross had the hos- A small structure by the gate was largely destroyed, and pital’s coordinates. The front of the admissions building Incidents from 2020 Conflict the medical workers’ housing in the back was severely was marked with a large Bowl of Hygieia, a cup with damaged. The outer walls of the main building showed a snake, a pharmacy and medical symbol. According to blast and fragmentation damage, and the windows were hospital staff, ambulances were coming and going around By Hugh Williamson shattered. the clock. In the yard, there were remnants of several burned vehi- A hospital staff member showed Human Rights Watch MARTAKERT, Karabakh — Three unlawful attacks cles, too charred to identify. The staff said that most were a small, one-story building about 100 meters behind the on medical facilities by Azerbaijani forces during the six- military ambulances. hospital, which he said had served as a warehouse for week armed conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh have come to Sasha Baghiryan, a 63-year-old hospital maintenance landmines. He said that “all the landmines were picked light in recent Human Rights Watch research in the re- worker, and Hayk Aghajanyan, a 20-year-old military ser- up by the military and moved elsewhere when the fight- gion. viceman who had been assigned to the hospital to help ing began in September.” The warehouse as such likely Human Rights Watch documented multiple unlawful carry the wounded and run errands for medical workers, represented a legitimate military target, and by storing strikes on a public hospital in Martakert in September said the attack took place between 4:00 and 4:30 p.m. Sat- landmines so close to the hospital Armenian forces put through November 2020, and an unlawful strike on a mil- ellite imagery shows that the attack took place between the hospital, its staff, and patients at risk. However, the itary hospital in the town’s outskirts in October. The hos- 11:48 a.m. local time, on October 14, and 11:54 a.m. local warehouse was empty at the time of the attack and there pitals were very close to the front lines at the time. time, on October 15. At the time of the attack, both men were no military positions on the hospital grounds, the The weapon used by Azerbaijani forces against the were in the basement, where medical workers were per- staff member said. military hospital — a satellite-guided variant of an Is- raeli-supplied rocket artillery system called LAR-160 — suggests that the strike was intentional. The strikes on the public hospital, including with Grad rockets and cluster munitions, appeared indiscriminate. The attacks damaged both hospitals and impeded medi- cal work, but no one was wounded or killed in the attacks. On-site observations, analysis of videos, most of which were on social media, and satellite imagery analysis en- abled Human Rights Watch to identify numerous legitimate military targets in Martakert, some of them close to the two hospitals. By locating military facilities, equipment, or personnel inside the city, and near the two hospitals, Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenian authorities endangered civilians and put medical workers and their patients at risk. Human Rights Watch also documented a deliberate at- tack on September 28, apparently by Azerbaijani forces, on an Armenian military ambulance, in which assailants shot and killed a military doctor. Human Rights Watch previously documented dam- age to two hospitals in Stepanakert, the capital city of Nagorno-Karabakh, due to Azerbaijan’s indiscriminate strikes in October, and documented damage to a health clinic in the Azerbaijani city of Barda, in an indiscrimi- nate attack by Armenian forces. Medical facilities and personnel are civilian objects with special protections under the laws of war. They in- clude hospitals, clinics, medical centers, and ambulanc- es and other medical transportation, whether military or civilian. Parties to a conflict are obligated to ensure that they do not endanger or harm medical personnel, and do not attack or damage hospitals and ambulances. The analysis of these unlawful attacks is not intended The yard of the Martakert military hospital damaged in the October 14, 2020 attack by Azerbaijani forces, to be a comprehensive account of all damage to medical Martakert, Nagorno-Karabakh. © 2020 Dmitry Beliakov for Human Rights Watch facilities during the armed conflict. The Azerbaijani gov- ernment alleged, as of October 13, that six medical facili- ties had been damaged. Armenian authorities told Human forming surgery on three wounded servicemen. Indiscriminate Strikes on Martakert Watch that at least nine medical facilities were damaged Baghiryan and Aghajanyan said that they heard four Public Hospital in Stepanakert, and in the Martakert, Martuni, and Asker- separate explosions as the rockets hit one after the other. Martakert’s public hospital, the R. Bazyan District an districts of Nagorno Karabakh. Aghajanyan showed Human Rights Watch four impact Medical Association, is on the northern end of Sakharov craters. Street, which suffered extensive shelling damage during Possible Targeted Attack on Martakert An examination of the impact sites, weapon remnants, the six-week war. Military Hospital and the proximity of the four points of impact suggest that At the southern end of Sakharov Street, 800 meters Azerbaijani rocket artillery hit a military hospital in the strike was carried out by the satellite-guided variant from the hospital, there is a military installation, with Aghabekalanj, a village just southwest of Martakert city, of an Israeli-supplied rocket artillery system called LAR- military positions and military vehicles. A local resident along the main road, in an apparently deliberate strike on 160, using EXTRA rockets. The Stockholm Internation- said that he and his battalion were based there throughout October 14, 2020. al Peace Research Institute lists the transfer of LAR-160 the hostilities. When a Human Rights Watch researcher Before being hit, the hospital had been providing first launchers and EXTRA rockets from Israel to Azerbaijan examined the site in November, it had been clearly dam- aid to the wounded — as many as 130 a day, hospital staff in 2005-2006. An EXTRA rocket is equipped with a uni- aged by shelling. told Human Rights Watch — some of whom were then tary warhead containing 120 kilograms of explosives, and Another military installation that, as of October 8, had transported to Stepanakert for further treatment. its manufacturer claims that accuracy of less than 10-me- visible activity, is about 250 meters from the hospital. A The nearest military installation is 1.5 kilometers to ters (circular-error-probable) can be achieved by the rock- satellite image taken at 11:54 a.m. local time on Septem- the south, along the main road. Satellite imagery taken et’s satellite guidance capability. ber 27, 2020, shows new damage to at least five buildings on October 8 shows that one of the installation’s build- In light of the preexisting military positions that were on the north edge of this base, indicating that the site was ings had been hit, damaging its roof. The satellite imagery about 350 meters from the hospital, and the constant, struck several times hours after the hostilities began. also shows military positions that pre-date the outbreak of heavy shelling of the area near the hospital, the October Dozens of military positions and earthen berms, which hostilities, fewer than 350 meters southwest of the hospi- 14 strike may have been indiscriminate. However, the ac- were there before the start of hostilities on September 27, tal. Earthen berms are also visible about 150 meters north curacy of the LAR-160 gives a basis to conclude that the some as close as 350 meters from the hospital, are visible of the hospital. strike may have been deliberate. on satellite imagery. These positions are especially con- As Azerbaijani forces frequently shelled Martakert and The hospital roof was not marked with a red cross to centrated in the eastern part of the town and oriented in surrounding areas during the conflict, patients were treat- signify that it was a medical facility, but the then-om- the direction of the line of contact. As of October 8, there ed in the two-story hospital’s reinforced basement, where budsperson for Nagorno Karabakh told Human Rights were large vehicles at some of these positions, suggesting medical staff also slept. Watch that the facility was well known as a hospital, that they may have been in use. SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR 5 ARMENIA

A video recorded on October 6 that credible local sources gave Human Rights Watch shows military per- sonnel and a transport vehicle driving along Sakharov Street, approximately 100 meters south of the hospital entrance. Due to intense shelling in the area from the first day of hostilities, on October 4 the hospital staff were evacuated to a village some thirty km away and the hospital became a military medical triage center for wounded Armenian forces. A hospital custodian who regularly checked the facil- ities after the civilian evacuation said the hospital was hit several times on various days during the six weeks of fighting. In the October 8 satellite imagery, several impact craters are also visible in the immediate vicinity of the military in- stallation that is 250 meters from the hospital. The October 6 video also shows a large impact crater on the main road, approximately 210 meters west of the hospital. Three witnesses said most of the damage to the hos- pital was inflicted on November 9, when shelling in the area was particularly heavy. Satellite imagery shows that the military installation 250 meters from the hospital was also struck sometime between the early afternoon on No- vember 9 and the morning of November 10. Human Rights Watch visited the hospital on November 24 and noted significant blast and fragmentation damage to the hospital and the adjacent outpatient clinic. Numer- ous munition fragments were seen at impact sites in the hospital yard, in particular fragments of Grads and cluster munitions carried by LAR-160 rockets. A staff surgeon at the hospital, Dr. Tigran Arzumanyan, and a staff pedi- View from the window of the Martakert military hospital, which was struck by Azerbaijani rocket artillery on atrician, Dr. Khachatur Melikyan, said that the hospital’s October 14, 2020. Martakert, Nagorno-Karabakh. © 2020 Dmitry Beliakov for Human Rights Watch roof was also damaged in several places. The two doctors said that when the shelling began on September 27, staff moved all 39 patients, including chil- stroyed. Both Azerbaijan and Armenia used them exten- [forces]… and then everything happened so quickly,” dren and mothers with newborn babies, to the basement. sively during the six-week conflict. Use of cluster mu- said the sergeant. Dr. Rustamyan’s relatives showed Hu- Those whose health allowed it were discharged that day, nitions shows blatant disregard for civilian life and both man Rights Watch his death certificate stating that he had and the rest were promptly evacuated to Stepanakert, 46 countries should join the Convention on Cluster Muni- died of multiple bullet wounds. He was a recent graduate kilometers away. tions, which bans them, ratified by 110 countries. They of the Armenian State Medical University. They said that during the first day of hostilities the should also make an immediate commitment not to use “The windshield was riddled with bullets,” the driver hospital also provided first aid to 80 wounded military indiscriminate weapons, like Grads, in populated areas. said. He recalled touching his head and feeling blood on servicemen, 78 of them with fragmentation wounds, and On September 28, a group of five apparent Azerbaijani his hand. He executed a protective maneuver by putting several wounded civilians. servicemen attacked an ambulance on the road in Kalba- the car in reverse, and then turning it over on its left side, “We lost electricity, so we had to use flashlights while jar district of Azerbaijan, killing a military doctor, Sasha by a gorge. He saw Dr. Rustamyan turning back towards working on the wounded,” said Dr. Melikyan. “When the Rustamyan, 26, and injuring the driver and the accompa- the ambulance. Ten meters away from it, he was shot in first munition landed here, it was such a big bang that the nying Armenian army sergeant. the back and fell to the ground. “I knew he was dead,” tiles in the basement flew up.” At the time, Kalbajar district, now under Azerbaijani the driver said. “I pushed what remained of the wind- Several days into the hostilities, the hospital staff were control, was still held by Armenian forces. The driver, shield out with my hand, crawled out, shut my eyes, then evacuated to Chdlran village, where they worked as a tri- 26, and the sergeant, 41, interviewed separately, said threw myself into the gorge… While I was rolling down, age brigade for the wounded. that the attack took place between 1 and 2 p.m. by the I heard an explosion.” Due to the sheer number of strikes on the hospital, Hu- Omar mountain pass, which is very close to the then-line The driver, diagnosed with a concussion and mild man Rights Watch was not in a position to match par- of contact. The ambulance was heading to pick up the injuries, and severe shock spent a month in a hospital ticular strikes with specific damage. But neither of the wounded at a frontline position, and the sergeant rode in recovering. The sergeant was at a hospital undergoing explosive weapons that Azerbaijani forces used in these the ambulance to provide directions. treatment for his arm wound when Human Rights Watch strikes – Grads and cluster munitions – can be targeted Suddenly, they saw five servicemen, in fatigues and interviewed him in December. with enough accuracy to have avoided damaging civilian armed with assault rifles, possibly a patrol, blocking the The ambulance was a regular UAZ-3962 medical ser- structures in the area. road. The ambulance stopped some 25 to 30 meters away. vice vehicle. Although painted khaki, it cannot be con- Explosive weapons with wide-area effects may have a Dr. Rustamyan jumped out, apparently intending to speak fused with any other type of military vehicle because of large destructive radius, be inherently inaccurate, or de- to the servicemen, but they opened fire on the vehicle. the prominent red-cross markings, including just above liver multiple munitions at the same time, causing high “[Dr. Rustamyan] must have thought they were our the windshield, and the “medical service” sign on the civilian loss if used in populated areas. Often a single side. At the time of the attack, the driver, the sergeant, and weapon will fall into two of these categories. the doctor were dressed in Armenian military fatigues, Grads are unguided rockets that cannot be targeted ac- but the doctor wore a medical insignia on his sleeve. The curately and are often fired in salvos from multi-barrel driver had an assault rifle, which the doctor held while rocket launchers to saturate a wide area. Based on the riding but left in the vehicle when he got out of the car to examination of the fragments and the impact points, Hu- speak to the gunmen. man Rights Watch concluded that Azerbaijani forces used Carrying firearms for self-defense does not constitute “enhanced fragmentation” Grads, which have a layer of an act “harmful to the enemy,” and the vehicle retains its steel spheres imbedded between the explosive substance status as a medical unit. and the skin of the rocket to maximize casualty-produc- Neither the driver nor the sergeant could see identify- ing effect. ing insignia on the fatigues of the servicemen nor heard Grad rockets cannot be targeted with sufficient pre- them speak. The overall context strongly suggests that cision to differentiate military targets, which may be the attackers were Azerbaijani forces. attacked, from civilians and civilian structures, such as Ambulances have protected status under international homes and schools not being used for military purposes, humanitarian law, and the presence of military service- which are protected from attack. So, their use in popu- men and firearms in an ambulance does not remove the lated areas violates the laws-of-war prohibition against protection unless there are grounds to suggest that it is indiscriminate attacks. being used for purposes harmful to the enemy, such as Cluster munitions, in this case carried by LAR-160 conveying soldiers to the front line or carrying out at- rockets – Human Rights Watch found two rocket bodies tacks. There is no evidence to suggest either was the case in the yard, close to one of the impact points – are an Remnant of a rocket body found on the grounds of on September 28. inherently indiscriminate weapon banned by an interna- the Martakert military hospital, Martakert, Na- The servicemen on the road should have taken all fea- tional treaty. They typically open in the air, dispersing gorno-Karabakh. Human Right Watch’s examina- sible precautions to ensure that the vehicle and its oc- multiple bomblets or submunitions over a wide area, tion of the impact sites, weapon remnants, and the cupants were valid military targets before carrying out putting anyone in the area at the time of attack, whether proximity of the four points of impact indicate that an attack. The attack on the marked ambulance and the combatants or civilians, at risk of death or injury. Many the October 14, 2020 strike was carried out by the subsequent killing of Dr. Rustamyan appear to have been of the submunitions do not explode on contact, but re- satellite-guided variant of an Israeli-supplied rocket carried out deliberately and may constitute a war crime. main armed, becoming de facto landmines. artillery system called LAR-160, using EXTRA rock- Locations contaminated by unexploded submunitions ets. © 2020 Tanya Lokshina/Human Rights Watch (Hugh Williamson is the Human Rights Watch Direc- remain dangerous until the remnants are cleared and de- tor for Europe and Central Asia Division.) 6 SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL NEWS United States, Turkey Warn Armenian No Update on Armenia- Registered Boeing Ending Up in Iran Military Not to Meddle in Politics YEREVAN (PanArmenian.net) — WASHINGTON (RFE/RL) — The US The US Embassy in Yerevan issued a Sarkissian was in no rush to sack the chief The civil aviation authority on March State Department has warned Armenia’s similar statement earlier on Thursday amid of the army’s General Staff, Onik Gaspary- 1 failed to provide information about armed forces to stay out of politics but mounting political tensions in the country. an, and planned on Friday to meet the latter an Armenia-registered Boeing 737 stopped short of calling their demands for In an unprecedented statement, the Arme- as part of his efforts to de-escalate the po- which found its way to Iran under Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resig- nian military’s top brass demanded the res- litical situation. unknown circumstances in mid-Feb- nation a coup at- Turkish President ruary. tempt. Recep Tayyip Erdo- The Aviation Committee did say The depart- gan condemned on that an investigation is underway and ment spokesman, Friday, February 26, that the Armenian authorities are in Ned Price, said “We urge all parties to exercise what he described as close contact “with all stakeholders.” late on Thursday, attempts to stage a The agency on March 1 said that more February 25, that restraint and to avoid any military coup in Ar- information will be provided in the the United States escalatory or violent actions,” menia. near future. is “very closely” “[Prime Minister] The Foreign Ministry said, mean- monitoring politi- Ned Price Nikol Pashinyan is while, that the Armenian side has not cal developments already in a situation U.S. State Department Spokesperson received a note of protest from the in Armenia. where the people US Embassy in Yerevan. “We urge all could achieve his res- Analyst and expert on US foreign parties to exer- ignation. But if they policy Suren Sargsyan said earlier cise restraint and to avoid any escalatory ignation of Pashinyan and his government, are talking about a direct overthrow of the that the plane was given or sold to or violent actions,” Price told a daily news accusing them of putting Armenia “on the government then our position is clear: we Iran under unknown circumstances. briefing in Washington. “We remind all brink of destruction” after the war in Na- are against such steps,” he said, according He said it is surprising that the avi- parties of the bedrock democratic principle gorno-Karabakh. Pashinyan rejected the de- to the Anadolu news agency. ation authorities have allowed that that states’ armed forces should not inter- mand as an attempt to stage a military coup. “Turkey opposes any coups, including to happen, given the international vene in domestic politics.” Price made clear that the military’s ac- in Armenia,” added Erdogan, who himself sanctions against Iran. The aircraft “The United States has been a steadfast tions have so far not met Washington’s was nearly overthrown by Turkish army was supposed to arrive in Armenia supporter of the development of democrat- definition of a coup d’etat. units in 2016. days ago but landed in Tehran instead. ic processes and institutions in Armenia. “As you know, the Department of State Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Çavu- We continue to support Armenia’s democ- has a process to determine whether a coup soglu made similar comments on Thurs- Polish Politician Offers racy and its sovereignty, and we urge its has transpired … Of course, there has been day. Himself in Exchange for leaders to resolve their differences peace- no such determination in this case,” he said. “It is unacceptable when the military de- fully while respecting the rule of law, Ar- Unlike Pashinyan, Armenian President mands the resignation of an elected gov- Armenian POWs menia’s democracy, and its institutions,” Armen Sarkissian did not describe the mil- ernment,” he said. “So we condemn the WARSAW (Panorma.am) — Pol- he said. itary’s demands as a coup attempt. Also, coup attempt in Armenia.” ish politician Tomasz Lech Buczek, who actively presented Azerbaijan’s war crimes in Artsakh from the very beginning of the 2020 war, has sent Dutch Parliament Urges Govt to Recognize Armenian Genocide a letter to Azerbaijani President Il- THE HAGUE, Netherlands (FAON, Committee for their support for years. government’s current approach. ham Aliyev, offering himself in ex- Euronews) — The House of Representa- The motion’s message is that a clear lan- Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok had change for Armenian prisoners of tives of the Netherlands adopted on Feb- guage is needed to resolve precarious issues advised against the motion prior to the war (POWs). ruary 25 a motion put forward by MP Joël in the future. The FAON considers this idea vote, arguing that the term genocide car- “In the name of eternal truth, faith Voordewind (ChristenUnie), calling on the especially important, given the current situ- ried “an enormous connotation,” while and love for others. In the name of Dutch government explicitly to recognize ation, in which Genocide Watch warned of caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte pre- humanism, I propose the President the Armenian Genocide, reports the Federa- a new genocide during the war in Nagorno viously has stated that the motion would that my person, Tomasz Lech Buczek, tion of Armenian Organisations in the Neth- Karabakh, and after the war both Turkey not contribute to reconciliation between be exchanged for Armenian prison- erlands (FAON). and Azerbaijan are aggressive towards Ar- Armenia and Turkey. ers of war detained, humiliated and The motion was adopted almost unan- menia. tortured in Azerbaijan, with the con- imously. This very broad support for the The failure to identify and recognize his- dition of their immediate release,” motion shows that for too long there has torical events as genocide can be considered the letter said. been great dissatisfaction in the parliament as the wrong signal. There are over 300 desperate fam- how the successive governments have dealt The FAON assumes that the government Karabakh Adopts ilies waiting for them, Buczek noted. with the Armenian Genocide. will not disregard this very clear statement Earlier in February, the politician FAON, the 24 April Committee and all of the Parliament and will implement it. Statement on Azeri sent the first copy of his publication Armenians are thankful to Joël Voordewind In earlier motions (2015, 2018), the Par- about Azerbaijani war crimes against and also to the many other MPs, who were liament explicitly recognized the Armenian Occupation of Its the Armenians of Artsakh during the committed to the recognition of the Arme- Genocide, after the Dutch Parliament had recent war to Aliyev and a number of Territories nian genocide for many years. Many of already recognized it in 2004 in the mo- world leaders, including Emmanuel them showed their commitment by being tion by MP Rouvoet adopted unanimously, STEPANAKERT (PanArmenian.Net) Macron and Joe Biden. present at 24 April commemorations, at which appeals to the government “to ex- — The National Assembly of Artsakh (Na- Genocide monuments, concerts, such as the pressly and continuously raise the recogni- gorno-Karabakh) has declared that Kara- Trilateral Working Group Armenian Genocide Centennial commem- tion of the Armenian Genocide during the bakh territories under Baku’s control have On Nagorno Karabakh to oration concert in the Grote Kerk in the bilateral and EU dialogue with Turkey.” been occupied by the Azerbaijani military. Hold a Meeting via Video- Hague. FAON also thanks the members of With the new motion, the parliament an- The statement drafted by lawmaker Davit Conference the Recommending Committee of 24 April nounces that it can no longer agree with the Melkumyan was approved by Karabakh’s parliament on Monday, March 1. 2021. YEREVAN (Panorama.am) — According to the document, Azerbai- The fourth meeting of the trilateral jan’s aggression against Artsakh and the working group (Russia, Azerbaijan, New Indictment Against Paylan From Ankara occupation of said territories can’t have a Armenia) on Nagorno Karabakh at ISTANBUL (Nor Marmara) – On February 27, it was re- legal impact on the status of the Artsakh the level of deputy prime ministers ported in the Turkish press that the Ankara Chief Prosecutor’s Republic and the process of determining its will be held on March 1 in a video Office has considered Garo Paylan, HDP deputy representing borders during future negotiations. conference mode, Russia’s Deputy Diyarbakir, as a criminal due to his use of the word sevgili The National Assembly also reaffirmed Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk (Turkish for “dear” - or “sireli” in Armenian) prefixed to the that Nagorno-Karabakh proclaimed inde- told reporters. names of Selahattin Demirtas, Figen Yuksekdagi, and Leyla pendence on September 2, 1991, based on At their recent meeting, the par- Guven. According to the prosecutor’s office, by saying “Dear the USSR legislation and the norms of in- ties discussed the implementation of Selahattin Demirtas,” “Dear Figen,” and “Dear Leyla Guven,” ternational law. agreements on transport and econom- Garo Paylan praised terrorism and those who support terrorism. The Karabakh lawmakers also agreed ic relations concluded between the Paylan made the statements on March 26, 2019 in the that Azerbaijan has violated its obligations leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Cinar district of Diyarbakir, in the lead-up to the regional to renounce the use of force or threat of Armenia and decided to finalize their elections. The prosecutor’s office sees criminality in Paylan’s force by launching large-scale hostilities draft report envisaged in their January speech and now demands that his parliamentary immunity Garo Paylan against Artsakh, which has resulted in the 11, 2021 statement. be dissolved. death of thousands of people and the delib- erate destruction of civilian infrastructure and cultural heritage sites. SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR 7 Community News

Super Grandmaster Maine Foundation Levon Aronian to To Tackle Impact of Move to Saint Louis, Azerbaijani Aggression Represent the US On Artsakh Population WESTBROOK, Maine — Author, SAINT LOUIS, Mo. — The Saint lawyer, lecturer and human rights ad- Louis Chess Club announced this week vocate, Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte that Armenian Grandmaster (GM) Le- in January launched the Anna Ast- von Aronian will relocate to Saint Louis, vatsaturian Foundation, a nonprofit MO and represent the USA in future corporation that will focus its efforts competitions. “I am sincerely proud to on community initiatives in Armenia, have had the honor of making a signifi- Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh and the cant contribution to the greatest achieve- Armenian Diaspora. The first project ments of Armenian chess. Clearly, it is of the foundation will work toward impossible to reach world heights in determining the impact of Azerbaijani chess without the huge amount of work aggression on the Artsakh population. done at home and Over the past decade, Astvatsatu- through the sup- rian Turcotte spearheaded dozens of port of my fellow humanitarian, development, cultural, countrymen. I tru- environmental and educational proj- ly appreciate the ects worldwide to support the com- personal attention munity and to benefit the vulnerable and support that population in Armenia and Artsakh I received from Republic. These include but are not the third Presi- limited to the following: Renovation dent of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan for of 7 school bathrooms with Paros many years.” Foundation in Khndzoresk, Armenia; The 38-year-old grandmaster first planting a forest with Armenia Tree made a name for himself by winning Project in Talin, Armenia; support- the 1994 World Youth Chess Champi- ing the Artsakh Ballet College with onship. Aronian went on to lead the Ar- 300 ballet costumes, clothing and menian national team to three Olympiad hundreds of dance shoes; supporting gold medals (2006, 2008, 2012) and women’s group initiatives across Ar- one World Team Championship gold On the plaza menia; providing medical eye care, (2011). Throughout his career Aronian surgeries and eyewear to two villages has amassed many individual victories in Syunik region of Armenia; bath/ as well, including the World Cup (2005, kitchen portable unit for Artsakh bor- 2017), Linares (2006), Corus/Tata Steel der post with Armenian Wounded (2008, 2011), Norway Chess (2017), Heroes Fund (AWHF); and hundreds Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz (2017, 2019) Flame of Faith and the Sinquefield Cup (2015, 2018). NEW YORK — In a ceremony that connected Armenia’s deeply-rooted traditions Aronian is also a world champion in with our unwavering Christian faith today, New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral three formats; he is a former Chess960 celebrated the eve of the Feast of the Lord’s Presentation to the Temple (Dyarnunta- World Champion (2006, 2007), World rach). Rapid Champion (2009), and World The two-part, pre-festal service of prayer and light, presided over by Diocesan Pri- Blitz World Champion (2010). mate Bishop Daniel Findikyan, took place the evening of Saturday, February 13, as “Levon played in our first-ever Sin- a prelude to the badarak the following morning on the presentation day itself. The quefield Cup in 2013. I’ve come to events were broadcast over the Facebook pages of St. Vartan Cathedral and Vemkar, know him over the years to be a fierce enabling the faithful to bear witness to this spiritually-uplifting and inspiring service competitor and true gentleman. He rep- from their homes. resents the best of our sport,” said Rex The event began with a brief “anticipatory prayer service” within the warmth of Sinquefield, co-founder of the Saint the cathedral sanctu- Louis Chess Club. “When he came to ary, where members us with interest in moving to Saint Louis of the clergy partici- Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte and representing the U.S., I could think pated in the recitation of no one better. We welcome him with of prayer, as a small open arms.” group of lay people of military grade medical kits for Art- The Saint Louis Chess Club has be- observed and prayed sakh border posts with AWHF. come a second home to Aronian. After while socially dis- To maximize the impact of her winning the 2019 Saint Louis Rapid & tanced from the pews. work, Astvatsaturian Turcotte took Blitz, he spoke fondly of his many visits Worshippers then the first steps to formalize the foun- to the Central West End. At the closing moved in proces- dation in the spring of 2020. As Art- ceremony he remarked, “I love playing sion outside to the sakh and Armenia begin to rebuild in in the city of Saint Louis, where chess snow-covered cathe- their post-war reality, the foundation players are proud to be chess players and dral plaza, braving the will continue her work to strengthen we’re loved, and that is mainly thanks frigid temperatures. the Armenian nation independently to the Sinquefield family.” Clergy gathered be- and in collaboration with her trusted Aronian joins dozens of other chess fore the bonfire, situ- partners. players who have decided to make ated in the middle of This first project is a detailed and Saint Louis, the nation’s chess capital, the plaza, to continue well-planned initiative to collect their home. The “Sinquefield Effect” is the second part of the empirical data on the displaced and largely credited with the resurgence of service. Amidst the affected population of Artsakh. The see MOVE, page 9 censing and singing of project began in December 2021 in

hymns, the light of the Bishop Daniel Findikyan at the service partnership with Armenia’s Associ- bonfire cut through ation of Social Workers, and in col- the darkness of the laboration with the Ministry of Labor cold night, its flames bathing the plaza in a deep orange hue under the night sky. and Social Affairs of Republic of Ar- The faithful, who remained appropriately distanced from one another at the foot of menia, the Ministry of Housing and the stairs leading from the cathedral sanctuary to the plaza, watched and bowed their Social Affairs of the Republic of Art- heads in reverence, their faces gently illuminated by firelight. sakh and the Offices of Armenia’s and The light took on special meeting this year on account of the darkness and fear that Artsakh’s Human Rights Ombuds- the covid pandemic has cast over the world. Yet, despite the freezing temperatures and men. Individuals interested in contrib- Aronian wins Saint Louis Rapid & blowing wind, the fire did not die out, symbolizing our enduring Christian Armenian uting to this project should contact the Blitz, 2019 faith. Foundation. The foundation’s website see FLAME, page 10 is www.astvatsaturian.org. 8 SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS Dr. Vartan Ghugasian Becomes Honorary Fellow Of Dental Honor Society BOSTON — On November 9, the American Academy of Dental Science, the first and oldest honor society for the field in the world, bestowed honorary fellowship to Dr. Vartan Ghugasian for his years of service to the organization. He has affectionately been referred to as the “patriarch” of the group and been a member for 38 years. Dr. Ghugasian became involved in humanitarian activities in Armenia in the wake of its inde- pendence. He volunteered to go to Armenia and make recommendations on the dental health of children. He shared his recommendations to the Howard Karagheusian Commemorative Corpo- ration. The findings and subsequent recommendation were felt to be overwhelming — building a state-of-the art dental clinic in Nork. The foundation, however, undertook making this a priority. Almost all the cities requested similar faculties to provide free dental care to children. Ultimately, the corporation constructed six modern facilities with staff throughout the country and to this day they continue operation. Ghugasian would arrange for one dental staff member regularly to come to the Boston area and learn the most modern techniques and procedures to disseminate knowledge to other staff members in regional clinics. In recognition of his humanitarian actions for the homeland, the Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and the government awarded him the Medal of St. Nerses Shnorhali. Ghugasian has remained active in teaching at Harvard and Tufts dentals schools as well as re- maining active in other dental societies. He is a founding member of the Armenian Dental Society, fellow of the International College of Dentists, a fellow of the American College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy as well Dr. Vartan Ghugasian (Photo by Leo Gozbekian) as others. He maintained a limited private practice in the Boston area until health issues interfered. AIWA Launches 2021-2022 Scholarship Program Eva & Jack Medzorian year the need for support far outweighs residents (see story on this page), and the available funds, and AIWA encourages do- New England affiliate has established the Endowment Fund Added nations for this important means of assis- Olga Proudian Scholarship of $1,000 an- tance and encouragement for talented and nually to a student in the field of diploma- BOSTON — The Armenian Internation- needy student applicants. cy. al Women’s Association (AIWA) announc- AIWA’s scholarship program was initi- AIWA and its affiliates also grant sev- es that it is now accepting scholarship ated with the Agnes K. Missirian Scholar- eral tuition scholarships to students at applications for the 2021-2022 academic ship, established in 1996 in memory of the the American University of Armenia, in- year. The deadline for submission is April professor of management at Bentley Uni- cluding $5,000 to fund two Alice Kanlian 19, 2021. versity who was an early AIWA member Mirak Scholarships there. New this year is the establishment of the and a strong advocate for women’s rights. Applications for all of these awards Eva and Jack Medzorian Scholarship En- Eva and the late Jack Medzorian Over the years grants have been added in can be made through AIWA’s new digital dowment Fund in the amount of $50,000. the names of Ethel Jaferian Duffett, Lucy scholarship portal whose link can be found In accordance with the wishes of the donor, Kasparian Aharonian (for students in on the AIWA website: www.aiwainter- Eva Medzorian, income will be allocated prominent among their efforts. the sciences), Nshan and Margrit Atiniz- national.org. Questions regarding AIWA annually to applicants from Armenia, spe- As co-founder as well as first president ian, Dr. Carolann S. Najarian, Hripsime scholarships can be directed to: scholar- cifically from the Tavush region, including of AIWA, Medzorian has stressed the im- Parsekian (for a student in the field of In- [email protected]. the border town of Berd. portance of diasporan support for inde- ternational Relations), Mary V. Toumayan, AIWA is now celebrating its 30th anni- The Medzorian awards will be added to pendent Armenia, and in recent years her Azniv Melidonian Renjilian, and Rose A. versary year. Information about its network scholarships awarded by AIWA annually, attention has become increasingly focused Hovannesian. of Armenian women and its programs to ranging in value from $500 to $5,000, to on the northeastern border of the country, The AIWA-Los Angeles Affiliate awards connect and elevate women globally can full-time female students of Armenian de- whose inhabitants face all the difficulties annually five to six Hasmik Mgrdichian be found on the website or by contacting scent attending accredited colleges or uni- of rural living as well as constant pressure Scholarships of $5,000 each to California AIWA at: [email protected] versities. Students from the United States from their nearby Azerbaijani neighbors. or abroad entering their junior or senior year in college, as well as graduate stu- $60,000 to $75,000 Awarded Annually dents, are eligible to apply for the awards, A total of $60,000 to $75,000 is awarded which are based on merit as well as finan- annually by AIWA (including the Central cial need. Board as well as its Affiliates) to graduate In establishing the new scholarships, and undergraduate students from the Unit- Eva Medzorian stressed the importance of ed States, Canada, Armenia, Syria, Leba- supporting rural areas of Armenia as well non, Turkey, and other countries in fields projects in the capital of Yerevan. Ever ranging from mathematics and architec- since the 1988 earthquake in Armenia, she ture to government, public administration, and her late husband Jack have made doz- medicine, art, and design. ens of trips to the country to meet pressing The scholarships are funded by endow- needs there, medical care and school aid ments as well as annual donations. Every SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2021 RMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR 9 COMMUNITY NEWS Armenia Tree Project: Lifting Villagers Out of Poverty BOSTON — Armenia Tree Project is improved and the quantity is raised. (ATP) purchased a total of 40,257 trees Currently, 30 families participate in the from its backyard nurseries in the villag- Backyard Nursery Micro-Enterprise project es of Aghavnavank, Margahovit and Keti in the village of Aghavnavank and Keti (Ta- in 2020. Thanks to the Backyard Nursery vush) and Margahovit (Lori). (BYN) program villagers are able to near- The coronavirus pandemic and the war in ly double their family income, attain more Artsakh added numerous socio-economic financial stability and avoid migrating for issues in Armenia in 2020. Nearly 80 per- work. cent of the residents of Aghavnavank village The structure of the program is the fol- are Armenian refugees who were relocated lowing: ATP provides seeds, cuttings and from Azerbaijan in the early 90’s. The recent seedlings to families in impoverished vil- war forced the residents of Aghavnavank to lages who tend and grow the plants in their relive the tragedies of the first Artsakh war, own backyards over a two year period. ATP when many of them fled their homes in the staff trains the landowners, supervises the Armenian communities of Azerbaijan to planting, and monitors the site throughout start their lives anew in Armenia. the process. Each family has a capacity to “History is repeating itself just like a mer- grow 1,500 to 2,000 tree seedlings in their ry-go-round. My people were forced to flee plots of land. Once the trees reach harvest- again as our village in Artsakh is currently ing stage, ATP pays the BYN owner for the Lianna Vshtunts under Azeri control in accordance with the healthy trees that are ready to be replanted. ceasefire agreement. This is indescribable These families then begin the nursery cycle pain and sorrow for all of us,” says BYN again with a new crop of trees. earning a livelihood that enables them to low ATP to focus on growing higher value owner Lusya Poghosyan, who is from the The backyard nurseries enable village remain rooted in their communities. Many trees, which require more active care, in its Martakert region of Artsakh. “This pro- residents to capitalize on their existing as- of the backyard nursery owners are wom- nurseries in Karin, Khachpar, and Chiva gram is one of the few things that gives us sets, which are mainly small parcels of pro- en, which creates a sense of empowerment, villages. The trees produced by BYN have hope for the future and it’s something we ductive agricultural land. By growing trees, equality, and entrepreneurship. become an important part of ATP’s forestry can always depend on. We love the work we they are contributing to sustainable forest In addition, growing seedlings in the and community plantings. Every year the do and we love working with ATP’s beauti- Wmanagement in their community and backyard nurseries frees up space to al- quality of trees the families produce for ATP ful team. They are always welcome guests in our community.” According to interviews conducted by ATP in Aghavnavank village, the approxi- mate average income for a family is $2,000 per year (less than $170 per month). This is based on at least one member of the fam- ily having a permanent job and receiving a monthly salary, but this is a “best case scenario.” Often, families in these villages live off the fruits of their labors, or receive a modest pension or children’s allowance from the government. The BYN program allows families to double their income. “The good thing about this program is that you don’t have to spend any mon- ey from your pocket. Any other business would require that,” says Vahe Malakyan of Margahovit village. The BYN sponsors donated bonuses for each of the families in January 2021 (in addition to the compensation the families received for the trees) as a reward for their hard-work of the past year and encourage- ment for the year ahead. Due to its success in providing critical so- cioeconomic aid to some of Armenia’s most vulnerable communities and the produc- tion of healthy planting material essential for Armenia’s reforestation, the BYN pro- gram is set to expand significantly and will be brought to dozens more families in the provinces of Shirak, Tavush and Lori in the next 3 years.

Super Grandmaster Levon Aronian to Move to Saint Louis, Represent the US MOVE, from page 7 American chess over the last decade. Aronian is currently ranked number five in the world, and he will join fellow world top-20 players Fabiano Caruana, Wesley So, Leinier Dominguez and Hikaru Nakamura to represent the United States. Aronian informed the Armenian Chess Fed- eration and his followers on Thursday, Feb- ruary 25, 2021 by stating, “I am very grateful to my family, relatives, friends, all the people who know my principles and understand my decision to change federations. I want to as- sure once again that I am connected to my homeland. By all means, I will continue to do the possible and the impossible for my country even from afar.” 10 SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR COMMUNITY NEWS

“What we are doing,” he said by way of an answer, “is continuing an ancient tradition held by the Armenian Church — which, according to the Armenian calendar, occurs the night before the 40th day after the birth of Flame of Christ.” Bishop Daniel then referenced the Gospel of Faith FLAME, from page 7 Christ’s Light Illuminates The Darkness As embers soared to the heavens, Bishop Daniel pas- sionately described the significance of the fire and what it represents in our Christian faith. “Sometimes, the most wondrous things appear in the strangest of places,” he began, as he looked from the bonfire on the plaza over to the apartment buildings sur- rounding the cathedral. “On this cold February night, you will see people are looking down on us right now, The bonfire outside on the plaza asking ‘Why are they gathered outside around a fire and singing, when they could be inside where it’s warm?’” ailing world, a great and wonderous gift in the strangest of places.” Bishop Daniel Findikyan “We light this fire to commemorate the miracle of sal- vation,” he said. Bishop Daniel concluded his message with a calling of spiritual reverence: “Let every one of us tremble in Luke 2:21-40, which tells the story of Mary and Joseph, awe and fear at the wonder that has been given to all of who, in accordance with the custom of devout Jewish us. The wonder that feels like the warmth of this fire, yet parents of the 1st century A.D., took their newborn son is greater than us gathering around it. May God open our Jesus to the Temple to present him to God. eyes and hearts and minds to be able to have the faith of “They said, ‘This child is your gift to us, Lord, and all of those who were brave enough to see the Light that now we give this child to you for your will, your work, is our Lord Jesus Christ.” your blessing, and for your good in this world,’ the Pri- The actual Feast of the Presentation went forward at mate continued. St. Vartan Cathedral on the following morning, Febru- “There at the Temple on that day, an old, pious man ary 14, with Bishop Daniel presiding over the badarak, named Simeon, just days away for his own death, looked celebrated by Diocesan Vicar Fr. Simeon Odabashian. down upon the child and said ‘Now my eyes have seen In an unusual confluence of church observances, this salvation.’” Bishop Daniel referred to this event as a year’s Feast of the Presentation of the Lord to the Tem- revelation of light for the nations of the world, and de- ple fell on the same day as Poon Paregentan, the prelude scribed it as a light that shines everywhere so that hu- to Great Lent (Medz Bahk), ushering the faithful into the man beings no longer live in darkness. “We now see the Lenten period of fasting, penance, and reconciliation. fullness of God’s purpose revealed in a wounded and —Stephan S. Nigohosian

At St. Vartan Cathedral SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR 11 COMMUNITY NEWS Arkansas Library Expansion Includes Special Sculpture By Lara Jo Hightower 80,000-square-foot-plus expansion. As Herrera explained the thoughtful func- the training,” says Johnson. “Everything “The Voyage of Lost Keys” by Aimee tion of each new space, one thing was abun- from teaching young children how to make FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (Arkansas Papazian, hangs in the Grand Staircase of dantly clear: The prescient forethought of healthy snacks to sommelier classes for Democrat Gazette) — “I have always the new FPL addition. “When I was grow- every choice made has the concept of com- adults is being considered.” imagined that Paradise will be a kind of ing up, there was a small plaque with a key munity in mind. Small nooks and meeting Johnson adds that access to the teaching a library,” wrote Argentinian author Jorge on the wall of my grandmother’s house in spaces throughout are comfortable spots to kitchen will be open to the community, Luis Borges. Flushing, N.Y.,” reads Papazian’s artist gather. The Center for Innovation and com- “including private entrepreneurs and small Indeed, when the Fayetteville Public statement. “That key was what was left of munity kitchen offer services that could business owners seeking additional space Library — closed to the public since late my grandfather’s house after the entire Ar- help start or boost careers. A dedicated story and capacity for their enterprises. What is September, when finishing touches on the expansion were being made — opened its doors in January, those viewing the $49-mil- lion expansion may see Borges’ prediction realized. I did, on a recent cold, windy De- cember day when Samantha Herrera, FPL marketing and communications manager, gave my 10-year-old twins and me a tour of the new space. While it’s true I knew they would come in handy to add some human interest to the photos I would take along the way, in reality, they pleaded so earnestly to come along, I couldn’t disappoint them. And Herrera was kind enough to oblige. As it is for many in Northwest Arkansas, the FPL has always been an important place for our family — a happy destination for all four of us — and that’s remained con- sistent from the time the kids were toddlers, pawing through board books, until today, as they gobble down chapter books and graph- ic novels. But like the demographics and in- terests of my own family, the Northwest Ar- kansas community is constantly in flux, and the FPL has made a commitment to keep up with that growth. When the Blair Library on Mountain Street first opened its doors in October 2004, it was an 88,000-square-foot, $23 million project that took visitors’ breath away. A modernized version of the tradi- tional library, it boasted a catalog of 270,000 books, 30,000 audiovisual titles and 500 pe- riodicals, and an Arsaga’s Cafe in its lobby “The Voyage of Lost Keys” by Aimee Papazian made it even more of a community hub than it had been in its previous space on Dickson Street. The popularity and necessity of the new building became immediately appar- menian quarter of the city where he lived in time room and craft space give relief to fraz- exciting is the potential for FPL to help meet ent, and the ensuing years found the library Turkey was burned down. He fled for his zled parents of tots. The Art and Movement the demand in this market.” constantly expanding its offerings, reaching life that day, along with most of the Arme- room will provide access to free or low-cost Art and Movement Room maximum capacity on most of its events nians in the country. He was 18 years old. dance and exercise classes. A librarian close With its floor-to-ceiling windows, -gor and running out of room for its burgeon- After the fire, a friend went back to where at hand in each section means questions can geous softwood dance floor, ballet barre and ing collections. Meeting and study rooms his house had been and found that key in be answered quickly and easily. The spa- towering room-length mirror, I just assumed were in constant demand. Multi-use rooms the ashes, and sent it to my grandfather’s cious event center gives additional opportu- that the pretty grouping of multi-colored meant chaos when one event immediately family. “I built a larger version of the key nities for more community members to see pegs at the far end of the Art and Movement followed another. When a special election on my grandparents’ plaque out of clay, and special speakers and productions. Room was another art installation. then cast it in plaster as And, of course, there are the books, the “No, those are just pegs for coats,” said a model. This was the beating heart of every library, regardless of Herrera. first key I made for this how modern or technologically advanced it It’s an easy mistake to make when you’re piece. Other keys are might be. standing in the middle of the airy, chic based on pictures of “Shelving the books in the new youth li- room, which is the first to greet you when historical keys. I have braries was a very significant milestone for you walk into the new expansion. The Art also included many me,” says Willow Fitzgibbon, director of and Movement Room will no doubt draw other keys, because so library services. “While the expansion is so interested people further into the building, many cultures have this much more than books, seeing the books on but, as Herrera points out, the billowing violent displacement shelves in the new spaces reminded me how curtains can be drawn to offer a bit more as part of their histo- entwined our traditional values of lifelong privacy. ry — or their present. learning, accessibility and innovation are in “You could definitely feel self-conscious This piece is a way to this expansion and all of the new services doing yoga in here if people can look in and imagine a mass migra- FPL will now be able to offer.” see everything,” she says with a laugh. “You tion — a way Teaching Kitchen might be able to still see a bit of the move- to think about With 16 cooking stations and a walk-in ment inside but not, ‘Oh, there’s my friend a people who refrigerator and freezer, the 1,500-plus- Sandy, doing Downward Dog.’” have lost their square-foot teaching kitchen has been Herrera says the FPL envisions classes homes and carefully designed in partnership with like tai chi, yoga and dance will be held in their place Northwest Arkansas Community College’s this room, as well as adult art classes when in the world, Brightwater culinary department in order tables are added. Aimee Papazian as still being to offer concurrent college credit opportu- “Personally, I am really excited for the Art somehow nities for Fayetteville Public High School and Movement Room,” says Fitzgibbon. connected to students. The library’s new “casual deli” is “Intellectual wellness and physical well- to consider a millage increase for an FPL each other.” located right outside the teaching kitchen, ness are closely tied, and having affordable, expansion was held in August 2016, voters Floor-to- allowing visitors to grab a quick sandwich unintimidating access to movement-based overwhelmingly approved the increase, and ceiling windows never let us forget the or salad and watch new chefs through the programs provides important health litera- construction officially started in July 2018. beautiful environment that surrounds the viewing window. Herrera says in addition cy to our community. I am also excited for Which brings us back to last month, building. There is a new, 8,700-square-foot to the Brightwater training, the kitchen can all of the opportunities the expansion offers when Herrera gave us our jaw-dropping event center, and the size of the children’s host culinary programming by professional my preschool-age daughter, who will grow tour. From the moment we walked into the library has doubled. Other additions include chefs and cookbook authors, as well as op- up with tremendous access to the arts and atrium-like new entrance and gazed at artist a 16-station teaching kitchen, an Art and portunities for the community at large. technology.” Aimee Papazian’s “Voyage of Lost Keys,” Movement room, the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt “We are planning to offer culinary train- Post-pandemic, Hoover says the room a magical sculpture that seemingly hangs in Family Center for Innovation and the J.B. ing for all ages and are in continued conver- will be available to local organizations as a mid-air, we were awed by the scale of the and Johnelle Hunt Family Gathering Place. sations with a variety of partners to provide rental for dance and exercise classes. 12 SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR Arts & Culture a Conversation with ... Saroyan, Hagopian Discuss Music and Vilen Mental Health in Instagram Live Galstyan Session By Harry Kezelian ‘My Life Was Spent in Mirror-Spectator Staff A Wonderful Creative FRESNO — We often hear that Atmosphere.’ music is good for one’s mental health. However we rarely hear this discussed By Artsvi Bakhchinyan by musicians within the Armenian community. For this reason, the Special to the Mirror-Spectator conversation on Instagram Live that YEREVAN took place on the evening of Thursday, The name Vilen Galstyan encom- February 25, between Dr. Tony Saroyan, pases a whole epoch in the story of a licensed psychologist, and Andrew Armenian ballet. Hagopian, a young oud virtuoso, was Born on February 12, 1941 in Ye- a welcome and novel addition to the revan, Galsytan graduated from the stream of online discussions that have Yerevan Choreographic School. He only proliferated since the start of Covid. started to perform at the Spendiary- Katah an Opera and Ballet Theater, quickly Saroyan, who grew up in Los Ange- becoming the central figure of Arme- les but whose roots on his father’s side nian ballet. He danced at the Bolshoi come from the Fresno Saroyans, and Theater, in England, France, the US, who has recently relocated to the Cen- Sweden, Japan, as well as in numer- tral California city, enlisted the young ous cities of the Soviet Union. Pro- Breaking Bread with lifelong Fresno resident Hagopian in fessor Galstyan is a People’s Artist an interesting discussion on music and of Armenia, winner of gold medals mental health. at the International Competitions in Saroyan started out the discussion Varna (1968) and Cairo (1971), laure- Armenian Katah with the observation that Armenian ate of the State Prize of the Armenian Church music, while often sad, pos- A classic bread frequently baked in Armenian-American sesses a quality that seems calming and SSR, holder of the Orders of Movses communities, katah is sometimes referred to as an “Arme- Khorenatsi and Mesrop Mashtots. spiritual. Without a music background, nian croissant.” It’s flaky, tender, and enriched with plenty he commented that the music is often He graduated from the balletmeis- of butter. This particular version is inspired by a recipe that ter department of Moscow Theater comprised of long notes and asked Ha- was shared with us by a member of our baking community, gopian if he could elaborate. Hagopian Institute, and went on to stage bal- Tali Gelenian. Tali learned to bake katah at the St. Hagop lets in Egypt, South Korea, Uruguay, discussed that church music contains Armenian Apostolic Church in Racine, Wis., where once drones and what we in the West would Russia, often with his wife, ballerina a year the bread is made in great quantities for the annual and dance teacher Nadezhda Davtyan call minor notes, and that it is indeed Madagh Armenian picnic. As Tali writes in her blog, this is calming for many and was probably (1951-2019). just one rendition of katah, and in fact there are many more For years since 2014, Galstyan has intended to be that way. versions found throughout the Caucasus, sometimes under In fact, Hagopian, who is almost been the chief choreographer of Spen- different names. diaryan Opera and Ballet Theater, as as well versed in Armenian history as well as the director of Yerevan Cho- Katah he is in music, discussed some of the reographic College. Breaking bread with Armenian : Armenian antecedents of what today In 2000, he founded the balletme- A story of community, celebration, and resilience is called music therapy. For example, siter department at the Yerevan Insti- medieval Armenian physician Mkhitar tute of Theater and Cinema. By Tali Gelenian Food builds community. Anyone who loves to cook or bake Heratsi in his book The Relief of Fevers And as if his services to art were knows that a shared meal has the unique ability to bring people (1184) had suggested that listening to not enough, he passed on his artistic together. For my Armenian family, the act of “breaking bread” is embodied in a special the music of the gusans (minstrels who tradition: the Madagh Armenian Picnic. usually played a stringed instrument With origins in the church, “madagh” means “offering” or “sacrifice” and refers to and sang) was therapeutic. Instruments the story of Abraham and Isaac in the Book of Genesis. Madagh is also what Armenians like the oud and kanon while not native have named the stew that is prepared for the event, traditionally made with lamb to to Armenia have been a part of Arme- represent the ram that God asked Abraham to offer in the place of his son, Isaac. The nian music for more than a thousand madagh stew is cooked over open-fire pits and provided for free by the church in the years. spirit of charity, good faith, and fellowship to all. Saroyan brought up the phenomenon For over 80 years, St. Hagop Armenian Apostolic Church in Racine, Wisconsin has that has been observed in Alzheimer’s sustained this old-country tradition. Armenians and non-Armenians alike gather for the patients, that when presented with Vilen Galstyan in an iconic image Madagh to enjoy a day of live Armenian music, dancing, church service, and perhaps music from their youth, they begin from “The Color of Pomegran- most importantly, food. to liven up and even remember exact ates” by Sergei Parajanov There are many delicious recipes that St. Hagop prepares for the picnic, but for bakers details from when they first heard the looking to expand their bread repertoire, katah is a perfect place to start. It’s one of our song. Hagopian testified that he has talents to his children, daughter Juliet most popular breads, and baked into this particular katah recipe is a story of community literally seen the same thing happen and son David, who today hold aloft and resilience that we continue to celebrate. when performing at Armenian events. the name of Galstyan on the interna- There’s no right or wrong way to make katah. A particular song that was familiar to tional stage, the former as an opera Katah is a classic Armenian bread. Sometimes called an “Armenian croissant,” katah a woman with Alzheimer’s caused singer (in Switzerland), the latter as a is an enriched, flaky loaf with many layers. To borrow an Armenian proverb:Amen geen the elderly lady to move around and ballet dancer (in France). eer madzoonzarneloo tsevuh oone, which translates to “every woman has her own way even dance, apparently remembering Vilen Galstyan’s 80th birthday cel- of making yogurt.” Or, simply put, there are many different ways of doing the same the classic piece from the Armenian ebration was a wonderful occasion to thing. In fact, many versions can be found throughout the Caucasus, sometimes under events of her youth. bewitch again the stage of the Spendi- different names. In the Armenian diaspora, in particular, recipes likekatah have become Turkish Music Controversial aryan Opera and Ballet Theater after more unique as various Armenian communities passed them down through generations. Saroyan pointed out that, for some, Turkish music can be triggering due a one-year break. On February 26, These differences and diversity have led to a whole host of delicious variations in see KATAH, page 14 the ballet “Masquerade” staged by flavor, shape, size, and decoration. to its association with the Armenian Galstyan was performed in honor of Some of the sweeter versions are more like puff pastry than bread, and others in- Genocide. Hagopian stated that he the patriarch of the Armenian ballet. clude a filling made of butter and sugar calledkhoriz . Although eaten year-round, katah plays this music on request for the Khachaturyan’s eternal music and the was traditionally baked for the feast of Candlemas commemorating the presentation many people who are not triggered by presence of the best soloists of the Ar- of Christ to the Temple before God. Katah is also sometimes made with a coin tucked it but associate the music with happy menian ballet on the stage in inside the dough, symbolizing good luck to whomever received that special piece. memories of their childhood, because see GALSTYAN, page 14 see KATAH, page 14 see HEALTH, page 16 SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR 13

ARTS & CULTURE Vilen Galstyan: ‘My Life Was Spent in a Wonderful Creative Atmosphere’ see GALSTYAN, page 13 was showing movements very well, as he had received cho- at me: “What did you decide there? Did you also want to GALSTYAN, from page 12 reographic education. It was easy for me to do what he said. escape, you, traitor to the motherland!” So it went… Then, this sad period of Armenia’s history energized the audience, I was blessed to be part of that beautiful legendary film, being in the US for the second time, I met Baryshnikov. It eager for high art. “The Color of Pomegranate.” Many did not understand, but was a bit sad meeting in a restaurant outside the city. Saying Mr. Galstyan, looking from the height of your artistic after the foreign screenings, everyone accepted that it was goodbye, Misha gave me a very expensive diamond ring to career, how do you regard it? an innovative film, a revolution in cinematography. take to his mother. I had to refuse because it was clear that In general, I have no reason to be dissatisfied with my Were there no other offers to act in films? the ring would cause me a big headache at the customs. artistic destiny. My life was spent in a wonderful creative at- Again from Parajanov. Once sitting together, we thought What other remarkable episode from your biography mosphere; I was able to do whatever I wanted — there was about how to shoot the Armenian epic, “David of Sassoun.” you can share with us? no role that I wanted to dance and I did not. Nature was so He did not know our epic well, so I took the book and read it I will tell you how I once was captured by [former Azer- kind to me — I was lucky to perform at the Bolshoi Theater to him. Another time I took the libretto of Edgar Hovhanni- baijan President] Heydar Aliyev! That year I was dancing and around the world, with the best ballerinas of the time: syan’s “David of Sassoun” opera-ballet to Parajanov to the with famous Tajik ballerina Malika Sabirova in Baku. The Ekaterina Maximova, Raisa Struchkova, Malika Sabirova, hotel. He asked to copy it, then said: “Give me an hour.” He Baku ballet company was preparing for a tour in France. Natalia Bessmertnova, Kaleria Fedicheva, Galina Ragozi- went to his bedroom, and an hour later brought his screen- When Minister of Culture Furtzeva came and watched the na, Valentina Ganibalova and Liliana Cosi. I was young at play “David of Sassoun.” But as you know, this desire of performances, she said: “You have no soloists, so Galstyan that time, so I was thinking it was something very usual, but Parajanov unfortunately has never been realized. and Sabirova will leave for France with you.” Heydar now, looking back, I realize what a miracle it really was. How was the attitude of Soviet Armenia’s government Aliyev, the then first secretary of the Communist Party of And now the main interest of my life is to continue to create toward ballet? Azerbaijan, who always brought flowers and drinks to my ballet performances for my theater, for my nation. It appreciated ballet very much, always watching our per- performances in large baskets (there was no such thing It can be said that the Armenian men’s ballet per- formances. Yerevan’s mayor, Grigor Hasratyan, once as a even in the Bolshoi Theater), called me and Malika to him forming school has been strengthened by you. shortcoming of our ballet, mentioned the lesser ballerinas. and said: “You are not in Baku to work, you are my peo- To this day, our boys’ school is very strong. At present, there is no leading ballet group in Europe without Arme- nian young men. There are few famous Armenian balleri- nas, while our nation provides gifted boys for ballet. It is a surprising phenomena. Our ballet teachers Hovhannes Di- vanyan and Hrachik Hovhannisyan are able to train good boys and our school seems to reconfirm that point. Our girls are very tender, very beautiful, very promising, but at the age of 15-16 their bodies begin to change in a way that is less conducive to ballet. You are the first Armenian ballet dancer to enter the international arena, winning a gold medal in 1968 at the Varna International Competition of classic ballet. The 1960s were the golden age of our ballet. In your opinion, what was the reason for that? Since we are talking about the past stage, it will not be immodest to say the following. Every job needs a leader and followers. I achieved a certain level in my art, so the others strove to reach that level too. The boys saw that I was bring- ing some new ele- ments and techniques Vilen Galsytan with the author, Artsvi Bakhchinyan (Photo by Marianna Meliksetyan) from Moscow. They were following me and trying to reach I said I could bring soloist girls ple, Caucasians, you should be my personal guests.” And that high level too. from Moscow and Leningrad, if he took us to his stunning and gilded seaside palace of old There was a healthy they provide apartments with ba- eastern royal style near Sumgait, that ill-reputed city in the envy for each other. sic conditions. Hasratyan immedi- near future. Malika and I swam in the sea, rested. Lavish Unfortunately, to- ately provided four apartments in dinners were given in our honor. We rested for five days, day our dancers cannot live on a ballet salary, but have to Yerevan, and I brought nine or ten Russian ballerinas. This then started training. Three days later we went to Baku, we “waste” themselves by working in pubs and clubs. Most of was the attitude towards ballet! Karen Demirchyan, the first rehearsed and danced with the group, thinking we would them have families, so they should take care of them. One secretary of the Armenian Communist Party was a great bal- go back to our daily routine, but Aliyev told us: “This was of our leading dancers does not even have an apartment. It let fan too, he knew almost everyone’s names. I personally still the first part, I won’t let you go!” They took us to that happened that in the evening I sit in some restaurant and had the right to contact him directly by phone. When there palace again, where we stayed for one more week. We lived sadly notice one of our ballet dancers, who instead of re- were VIP guests, he would call and order “Gayane” with the royally, but we realized all this was done so that we would laxing and keeping himself in good shape for tomorrow’s best staff. As about today’s government… I find it difficult not go to France. We went to Baku again and told Aliyev we rehearsal, earns extra money on the restaurant stage. to say. have a performance at the Bolshoi Theater. He finally let us This is really very upsetting. Mr. Galstyan, you have Your creative life has been full of remarkable epi- go. Malika and I fled to Moscow. Here Furtzeva, learning worked in a number of countries, staging ballets on four sodes. I know that you were also part of the Canadian that we are in Moscow, while the Baku group was already continents. What did that experience give to you? tour from which Mikhail Baryshnikov did not return. in France, angrily called Bulbul-oghli, Azerbaijan’s Minis- Each country has its advantages and disadvantages. I Would you tell us that story? ter of Culture, who was in Monte Carlo and said: “After loved Uruguay very much, where I staged “Don Quixote” With pleasure! Misha was a close friend of mine. In Lenin- you come back you will have lots of trouble!” They hastily and Aram Khachaturian’s “Spartacus” for the first time in grad, I danced “Don Quixote” with Kaleria Fedicheva, who bought tickets for Malika and me and we flew to France that country. The government appointed graduates of the was very tall, of a large physique. After the performance, the without checking in at the airport. Bulbul-oghli started to Moscow Theater Institute to work in different countries. leading dancers of the theater, Baryshnikov among them, justify himself, but it did not help, Furtzeva fired him. The Yekaterina Furtzeva, the Minister of Culture of the USSR, came to congratulate and said me: “You showed us how a Baku ballet group was very upset about our coming, but in highly valued me and sent me to stage or teach in different man should lift a woman. We cannot lift Kaleria!” From the end they realized that we were not to blame. And when countries. By the way, it was gossiped in Moscow that sing- that day on, my friendship with Misha Baryshnikov start- Malika and I went on stage in Paris, the audience applauded er Muslim Magomaev and I were Furtzeva’s lovers! But it ed. We went to Canada together. And once, at a banquet in us for ten minutes. was nothing of the kind (laughs). Toronto, Misha approached me, shook my hand and said in Years ago we were talking and you said that you con- Perhaps many people ask you about your cooperation a very strange way: “Brother, goodbye.” He did not say he nect the future of Armenian ballet with our brilliant with Sergey Parajanov. intended not to return to the Soviet Union, but I realized that young dancers working abroad, who will come and push It was a surprise for me. I did not think I would make a something was wrong. The KGB employee immediately ap- it forward. movie. There was a rumor that Parajanov, who was a pow- proached and asked me: “What did Misha say?” “He said he I think so now, too. One of them is my son, Davit, who erful name in those years, was coming to Yerevan to make was going to the hotel,” I replied. The KGB guy also disap- works in France and is aware of every step of world ballet, a film about Sayat-Nova. We thought he would choose peared from that banquet. Before that, Baryshnikov had left and knows much more than me. Even if they do not come one of our stage and screen actors. He came to watch our a note under the door of his stage partner Irina Kolpakova’s here to dance, but let them come to work as a choreogra- “Giselle” with composer Edgar Hovhannisyan, the then di- room, writing: “Irina Alexandrovna, I apologize a million pher, teach, lead the ballet. This art, indeed, does not end rector of the theater. After the performance, I was called to times, but I no longer want to live in Leningrad and dance with me! the director’s room. When I entered, Parajanov looked at in that theater. I am leaving.” And since Baryshnikov and me and exclaimed: “No casting anymore! My Sayat-Nova I were the leading dancers during this tour, after returning At the end of the conversation, Vilen Galstyan said: is standing here in front of us!” I said that I am not a film to Moscow, I was summoned for questioning by the KGB “Unfortunately, most of our people do not know the value actor, I have a bad memory, I will not remember the words. every day. A surly employee started to speak threateningly: of ballet. It is very gratifying to meet a person in Yerevan Parajanov said: “There will be no words. You will express “Don’t mess me about, tell me how it happened!” Then they who loves and knows ballet: this gives you a great value. everything with your hands and eyes.” During the shoot, he took me to another surly man, who also pointed a finger How can one do not love ballet, it is the most beautiful art 14 SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR

ARTS & CULTURE

chaklian offers this advice to first-time katah bakers: INSTRUCTIONS “Don’t worry if you rip the dough while rolling it out, as To clarify the butter: Melt the butter over low heat in the rolling process can be tricky if it’s your first time. Ulti- a large pan until the foam rises, watching closely so that Breaking mately, any tears will be obscured after folding the dough. the butter doesn’t burn or bubble over the top of the pan. Aim for an equal thickness as you roll it out, and remem- Skim off and discard the foam, then remove the pan from ber that the thinner the dough, the more times you can fold the heat. it and the more buttery layers your katah will have.” Cool the butter slightly, skim and discard the foam Keeping traditions alive again, then pour the butter into a bowl, being careful to Bread with The past year has challenged us to find new ways of prevent the milky liquid at the bottom of the pan from staying connected with friends and loved ones. Although pouring into the bowl; you want only the clarified butter last year the Madagh wasn’t able to continue as usual, I (clear fat). still celebrated by rolling up my sleeves and heading to Cool the clarified butter to lukewarm before using. If Armenian the kitchen. you’re not making katah right away, cover and refriger- Hrametzek seghanuh, jashuh badrasd eh (Welcome to ate the clarified butter until you need it; you’ll need to the table, the meal is ready) rewarm it before using. For my family, these recipes have long helped us tran- To make the dough: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl Katah scend physical and cultural boundaries. It’s perhaps no co- of a stand mixer, combine 4 3/4 cups (570g) of the flour, incidence the Armenian word for bread, “hatz,” is synon- the salt, sugar, and yeast. Make a well in the center and KATAH, from page 12 ymous with “food.” Sharing our recipes both literally and add the water, milk, eggs, and 1/2 cup (113g) clarified but- Despite the distinct preparations and styles, one el- figuratively embodies the expression “breaking bread.” ter to the bowl, incorporating by hand or mixer to form a ement of katah that remains the same is the spirit with Year after year, the meals in Cooking Like Mama have sticky dough. which it’s made. No matter which version you encounter, brought people together to honor the story of our commu- Gradually add the rest of the flour and knead — by hand it will always contain the baker’s pride and care. nity. So as you try St. Hagop’s katah recipe, I invite you or mixer set to medium-low speed — until the dough is A recipe that’s the pride of a church community to listen to some Armenian music, learn more about Ar- smooth and elastic. Shape the dough into a smooth ball I’m sharing the recipe that I’m most familiar with, per- menian history, and help us keep our culture alive. Paree and place it back in the mixing bowl. Cover and let the haps not the most extravagant version but the one closest akhorjag! (Bon appétit!) dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 Cooking Like 1 /2 hours. Mama is available Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface, from St. Hagop. If gently deflate it, and divide it in half. Shape each piece into you’re interested in a ball and place on a lightly floured or parchment-lined purchasing a copy, baking sheet. Cover the balls with plastic and a dish towel please contact the and allow them to rest for 20 minutes. cookbook caretaker, To roll out the dough: Working with one piece of dough Denise Lansing, at at a time, flatten it gently with your hands on awell- (262) 672-9265. The floured work surface large enough to hold a 28”-diameter cost is $25.00 plus dough circle. Sprinkle a little flour on top of the dough, shipping & han- then roll the dough into a circle using a rolling pin. dling, with all pro- Once the dough’s diameter is as long as your rolling ceeds to benefiting pin, it’s easiest to use an okhlavoo (or long food-safe dow- St. Hagop. el) to finish rolling the dough into a thin circle about 28” For more personal in diameter; it will be thin enough to be semi-transparent. recipes and baking You can also continue to use a rolling pin (a straight one stories, see our Let is preferred), but you’ll need to move it around to ensure Good Things Rise the dough is rolled out uniformly. homepage. Pour a scant 1/2 cup (100g) of the remaining clarified (Tali is a food- butter over the dough and use your hands to spread the ie and multimedia butter over the entire surface. storyteller, passion- Starting with the section of dough that’s closest to you, ate about building fold 4” of the dough toward the center of the circle. Con- Katah (Photo by Liz Neily) community through tinue to fold the dough in 4” increments until you reach a well-told story. the opposite side of the circle and you have a roughly 4” to my heart. This recipe was brought to Racine by Ar- She’s grown up bicoastal, from the redwoods of Northern x 28” strip of dough. menian women from the villages of Tomarza, Khapert, California to her current home among the maple trees of Spread a little more clarified butter evenly over the and Jujun in the Anatolia region of present-day Turkey. Vermont.) dough. They were part of the displaced Armenians who fled their Starting at one 4” end, fold over about 6” of dough. homeland during the 1915 genocide. INGREDIENTS Continue to fold the dough in 6” increments until you These women and their families found themselves in Clarified butter reach the opposite side, and you’ve formed a roughly 4” x Racine, a small industrial city in the very southeast corner 32 tablespoons (454g) unsalted butter 6” rectangle with the seam on the bottom. of Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Michigan. Since then, Dough Cover the katah and set it aside while you roll out and these recipes have been passed down over generations, 6 1/3 cups (760g) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose fold the remaining ball of dough; you want the butter to largely by word of mouth, until they were finally captured Flour have a chance to firm up before working the dough again. and immortalized in a collective community cookbook, 2 teaspoons salt Brush a little of the clarified butter into the bottom and Cooking Like Mama. 1 teaspoon sugar onto the sides of two 8” or 9” round cake pans. There are three separate katah recipes in Cooking Like 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast or active dry yeast Roll or pat the katahs into 8” or 9” circles and place Mama, but this is the version that St. Hagop follows when 1/2 cup (113g) water, lukewarm them into the prepared pans, patting them gently so that baking for the Madagh each year. The original recipe was 1 1/3 cups (303g) milk, lukewarm they fill the pans. Pierce the surface of the katahs with written for large groups attending the picnic, and St. Ha- 2 large eggs, beaten the tines of a fork to create a design, then pierce them a gop now triples it to satiate a growing crowd of over 1,000 1/2 cup (113g) clarified butter, from above few more times all the way through to the bottom to help attendees. Needless to say, this version has been scaled Topping release any air bubbles as they bake. down to meet the needs of the home baker. 1 large egg, beaten Cover the katahs with plastic and dish towels and let Katah was traditionally baked in an Armenian nigella or sesame seeds, optional them rest in a warm place until the dough rises to the top wood-fired clay oven called a tonir. Today, it’s of the pan, 1 to 2 hours depending on the warmth of your cooked in the ovens of St. Hagop’s basement kitchen. kitchen. For each of the two rises required for ka- Toward the end of the rising time, position a rack in the tah, the bakers close off the kitchen, turn on all of center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. the ovens, and open the oven doors to create the Brush the tops of the katahs with the beaten egg and sprin- ideal warm, toasty environment for the dough. kle with the nigella or sesame seeds. Bake the katahs, one The result is a buttery 9” round loaf of katah, at a time if necessary, until the tops and bottoms are nicely optionally topped with a sprinkle of nigella or golden brown, 35 to 45 minutes; a digital thermometer in- sesame seeds. Its decorations are minimal, as serted into the center of the loaves will read about 200°F. the bakers prioritize the rolling and folding pro- Remove the pans from the oven and allow the katahs to cess to achieve the ultimate layered loaf. cool slightly before transferring them to paper towels to St. Hagop has a small designated team of ka- cool completely. tah experts who lead its preparation each year. Katahs are best enjoyed freshly baked; serve with olives Working side by side, the katah crew wields and cheese (a goat’s milk cheese would be traditional). long wooden tapered dowels called okhlavoos, Store any leftovers, well wrapped, at room temperature rhythmically rolling out circles of dough over for a day or so; or freeze for up to one month. 24” wide. The work is accompanied by talk, out- Katah bakers in the basement of St. Hagop holding Cooking Like Mama is available for purchase at $25.00 breaks of laughter, and the occasional good-na- okhlavoos and rolling pins. A tray of risen katah is on the each plus shipping and handling, with all proceeds bene- tured jab at someone’s technique. table ready to be shaped and baked. (Photo courtesy of St. fiting St. Hagop Armenian Apostolic Church in Racine, Long-time katah connoisseur Johnny Bu- Hagop) Wisconsin. SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR 15 ARTS & CULTURE

“For over 50 years, George Mardikian stood at the helm of Omar Khayyam’s, his world famous restaurant in downtown San Francisco,” as journalist Liana Aghaja- nian writes in Dining in Diaspora. Customers from all echelons came to 200 Powell Street not just to indulge in once-exotic dishes like shish kebab and dolma, but to Recipe mingle with the energetic and passionate Mardikian himself, which LIFE magazine q once referred to as “the most favorable man in America.” by Christine Mardikian would customarily “break bread” (a special flat bread [lahvash] served Vartanian at the restaurant) with his diners at Omar Khayyam’s as a sign of hospitality and Corner cordiality. The restaurant’s menu was unusual for the time, featuring a creative mix- ture of Armenian, Middle Eastern, and African cooking adapted for American tastes, including ajem pilaf, broiled lamb chops, Izmir kufte, vosp abour, shish kebab, roast Fresno turkey with pilaf, kuzu kzartma, chakhokhnili, rose-petal ice cream, paklava, madzoon, Armenian cheese, and other exotic dishes of the Near East. In Dinner at Omar Khayyam’s, Mardikian revealed some of the culinary secrets that made his famed restaurants (in Fresno and San Francisco) so celebrated. “Mardikian’s original recipes were prepared in the Armenian fashion, but fla- vored to the American taste and palate. His menu and dishes were considered ex- otic at the time, and different, but they were easy even for home chefs to prepare,” adds Shake. “He was America’s first celebrity chef.” In 1956, Mardikian published his memoirs, Song of America. An excerpt from the book is quoted on a plaque in the entrance hall to the American Adventure Pa- vilion at Disney’s Epcot Center, and was referenced by President Obama during a naturalization ceremony. “One moment you belong with your fathers to a million dead yesterdays, the next you belong to a million unborn tomorrows,” Mardikian said about his journey as an Armenian Genocide Survivor to lauded American. A highly respected philanthropist and benefactor, Mardikian passed away in 1977, and is buried at the historic Armenian Ararat Cemetery in Fresno, California. His wife Nazenig, his brother Archie and sister-in-law Minnie, and nephew Gregory are buried with him in the Mardikian family plot. Other prominent figures of Ar- menian American history including the Seropian Brothers, Soghomon Tehlirian, Victor Maghakian, Gazair Saghatelian, Varaz Samuelian, and William Saroyan are also buried there. Armenian Dolma (Sarma) Here is Shake’s treasured dolma recipe: From San Francisco’s Sloat Garden Center INGREDIENTS: 1 cup olive oil Shake Antaramian, a former long-time employee at Sloat Garden Center in San 5 cups onions, chopped Francisco, has made this traditional Armenian dolma (sarma) recipe for decades. 1 cup uncooked rice It was adapted from Dinner at Omar Khayyam’s, the cookbook written in 1944 by 1 cup parsley chopped finely, more to taste (Shake adds chopped cilantro and mint legendary San Francisco restaurateur, chef, author, benefactor, and philanthropist leaves, too) George Mardikian. 1/2 cup currants (optional) Sloat Garden Center began in 1958 in San Francisco’s Sunset District, and has 1/2 - 3/4 cup pine nuts become the largest independent pottery importer in the U.S., with ties to many 1/2 cup tomato sauce (Shake uses fresh tomatoes, peeled and seeded) other independent garden chains that purchase pottery through Sloat. 1 cup water Shake, born in Baghdad, Iraq, still loves to make a variety of Middle Eastern 1/2 teaspoon allspice dishes and specialties from her family’s past. She came to the United States over 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 60 years ago, studied chemistry at the University of Nebraska and Kent State Uni- 1 tablespoon salt versity, and worked at the University of California Medical School (UCSF). Shake 1/2 teaspoon black pepper eventually settled in Marin County north of San Francisco, married, and had two 1 16-oz jar grape leaves in brine (about 60 to 70 leaves, such as Orlando brand) children. She worked at Sloat Garden Center well into her 80s. Lemon wedges or slices, fresh sprigs of parsley as garnish Born in 1903, Mardikian immigrated to the United States in 1922, and was an indispensable influence in introducing shish kebab, dolma, pilaf, spinach salad, PREPARATION: stuffed cabbage leaves, Pour oil in cooking pot. Add the onions and sauté until golden. Add rice and and dozens of other dishes simmer, covered, for 30 minutes. Then add all other ingredients and cook for 5-10 for the time from Anato- minutes, stirring. Remove from stove and allow to cool. lia, Armenia and the Mid- While the stuffing is cooling, prepare the grape leaves. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to dle East to the American two quarts water and bring it to a boil. Immerse the grape leaves (a few at a time) diet for the masses. in the hot water for 30 seconds or until the leaves change color. Take grape leaves His first job in -Amer out of the boiling water and allow to cool. Now they are ready to be stuffed. ica was washing dishes Place a teaspoonful of rice stuffing on each grape leaf and roll it up like a pack- in a small San Francisco age. Arrange them side by side into a large pan lined by three or four layers of cafeteria. He eventually grape leaves (in order to prevent the dolma from burning). Place a large plate over bought the cafeteria and them (as a weight to hold them down). Pour 1 cup of water in the pan and cook on built it into a renowned the stove top or in a preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hour (check to ensure rice is restaurant, Omar fully cooked). Khayyam’s, where he Allow them to cool completely, then cover and refrigerate overnight in the same hosted many notable peo- pan. Serve as an appetizer or cold entrée, and garnish with lemon and fresh sprigs ple and world leaders in- of parsley. cluding President Dwight Note: Shake adds: When using fresh grape leaves, it is important to blanch the Eisenhower and Eleanor leaves briefly in heavily salted boiling water before stuffing. Roosevelt. Named after the Persian George Mardikian Family owned for 60 years, Sloat epicurean poet, the restau- Garden Center celebrates other lo- rant operated under the cally owned and grown companies motto “The Food of Good Quality,” and debuted in the middle of the Great De- throughout Northern California pression. Despite the country’s economic downturn, Omar Khayyam’s became so through sourcing their plants and successful, it led Mardikian to open up another location in San Francisco in 1938, products. Dedicated to serving where it continued to operate until a fire destroyed it in the 1980s. Bay Area gardeners for the last While serving as a food consultant to the Quartermaster General of the United five decades, Sloat Garden Center States Army in Germany, he became aware that some 2,000 Armenians who had is an independently owned garden been displaced by World War II were being held in the slave labor camp, Funker- center with 13 locations. For more kasserne. Mardikian went to the camp, where the displaced Armenians honored information, go to: https://www. him with an unforgettable program in the hope that Mardikian would be the link to sloatgardens.com a future in America. Promising to do his best to assist them, he, along with Suren Saroyan, established the American National Committee to Aid Homeless Arme- *Dining in Diaspora, Dinner at nians (ANCHA). Along with Suren Saroyan and General Haig Shekerjian, Mardik- Omar Khayyam’s: How George ian launched a humanitarian effort that enabled thousands of displaced Armenians Mardikian Introduced Middle to settle in the United States. In 1951, President Harry S. Truman awarded George Eastern Food to America Mardikian with the Medal of Freedom for his work in the Army. 16 SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2021 THE ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR ARTS & CULTURE Natalie Qasabian Wins Sundance Institute/ Amazon Studios Producers Award LOS ANGELES (Deadline) — At a vir- tual ceremony in January, Natalie Qasabi- CALENDAR an was awarded the 2021 Sundance Insti- tute / Amazon Studios Producers Award for ON-LINE EVENTS & PROGRAMS Fiction Filmmaking for her film, “Run.” MASSACHUSETTS The awards honor bold vision and a com- mitment to continuing work as a creative MARCH 24 – Wednesday at 10am Celebrating What Unites Us! A virtual cook- producer in the independent space. ing series, a collaboration of City of Boston Age-Friendly Boston, OLDWAYS and Qasabian’s husband/partner Sev Oha- Friends of Armenian Heritage Park to keep us connected, coming together. To nian won the award two years ago for his register, email [email protected] Seafood! Executive Chef Kathy work on “Searching,” which they pro- Sidell Owner, Sidell Hospitality, Saltie Girl, Met Back Bay, Stephanie’s on New- duced together. Qasabian was presented by bury the award with her frequent collaborator, APRIL 7 — CELEBRATING ART, SCIENCE, SERVICE & COMMERCE: LEADER- director Aneesh Chaganty (“Searching,” SHIP, SHARING EXPERIENCES. Wednesday at 5 pm. A public program in a “Run”). series to celebrate contributions to our life and culture in Art, Science, Service “As producers, we may doubt whether and Commerce, the words etched around the Labyrinth’s Circle This virtual pro- or not we can gram features influencers - each leading by extraordinary example – who will do something: speak about their experiences and commitment to social good and making a but we can’t difference. Ann Zacarian will offer the Welcome, Chief Marty Martinez, City ever doubt of Boston Office of Health and Human Services, Greetings. Cindy Fitzgibbon, if it’s worth WCVB TV, is Host. Participants include Edward Casabian, investor, early Uber doing,” Qasa- Poster for “Run” employee; Julia Grove, Picture Editor, “This is Us,” NBC series; Avak Kahvejian, bian said in PhD, General Partner, Flagship Pioneering; Councilor Julia Mejia, Boston City accepting the Council; Berj Najarian, Director of Football & Head Coach Administration, New award. “If we director Chaganty. The film starred Sarah England Patriots; and Tracey Zhen, President, Zipcar. For the link to register, don’t cast the Paulson and Kiera Allen for Lionsgate, please visit ArmenianHeritagePark.org/Events people that which premiered on Hulu in fall 2020 and RHODE ISLAND haven’t been became the most-watched film on the plat- cast before, form. MARCH 12 – APRIL 30 – “The Greater Worcester Armenian Chorale” – 7th Natalie Qasabian if we don’t Previously, Qasabian produced “Search- annual Gala concert Armenian Cultural Hour, Providence RI. Every Friday at hire the crew ing” (Sundance 2018), directed by Cha- 7:30 p.m. Whether or not you have a Facebook account, you can find the LIVES- member that ganty, which was released by Sony. Search- TREAM of the event through the parish’s Facebook page at: https://www.face- hasn’t been hired before, tell the story that ing was made on a sub-one-million-dollar book.com/armenianchurchprovidence hasn’t been told before, or work with that budget and grossed $75M+ at the box of- MARCH 12 - “The Greater Worchester Armenian Chorale”– 7th annual Gala first-time director who’s never been pro- fice. Additional credits include “All About concert duced before…we’ll never know what Nina” (Tribeca 2018), written and directed MARCH 19 - “Our Yerevan”- Film Presentation in English could be on the other side. So, thank you by Eva Vives, which was released by The MARCH 26 – “The Birth of Sassuntsi David” Oratorio by Garbis Aprikian. From again to the Sundance Institute and Ama- Orchard, and three films for the Duplass the large amphitheater of the Sorbonne, France zon Studios for recognizing a job that we Brothers, including “Duck Butter,” direct- April 9 – “Sayat-Nova” State Minstrel Song Ensemble, Armenia ourselves doubt sometimes. It helps us see ed by Miguel Arteta. She also produced April 16 – “Cultural Genocide” - Film Presentation in English what can be on the other side if we can just Snapchat’s first scripted series, “Co-Ed.” April 23 – Memorial Concert, dedicated to Armenian Genocide push through.” Currently, she’s working on a sequel to April 30 – “Armenia, The Land of Noah”- Film Presentation in English Qasabian produced “Run” with Ohanian Searching for Sony and a streaming series from a script co-written by Ohanian and called “The Future” for HBO Max. Saroyan, Hagopian Discuss Music and Mental Health In Instagram Live Session HEALTH, from page 12 The topic of PTSD was a recurring one due to the the early Armenian immigrants who were the parents of many hardships Armenians have gone through, in today’s elder generation came over with few worldly pos- addition to generational trauma, which has recently sessions and only memories of their home villages. Often been studied with children of Holocaust survivors. songs which described the lifestyle of their hometown might Hagopian discussed the many songs which are be sung in Armenian or they might be sung in Turkish, but associated with the Armenian Genocide. Oftentimes regardless of language these songs brought that early genera- these are village folk songs which were intended to tion good memories of their lives before the horrors of 1915. speak of deep love and loss of that love for one reason Hagopian went on to say that this music was not associated or another, perhaps due to the loss of the loved one. with the Turkish government as some might think today, In the post-Genocide era, such songs, due to their sad but with the Armenian inhabitants of Anatolia who often nature and themes of loss, were repurposed as songs spoke Turkish as one of their daily languages. The music to be sung at Genocide commemoration events. One represents positive attributes of life in Anatolia and not the of the best-known of such songs is Dele Yaman. At negative ones. In addition, many of the Turkish songs that Saroyan’s request, Hagopian performed this well- emanated from the countryside were written by Armenians, known piece. Visibly moved, Saroyan commented Hagopian pointed out. The bottom line is, many people still afterward that hearing the song made the hair on the love these songs which are associated with their childhood or back of his neck stand up. Saroyan likened the style family background, and it is for those people that Hagopian of Dele Yaman to Armenian Church music and that performs such material. such melodies are extremely emotional. Music Brings Back Memories Dr. Tony Saroyan is a psychologist in the state of Saroyan pressed Hagopian to play some pieces with ties California with a degree from the University of San to his (Saroyan’s) own family’s regional background, in- Francisco. He is continuing cluding the village of Kessab. Hagopian complied with a his Instagram Live discus- “Kessab Bar” or dance along with various other Armenian sions with one next week folk songs. Saroyan attempted to observe his own reactions focusing on cultural taboos to these songs and stated that hearing such music brought against mental health in him back to happy times at Fresno Armenian picnics and Armenian and other Mid- other events. dle Eastern communities. Saroyan also asked Hagopian to discuss Gomidas, a figure Andrew Hagopian is a who looms large in Armenian history both for his musical college student pursuing contributions and his mental health issues. Hagopian noted a career as a marketing that Gomidas had a mental breakdown during the Genocide consultant, but whose and had to live the rest of his life in an asylum. In addition, true passion is Armenian Andrew Hagopian he had been an orphan who had been raised at the monastery music, culture and history. of Echmiadzin, and therefore must have had other mental With a lack of live music health issues as a result. Saroyan commented that in the events during Covid times, house” (available on Apple products) where he gives post-World Wwar I era, such asylums did not provide for he can be found holding free concerts and answers audience questions about the best of mental health care, as conditions like post-trau- court at his newly popular Dr. Tony Saroyan Armenian music and its historical background. He matic shock disorder (PTSD) were not widely understood. sessions on the app “Club- can be found using the online handle “MrOudJr.” SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2021 ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR 17 COMMENTARY THE ARMENIAN Mirror Editorial SPECTATOR Since 1932 Armenia’s Domestic Crisis Has Regional, International Ramifications In an interconnected world of politics, no Constitutional Court. Instead, Pashinyan chose a public show- crisis can be considered solely local. Rever- down, accusing the army of threatening to stage a military An ADL Publication berations cross the boundaries of any country coup, which he later mitigated by stating that under Article in question. We may consider Armenia’s cur- 155 of Armenia’s constitution, the army has to obey civilian rent domestic crisis as a local squabble at our rule and cannot get involved in partisan politics. EDITOR own peril, because reactions arriving from The army’s grievances sprang from Pashinyan’s undue in- Alin K. Gregorian many world capitals make abundantly clear terference in military matters during the war and his obvious By Edmond Y. Azadian that many distant parties have a stake in the plans to purge the ranks of the army. Generals are not come by MANAGING EDITOR situation brewing in Armenia. easily because it takes many years of education and training to Aram Arkun Many of Armenia’s current problems are now sidelined by attain that rank, and thus, they are not disposable. political bickering by many factions which are trying to draw As the evolving political developments will demonstrate, ART DIRECTOR the attention of their constituents to their own agenda. there is a virtual tug-of-war behind the scenes. Army brass in Mark (Mgrditchian) McKertich The challenge to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was initi- Armenia are mostly trained in Russia and are believed to be in- ated by a coalition of more than 16 parties which have rallied fluenced by Moscow. Therefore, purging the army is not only SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST around Vazgen Manukyan, a former prime minister, demand- Pashinyan’s doing. There are outside forces who would like Edmond Y. Azadian ing Pashinyan’s resignation as the sole responsible person for to see Russia’s influence diminished or dissipated in Armenia. the defeat in the 44-day Karabakh war. The March 1 commemoration turned out to be an opportu- STAFF WRITER Pashinyan is retaliating against those demands by rallying nity to stage a show of force by many parties. The 16-party Harry Kezelian III his own partisans in Republic Square, to demonstrate that he coalition rallied on Baghramyan Street, across from the parlia- still enjoys popularity among Armenia’s voters. Indeed, he and ment. The Armenian Popular Pole (Bever) comprising Sasna CONTRIBUTORS his My Step alliance were elected with a landslide of more Tserer and the European Party demonstrated in front of the Christopher Atamian, Florence Avakian, than 70 percent of votes in 2018. Matenadaran and their demand to revoke the Russo-Turkish Taleen Babayan, Artsvi Bakhchinyan, Most recent polls show that while his popularity has plunged, Friendship Treaty of Moscow (1921) was covered in the Rus- Raffi Bedrosyan, Christine Vartanian he still has an edge over other contenders with 45 percent pop- sian and Turkish media. Datian, Dr. Arshavir Gundjian, Philippe ularity. The most populous rally was in Republic Square, featuring Raffi Kalfayan, Ken Martin, Gerald The problem with Vazgen Manukyan’s camp is that ghosts Pashinyan, who in the days previous had promised to make an Papasian, Harut Sassounian, Hagop from the old regime dominate Vartivarian his ranks, in particular, the former presidents and Ishkhan REGIONAL Saghatelyan and Gegham Ma- CORRESPONDENTS nukyan from the Armenian LOS ANGELES: Ani Duzdabanyan- Revolutionary Federation, a Manoukian, Kevork Keushkerian, party which has never crossed Michelle Mkhlian the threshold of two percent in YEREVAN: Raffi Elliott any parliamentary election. BERLIN: Muriel Mirak-Weissbach A powerful voice and force PARIS: Jean Eckian is former president Robert Ko- SAN FRANCISCO: Kim Bardakian charyan, who plans to throw CAIRO: Maydaa Nadar his hat in the ring for the next elections without the backing PHOTOGRAPHERS of a party. Jirair Hovsepian, Ken Martin The recent standoff between

the army brass and the prime VIDEO CORRESPONDENT minister could have bolstered Haykaram Nahapetyan Manukyan’s situation but the army refuses to lend its support The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is to any particular group. There- published weekly, except two weeks in fore, the standoff helps Manuk- July and the first week of the year, by: yan’s claim only marginally, if Baikar Association, Inc. at all. Although the coalition of 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 16 parties has made some in- 02472-1509 roads, it lacks full traction yet. Telephone: 617-924-4420 Now, the political drama is centered around President Ar- important declaration. Instead, it turned out to be a harangue FAX: 617-924-2887 men Sarkissian, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Army against Onik Gasparyan, often apologizing for his mistake and www.mirrorspectator.com Chief of Staff Onik Gasparyan. those of his ruling My Step coalition. He accused Gasparyan The recent Karabakh war which looms in the background is of ignoring his own responsibilities of defending Armenia’s E-Mail: [email protected] the root cause of this tripartite crisis. borders, and instead meddling in politics under the guidance For advertising: [email protected] It all began with on February 23, when Pashinyan, during an of Serge Sargsyan, without producing any evidence. Sargsyan interview, said that one of the major weapons at the disposal of is being used as a convenient and effective scarecrow. Once his the Armenian Army, the Russian-made Iskandar Missile, had name is uttered, the public does not seek any proof. SUBSCRIPTION RATES exploded only 10 percent of the time. He was ridiculed pub- Beating the dead horse of the March 1, 2008 clashes which U.S.A. $80 one year licly by Gen. Tiran Khachatryan, the First Deputy Chief of the cost the lives of 10 citizens serves as convenient subterfuge for Canada $125 one year General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia, who was then Pashinyan to duck the more pressing current issues, specifical- Other Countries $190 one year summarily sacked. ly, the loss of 5,000 youth on his watch. But a most powerful rebuke came from Russia’s Defense On the sidelines, a parliamentarian from My Step, Vahagn © 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator Ministry Spokesperson Igor Konashenkov and Pashinyan Hovakimyan, has called for the impeachment of President Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, apologized, saying that he had been misinformed. That did not Sarkissian, based on Article 141 of the constitution. It seems MA and additional mailing offices. end the controversy, because latent tensions, which had been that the constitution allows the president to sign decrees and he brewing in the ranks of the armed forces, exploded. The next cannot refuse to sign them. ISSN 0004-234X demand came from the army chief Gasparyan, 10 generals and Pashinyan turned the rally into a launch of his reelection 30 officers who signed a declaration requesting that the prime campaign. None of the burning issues facing the country were minister resign, accusing him of putting Armenia “on the brink addressed, including the return of the POWs, the plight of the Postmaster: Send address changes to The Armenian of destruction.” wounded, compensation for the displaced, defense of Arme- Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount The officers also stated that their “patience had run out.” nia’s borders, nor the threats still coming from Turkey and Auburn St., Pashinyan retaliated by demanding Gasparyan’s firing and Azerbaijan. Watertown, MA 02472 sent his request to President Armen Sarkissian to sign within It looks as if Pashinyan had recovered from his despondent the three days prescribed by Armenia’s constitution. mood after the reactions from the major capitals of the world, Other than the Editorial, views The president refused to sign the decree and sent it back, echoing his warnings of an impending army coup. and opinions expressed in this arguing that it is not in the best interest of the republic. When war was raging in Karabakh and on Armenia’s bor- newspaper do not necessarily The process could have taken a longer time, because after ders, when 5,000 young Armenian soldiers were being killed reflect the policies of the the president’s refusal, Pashinyan could have appealed to the see CRISIS, page 19 publisher. 18 SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2021 THE ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR COMMENTARY

My Turn Should the president refuse to sign the order for a second time, then the issue will ‘Unexploded’ Russian Missiles be submitted to the constitutional court for its final decision. It is curious as to why the president endorsed the prime minister’s earlier order to sack the first deputy of In Artsakh Cause a Political the General Staff but refused to sign the order to dismiss the chief of the General Staff. After all, the first deputy chief of the General Staff’s wrongdoing was simply Explosion in Armenia chuckling at the prime minister’s statement about the Russian missiles, whereas his by Harut Sassounian Words have meanings and consequences as Prime Min- boss, the chief of the General Staff, demanded the Prime Minister’s resignation. ister Nikol Pashinyan found out when he told a journalist In the meantime, the Armenian military took no further steps beyond its call for last week that the powerful Russian Iskander missiles, supposedly fired by Armenia the resignation of the prime minister which the prime minister wrongly described during the Artsakh War last November, “did not explode or exploded 10 percent.” as an attempted coup. However, the statement could be viewed as interference in This surprising statement was in response to an interview by previous President political affairs which violates the constitution. It is clear that the military’s intent is Serzh Sargsyan in which he asked why Pashinyan had not ordered the use of the having the prime minister resign without taking any military actions. Iskander missiles during the early part of the Artsakh War. Turning to the unconstitutionality of the military’s statement, there are counter Several days after the prime minister’s highly controversial statement, his spokes- points to this argument. The military stated that they could no longer remain quiet woman announced that Pashinyan “was not briefed correctly regarding the Russian while the country is on the brink of collapse. The national interest of Armenia has missiles.” But it was too late. The damage was done. to be of paramount importance. After all, the military is the guardian of the nation’s No one could have predicted the chain of unexpected events that followed Pashin- security. Furthermore, Pashinyan and his supporters cannot all of a sudden claim to yan’s words questioning the merits of the Iskander missiles that Russia had exported be defenders of the constitution, when they have been violating many of its provi- exclusively to Armenia. A large number of Russian military experts and political sions in the past three years. The prime minister has repeatedly pressured the courts leaders reacted very harshly to Pashinyan’s statement viewing it as disparaging of and has stacked the Constitutional Court with his allies to get verdicts desired by the the prized missiles of Russia and the prestige of its defense industry. government. Pashinyan and his supporters similarly pressured Pres. Sarkissian to However, the reaction within Armenia was no less devastating. When First Dep- force him to sign the prime minister’s order. Ironically, the democratic principles en- uty Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Tiran Khachatryan, a Lieutenant dorsed by Pashinyan when coming to power have dissipated turning the country into General, was asked to comment on Pashinyan’s statement about the Iskander mis- a one-man rule, a dictatorship. Given the prime minister’s partisans’ overwhelming siles not exploding, he responded with a chuckle that it was not possible and not majority in Parliament, other voices have been mostly muzzled. All suggestions to serious. form a government of competent experts have been ignored, leaving Pashinyan with Upon hearing of this slight, Prime Minister Pashinyan immediately ordered the a mediocre and incompetent cadre of officials and advisors. firing of the Deputy General Staff. His dismissal was endorsed by President Armen Pashinyan’s only important attribute is that he is not corrupt — which is very Sarkissian, according to the process outlined in the constitution. The prime minister positive, but that alone is not enough to lead the state through such turbulent waters. had surely overreacted to Khachatryan’s snub, particularly since Pashinyan himself After all, Armenians are not looking for a saint, but a competent leader who can had appointed him in June 2020 and awarded him the prestigious “National Hero” solve the country’s complex problems. medal for his outstanding role during the Artsakh War. Furthermore, Pashinyan and his followers did not always practice what they are In retaliation, dozens of top Armenian military leaders released a joint statement preaching now. Back in 2018, when there were widespread street protests by Pash- on February 25, 2021, demanding the resignation of the prime minister and his gov- inyan and his supporters, a large number of Armenian soldiers illegally left their ernment. The statement was signed by Onik Gasparyan, chief of the General Staff barracks and marched with the demonstrators. Even though this was a violation of and 40 other high-ranking military Officers, including 17 generals and commanders military rules and interference in politics, Pashinyan did not take any action against of all five army corps. Later, several other military and police officials added their these soldiers. In a similar situation occurred in 1998, when Defense Minister Vaz- signatures. gen Sargsyan forced then President Levon Ter-Petrosyan to resign. No one com- The military’s statement expressed its “resolute protest” against the “short-sight- plained that it was unconstitutional. ed and baseless” dismissal of the first deputy chief of the General Staff “without tak- Shortly after this new crisis in Armenia, leaders in Azerbaijan and Turkey issued ing into account the national and state interests of the Republic of Armenia, solely self-serving statements on the situation in Armenia. In my opinion, both of these based on personal and pretentious sentiments.” The statement added that “in such countries, led by dictators, are in no position to comment on developments in Ar- difficult conditions for the country, such a decision is an anti-state and irresponsible menia, let alone give Armenians lectures about democracy. They should look at step. The prime minister and his government are no longer able to make adequate themselves in the mirror and keep their mouths shut. decisions in this critical and fateful situation for the Armenian people. The Armed Having suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of our enemies in the Artsakh Forces, for a long time, patiently tolerated the ‘attacks’ by the incumbent authorities War, Armenians cannot afford now to attack each other.W e need to place the nation- to discredit the Armed Forces, but everything has its limits…. The current authori- al interest above all else. Having lost most of Artsakh and thousands of soldiers, let’s ties’ unproductive governing and the most serious errors exhibited in foreign policy not risk losing Armenia itself. have brought the country to the brink of collapse. Based on the created situation, the Pashinyan, the leader of the ‘Velvet Revolution,’ should not have told his Armed Forces demand the resignation of the prime minister and the government….” fol-lowers last week that there will be no more ‘velvet’ which could be interpreted Pashinyan immediately announced on his Facebook page the firing of the chief of as a threat to anyone who disagrees with him. Should the military also adopt a no the General Staff. The prime minister called the military’s statement “an attempted velvet approach, the outcome would be tragic for the entire Armenian nation. military coup,” urging his supporters to gather at the Republic Square where he The best solution would be for the prime minister, having lost territories and joined them and marched in Yerevan streets holding a megaphone. This was a highly thousands of soldiers, to resign by his own volition without facing any threats or irresponsible act on the part of Pashinyan, venturing to the streets during what he de- protests. Other-wise, having demanded Pashinyan’s resignation, the military scribed as an attempted military coup, which could have led to tragic consequences leaders may carry out their demand by force, to ensure that they themselves are not for the country had anyone harmed him. arrested. Such a group arrest would deprive Armenia of its entire military After Pashinyan ordered the firing of Onik Gasparyan, chief of the General Staff leadership. Months from now, under calmer conditions, new parliamentary of the Armed Forces, President Sarkissian, having consulting all sides of the polit- elections should take place with a clean slate, hopefully excluding Pashinyan and ical spectrum, refused to sign the prime minister’s order, calling it unconstitution- the other former leaders. The people have the right to decide by a majority vote al. The prime minister then submitted a second dismissal request to the president. who their new leader should be.

America Must Contain Azeri-Turkish Aggression By Varuzhan Nersesyan plaud this call but, with no consequences for their aggres- spread desecration of Armenian cultural and Christian re- sion, Turkey and Azerbaijan will learn the wrong lessons ligious heritage in the occupied territories. Since the latest As a leader in the advancement of human rights and from this conflict. ceasefire, Azeri soldiers have posted torture of Armenian democracy, America is respected around the world for ef- Azerbaijan, with Turkey’s backing, disregarded the US POWs to social media. Horrific videos posted online fea- fectively deploying its diplomatic and economic influence role as a peacemaker, flaunting its disdain for even the tured the ISIS-style beheading of elderly civilians by Aze- to solve global problems and find peaceful solution to re- most basic of international norms. Using Azerbaijan as a ri forces. gional conflicts. client state for conducting war, Turkey openly admitted Lasting peace is not possible if Azerbaijan and Turkey With the Biden administration pledging greater diplo- to subverting an active peace process co-chaired by its go unpunished. They will continue their aggression to- matic engagement, defense of democracy and prioritiza- NATO allies, the United States and France. ward Armenians and beyond. tion of human rights, we hope more attention will be giv- Turkey employed NATO’s AWACS system, as well Recently, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev claimed en to the fragile situation in Nagorno Karabakh. as American F-16s in support of Azerbaijan in open vi- that areas within the Republic of Armenia — including In late September, amid a global pandemic and the olation of its agreement to refrain from deploying these capital city Yerevan — all belong to Azerbaijan. Without hotly contested election season, Turkey and Azerbaijan aircrafts. Turkey was credibly accused by both Western strong international repudiation, such statements can lead launched a war in Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as governments and respected media outlets of recruiting to renewed violence. Given the history in the region, in- Artsakh, that left thousands dead and displaced tens of and transporting Syrian jihadist fighters into the region. cluding the Armenian genocide of a century ago that Tur- thousands more. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan repeatedly shelled maternity key continues to deny, these claims cannot go unnoticed. As one of the three co-chairs of the Organization for Se- hospitals, markets, and cathedrals far from the frontlines In the latest demonstration of hostility, Turkey and curity and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group, and used internationally prohibited cluster munitions in Azerbaijan have conducted military exercises along Tur- set up in 1992 to help resolve conflicts in the region, the residential areas and incendiary weapons like white phos- key’s border with Armenia, far from Nagorno Karabakh. United States recently called for a “negotiated, compre- phorus bombs. Armenians in the United States and across the world hensive, and sustainable settlement” for Artsakh. We ap- In an effort at ethnic cleansing, there has been wide- see AGGRESSION, page 20 SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2021 THE ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR 19 COMMENTARY

plement the ruling in Osman Kavala’s case constitutes plement the ruling, the Committee of Ministers may a serious breach requiring exceptional measures,” she then take additional measures, including ultimately sus- ‘Kavala Case Is added. pending Turkey’s voting rights or membership of the “The Kavala case is emblematic of the crisis facing Council. civil society and the rule of law in Turkey,” said Helen Kavala’s detention prolonged for 4 times Emblematic of Duffy of the Turkey Human Rights Litigation Support As indicated by the NGOs, the Committee of Min- Project, briefly adding the following: isters of the Council of Europe has already considered “We recognize that infringement proceedings are ex- the status of Turkey’s compliance with the judgment on The Crisis Facing ceptional, but if there is a case where they are justified, multiple occasions, issuing two decisions and, in De- it is this one. cember 2020, an interim resolution that each strongly “Turning a deaf ear to the Strasbourg court’s clear or- urged Turkey to comply with the court’s judgment by The Rule of Law der to release and the Committee of Minister’s repeated unconditionally releasing Kavala. calls for compliance, Turkey’s government and courts However, since the December resolution, local courts In Turkey’ have worked hand in glove to prolong and deepen the in Turkey have prolonged Osman Kavala’s detention crisis and the violation of Mr. Kavala’s rights. four more times. A court of appeal has overturned his Human Rights Watch (HRW), International Com- “Infringement proceedings against Turkey provide acquittal in the Gezi Park protests trial, and Turkey’s mission of Jurists and Turkey Human Rights Litigation the strongest legal mechanism to signal the shame of Constitutional Court has also flouted the European Support Project have demanded the release of business- not complying with European Court of Human Rights’ Court of Human Rights judgment by finding no viola- person and rights defender Osman Kavala, who has been binding judgments.” tion of Kavala’s right to liberty. arrested in Silivri Prison in İstanbul for 1,217 days. “Separating cases or merging them again will not Next hearing on May 21 “The Turkish government’s failure to comply with a correct the injustice to which Turkey’s courts and gov- NGOs said in the submission that, “throughout the binding European Court of Human Rights order to re- ernment have subjected Osman Kavala for over three criminal proceedings against him, judges and prosecu- lease the human rights defender Osman Kavala should years,” said Róisín Pillay, Europe and Central Asia di- tors involved have abused criminal procedural rules to prompt the Council of Europe action against Turkey,” rector of the International Commission of Jurists. unlawfully extend Kavala’s detention based on allega- the organizations have said in a written joint statement. “This case is part of a systemic practice in which the tions that he organized and financed the 2013 Istanbul The three nongovernmental organizations presented Turkish courts, which are not independent, apply crim- Gezi Park protests and that he was involved in the July the recommendation in a submission to the Committee inal law and procedures arbitrarily against critics of the 15, 2016 attempted military coup.” of Ministers, the Council of Europe’s intergovernmental government. The action plan needs to address these “A key aspect of this effort has been the practice of body responsible for overseeing the implementation of structural failings in the judicial system,” she added. different courts over the three years and four months of European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) judgments. What could be the sanction? Kavala’s detention successively joining, separating, and The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe According to the joint statement of the organizations, rejoining case files against Kavala to justify prolonging is to review Turkey’s noncompliance with the Stras- the Committee of Ministers may opt to take infringe- his incarceration,” they added further. bourg court’s judgment on Kavala’s caseINTERNATIONAL for the fourth ment NEWS proceedings against a Council of Europe member At the most recent local court hearing against Kava- time at its March 9-11, 2021 session. Kavala has been state that refuses to implement European Court of Hu- la, on February 5, 2021, the Istanbul 36th Assize Court held in pretrial detention since November 2017. man Rights judgments. It was used for the first time in ruled that the case against him concerning the coup ‘This Case Is Part of a Systemic Practice’ 2017 when the government of Azerbaijan continuously attempt should be joined with the Gezi Park protests “Turkey’s flagrant disregard for the European Court refused to secure the unconditional release of a wrong- case, which is before the Istanbul 30th Assize Court. of Human Rights order to release Osman Kavala should fully jailed opposition politician, Ilgar Mammadov. A hearing of the newly joined cases will take place on trigger the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers Infringement proceedings are provided for under May 21. (DŞ/SD) to start infringement proceedings against Turkey,” said Article 46/4 of the European Convention on Human Aisling Reidy, senior legal adviser at Human Rights Rights (ECHR). Their commencement requires the vote (Human Rights Watch (HRW), International Com- Watch. of two-thirds of the Committee of Ministers. Once the mission of Jurists and Turkey Human Rights Litigation “It is crucial for the Committee of Ministers, at its process is triggered, the case is referred back to the Eu- Support Project have submitted a recommendation to March session, to leave the Turkish government in no ropean Court of Human Rights for a further opinion on the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe doubt that European Court of Human Rights judgments the legally binding obligation to comply. regarding the Osman Kavala case. This commentary are binding on Turkey and that persistent failure to im- If the Court confirms that Turkey has failed to im- appeared on Bianet.org on March 1.)

Armenia’s Domestic Crisis Has Regional, International Ramifications CRISIS, from page 17 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan between Western and Russian interests. every time Turkey tries a rapprochement and tens of thousands were wounded, in- condemned what he described as attempts Consequently, Armenian citizens and their with Armenia, a Turkish citizen of Ar- cluding civilians by illegal phosphorous to stage a military coup in Armenia: “Nikol leaders cannot precipitate any domestic menian descent named Samson Özararat and cluster bombs, and facing armed com- Pashinyan is already in a situation where change without endangering the interests emerges.s He has been spotted in Amenia, bat from 2,700 Syrian mercenaries, there the people could achieve his resignation. of those camps. Each politician and each talking to politician Hovhaness Igityan. was a conspiracy of silence around the But they are talking about a direct over- party is a pawn on the chessboard of world We do not want to speculate about world, except for lip service from France throw of the government. Our position is politics. what may happen. Now that Armenia is and cynical statement by then Secretary of clear. We are against such steps. Turkey This situation may be considered as the in a weak position and Pashinyan is even State Mike Pompeo (“we hope that Arme- opposes any coup, including in Armenia.” normal course of politics. But what goes weaker, more details may emerge. nians can defend themselves”) but as soon Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Çavu- beyond normal is Turkey’s interest in this No one doubts Pashinyan’s patriotism, as the news about a potential military coup soglu issued a similar statement. cobweb. but political expediency might override circulated, a profuse outpouring of defense In turn, President Ilham Aliyev was Now that Turkey has helped Azerbai- his better nature. for Armenia’s democracy spewed forth. concerned that a military coup in Armenia jan to crush the backbone of Armenia’s Any concession to Turkey by the Arme- These expressions of support and warn- could jeopardize the application of the tri- armed forces and has reduced the country nian government will set back for decades ings are cynical and meaningless, suggest- partite declaration of November 9. to a basket case, it considers this period the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. ing that as long as it is not a military coup, It was not convenient for Moscow to dig the most opportune time to extract conces- Plus, it will pit Armenia against the dias- the fate of the country did not matter. further into the situation. Thus, it was sat- sions from Armenia. Armenia has noth- pora, since Erdogan claims that the Arme- The Parliamentary Assembly of Council isfied by a statement issued by a member ing but the moral power of the Genocide, nian government is a hostage to the “fanat- of Europe (PACE) warned that Armenia’s of the Duma that the problem was a dip- which Turkey denies and wishes to see ical” Armenians in the diaspora. constitutionally elected government has to lomatic issue for a sovereign country like dissipate as a liability. The trauma of the Genocide is heavi- be respected. “We continue to support de- Armenia. Now that the Biden Administration er for the diasporan Armenians, many of mocracy,” read the statement. “We hope that Armenia’s internal devel- seems amenable to recognizing the Arme- whom are the direct descendants of the NATO headquarters, whose F-16 fighter opments will not reflect on the tripartite nian Genocide, President Erdogan is plan- Genocide survivors. Plus, Armenia’s citi- jets and other munitions were used against declaration,” he said. ning to reenact a performance of the coun- zens were banned for decades from learn- Armenia, warned against “the further es- Analyzing the complete silence of all try’s “football diplomacy” that took place ing about the Genocide or referring to it calation of the crisis.” these parties during the war, during which between Serzh Sargsyan and Abdullah Gul because the Soviets entertained a policy of The US State Department’s warning numerous violations of the Geneva Con- in 2009, a charade of signing protocols in not offending Turkey. Therefore, the im- was indirectly referring to Moscow. It vention took place, where POWs, soldiers Zurich in the presence of then-Secretary pact of the Genocide is not as strong on the cautioned “Armenia’s armed forces to stay and civilians were tortured and killed on of State Hilary Clinton. Thus, Erdogan citizens of Armenia. This does not mean out of politics.” camera and civilian targets bombed, sud- can scuttle any recognition by the Biden that Pashinyan can sell out the cause, but State Department Spokesman Ned Price denly we saw expressions of concern. We Administration by stating that third parties he needs to be careful as even a simple said that the US “very closely” monitors can only conclude one thing: The West should not interfere as the country is ne- conversation can overthrow Genocide rec- developments in Armenia. “We remind all “owns” the democracy in Armenia and by gotiating with its Armenian counterparts. ognition. parties of the bedrock democratic princi- extrapolation, it lumps the Velvet Revo- This is not a conjecture nor guesswork, In view of the perspective and the pa- ple that states the armed forces should not lution in Armenia with all the other col- as Erdogan’s emissaries have been sighted rameters of world political affecting -Ar intervene in domestic politics.” or revolutions it encouraged in Ukraine, in Yerevan, conducting backdoor nega- menia and Turkey’s intentions in this giv- The most revealing comments came Georgia and very recently in Belarus. tions. The editor of the Yerevan-based Azg en situation, political forces in Armenia from Ankara and Baku, those staunch de- Therefore, we can see very clearly that a weekly, Hagop Avedikian, has even men- can exercise caution and foresight to de- fenders and practitioners of democracy. tacit war is being conducted in Armenia tioned the name of one emissary. Indeed, rive the proper conclusions. 20 SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2021 THE ARMENIAN MIRROR-SPECTATOR

many years to come,” he said. In addition to the changes to the paper’s appear- A New and ance, tremendous strides have been made online. Our website (www.mirrorspectator.com) has an ever-increasing number of hits monthly. We main- tain a presence on Facebook, Twitter and Insta- Improved gram. Now, we are proud to announce that an app for the Mirror-Spectator (https://apps.apple.com/ uy/app/mirror-spectator/id1529754235) is avail- Mirror- able for iPhones and iPads. It is free to download and will allow readers to keep up with the latest news effortlessly. Finally, with this issue we want to introduce Spectator officially the latest addition to the staff, Harry A. Kezelian III, joining Alin K. Gregorian and Aram WATERTOWN — Starting with this issue, read- Arkun. Harry was born and raised in Metro De- ers will notice some changes to the newspaper’s troit where his family has been active in church and appearance. community activities for four generations. He grew The changes to the fonts and format have been up at St. John’s Armenian Church and has been an made to freshen up the look of the paper. active member and leader in the Armenian Church While we have been happy with how the paper Youth Organization of America locally and nation- has looked, we felt it was time for a change, as we ally and is currently active in the Armenian Gener- have added many new writers and correspondents al Benevolent Union Young Professionals. from various parts of the world. He attended the University of Michigan where Mark Mgrditchian, our longtime graphic design- he studied Armenian under Prof. Kevork Bardakji- er, is responsible for the new look. an and Armenian history under Prof. Jirair Libarid- “Change is good. Sometimes the simplest ian and holds a B.A. in History, J.D. from Mich- changes can have a huge impact. Bold, simple, igan Law School, and Master’s in Teaching from and unencumbered were my goals in updating our University of Michigan, Dearborn, in addition to presentation of the news. The Mirror-Spectator is having taken courses at St. Nersess Seminary. He currently blessed with a diversified staff, together currently serves as a subdeacon in the Armenian with long-standing and new-to-the-scene contribu- Church as well as assistant to the director of the tors. The simple updates that we made, like chang- Manoogian Museum and Mardigian Library in ing the text font to the universally recognized New Southfield. Harry is passionate about Armenian Times Roman, along with our on-going efforts to history and culture, especially folk music, and per- accommodate our online audience, hopefully, will forms as a singer and oudist with his own Arme- better serve all of our English-speaking readers for nian band. America Must Contain Azeri-Turkish Aggression AGGRESSION, from page 18 against Armenian civilians and soldiers. Finally, the United States must oppose prus, the Aegean and Artsakh, Turkey is be- hope the United States will take a princi- Further, all arms export licenses to Tur- any role for Turkey in either peacekeeping coming a regional menace, using mercenary pled stand by supporting a comprehensive key and Azerbaijan must be rejected. Global or the peace process in Artsakh. The inter- armies of jihadists and states like Azerbaijan political settlement of the conflict. This can- economic and political sanctions need to be national community cannot reward Ankara to project and expand its power. not happen as long as the root cause of the imposed on the Erdogan and Aliyev govern- for outright aggression that undermines a To contain belligerent behavior by Tur- conflict — the issue of the status — has not ments. globally mandated peace process. key and its clients like Azerbaijan, the Unit- been resolved. The US Congress should follow the prin- If Azerbaijan and Turkey are allowed to ed States must enforce international norms As a starting point, America must join us cipled example of both houses of the French hijack the OSCE Minsk Group peace pro- through economic and diplomatic means. in demanding that Azerbaijan uncondition- Parliament and a number of other European cess that America co-chairs — using force The alternative is a more dangerous world ally return an estimated 200 Armenian pris- parliaments, which have voted in favor of to twist regional security architecture to- for everyone. oners of war. Absent this basic humanitarian the self-determination of the Republic of ward their expansionist aspirations — they (Varuzhan Nersesyan is the ambassador gesture, dialogue and negotiation cannot Artsakh. will not stop. of the Republic of Armenia to the US. This succeed. As part of its co-chairmanship of the As we are now seeing in Syria, Libya, Cy- originally appeared on Newsweek.com.) Second, the Biden administration can OSCE Minsk Group, we urge the United cut off foreign assistance to Azerbaijan’s States to support de-occupation by Azerbai- military. In FY 2018 and 2019, the Trump jan of the territories of Nagorno-Karabakh. administration provided more than $100 This includes the safe and dignified return million in military and security aid to Azer- of the recently displaced population of Art- baijan — resources that were likely used sakh to their homes. Variety of Armenian Boston Proclaims February 26 Antiquities for Sale Manuscripts and large collection of Khojaly Commemoration Day early printed books and newspapers PROCLAMATION, from page 1 baijanis and it would cross their minds to dated from the 19th century, silver ommunity. Mayor Walsh is proud to stand in approach the mayor for something like this. support of Armenians in Boston.” That used to not be the case.” and gold religious objects, as well as A similar proclamation issued in Port- Portland Mayor Kate Snyder, after Ar- land, Maine, was backed by the Azerbaijan menians criticized the Portland proclama- religious objects, including chalices, Society of Maine, but it called the event a tion as historically inaccurate and part of genocide, not massacre. Audrey Altstadt, a an international propaganda campaign, textiles, carpets and paintings. history professor at the University of Mas- apologized and promised to change the sachusetts Amherst, who has written books review process concerning proclamations. about Azerbaijan, noted that the event did She declared, “One of the many lessons not fit the internationally accepted definition learned over the course of the last few days Please visit of genocide. is that, in the case of international issues, Approximately 50-60 Azerbaijanis live especially when there’s a conflict, there armenianartworks.com in Portland, along with an estimated 100- needs to be much deeper scrutiny of how 200 Armenians. Alstadt said that a cam- and if the city of Portland is weighing into Call (640) 590-7117 or paign backed by the Azerbaijani embassy that issue.” in Washington to promote Khojaly Remem- She also said she would find a way to mobile (201) 562 9902 brance Day began around ten years ago, and recognize the Armenian Genocide on its added: “It’s interesting to me that you would anniversary date of commemoration on have a small community of 50 to 60 Azer- April 24.