DECEMBER 2, 2017 Mirror-SpeTHE ARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXVIII, NO. 20, Issue 4514 $ 2.00 NEWS The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 INBRIEF Hayastan All-Armenian Tekeyan Cultural Association of Greater NY Fund’s Telethon Raises Marks Platinum Anniversary with Gala More than $12 Million LOS ANGELES — The annual Thanksgiving Day fundraiser by the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund Telethon raised more than $12.5 million By Florence Avakian that it plans to mostly spend on the support of Special to the Mirror-Spectator agricultural-development projects in Nagorno- Karabakh. PARAMUS, N.J. — More than 250 friends Armenian Fund raised almost $15.5 million and supporters of the Tekeyan Cultural during last year’s televised fundraiser earmarked Association (TCA) on Saturday, November for the reconstruction of war-ravaged communi- 18, celebrated its 70th anniversary in grand ties in Nagorno-Karabakh and other local infra- style. The event was held under the aus- structure projects. pices of Eastern Diocesan Primate The focus of the 2017 telethon is support for Archbishop Khajag Barsamian at the two major agricultural-development projects in Terrace at Biagio’s. Nagorno-Karabakh: the drilling of deep-water Guests included Armenia’s Ambassador wells and construction of irrigation networks; to the United Nations Zohrab and the installation of solar power stations. Mnatsakanian and his wife Irina An anonymous Armenian-American entrepre- Igitkhanyan, philanthropists and sponsors neur made the single largest donation of $2.5 of this anniversary, Nazar and Artemis million. He was followed by Russian-Armenian Nazarian, and TCA leaders Edmond From left, Vartan Ilanjian, Edmond Azadian, Very Rev. Oshagan Gulgulian, Ani Kassardjian, tycoon Samvel Karapetian, who donated $2.25 Azadian and Hagop Kassardjian. Vartan Nazerian, Berta Baghjajian, Amb. Zohrab Mnatsakanian, Daniel Youssefian, Dr. Arshavir million. Armenia’s Copper-Molybdenum Plant Representatives of several organizations Gundjian, Hagop Kassardjian, Hilda Hartounian, Nadia Gundjian and Irina Igitkhanyan donated $350,000, Armenia-based business were present, including the Armenian owner Samvel Aleksanian contributed $200,000 Diocese, Armenian Missionary Association for the cause and the Vardanian family donated Mesrob Armenian Church of Wynnewood, chairperson of the TCA Greater NY, wel- of America, Armenia Fund, the Armenian $125,000. The Valex Group donated $100,000. Penn., offered the invocation, adding, “I am comed all present and stated that members General Benevolent Union and the Several families from the United States, Iran and also a Tekeyan member and a graduate of and friends had traveled from Armenia, Armenian National Committee of America. Armenia provided hefty donations ranging from the Vahan Tekeyan School in Beirut.” Lebanon, Egypt, France, Argentina, Canada Following a reception and the singing of $50,000 to $100,000. Thousands of Armenians Jerry Misk, a TCA Greater NY member, and throughout the US for this event. She the American and Armenian national from around the world also made smaller contri- was master of ceremonies, offering insight stated that the TCA’s “goal and mission has anthems by Jeny Sarian, the Very Rev. butions, ranging from a few dollars to several and a unique style. been and always will be to proudly promote Oshagan Gulgulian of Sts. Sahag and St. thousand dollars. In warm remarks, Hilda Hartounian, see GALA, page 10 In recent years the fund has partly financed the construction of a second 116-kilometer-long highway connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to EU, Armenia Armenia. Sign Landmark Vatican Stamp Depicts Pope Francis Before Agreement Yerevan Genocide BRUSSELS (Combined Sources) — The Memorial European Union and Armenia signed an agreement aimed at significantly deepening VATICAN CITY (Public Radio of Armenia) — The their relations at a ceremony here on Friday, Vatican issued stamps last month commemorating November 24, held on the sidelines of the the Pope’s 2016 trips. Designed by Daniela Longo, Eastern Partnership Summit. one the stamps depicts Pope Francis in front of the Signatures to the document entitled the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan. Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Pope Francis visited the Tsitsernakaberd Agreement (CEPA) were put by High Memorial on June 25, 2016 accompanied by Representative of the European Union for Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan and Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II. Mogherini and Armenia’s Foreign Minister Within the framework of a three-day visit to Edward Nalbandian. Armenia Pope Francis denounced the “ideological- The signing ceremony took place in the pres- ly twisted, planned genocide of Armenians starting ence of European Council President Donald in 1915.” Tusk and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan. The stamp series commemorate the Pope’s 2016 From left, Louis Armstrong, the songwriter W.C. see AGREEMENT, page 2 trips to Mexico, Poland, Greece, Armenia, Georgia, Handy and George Avakian in the 1950s. Mr. Azerbaijan and Sweden. Avakian helped popularize the long-playing record and organized the first jazz reissue series, preserv- ing the recorded legacies of Armstrong and other pioneers. (Columbia Records photo) Martin Luther and The Armenians INSIDE Legendary Jazz Producer, Talent By Muriel Mirak-Weissbach Watertown Scout George Avakian Dies at 98 Special to the Mirror-Spectator NEW YORK (New York Times) — George Avakian, a record producer and talent of Yore scout who played a key role in the early careers of Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Keith BOCHUM-LINDEN, Germany — This year Jarrett and Bob Newhart, among many others, died on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 Germans celebrated the 500th anniver- Page 12 at his home on the Upper West Side of sary of the beginning of the Protestant Manhattan. He was 98. Reformation. Dubbed as “Luther Year,” it By Peter Keepnews His death was confirmed by his daughter, hosted hundreds of commemorative events, Anahid Avakian Gregg. lectures, special church services, festivities, Over the course of a career that began concerts and exhibitions throughout the INDEX when he was in college, Avakian was involved in virtually every facet of the music country. Arts and Living . 14 industry. He helped popularize the long-playing record; organized the first jazz reis- Few would have thought that “Armenia in Armenia . 2 sue series, preserving the recorded legacies of Louis Armstrong and other pioneers; Luther Year” could have been among the Community News. 5 celebrations. And yet, on November 11, the Editorial . 18 and introduced Édith Piaf to American audiences. International . 3,4 see AVAKIAN, page 6 Evangelical Church in Bochum-Linden host- ed just such a festive gathering. Together see LUTHER, page 4 2 S ATURDAY, D ECEMBER 2 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia EU, Armenia Sign Landmark Agreement AGREEMENT, from page 1 areas of mutual interest based on this Unlike the Association Agreement In her remarks after the signing of Agreement,” Nalbandian stressed. that Yerevan negotiated but did not the document Mogherini said that the The ceremony became one of the sign with Brussels four years ago, the Armenia Ready to CEPA “is based on our common com- focal points of the EU’s Eastern CEPA does not make Armenia part of a Increase Trade with Iran mitment to democracy, human rights Partnership summit that brought “deep and comprehensive free trade and rule of law.” together the leaders of six Eastern area” with the EU. Still, the 350-page YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Prime Minister of “This agreement is the first of this European and South Caucasus nations document commits Yerevan to “approx- Armenia Karen Karapetyan received on November 28 kind that is concluded with a party that in the Belgian capital on November 24. imating” Armenian economic laws and the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran is also a member of the Eurasian Since the launch of the Eastern regulations to those of the European Mohammad Javad Zarif. Economic Union. It will now be very Partnership program in 2009 Russia Union. Greeting the guest, Karapetyan noted that important to implement it,” the EU’s has regarded it as a potential threat to The new EU-Armenia agreement will Armenia-Iran relations are on a high level, and the foreign policy chief said. its geopolitical interests in the post- open new doors and give a new quality 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic Nalbandian, for his part, described Soviet territory. to the relations between the bloc and relations between the two states is being marked this the “wide-ranging and ambitious docu- In the case with Armenia, officials in the country, European Union’s ambas- year. ment” as “our joint endeavor that both Yerevan and Brussels have repeat- sador to Armenia Piotr Switalski said Karapetyan particularly noted that Armenia and opens a new chapter in the bilateral edly stated that the deal does not con- on November 27, adding that he is Iran have great potential to develop trade and eco- relations between the Republic of tradict Yerevan’s allied relations with “very optimistic” about the deal. nomic partnership and despite this year’s increase in Armenia and the European Union.” Moscow nor jeopardize Armenia’s “We are now focused on working to export-import, the current indicators do not reflect “The Agreement establishes a solid membership in the Eurasian Economic have the agreement implemented in the real potential for