Yovanovitch to LeaveArmenia in June

YEREVAN (Azg) — US Ambassador to ArmeniaMarie Yovanovitch will conclude her three-yeartour, the US Embassy in Armenia reported onMay 5.Yovanovitch will return to Washington, DC to

take up her new duties as deputy assistant sec-retary for Northern and Central Europe at theUS Department of State, in June.

France-basedParticipants of ArtsakhWar Receive Honors

PARIS (Armenpress) — A medal ceremony forArmenian and Diaspora-Armenian participants ofthe Artsakh War was held May 6 at the AGBU AlexManoogian Cultural Center here.An official from the Armenian Foreign Affairs

Ministry said that Hayk Harutunyan, chairmanof the Azatamartik military-patriotic benevolentNGO, former commander of the Sose MayrikDetachment, gave the Azatamartik memorialorder to six France-based participants of theArtsakh War. Several participants received cer-tificates from the NGO.At the evening program, Prof. Richard

Hovannisian, soon-to-be retired UCLA professor,delivered a talk.

Istanbul Court AnnulsDemotion of PoliceChief over Failure toPrevent Dink Murder

ISTANBUL (PanARMENIAN.Net) — An adminis-trative court on Monday, May 9, annulled an ear-lier Interior Ministry decision to demoteRamazan Akyürek, the former head of theNational Police Department’s intelligence depart-ment, over his alleged negligence in protectingthe late Turkish-Armenian journalist and Agosnewspaper’s editor, Hrant Dink.Akyürek, who was at the helm of the intelli-

gence department at the time, was demoted bythe Interior Ministry after allegations emergedthat he was among a number of police officerswho had failed to prevent the assassination ofthe journalist despite having credible evidencethat it was imminent.The Ankara 14th Administrative Court

reviewed an appeal filed by Akyürek against hisdemotion and decided to annul the decision todemote the former police chief. The court said“there was no concrete evidence that requiredhis demotion over allegations of negligence,”Today’s Zaman reported.

INDEXArmenia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 3Arts and Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Community News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 5

Mirror- SpectatorMirror- SpectatorTHE ARMENIAN

Volume LXXXI, NO. 42, Issue 4188

M AY 1 4 , 2 0 1 1

$ 2.00

IllustratingPossibilities

page 13

INSIDE

The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States

NEWS IN BRIEF

World Monuments Fund toConserve Ani Cathedral

NEW YORK (armradio.am) — Bonnie Burnham, president of the New York-based World Monuments Fund (WMF), has announced that WMF and theTurkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism have embarked on a historic partner-ship to conserve the Ani Cathedral and the Church of the Holy Savior.Once the site of hundreds of religious buildings, palaces, fortifications and

other structures, Ani was, in the 10th century, one of the world’s great cities.Today, however, it stands abandoned, and its celebrated historic buildings arein a precarious state.

see ANI, page 4

Ani Cathedral

Dr. Movses Housepian, a for-mer editor of the ArmenianMirror-Spectator, will beremembered at the gala tobe held in New Jersey onJune 4, paying tribute to thelongevity of the newspaper.See story on page 10.

Eroding Diasporas Cling toTraditions

By Alin K. GregorianMirror-Spectator Staff

WATERTOWN, Mass. — Politicalevents of the past three decades have

uprooted or altered the lives of manyArmenians living in Middle Easterncountries. From Iran to Lebanon, andnow Syria, Jordan, Egypt and Iraq, com-munities that seemed well-established —and well-heeled — now seem to haveeither shrunk dramatically or shifted asequally dramatically because of past, pre-sent or anticipated revolutions.Two scholars studying Armenian diaspo-

ras shed some light on the changing natureof the Middle Eastern communities, oncehome to the largest Armenian Diaspora.Prof. Ara Sanjian, director of the

University of Michigan at Dearborn’sArmenian Research Center, suggestedthat in the past three decades, there hasbeen a shift out of the Arab world forArmenians.

see DIASPORA, page 20

ShushiAnniversaryMarkedSargisian Warns Azerbaijan

Against Hostile MovesSHUSHI, Karabagh (RFE/RL) —

President Serge Sargisian warnedAzerbaijan against attempting to resolvethe Nagorno-Karabagh conflict by force onMonday as he visited the disputed territoryto mark the 19th anniversary of a keyArmenian military victory.“We silenced, and if need be will silence

again all those fire spots from where ourchildren and our parents were shot,” hesaid in a written address to the nation.“However, I hope that it will not be neces-sary: our troops, who are guarding peace ofour Fatherland, hold the greatest promisethat it will not happen again.”Sargisian issued the statement as he cel-

ebrated the anniversary of the 1992 cap-ture by Karabagh Armenian forces ofShushi, Karabagh’s second largest townthat was mostly populated by Azerbaijanis.The military operation led to the openingof a land corridor between the disputedenclave and Armenia and thus proved cru-cial for the outcome of the 1991-1994Karabagh war.A native of Karabagh, Sargisian was one

of the top commanders of Karabaghsee WARNING, page 2

PARIS (RFE/RL) — The French Senatehas effectively rejected a bill that wouldmake it a crime to publicly say the WorldWar I-era mass killings of Armenians inOttoman Turkey did not constitute geno-cide.The bill — which was drafted by lawmak-

ers from the opposition Socialist Party —was adopted by the French lower house, theNational Assembly, in 2006 amid vehementprotests from the Turkish government.But it also needs to be passed by the

Senate, parliament’s upper house, in orderto become law.The French-Armenian community has

for years been trying to push the billthrough the Senate, which is dominatedby supporters of President NicolasSarkozy. The effort has faced tacit resis-tance from the government.Spokesman Francois Baroin said on

May 4 that the government did not sup-port the draft law co-sponsored by three-dozen Socialist senators.He said existing French legislation

already allowed the state to counter pub-lic denials of what it has declared was agenocide against Armenians.Baroin said France recognized the

Genocide with a special law adopted in2001. “France continues to believe that[genocide] denialism is unacceptable in anyform,” armenews.com quoted him as saying.A standing committee of the Senate

made similar arguments as it openlyopposed the bill on May 4. The full cham-ber then voted 196 to 74 to block a formaldebate on the issue.The move angered several hundred

French people of Armenian descent whohad gathered outside the LuxembourgPalace in Paris, the seat of the Senate,during the debate.“It’s clear that the French Senate bowed

to Turkish government pressure and sim-ply found an excuse not to adopt this law,”Hratch Varjabedian, one of the organizersof the demonstration, said.Varjabedian said community leaders

see FRANCE, page 4

French Senate DropsGenocide Denial Bill

New Reality in the Middle East in Wake of Revolts, Reforms and Religion

YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Armenia offi-cially marked the 66th anniversary ofthe end of World War II on Monday,with thousands of people visiting a warmemorial in Yerevan to pay theirrespects to Soviet soldiers who defeatedNazi Germany.A steady stream of people, among

them gray-haired veterans wearing theirwartime decorations, silently filed pastan eternal flame in the city’s VictoryPark after an official ceremony led byparliament speaker Hovik Abrahamian,Prime Minister Tigran Sargisian andother senior Armenian officials.An honor guard of Armenian and

Russian soldiers stood to attention asthey laid wreathes and flowers aroundthe fire. Sargisian and Abrahamian

then shared a ceremonial meal withsome of the veterans in the park.“May God grant you many more years

of life,” Sargisian told them. “Thelonger you stay with us, the better wewill feel,” he said, raising a toast.President Serge Sargisian, who was

visiting Nagorno-Karabagh, issued awritten address to the nation on theoccasion. “This victory brought long-awaited peace to Armenia whichendured so much tragedy,” he said.

“This victory opened new doors forprogress; it opened new horizons for bring-

ingupaneducated andhealthy younggen-eration – a generation which is true to thevows of its forefathers and which will builda new Armenia. For the Armenian nation,the World War II was the Great PatrioticWar indeed,” he added.At least 320,000 residents of

Armenia, then a republic of approxi-mately 1 million people, were drafted tothe Soviet army during the bloodiestwar in history. The total number ofSoviet Armenian participants is esti-mated at more than 500,000. Only halfreturned home alive.There are currently about 3,600 vet-

erans living in Armenia. May 9 is a raremoment of nationwide attention tothem and their needs.“This is wonderful because it’s about

respect for the elders in general andespecially the veterans,” one veteransaid. “We are grateful for that.”But others complained about a lack

of government attention and modestbenefits paid to them by the state.“They say they are unable to give usmore aid,” said one of them. “But that’snot true.” “We don’t get one-third ofwhat veterans in Moscow get,” saidanother veteran.“They deserve more,” admitted

Abrahamian. “We must be more caringtoward them. Their socioeconomic

problems must be at the center of thegovernment’s attention.”“But we must also understand that

our financial resources are not enoughto solve all problems properly,” theArmenian speaker told journalists.

S A T U R D A Y, M A Y 1 4 , 2 0 1 1 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R2

ARMENIA

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aanndd pphhoottooss bbyy pphhoottooggrraapphheerr ZZaavveenn SSaarrggssyyaann..

News From Armenia

SargisianWarnsAzerbaijanWARNING, from page 1Armenian troops that stormed andseized the strategically important townoverlooking Stepanakert on May 8-9,1992.Sargisian and the political leader-

ship of Nagorno Karabagh laid flow-ers at a war memorial in Stepanakert.They also attended on Sunday a litur-gy held at the Armenian cathedral ofShushi.“Now and forever, we will be cele-

brating wholeheartedly our gloriousvictory; this was a victory of good overevil and barbarity,” read Sargisian’smessage. “Those who stepped intoimmortality on the battlefield carry onwith their great mission as a moral andpolitical force.”Speaking at a news conference in

Yerevan last week, the Armenian presi-dent accused Baku of torpedoing peacetalks mediated by the United States,

Russia and France and planning to startanother war.The accusations were in sharp con-

trast to statements made by bothSargisian and Azerbaijani PresidentIlham Aliyev following their most recent

meeting that was hosted by theirRussian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev,in early March. The Armenian andAzerbaijani leaders said the summitbrightened prospects for a peacefulKarabagh settlement.

Armenian President Serge Sargisian (right) and Karabagh President Bako Sahakianand other leaders attend a liturgy in the Armenian cathedral of Shushi.

Armenia toExtend, ExpandAfghan Mission YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Armenia plans

to almost triple the number of its troopsserving in Afghanistan under NATO com-mand and extend their mission at leastuntil the end of 2012, Defense MinisterSeyran Ohanian confirmed on Tuesday.Ohanian formally asked the Armenian

parliament to allow his government tocommit an additional 85 troops to theUS-led International Security AssistanceForce (ISAF) for Afghanistan operatingunder the NATO aegis. Parliament isexpected to authorize the deploymentthis week.Armenia sent a platoon of 40 soldiers

to the war-torn country last year in accor-dance with an agreement with NATOsigned in late 2009. The small unit istasked with guarding a military airportnear the northern Afghan city ofKunduz. Five other Armenian service-men were sent there to train an Afghanarmy battalion.The agreement with NATO is due to

expire in December. Amendmentsworked out by Armenian and NATO offi-cials would extend it by one year andraise to 130 the number of servicementhe Armenian military will have on theground. That number would temporarilyreach 260 during regular troop rotations.Speaking at the National Assembly,

Ohanian said the additional troops wererequested by Germany, which is in chargeof ISAF’s Northern Command headquar-tered in the city of Mazar-e-Sharif.“The German side and Germany’s

defense minister in particular have giventhe highest appraisal to our troops andwith a corresponding letter have asked usto send two more infantry platoons fordeployment with ISAF in Mazar-e-Sharif,”he said. Germany will continue to finance the

Armenian troops’ presence inAfghanistan.

Veterans celebrate the 66th anniversary of Soviet victory in World War II with theprime minister and the chairman of National Assembly, in Yerevan’s Victory Park,May 9.

Armenia Remembers Soviet Victory in WWII

S A T U R D A Y, M A Y 1 4 , 2 0 1 1 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R 3

ARMENIA

YEREVAN — More than 250 psychiatristsfrom around the world attended the annualregional meeting of the World PsychiatricAssociation (WPA), Eastern European Region,from April 14-17, here. Dr. Armen Soghoyan,president of both the Armenian PsychiatricAssociation and World Psychiatric Association,Eastern Region, was director of the conference.The theme of the conference was “MentalHealth in a Changing World.” World-renowned

psychiatrists from the US, Europe and Asia pre-sented current research on topics of schizo-phrenia, depression, autism and mental healthissues specific for women. Special symposiawere devoted the worldwide impact of disastersboth natural ones such as earthquakes andtsunami and manmade ones such as terrorismand war. A special symposium was devoted to

the Armenian Genocide including the effects ofdenial, transgenerational transmission of trau-ma and issues relevant to revenge.The superb efforts of the local organizing

committee under the direction of Soghoyanwere evident at the Armenia-Marriott Hotel.Keynote speakers presented at the large ball-room and six breakout symposia were conduct-ed simultaneously for three days with PowerPoint access available in each room.

Coffee breaks with lunchoccurred without any prob-lems and sessions were ontime. Typical of such interna-tional medical conferenceswas the pharmaceutical sup-port from such industrygiants as Lilly, Janssen andGlaxoSmithKline, all with rep-resentatives in Armenia.Dr. Hagop Akiskal, profes-

sor of psychiatry at theUniversity of San DiegoMedical School, is an interna-tionally-recognized expert onmood disorders and he was akeynote speaker on the sub-ject of bipolar disorders. Dr.Edward Khantzian, professorof psychiatry at HarvardMedical School in Cambridge,

Mass., presented a novel approach to under-standing substance abuse. Dr. Armen Goenjian,professor of psychiatry at UCLA and Dr. LouisNajarian, professor of psychiatry at HofstraNorth Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, presenteda symposium on their 20 years of work sincethe 1988 Armenian earthquake. They discussedresearch and treatment methods developed

from their experience which took place at theWestern Region Armenian Relief Society’s men-tal health clinics in Gumri and Spitak. Theirresearch has been published in leading psychi-atric journals and is the foundation for mentalhealth interventions for disasters. Both clinicsprovided the only free mental health treatmentfor children and their families in Gumri andSpitak and it is unfortunate the ARS chose to

close the clinics in spite of the continued need.The conference opening took place at the

Opera House to a packed audience with com-ments from state officials and then a musical pro-gram with renditions by Khachaturian. A recep-tion followed at the Opera House. Visiting guestsenjoyed such Armenian culture and hospitalitywith tours of the city, their museums and a won-derful performance of the opera “Aida.”

From left, Dr. Armen Goenjian, professor of psychiatry, UCLA; Dr.Samvel Torossian, chief pychiatrist, Republic of Armenia; Louis M.Najarian, MD; Kristine Torossian, pscyhologist, and VaheSimonyan, MD, psychiatrist

World Psychiatric Association Convenes in Yerevan

Louis M. Najarian, MD, professor of psychaiatry at Hofstra University School of Medicine, on theleft, and Armen Soghoyan, MD, president of the Armenian Psychiatric Association and the WorldPsychiatric Association, Eastern Region, and director of the conference

YEREVAN (News.am) — Council of EuropeCommissioner for Human Rights ThomasHammarberg released a report on May 9 on hisvisit to Armenia in January. The report focuseson issues related to the March 2008 events,freedom of expression and freedom of assemblyand association and the human rights situationin the army. The following is from the reportposted on Council of Europe website.“Some significant steps have been taken to

address the human rights consequences of theMarch 2008 events, but more needs to be doneto promote reconciliation in society and rein-force public trust towards the authorities,”Hammarberg said in the report.The commissioner considers that the use of

force on March 1-2, 2008 was excessive and thatthe investigation into the 10 deaths has notbeen effective. “None of the perpetrators havebeen identified to date. Command responsibili-ty of senior officials within the police and thesecurity services appears not to have been seri-ously considered. The Armenian authoritiesshould pursue vigorously these investigationsand bring all those responsible to account. Thefamilies of the 10 victims should receive ade-quate compensation for the loss of their rela-tives and should be fully associated to andinformed about the investigation,” he said inthe report.The commissioner welcomes the recent

instruction from President Serge Sargisian withregard to the investigation into the death casesand hopes that this will be translated into con-crete progress in identifying and punishingthose responsible.While welcoming the release of many of

those deprived of their liberty in connection tothe March 2008 events, three of whom werereleased after his visit, the commissioner con-tinues to have serious concerns about the situ-ation of remaining imprisoned oppositionactivists and urges the Armenian authorities torelease them.The report also pays particular attention to

freedom of expression, including freedom anddiversity of the media. While welcoming thedecriminalization of libel and insult through lastyear’s amendments to the Criminal Code, thecommissioner remains concerned about the

increase of cases brought against media outletson the basis of amendments to the Civil Code. Hestresses that unreasonably high fines in civilcases relating to media should be avoided. At thesame time, ethical standards for journalism anda system of self-regulation should be encouraged.Expressing alarm over the attacks and

pressure on journalists that have taken placein the past two years, the commissioner callsupon the country’s leadership to firmly con-demn such incidents and to take measures to

prevent their recurrence.The implementation in practice of the right

to freedom of peaceful assembly in Armeniaalso remains a source of concern. “Unlawful anddisproportionate impediments on peacefulassemblies, such as intimidation and arrest ofparticipants, disruption of transportationmeans and blanket prohibitions against assem-blies in certain places, should be immediatelydiscontinued. It is crucial that the behavior andactions of police forces during assemblies abide

by human rights standards.”Hammarberg encouraged the authorities to

review the national legal framework and practicesrelated to freedom of expression, freedom of themedia and freedom of assembly in order to bringit in compliance with human rights standards.The report also addressed the issue of non-

combat deaths, torture and ill treatment, whichhave occurred in the Armenian army and havefeatured prominently in the country’s publicdebate.

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Presents Report on Armenia

YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — The head of theArmenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos KarekinII, on Wednesday held a special service for thevictims of a catastrophic earthquake and tsuna-mi in Japan. The prayer and requiem service,attended by President Serge Sargisian and asenior Japanese official, was held in SaintGregory the Illuminator Cathedral nearly twomonths after the calamity that killed more than25,000 people.“In the great family of mankind created by

God, each of us has a moral obligation andresponsibility to extend a hand and console all ofour brothers who are bearing the heavy burdenof disaster or tragedy,” Catholicos Karekin II saidin a sermon delivered at the end of the religiousceremony.“Catastrophe, pain and loss do not recognize

ethnicity and borders,” he told hundreds of peo-ple attending. “Our people were the witnesses tothis knowledge and expression of conviction, byreceiving aid during the years of the ArmenianGenocide, as well as the terrible earthquake of1988, when many countries, among them Japan,extended their hand of assistance to Armenia inbrotherhood.”Karekin II also praised governments, internation-

al organizations and individuals who have helped“the honest people of Japan.” “Let us pray for disaster and misfortune to never

again ‘knock on the door’ of any people, andstrengthened and inspired by the Lord, that human-itarian hearts and hands never lessen in society,” he

said.The Armenian government allocated $500,000

in humanitarian assistance to Japan last month.Sargisian likewise mentioned the 1988 earth-

quake, which left more than 25,000 Armeniansdead, at a meeting with Japan’s visiting DeputyForeign Minister Hisashi Tokunaga earlier onWednesday.“We admire the courage and perseverance

shown by your people in response to that severeblow of destiny,” Sargisian was quoted by hispress office as saying. He said the Armenian gov-

ernment is following the ongoing Japaneseefforts to deal with the consequences of seriousaccidents at the Fukushima nuclear plant.According to a statement by the office,

Tokunaga said Japan will continue to provideeconomic assistance to Armenia despite the dis-asters.Japan has been one of the country’s major for-

eign donors since independence. As recently aslast summer, the Japanese government donated28 fire engines worth $8 million to the Yerevandivision of the Armenian Rescue Service.

Hundreds of people attend a requiem service in Yerevan’s St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral forvictims of Japan’s devastating earthquake

Armenian Church Service for Japan Quake Victims

ISTANBUL (BBC) — Turkey’s PrimeMinister Recep Tayyip Erdogan hascalled for Libyan leader Col. MuammarGaddafi to step down “for the sake ofthe country’s future.”Erdogan said the Libyan leader had

ignored the wishes of his people byusing force against them.Correspondents say it is a marked

change in Turkish policy towards Libya,with Erdogan previously having taken amore conciliatory approach.Gaddafi’s troops have been fighting

rebel forces for several weeks.Turkey has temporarily closed its

Tripoli embassy and withdrawn itsemployees, although it is keeping an

embassy open in rebel-held Benghazi.Most other Western governments

evacuated staff from the country wheninternational forces began air strikesagainst Libya in March, under a UNmandate to protect civilians.In a speech, Erdogan said Gaddafi

had ignored calls for change in Libyaand preferred “bloodshed” to listeningto his people.“One cannot establish future, liberty,

stability, peace and justice on blood.Therefore we wish the Libyan leaderimmediately pulls out from Libya andsteps down for himself and for thefuture of the country,” he said.He also said Turkey would do all it

could to ensure the people of Libya takethe lead in establishing a more democ-ratic system, and would talk to the anti-Gaddafi National Transitional Council.“The people of Libya should deter-

mine their future in solidarity and unity,it is a priority for us. Hence, we will stayin touch with National TransitionalCouncil to ensure that the elements inour road map can be carried out.”The BBC’s Jonathan Head says that,

with this statement, Turkey is for thefirst time in accord with its allies overLibya.Popular anger over the suffering of

civilians in the besieged Libyan city ofMisrata has probably helped shift theTurkish government’s policy, just amonth before it faces a general election,our correspondent adds.The UN withdrew all international

staff from Tripoli earlier this week afterthey were confronted by angry crowdsprotesting over the death of Gaddafi’sson in a NATO air strike.Meanwhile, there have been reports

of fresh strikes by NATO on Misrata,where forces loyal to Gaddafi have beenbombarding the port.

ANI, from page 1Support for these conservation pro-

jects has been provided by the USDepartment of State’s AmbassadorsFund, the Turkish General Directorateof Cultural Heritage and Museums andWorld Monuments Fund.Burnham added, “There has long

been international concern about thefragile condition of the many extraordi-nary ruins at Ani, and the site has beenlisted on the World Monuments Watchon multiple occasions, beginning in1996. In conserving these two impor-tant structures, WMF and Turkey’sGeneral Directorate of Cultural Heritageand Museums will develop methods thatcan be applied to the other buildingsstill standing in this seismic area. Wehope that this work will usher in a newera in the life of this important site.”Located in modern-day eastern

Turkey, Ani Cathedral is one of the mostsignificant architectural structuresremaining from the prosperousArmenian Bagratid period in the 10th

and 11th centuries AD. The cathedral isone of the most impressive of the col-lection of ruins. The cathedral was com-pleted in 1001 by Queen Katramide,and is widely noted as a leading exampleof the origins of Armenian ecclesiasticalarchitecture. The cathedral is often con-sidered a source of inspiration for manyof the key features of Gothic architec-ture, which became a dominant archi-tectural style in Western Europe morethan a century later. The cathedral isnoted for its use of pointed arches anda cruciform plan, articulated by fourinterior columns composed of clusteredpiers. Despite its ruined state, AniCathedral is a masterpiece of Armenianmedieval architecture.The conservation state of Ani Cathedral

became an object of international attentionin 1996, when the archaeological zone ofAni was placed on WMF’s inaugural Watchlist in 1996. Field missions to Ani were con-ducted in both 1996 and 1998, leading todocumentation and analytic work in subse-quent years.

S A T U R D A Y, M A Y 1 4 , 2 0 1 1 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R4

INTERNATIONAL

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KKrraammnniikk,, aallssoo ooff RRuussssiiaa..

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iinngg iinnvveessttmmeennttss,, pprreesseennttiinngg tthhee AArrmmeenniiaann pprroodduuccttssiinn tthhee AArraabb mmaarrkkeett,, ddiissccuussssiinngg ooppppoorrttuunniittiieess ffoorrtthhee iimmpplleemmeennttaattiioonn ooff jjooiinntt pprrooggrraammss aanndd ddeetteecctt--iinngg nneeww aarreeaass ooff ccooooppeerraattiioonn.. TToo ccoonnvveeyy tthheesseeppooiinnttss,, GGeevvoorrggyyaann mmaaddee aa ssppeeeecchh dduurriinngg tthhee ffoorruumm..TThhee AArrmmeenniiaann ddeelleeggaattiioonn ppaarrttiicciippaatteedd iinn rroouunndd

ttaabbllee ddiissccuussssiioonnss wwhhiicchh aarree ddeevvootteedd ttoo ttrraaddee aannddiinnvveessttmmeenntt ooppppoorrttuunniittiieess ffoorr tthhee UUAAEE aanndd GGuullffccoouunnttrriieess,, eeccoonnoommiicc ddeevveellooppmmeenntt iinn tthhee rreeggiioonn,,nneeww ooppppoorrttuunniittiieess ccoonnddiittiioonneedd bbyy tthhee ddeevveellooppmmeennttooff CChhiinnaa’’ss eeccoonnoommyy,, aattttrraaccttiinngg ddiirreecctt ffoorreeiiggnniinnvveessttmmeennttss,, pprroossppeeccttss ooff ddeevveellooppmmeenntt ooff ffrreeeezzoonneess aanndd iinnvveessttmmeenntt ssttrraatteeggiieess..AAtt tthhee pprreesseennttaattiioonn ooff AArrmmeenniiaa,, wwhhiicchh wwaass hheelldd

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AArrmmeenniiaa’’ss ‘‘RReettuurrnn ooff tthheePPooeett’’ BBeesstt DDooccuummeennttaarryy

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ttiioonn hhaadd mmeeeettiinnggss wwiitthh rreepprreesseennttaattiivveess ooff tthheeAArrmmeenniiaann ccoommmmuunniittyy ttoo TThheessssaalloonniikkii,, vviissiitteedd tthheellooccaall AArrmmeenniiaann SSaattuurrddaayy SScchhooooll aanndd ddoonnaatteeddbbooookkss ttoo tthhee ccoommmmuunniittyy lliibbrraarryy..TThhee ooppeenniinngg ooff AArrmmeenniiaa’’ss ppaavviilliioonn wwaass tthhee ffiirrsstt

jjooiinntt iinniittiiaattiivvee bbyy tthhee AArrmmeenniiaann CCuullttuurree MMiinniissttrryyaanndd tthhee AArrmmeenniiaann EEmmbbaassssyy iinn GGrreeeeccee..

International News

French Senate RejectsGenocide Denial Bill FRANCE, from page 1would strive to ensure that the senatorsthat defeated the bill do not get French-Armenian votes in the next presidentialand parliamentary elections due in2012.Many activists will also blame

Sarkozy, who is expected to run forreelection. One of his potential chal-lengers, Socialist Party leader MartineAubry, has reportedly backed the driveto criminalize genocide denial.

World Monuments Fund to Conserve Ani

Turkey’s Erdogan Urges Gaddafi to Quit

GENEVA, Switzerland —Acknowledging their longstand-ing dedication and outstandingservices to the Armenian com-munity, AGBU Swiss honoredthe leadership of the HDTopalian Foundation with a spe-cial tribute held on April 29.The Topalian Foundation,

which is an AGBU-affiliatedorganization, was established in1993 in Switzerland to fulfillthe national aspirations of thelate Hagop D. Topalian, a majorbenefactor of the AGBU. Forclose to two decades, the presi-dent of the foundation,Edmond Pilossian, and its mostactive vice chairwoman, AnnieMesrobian, continued to leadthe activities of the foundationin carrying out its noble mis-sion in support of a number ofhumanitarian and cultural ini-tiatives. During the recognition,AGBU President BergeSetrakian emphasized the roleof AGBU Swiss, which wasestablished in 1924 by the lateBoghos Nubar and is presently led byVahe Gabrache of Geneva. Setrakianfurther praised all those who servedon the board of the TopalianFoundation for their staunch dedica-tion and he bestowed the status ofAGBU Honor Member on the two hon-orees. They, in turn, thanked AGBUand humbly accepted this recognition.Following the bestowal of the certifi-

cates, the two honorees were present-ed with crystal plaques as tokens ofappreciation.The tributary evening was attended

by several AGBU Swiss Board mem-bers, including Gabrache, ArisAtamian and Yervant Zorian, as well asAGBU Europe District ChairmanAlexis Govciyan and AGBU EuropeBoard members. The event was held in

conjunction with the 25thInternational Fair for Books and Pressin Geneva, where, on the occasion ofthe 500th anniversary of the firstprinted book in Armenian, “Armenia —Hayastan” was this year’s honorarypavilion. The event was organizedmainly by the H.D. TopalianFoundation and co-sponsored byAGBU Swiss.

Honoree Annie Mesrobian receives an AGBU Honor Member certificate from AGBUPresident Berge Setrakian. From left, AGBU President Berge Setrakian; AGBU Swiss andAGBU Europe Board member, Vahe Gabrache; AGBU Europe District chairman, AlexisGovciyan; vice-chairwoman of the HD Topalian Foundation, Annie Mesrobian; president ofGeneva’s Center for Contemporary Art, Jean Altounian and president of the HD TopalianFoundation, Edmond Pilossian (seated)

AGBU Swiss Honors Two LongtimeLeaders of Topalian Foundation

By Gayane Abrahamyan

ISTANBUL (ArmeniaNow) — HranushHakobyan, in her first visit here as Armenia’sdiaspora minister, this week heard the concernsof the community as well as immigrants whohailed originally from Armenia gave answers to anumber of concerns voiced not only by Istanbul-Armenians but also migrants from Armenia. Topon their agendas was education.Hakobyan was invited to Istanbul between

May 5-7 to take part in the UN-held Women’sWorld Summit at which a total of 82 countrieswere represented, with three first ladies — includ-ing Turkey’s first lady Hayrunnisa Gul — and 34ministers among the participants.Hakobyan, however, devoted most of her time

to meetings with the Armenian community inTurkey. This was her second visit to Istanbul, butthe first in the capacity of the diaspora minister.“Armenians of Constantinople are Armenia’s

love and pride; I am grateful that despite all thehardship and under these difficult circumstancesthey stay true to their identity,” she said duringher speech at the reception held in the hall of cer-emonies at the Armenian Patriarchate ofIstanbul after the Sunday liturgy.During the reception she gave medals to 15

Armenians, including writers, musicians, doctorsand artists.After visiting some of the Armenian communi-

ty’s educational centers and churches, the minis-ter said that the most important thing is tostrengthen the ties with Armenia, for which fre-quent visits to their homeland are an importantfactor.“By the end of the year, within the framework

of various projects, some 500 young Armenians

from Istanbul will be visiting Armenia to seetheir motherland and establish a contact withtheir country. We are also planning to hold ‘Daysof Constantinople Armenians in Armenia.’” saidthe minister.Although Armenians living in Istanbul do not

consider themselves diaspora, because, as theysay, they “were born and now live in historicalArmenia” and it is their “motherland”, neverthe-less, they stress the importance of establishingcloser bonds with Armenia.The main issue raised during the meeting by

the Istanbul Armenians was shortage of booksand manuals at schools. Tuition at around 20educational institutions of Istanbul (schools,seminaries, kindergartens) is done in accordancewith the state curricula and books (all inTurkish) approved by the Turkish ministry ofeducation, and the Armenian language is taughtwith outdated books or photocopies of more up-to-date manuals — this gradually leads to lack ofinterest in learning the language or, worse, toloss of the language itself.Silva Guyumtchyan, principle of Istanbul’s old-

est Central Lyceum (founded in 1886), says thatthe issue of books was raised yet two years ago,but to no avail.“Since Armenia and Turkey do not have diplo-

matic relations, our demands cannot be viewedas official, since schools belong to the state, theonly thing we can expect is optional books thatare not verified by the state but can help our chil-dren to improve the learning process of theArmenian language, and make the classes moreenjoyable,” Guyumtchyan, who has lead thelyceum for three decades, said.Hakobyan promised that the issue of Western-

Armenian language manuals will be solved in thenearest future.“Every year our teachers come to Armenia for

training, and the manuals are being drafted; wehave designated 70 places at state educationalinstitutions for diaspora applicants, who are eli-gible for state-funded tuition at any departmentand then return to their countries of residenceand pass the knowledge to their communities,”the minister said.Many of the migrants from Armenia attending

the liturgy expressed no desire to meet with theminister for “lack of expectations”, as they put it.“There is only one thing we need — employ-

ment, so that we can return home. We are herefor solely one reason — to work and earn our liv-ing and the minister cannot solve that issue,”Susanna from Gumri, who has been working inIstanbul for two years, said.The main issue for an estimated 12,000

Armenian migrants working in Turkey is theirchildren’s education, because, the parents’ illegal

status in the country does not enable them toattend public schools (Armenian schools, too, areconsidered to be public or state-funded).Many had not received any education for years

— up until 2003, when an underground schoolopened in the basement of Gedik-Pasha’sArmenian Evangelical Church (founded in 1850)for some 70 children illegally residing in Turkey;the school uses the same curricula and books asin Armenia.Last year, when Turkish newspapers reported

on this school and the issue of education ofmigrants’ children, Turkey’s Vice Premier BulentArenc promised Archbishop Aram Ateshyan,Armenian co-patriarch of Istanbul, to attend tothe problem.Hakobyan says that she discussed the issue

with the co-patriarch and was told that the issueis being solved.

S A T U R D A Y, M A Y 1 4 , 2 0 1 1 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R 5

INTERNATIONAL

MERSIN, Turkey (Firant news agency) —BDP’s Mersin Akdeniz Municipality hasnamed a park and built a monument, both inhonor of Hrant Dink. Dink, chief editor of thebilingual newspaper Agos, was murdered onJanuary 19, 2007.Hundreds of Turks, Kurds, Arabs,

Armenians, Christians and Alevis cametogether in Mersin for the opening of HrantDink Park and monument which were madeby the Akdeniz Municipality.Following a dance performance by primary

school students, the opening ceremony wasmade with the participation of prominent fig-ures, such as Labor, Democracy and FreedomBlock’s Mersin Independent CandidateErtugrul Kürkcü; Dink’s wife, Rakel, anddaughter, Delal Dink; BDP Provincial ChairCihan Yilmaz; Akdeniz Municipality Mayor M.Fazil Türk; Agos Editor Rober Koptas;Armenian writer Vartak Estukyan; representa-tives of the Catholic and Orthodox churches inMersin; journalists Ali Bayramoglu and CelalBaslangic and several other artists and poets.Making the opening speech of the ceremo-

ny, which drew much interest from the publicand media, Türk started off by expressing hispleasure of giving one of the most honorableand meaningful services during his presiden-cy. Türk said: “We are giving this park thename of Hrant who was murdered with anunacceptable malicious attack. We will give afight for the values peace, democracy andequality that he died for. We will not be afraidof those different us and we will keep take thedifferences as our richness. Everybody isequal in this country and deserves equal treat-ment. I once more condemn the dark handsthat shadow this brotherhood. Dark focuseswill not be able to prevent the breedingground of the seeds of peace and freedom inour country. Names like Hrant Dink are thecornerstones on this way. We bow respectful-ly before the memory of our peace dove. Wewill not forget the name Hrant Dink.”Emphasizing that Dink is a companion who

sacrificed his life for the peoples’ liberty andfor the great action of Deniz Gezmis and hiscompanions, Kürkcü said: “While entrustinghimself to the conservation of the Turkishpeople, Hrant wanted to believe in somethingthat was yet not proved. We, however, sawthat this vessel head was not that much pro-tective. The peoples cannot exist alone. Theylapse into a political statement. And, unfortu-nately, the state, our political statement, is noton very good terms with its people, other peo-ples, families and religions. The murder ofHrant Dink is bitter realization of this bittertruth. We now owe an apology to theArmenian people and to our brother Hrant

Dink. And what a bitter fate is it that this apol-ogy is paid by a Kurdish local official, not bya dominant element of the state. In otherwords, the Kurdish people, on behalf ofTurkey’s peoples, have begun to apologize forthe cruelty toward the Armenian people. Weneed to take this as an example. Turkey can-not put the blame of all happenings onminorities, others and the expelled. Turkeyneeds to face with its truth and its history.”Kürkcü who called referred to Dink as “our

companion,” was followed by Dink’s widow,who emphasized that this name recalls of cru-elty created by discrimination, racism and fas-cism and said: “My husband gave a fight for

truths along his life. He tried to address theunfairness suffered by all peoples but he wasresponded with death. But the only thing toconsole us is that his thoughts have expand-ed and born new people thinking like him.And I can see this picture here today. Thisidea is just a point to face the past. Our histo-ry is full of lots of pains.”The speeches were followed by concerts

from the MKM (Mesopotamian CultureCenter) group and Kardes Türküler whoshowed their support through their songsabout freedom, equality and peace.The program ended with the opening of the

Hrant Dink Park and monument.

Rakel Dink and others at the opening of the Hrant Dink Park

Hrant Dink Park Opens in Mersin

Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobyan and members of the community in Istanbul

Diaspora Minister Addresses Concerns of Istanbul-Armenians

6 S A T U R D A Y, M A Y 1 4 , 2 0 1 1 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

Community News

Toronto Raising Funds forDikranagerd Church

Reconstruction ProjectTORONTO — The Surp Giragos Church in Diyarbakir/Dikranagerd, Turkey, is

the largest Armenian Church in the Middle East and one of the most importantexamples of Armenian architecture. Since 1915, it has been subjected to bothwillful destruction and neglect, as a result of which it was in ruins and in dangerof complete collapse. However, in 2009, a reconstruction project was launched bythe Surp Giragos Foundation Board in Istanbul, under the auspices of theIstanbul Patriarchate. The board was successful in legalizing the deed and titlefor the Surp Giragos Church property, then obtaining authorization and allrequired permits for the reconstruction, followed by worldwide fundraising activ-ities.The Surp Giragos Church, originally dating from 1515, with seven altars and a

huge footprint of 15,000 square feet, had a 100-foot-high bell tower, with a bellmolded by the famed Zildjian family and a large golden cross at the top. The belltoward was bombarded and destroyed by German/Ottoman cannon fire in 1915,as it was deemed unacceptable to have a church tower higher than the mosqueminarets. Unlike the other Armenian architectural masterpiece, the Holy CrossArmenian Church atAkhtamar Island nearVan, which was renovat-ed by the Turkish gov-ernment but convertedto a state museum, theSurp Giragos ArmenianChurch in Diyarbakir, isofficially recognized asan Armenian churchunder the control of theArmenian Patriarchate.When reconstruction iscompleted, it will be notonly an outstandingArmenian architecturalmasterpiece, but also ahistoric evidence to pastArmenian presence in the region, as well as a future pilgrimage destination forall Armenians.The total reconstruction budget is $2.5 million. The project is well underway,

the first phase of the project already completed, on time and within budget. Theworldwide fundraising efforts have successfully raised the funds needed for thefirst phase from the Armenian communities within Turkey, the Middle East andEurope, with the focus now shifting to North American Armenian communitiesin New York and Toronto.After the church restoration is completed, the legal claims phase will be

launched to pursue the transfer of deeds for all the properties to purse the trans-fer of deeds for all the properties originally owned by the church prior to 1915.The Foundation Board has already successfully reclaimed a few of these proper-ties, which will secure a steady income toward maintenance of the church build-ing, but there are almost 200 other properties which will go through the legalchannels for reclaim.This is a project of interest not only for Dikranagerdtsi Armenians, but for all

Armenians everywhere, with historic and future implications. It is the firstArmenian church being reconstructed as an Armenian church in Turkey after itsdestruction in 1915. It is the first Armenian church to reclaim its land and prop-erties, after losing them in 1915.

see RECONSTRUCTION, page 7

AGBU YoungProfessionals of LosAngeles, ArmenianAssembly, DiscussGenocideRANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — In anticipation of

the 96th anniversary of the ArmenianGenocide, on Sunday, March 27, the ArmenianGeneral Benevolent Union (AGBU) YoungProfessionals of Los Angeles, in a joint effortwith the Armenian Assembly of America,embarked upon a public campaign to educatethe mainstream community on the first holo-caust of the 21st century.The program’s interaction with the residents

of the Coachella Valley fostered discussion onthe present US policy of complacency in recog-nizing the Armenian Genocide and in debunk-ing the Turkish government’s continued denialof one of the greatest crimes in human historyagainst its Armenian people.AGBU Young Professionals of Los Angeles

chair, Yeghig Keshishian, led a discussion onthe Armenian Genocide. The discussion washeld at the Tolerance Education Center inRancho Mirage. The two-hour event includedexcerpts from the movie “Screamers,” featuringSystem of the Down.Tolerance Education Center director of oper-

ations, Melisse Banwer, invited Keshishian andAssembly Southern California Regional Councilmember Margaret Mgrublian to educate theaudience of high school students and con-cerned citizens alike on history’s forgottengenocide of the 20th century.Present in the audience was Joyce Stein, a

member of the Assembly Board ofTrustees. After the event, Banwer commented,“This was our most successful event to date! Itwas successful in terms of favorable commentsfrom attendees, the lively and poignant audi-ence participation, as well as the number ofpeople who walked away from the event with anew understanding and knowledge of theArmenian Genocide.”Keshishian also stated, “For Americans of

Armenian descent, April is a time we — asa nation — commemorate the victims of theArmenian Genocide and share our human expe-rience with all victims of genocides past inanticipation of Genocide Awareness Month.Only through our shared human experiencescan we impart upon the youth the lessons wehave learned from our own personal historyand survival as told by our ancestors.”YPLA is the Los Angeles Chapter of the

AGBU Young Professionals — a growing net-work of individuals, between the ages of 22 and40, who individually and collectively mirror theAGBU’s mission. For more information on howto get involved with YPLA, con-tact agbu.ypla@gmail.com.

Sheriff EarnsEllis IslandMedal of Honor

By Evan Lips

BILLERICA, Mass. (Lowell Sun) — MiddlesexCounty Sheriff Peter Koutoujian is heading toNew York City to be awarded the Ellis IslandMedal of Honor for his work establishingBoston’s Armenian Heritage Park on the RoseKennedy Greenway, a spokesman said this week.“It really comes from his work as a state repre-

sentative,” said Michael Hartigan, Koutoujian’sspokesman.In 1999, Koutoujian first filed legislation to

consider anArmenian remem-brance site inBoston. It tookabout 10 years, butlast September thepark was estab-lished.Hartigan said

the Ellis IslandMedals of Honorare awarded eachyear to Americanswho “exemplify alife dedicated tocommunity ser-vice.” Previous

recipients include Rosa Parks, Muhammed Aliand former President Jimmy Carter.Awards are handed out by the National Ethnic

Coalition of Organization (NECO). NECOspokesman James Moore said Koutoujian is oneof 350 nationwide being honored.“Each nominee is vetted by an advisory com-

mittee and final decisions are made by our chair-man and his executive selection committee,”Moore said. “In consideration of SheriffKoutoujian we took into account him being thelead sponsor of the Annual Armenian GenocideCommemoration.”Hartigan said Koutoujian was nominated by

Jim Kalustian, president of the ArmenianHeritage Foundation, for his work with theArmenian Heritage Park and the ArmenianGenocide remembrance.

The Surp Dikranagerd Church before the restoration efforts

Workers are renovating the church.

Middlesex County SheriffPeter Koutoujian

Rep. Schiff HighlightsLegislative Initiatives atCommunity BriefingWASHINGTON — Under the auspices of

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian and joined bythe Armenian Assembly, a community briefingfeaturing Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) was held atSt. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Churchin Pasadena, Calif. last week.Taking place at St. Gregory’s Geragos Hall,

Honorary Chairman Mark Geragos provided open-ing remarks. Before introducing Schiff and review-ing his extensive record, the Assembly’s executivedirector, Bryan Ardouny, thanked St. Gregory’sParish as well as the Assembly’s SouthernCalifornia Regional Council (SCRC) members.In his remarks, Schiff touched on a wide-range

of issues, including affirmation of the ArmenianGenocide and the continued efforts in the Houseof Representatives, President Barack Obama’sApril 24 statement, funding for Armenia andNagorno Karabagh, Azerbaijan’s continued warrhetoric and the recent California Court decisionregarding insurance-related claims dating back tothe Armenian Genocide era.Looking ahead, Schiff highlighted several leg-

islative initiatives, including the reintroductionof the Armenian Genocide resolution, as well aslegislation to address Turkey’s ongoing block-ade of Armenia, and the protection of churchproperty and minority rights in Turkey.

From left, AGBU YPLA Chair Yeghig Keshishian,Tolerance Education Center Director MelisseBanwer and AAA Regional Council MemberMargaret Mgrublian

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Last week, hundreds ofmembers, friends and human rights activistsfrom the South Florida Armenian-Americancommunity commemorated the 96th anniver-sary of the Armenian Genocide at FloridaAtlantic University (FAU).This year’s observance culminated the month-

long display of the 21-panel Armenian Genocideexhibition on loan to FAU Libraries from theFlorida Holocaust Memorial Museum in St.Petersburg. The exhibition displayed the system-atic murder of 1.5 million Armenians in OttomanTurkey during World War I. The panels show-cased photographs, quotes from witnesses andthe history and legacy of the Genocide.“It was truly inspirational to see South

Florida-Armenians from three generationscome together to honor their fallen ancestors ofthe 1915 Armenian Genocide,” stated ArsineKaloustian-Rosenthal, Florida-Armenian publicaffairs director. “The importance of remember-ing, sharing of stories between families and ofcourse the FAU exhibit itself, stands in the faceof genocide denial and advances the cause ofgenocide prevention,” stated Kaloustian-Rosenthal.Armenians around the world commemorate

the Genocide on April 24, when in 1915Ottoman-Turkish authorities rounded up,arrested and murdered over 200 Armenianintellectuals in Constantinople (Istanbul),Turkey. Over 1.5 million Armenian men, womenand children perished in 1915-1923 in what his-torians recognize as the Armenian Genocide.Dr. Mary Johnson, senior historian with

Facing History and Ourselves, and curator ofthe Armenian Genocide exhibit, served as mis-tress of ceremonies. Johnson opened the pro-gram with special thanks to Dr. Rose Gatens,director of the FAU Center for Holocaust andHuman Rights Education. Johnson spoke about

her experiences teaching theArmenian Genocide and theconsequences of its denial.“The response of the

Armenian community to theexhibition on the ArmenianGenocide at Florida AtlanticUniversity was incredible,”Johnson told FLArmenians.com.“Visitors not only examined thepanels and the narrative of thehistory but talked about theexhibition and its implicationsfor today — this ensures that thehistorical event will be remem-bered and future generationswill continue to tell the story,”concluded Johnson.On behalf of St. David

Armenian Church, GarenKalender, Rita Vartanian andKaliana Maronian presented tra-ditional Armenian poetry.Albert Mazmanian offeredremarks while his daughter,Natalie, recited her self-com-posed poetry. A musical inter-lude was offered by local talentsfrom St. Mary’s Armenian Church, SageMcBride (violin) and Marineh Alikhnyn (piano),who performed the famous Armenian composi-tion Groung by Komitas. A short screeningfrom the upcoming film “Orphans of TheGenocide” was also presented by South Floridafilm producers Bared Maronian, Bedo Der-Bedrosian and Paul Andonian.“Having the commemoration program and

exhibition at FAU Library was a wonderfulopportunity to teach others about the originsand the history of the Armenian Genocide, amajor crime against humanity committed by

Ottoman Turks at the dawn of the 20thCentury,” stated Very Rev. Nareg Berberian.“We pray that the time will come when justicewill be served and Turkey will acknowledge itshistory,” stated Berberian.Berberian of St. David Armenian Church

and Rev. Vartan Joulfayan of St. MaryArmenian Church offered the memorial ser-

vice for the victims of the ArmenianGenocide. The South Florida ArmenianGenocide Commemoration was held underthe auspices of St. David Armenian Church ofBoca Raton, St. Mary Armenian Church ofHollywood, the Armenian Assembly ofAmerica, the Armenian National Committeeand the Knights of Vartan.

WATERTOWN — On Monday, June 6, Dr.Noubar Afeyan, managing partner and CEO ofFlagship Ventures will be the speaker at the din-ner meeting of the St. James Armenian ChurchMen’s Club, at the church’s Mosesian CulturalCenter, Keljik Hall, 465 Mt. Auburn St.The topic will be “The Global Armenian

Nation: Fueling Armenia’s Development.”Afeyan co-founded Flagship Ventures, which

focuses on inventing, launching, funding andbuilding new ventures, in 2000. He is also asenior lecturer at the Massachusetts Institute of

Technology (MIT), where he has taught courseson entrepreneurship and innovation since2000. In addition, he recently joined HarvardUniversity’s Wyss Institute for BiologicallyInspired Engineering as a visiting scholar.Afeyan has written

numerous scientificpublications andearned many patentssince earning hisPhD in biochemicalengineering fromMIT in 1987. Duringhis 23-year career asinventor, entrepre-neur, CEO and ven-ture capitalist, Afeyanhas co-founded andhelped build morethan 25 life science,technology and energy startups. Currently,Afeyan serves on a number of public and privatecompany boards and he is a member of severaladvisory boards including the Deshpande Centerfor Technological Innovation at MIT, theWhitehead Institute at MIT, the Skolkovo Schoolof Management in Moscow and the NationalCompetitiveness Foundation of Armenia.Afeyan’s past and current ventures include:

PerSeptive Biosystems, ChemGenicsPharmaceuticals, EXACT Sciences, ColorKinetics, Celera Genomics, Affinnova, AdnexusTherapeutics, BG Medicine, LS9 and JouleUnlimited.A social hour beginning at 6:15 p.m. will start

off the June 6 program, with a traditionalArmenian dinner at 7 p.m. Women are wel-come. For ticket information, call the churchoffice.

7S A T U R D A Y, M A Y 1 4 , 2 0 1 1 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

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under constructionDONATESponsorship/Naming Opportunities

James KalustianCharles GuleserianHaig DeranianWalter NahabedianDr. Jack Kasarjian

online: www.ArmenianHeritagePark.netcheck: Armenian Heritage Foundation 25 Flanders Road Belmont, MA 02478

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781 777.2407617 484.6100617 489.2215781 891.7249617 232.6350

WATERTOWN, Mass. — St. Stephen’sArmenian Elementary School (SSAES) willhosts its 25th annual fair, or bazaar, on Friday,May 20, at the Armenian Cultural &Educational Center (ACEC), 47 Nichols Ave.The fair will feature a kids’ carnival, from 3 to

7 p.m., as well as a special play area for childrenages 4 and under.The fair will feature the traditional Armenian

culinary favorites, including losh, beef, chickenand lamb kebabs, as well as falafel, from noonto 9:30 p.m. SSAES is also noted for its tradi-tional pastries.Raffle tickets featuring cash prizes will also

be sold.Proceeds will support the school.For more information, call the school or visit

www.ssaes.org

St. Stephen’s Armenian School to Host Annual Fair

Raising Funds to RestoreSurp Giragos ArmenianChurch of DikranagerdRECONSTRUCTION, from page 6All Canadian Armenians are invited to attend

the benefit banquet on May 21 at the MagarosArtinian Hall, Holy Trinity Armenian Church,at 7:30 p.m. The program will feature UdiYervant (on oud), who originally hails fromDikranagerd, soprano Lynn Anoush Isnar andpianist Raffi Bedrosyan. There will be a tradi-tional Armenian and Dikranagerd-style enter-tainment and food.Those unable to attend are urged to support

this project through tax deductible donationsto the Toronto Holy Trinity Armenian Church(Surp Giragos account), which will arrangetransfer of the funds to the Istanbul Armenianpatriarchate toward the reconstruction budget.For more information regarding this project,

contact Raffi Bedrosyan atjbedrosyan@rogers.com.

Dr. Noubar Afeyan

Noubar Afeyan to Speak at St. James’Men’s Club Dinner Meeting

From left, Rev. Vartan Joulfayan, Dr. Mary Johnson, Dr. Rose Gatens and Very Rev. Nareg Berberian

South Florida Armenian Community Commemorates Genocide Anniversary

8 S A T U R D A Y, M A Y 1 4 , 2 0 1 1 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

COMMUNITY NEWS

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576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606www.giragosianfuneralhome.com

WATERTOWN — Norair Bahlavouni ofWashington, DC, died onMay 3. He leaves behindhis wife, Lydia (Aghamalian) Bahlavouni; children,Seda and Armen and his wife, Silva; grandchil-dren, Alina and Alex; sister, RoubinaBaghdasarian; niece, Alenoush Baghdasarian andher children, Shake Hacobian and her husband,Gaspar and their children and BiaynaBaghdasarian and brother-in-law, ArtooshAghamalian and his wife, Hilda, and family.

Funeral services took place at St. Stephen’sArmenian Church, 38 Elton Ave., Watertown onWednesday, May 11.Interment was at Mount Auburn Cemetery,

Cambridge. Funeral arrangements were madeby the Aram Bedrosian Funeral Home.In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be

made to St. Stephen’s Armenian Church orArmenia Fund USA, 80 Maiden Lane, Suite301, New York, NY 10038.

Norair BahlavouniOBITUARY

LOS ANGELES — The AGBU-AYA SanFernando Valley Chapter’s VeteransCommittee held its fourth successful educa-tional lecture on the evening of February 25,in the Agajanian Auditorium of AGBUManoogian-Demirdjian School (MDS). Thelecture was divided into four topics touchingon the problems and challenges faced byschools and parents in educating and raisingyouth. MDS Vice-principal AnahidNalbandian-Pezeshgian, who served as mas-ter of ceremonies, introduced the four guestspeakers.The first speaker was Haig Messerlian,

chairman of the newly-created AGBUWestern District Committee, who talkedabout AGBU’s educational mission insofar asit concerns the organization’s schools andthe community. He stated that more empha-sis should be placed on teaching the rich his-tory of AGBU and its accomplishments dur-

ing the 105 years since its establishment inEgypt. He stressed the importance of becom-ing a member of the organization and partic-ipating in its scouting, athletic, social andcultural activities. The final portion of histalk was a video presentation of AGBU’smajor global accomplishments.Messerlian was followed by Hrag Hamalian,

principal of the Valor Academy CharterSchool in Panorama City. Hamalianaddressed the topic of “Bullying and CyberBullying.” In his presentation, he identifiedthe four principal kinds of bullying: direct,indirect, passive and electronic. Bullying mayresult from name calling, pushing, kicking or

hitting. In addition, it can be carried out byrejecting, isolating, ridiculing, blackmailing,humiliating or annoying the victim, or by tak-ing a neutral position in the face of wickedacts. Cyber bullying, now the most wide-spread form of this behavior, occurs on theInternet, mainly through Facebook orTwitter. Control over cyber bullying is a com-plex matter and hard to track. The challengein overcoming bullying is met by having con-stant communication with the bully and thevictim, including parents and teachers, inorder to achieve peace and harmony betweenthe parties.The third speaker was Los Angeles Police

Department Officer Jose Maldonado, a spe-cialist in drug enforcement and alcoholabuse. In speaking about drug abuse, he dis-cussed how the use of marijuana often getsyoung students started on drugs and that itslegalization has led to abuse. He also stated

that the urge or habit of drug use may turnthe individual into a thief or criminal, due tolack of funds to support their addiction.The final speaker was Hagop Hagopian,

principal of MDS, who discussed parents’involvement in students’ behavior. He empha-sized that parents should assist their childrenwith their homework or any other outdoor orindoor activities, in order to create a closerrelationship to comprehend their children’sneeds. Parents need to exercise patiencewhen communicating with their children, hesuggested. They need to teach them how tobecome better individuals, set goals and tryto achieve them.

San Fernando Veterans Committee HostsLecture on Challenges Facing Youth

Chairman of the AGBU Western District Committee Haig Messerlian speaking at the February 25event at the AGBU Manoogian-Demirjian School’s Agajanian Auditorium with Los Angeles PoliceDepartment Officer Jose Maldonado looking on

AGBU Young Professionals of MontrealHosts Opportunities Fair

MONTREAL — On February 10, the AGBU Young Professionals (YP) Montreal orga-nized an “Opportunities Fair” to teach local university students of Armenian descentdifferent ways to work and volunteer during their time off from school. More than 70students participated in the event, which was attended by many YPs and alumni fromseveral organizations. Those on hand used the opportunity to share their experienceswith the students and explain the benefits of internship programs, volunteer work andunique international experiences, particularly those in Armenia.Alique Akkelian and Laura Chadarevian shared their enriching experiences partici-

pating in the AGBU internship programs in Paris and New York. “I arrived not knowingwhat to expect, but the local AGBU chapter guided all interns throughout their two-month stay,” Chadarevian said. Akkelian encouraged the students to push themselvesto try something new. “The things you fear most will end up being those most worth-while in your life,” she said.The vice chairwoman of YP Montreal, Maral Kassemjian, went into detail about her

own experience helping to build a home for a family in need with the world-renownedHabitat for Humanity organization. “Everyone deserves a roof over their head. We allneed a house, a place we call home,” said Kassemjian. She mentioned that Habitat forHumanity will be building houses in the Tavush region of Armenia later this year.During his volunteer assignment with the Canadian Youth Mission to Armenia,

Alexandre Meterissian arrived in Armenia with his English-Armenian dictionary and thegoal to contribute to a renovation project. The difficulties in communicating and livingin an Armenian village didn’t stop him from creating what he calls “some of the bestmemories of my life so far.” Karl Armen Boudjikanian introduced Birthright Armenia tothose who attended and explained their commitment to “making service to and experi-ences in Armenia an essential rite of passage afforded to all young Armenians aroundthe world.” YP Community Liaison Chahe Tanachian spoke to the audience about hisinspirational trip with Discovering Armenian Jerusalem. Tanachian stressed that the 10-day spiritual journey was a must for all young Armenians. He is currently enrolled toreturn for his second trip later in the year.YP Vice President of Finance Ayrem Ohennisian presented information on the Land

and Culture Organization, while YP Chairwoman Sarine Chitilian spoke about theimportance of connecting with leaders in the community, alumni members of associa-tions and with other students and peers. She informed the students of the launch of thenew online International Armenian Students Network, AgbuAcademics.com, which wentlive on February 27.At the conclusion of the presentations, Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan, Primate of the

Canadian Diocese of the Armenian Church, gave a closing message to the students andencouraged them to get involved in their community.

Some of the organizers and presenters at the February 10 Opportunities Fair organized byAGBU YP Montreal

9S A T U R D A Y, M A Y 1 4 , 2 0 1 1 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

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80thA N N I V E R S A R Y - B A N Q U E T

of the

Tekeyan Cultural AssociationFriends of The Armenian Mirror-Spectator

Keynote Speaker Master of Ceremonies

Stephen KurkjianPULITZER PRIZE WINNING JOURNALIST Dr. Raffy Hovannesian

Saturday, June 4, 2011, at 7:00 PMTeaneck Marriott At Glenpoint, 100 Frank W. Burr Blve, Teaneck, NJ

DONATION $ 125.00For Tickets Please call: Shoghig (201) 803-0240

Sirvart (201) 739-7775SHEMAVON (718) 344-7489

Entertainment Fridaysand Saturdays

Memorial Day Bike-a-Thon toBenefit Armenian VillageQUINCY, Mass. — The ninth annual Memorial Day bike-a-thon by the Nish Boyajian

Foundation is scheduled to take place on May 29. The riders will meet at 8 a.m. at AlewifeStation in Cambridge. All the funds raised in the past eight years have gone toward theHnaberd village Kindergarten and community center project. Through the past years’efforts, the organization was able to landscape and fence in the school grounds, carpet allthe floors and install new plumbing.This year is no different and the funds will go to children’s projects in the same village.In addition, the group conducted some community outreach through Rev. Joanne

Hartunian. In April, she helped the group make a presentation about the impact of theorganization in Hnaberd to the members of the Belmont Senior Center quilting guild. Themembers were so impressed that they also wanted to contribute. They have agreed to cre-ate 20 quilts for children’s cots.

Belmont citizens are quilting for Armenian Kindergartners, helped by Peggy Ghazarian, left.

The new Kindergarten playground in Hnaberd, Armenia

PASADENA, Calif. — On April 10, AvedisManoukian, a veteran member of AGBU and

the organization’s Armenian Youth Associationsince 1936, was honored by the AGBUPasadena Chapter with a special tribute andexhibition of his paintings at the AGBUPasadena center.Introduced by Pasadena Chapter Chairman

Shahe Seuylemezian, AGBU Western District

Committee Chairman Haig Messerlian spokeabout the honoree and his many achievements.

Messerlian read a congratulatory let-ter from family member SetaManoukian-Jebejian and presentedManoukian with the distinguishedtitle of AGBU Honor Member, whichwas awarded to the honoree by theAGBU Central Board of Directors.Family members present includedManoukian’s daughters, Seta andAni, and his son, Nersess.Per Manoukian’s wishes, the pro-

ceeds from the sales of his paintingson display were donated to the AGBUPasadena Chapter to benefit its youthactivities, in particular to assist the par-ticipation of the AGBUGlendale/Pasadena scouts in theAGBU Scouts International Jamboreein Armenia this coming summer.Manoukian was born on July 24,

1916 in Aintab, Turkey, and in 1933settled with his family in Beirut,Lebanon, by way of Aleppo, Syriaand Alexandria, Egypt. In 1936,Manoukian, together with SissagVarjabedian, Garbis Nazarian, HagopGhazarian, Krikor Bedoyan, Avedisand Kevork Janjigian and KeghamArzoumanian, founded theAGBU/AYA Zareh Noubar Chapter.He served as chairman of the AYACentral Committee for many yearsand was a founding member of theAYA Theater, where he directed and

acted in many plays.Manoukian and his family moved to Los

Angeles in 1988. After the passing of his wife in2003, he started painting and, at the age of 90,had the first-ever exhibition of his works, whichwas held at the Tekeyan Cultural Center inPasadena.

ADVERTISE IN THE

MIRROR

Honoree Avedis Manoukian, veteran member of AGBUand its Armenian Youth Association, today (top) and duringhis earlier years as member of an AGBU committee inLebanon (below)

Avedis Manoukian HonoredBy AGBU Pasadena Center

Stephen Kurkjian to Be KeynoteSpeaker at June 4

New Jersey Banquet

By Aram ArkunMirror-Spectator Staff

NEW YORK — The banquet to honor theforthcoming 80th anniversary of the ArmenianMirror-Spectator on June 4 in New Jersey willhave a little something for everyone. There willbe classical music performed by ElizabethKalfayan, jazz with an Armenian flavor fromDatevik Hovanessian and an opportunity to seeold friends and support a worthy cause.Banquet organizing committee Co-chair

Shoghig Chalian announced that PulitzerPrize-winning journalist Stephen Kurkjian willbe the keynote speaker, while Peter Sourian,Florence Avakian and Nerses Babayan willsalute the efforts of three great figures involvedwith the Mirror and the New York-areaArmenian community — Jack Antreassian, Dr.Movses Housepian and Armine Dikijian.Chalian exclaimed, “It is turning out to be a

very interesting program. It promises to be agreat literary and artistic evening.”Jack (Ardavast) Antreassian (1920-2009) edit-

ed the Mirror-Spectator during the early 1940sand parts of the 1950s and 1960s. He had along and distinguished career in various sectorsof the Armenian-American community. Heserved, not simultaneously, as executive direc-tor of the Diocese of the Armenian Church and

of the Armenian General Benevolent Union(AGBU) of America. He was an innovator whoestablished a number of important programsduring the golden age of the Armenian-American community.Antreassian founded the two organizations’

respective presses — St. Vartan and AraratPress, his own Ashod Press and the AGBU lit-erary quarterly, Ararat, of which he was thefirst editor. He helped create the AntranigDance Group and Camp Nubar for the AGBU,and the Anahid Literary Award, which becameconnected to the Columbia Armenian Center.His work at the Diocese after the Armenianearthquake of 1988 led to the creation of theFund for Armenian Relief. He wrote four booksof essays, satire and poetry, edited an antholo-gy of pieces published in Ararat, and publisheda number of volumes of translations from theArmenian.Antreassian’s work will be introduced by

writer Peter Sourian. Sourian, born in Bostonin 1933 but raised in New York, is the author ofthree published novels — Miri (1957), The Bestand Worst of Times (1961) and The Gate(1965), and has completed three unpublishednovels. He has published a book of essays andcriticism called At the French Embassy in Sofia(1992), and a number of short stories. Sourian,a Harvard graduate, taught at Bard Collegefrom 1965 to 2010. He was a television critic for

The Nation (1975-81), and served on variousAmerican national awards committees and advi-sory boards.Deeply influenced by French literature and

culture, Sourian writes poetry in French andhas done translations from French into English.A number of his works have Armenian themes,especially The Gate. Last year, a volume ofSourian’s short stories was published inArmenian translation in Yerevan as Entrikotarneri het [Supper with Strangers] andSourian visited Armenia and Artsakh at the endof 2010 for a book tour upon the invitation ofthe Writers Union of Armenia. Sourian is amember of the Anahid Literary Award commit-tee and served for many years on the editorialboard of Ararat quarterly, as well as on theboard of Columbia University’s ArmenianCenter.Dr. Movses (Moses) Housepian (1876-1952),

born in Kessab, now in Syria, fled the Hamidianmassacres to England, and then came to the USin 1900. He graduated from Long Island (NewYork) Medical College in 1905 and practiced asa physician until his death. He unselfishlyserved the Armenian community, focusing onthe needs of humble immigrants. He went tothe Caucasus in 1916 to serve as a physician aspart of the Armenian volunteer movement, andsaved many lives.Housepian became an important leader in

the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (ADL),regularly participating in New York chaptermeetings and party conventions. Like the party,he was a staunch supporter of Soviet Armenia,and the work of the AGBU, and actively workedin the latter’s 1946 successful fundraising effortfor repatriation. He served as a member of thecentral committee of the Armenian NationalCouncil of America until his death. The NewYork ADL chapter was named posthumouslyafter Housepian. Housepian was a strong sup-porter of the Mirror-Spectator. Housepian’schildren, Marjorie and Edgar, followed theirfather’s example and themselves soon becameimportant leaders in the Armenian-Americancommunity.Nerses Babayan, who will speak about

Housepian, knew his family, as Mrs. Housepianwas a friend of his father. Babayan moved toBoston from Beirut in order to be assistant edi-tor of Baikar and Mirror-Spectator from 1970to 1973. He went to Boston State College inthis same period and received a master’s degreein history and political science. He attendedgraduate courses at Johns Hopkins in 1974.Afterwards, Babayan came to New York and

opened a consulting and managerial firm. Hecontinues to support and contribute to theMirror-Spectator.Dikijian (1914-1991) was a reporter and

columnist for the Mirror-Spectator from 1936until her death. She obtained a bachelor’sdegree from Barnard College and a master’sdegree in library science from ColumbiaUniversity, after which she worked for some twodecades in the Brooklyn Public Library and sev-eral more decades as head criminal justicelibrarian for the National Council on Crime andDelinquency. She has served the AGBU, theEastern Diocese of the Armenian Church ofAmerica and St. Gregory Armenian Church invarious capacities. One of her most treasuredawards was a 1971 gontag or encyclical ofappreciation from Catholicos and SupremePatriarch of All Armenians Vazken I. Dikijian’sfather, Diradour Dikijian, was chairman of theADL committee which founded the weeklyArmenian Mirror, the predecessor of theArmenian Mirror-Spectator. The EasternDiocese instituted the Armine DikijianJournalism Scholarship in 1987 as part of theArmenian Church Endowment Fund.

Florence Avakian will reflect upon Dikijian’sjournalistic career. Avakian is an accreditedUnited Nations journalist who has contributedto both Armenian and non-Armenian publica-tions on a range of topics. She has been acolumnist for the Mirror-Spectator. Her workhas appeared in the New York Times, BostonGlobe, Christian Science Monitor, SanFrancisco Chronicle and Baltimore Sun. Sheserved for many years on the editorial board ofArarat quarterly, for which she periodicallywrote. For more than two decades, she hasbeen the voice of Armenian news in English forthe Armenian Radio Hour of New Jersey.Recently, she has delivered a number of lectureson her own adventures as a journalist. She hasbeen the organist for St. Vartan Cathedral forsome twenty years.The June 4 banquet will take place at the

Teaneck Marriott at Glenpoint (100 Frank W.Burr Boulevard). Donations are $125 per per-son. For tickets, call Shoghig at 201-803-0240,Sirvart at 201-739-7775, or Shemavon at 718-344-7489. Information about the event’skeynote speaker and other aspects of the pro-gram will be presented in forthcoming articles.

10 S A T U R D A Y, M A Y 1 4 , 2 0 1 1 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

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Honoring NY-Area Early Writers and Intellectuals of the Mirror-Spectator

Armine Dikijian

NEW YORK — Not even two years in exis-tance, the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s Greekaffiliate is hard at work raising funds for much-needed initiatives in Armenia and Artsakh. Onehundred and thirty eager schoolchildren inVanadzor, located in the center of Armenia’sLori Region, now have ample furniture and arevamped playground — replete with slides andswings — at their disposal.While infrastructure-development remains a

vital area of focus, the Hayastan All-ArmenianFund is determinedly undertaking educationalinitiatives throughout Armenia and Artsakh.Still another project implemented by the Greekaffiliate in Vanadzor, the establishment of acomputer classroom at the VanadzorOrphanage will enable the institution’s disad-vantaged children to build self-confidence andacquire the necessary knowledge and computerskills to have a competitive edge when theyeventually enter the labor market, explainsArshaluys Harutyunyan, director of the orphan-age. Currently, the institution shelters 102 chil-dren and youths, many of whom have lost theirparents while others come from socially vulner-able families. Sixty of the home’s residentsattend public schools and 20 are students atcolleges or universities.The computer lab was created by renovating

an existing room and providing it with furnitureand state-of-the art equipment, including 10

late-model computers, a combination print-er/scanner/fax machine, educational DVDs,and a local network which, in the future, willallow access to the Internet. Moreover, theInstigate IT company has agreed to offer freecomputer classes on the site and train aninstructor.“Although we attach a great deal of impor-

tance to infrastructure projects, we decided toinitially focus our efforts on helping modernizeprimary-education institutions, thereby improv-ing prospects for the emerging generation,”says Vatche Der-Garabedian, chairperson of thefund’s Greek affiliate. “Greek-Armenian donorsbelieve that, with the establishment of the com-puter classroom, the students of the VanadzorOrphanage will become as computer-literate astheir peers. As for the children of Vanadzor’sNo. 30 Kindergarten, we’re so very gratifiedthat they’ll be able to take their first steps in abeautiful and safe learning environment.” The computer classroom is the Hayastan All-

Armenian Fund’s second project to be imple-mented at the Vanadzor Orphanage. Last year,the Fund renovated the institution’s tenrestrooms, with the financial support of theArmenia Fund U.S. Western Region.Armenia Fund USA, founded in 1992, was

one of the first of “Hayastan” All-ArmenianFund’s 21 international affiliates and servesconstituents in all states east of the Mississippi.

As a non-profit, non-governmental, nonsectari-an organization, the fund represents allArmenian constituents, supporting strategicinfrastructure projects in Armenia and

Karabagh. The fund has adopted a policy to pro-vide sustainability for projects it sponsors.For more information, visit

www.ArmeniaFundUSA.org

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EMERSON, N.J. — During April 20, fourdays before Easter, the Armenian Nursingand Rehabilitation Center (ANRC) had thedistinct pleasure of hosting once again thevisitation of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan,prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of theArmenian Apostolic Church of America. Hewas accompanied by Rev. Hovnan Bozoianpastor of Saints Vartanantz Church inRidgefield, NJ; Rev. Mesrob Lakissian, pastorof Saint Illuminator’s Cathedral in New YorkCity and Rev. Narig Terterian of Saint SarkisChurch in Douglaston, NY.

Choloyan and the clergy began the ser-vices with the participation of the resi-dents singing the Lord’s Prayer inArmenian. Choloyan then performed theBlessing of the Bread, Water and Salt.Those present knew that the messagegiven by Choloyan was one of hope andsalvation which gave them great gratifica-tion and comfort. Upon completion of the liturgy, Choloyan

took the cross to each resident for them tokiss. A meal was served to all and broughtan end to the inspirational service.

Archbishop Choloyan Visits ArmenianNursing and Rehabilitation Center

From left, Shakeh Bautista, RN, ANRC director of nursing; Rev. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor ofSt. Illuminator’s Cathedral; Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, prelate of the Eastern Prelacy ofthe Armenian Apostolic Church of America and Andy Torigian, president and chairman ofthe Board of Directors of ANRC

From left, Rev. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral; Rev. Narig Terterianof St. Sarkis Church in Douglaston, NY; Andy Torigian; Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan,prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Church; Linda Amerkanian, secretary of theFAH Ladies; Matthew Russo, LNHA, administrator of the ANRC and Rev. Hovnan Bozoian,pastor of Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefied, NJ, president and chairman of the Board ofDirectors of ANRC

The establishment of a computer classroom at the Vanadzor Orphanage will enable the institution’sdisadvantaged children to build self-confidence and acquire the necessary knowledge and computerskills to have a competitive edge when they eventually enter the labor market.

Greek Affiliate of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund Focuses on Children in Vanadzor

One hundred and thirty eager schoolchildren in Vanadzor, located in the center of Armenia’s Lori Region,now have furniture and a revamped playground — replete with slides and swings — at their disposal.

12 S A T U R D A Y, M A Y 1 4 , 2 0 1 1 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

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Legendary Singer Will Be HonoredIn May in New York City

By Taleen Babayan

NEW YORK — Musicians, artists and com-munity leaders from across the globe willgather to pay tribute to one of the world’sgreatest musicians and entertainers — CharlesAznavour — in a star-studded event to takeplace at the exquisite Cipriani Wall Street onFriday evening, May 20.The evening will serve as an opportunity to

highlight not only Aznavour’s talents, but hisdecades-long service to Armenia on the eve of therepublic’s 20th anniversary of independence. Presenting the award to Aznavour will be

the actress/singer Liza Minnelli, whosefriendship with him dates back almost 50years. Seeing Aznavour perform on stage for

the first time was “magnetic” for Minnelli.“The minute he walked onstage, I stoppedbreathing,” she said. She commented that one of Aznavour’s

greatest strengths is his ability to tell storiesthrough his music. Following his perfor-mance, Minnelli told herself she wanted to bea storyteller like Aznavour, and when sheasked him to be her mentor, he agreed.“I never did a show without showing it to

him first. Ever,” she said.Minnelli noted how important Aznavour’s

Armenian heritage was for him. “Peoplewould say he is a Frenchman, but he wouldsay, ‘No, I am Armenian,’” she said. “Therewas such pride in that.” Minnelli spoke of Aznavour’s dedication

and commitment to Armenia, especially hisefforts during the 1988 earthquake that tookthe lives of 50,000 Armenians. “He puts allhis passion, time and stubbornness into help-ing Armenia, and it was spectacular,” she said.Another world-famous singer who was

affected by Aznavour’s music was CelineDion, who was introduced to his work by hermother when she was a young girl. “It was anhonor and a grand privilege for me to singwith him,” said Dion, recalling how she per-formed with him years later. “Not only is heone of the biggest stars in the history ofFrance, but he’s also a very kind and gentleperson.”Featured alongside Aznavour in Atom

Egoyan’s 2002 film “Ararat,”actor/playwright Eric Bogosian commendshim for the attention he has brought toArmenia and to the Armenian Genocide. “He is one of the most brilliantly focused

individuals,” said Bogosian, who will serve asmaster of ceremonies for the gala. “And hehas been a gift to people around the world.”As a young student in Beirut, Lebanon,

Vartan Gregorian, president of the CarnegieCorporation of New York, fondly recalls lis-tening to Aznavour, describing him as an“artist with a social conscience.”

Gregorian noted Aznavour’s success in ris-ing to international stardom without forget-ting his roots. “He is the embodiment of thebest we can have for the world,” saidGregorian. “He symbolized for me, that theunique — the Armenian — can be universalwithout dissolving itself.”As a representative of the Armenian gov-

ernment, UN Ambassador Garen Nazariancited Aznavour as a “tireless advocate” forArmenia and worldwide recognition of theArmenian Genocide. He noted Aznavour’s ser-vice to Armenia as “truly commendable.” “For me personally, his image of an excep-

tional artist and great Armenian is inspira-tional and empowering,” said Nazarian. The Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) will

honor Aznavour for his dedication, serviceand efforts in Armenia on May 20. The recep-tion starts at 7 p.m. and dinner and programat 8 p.m. Proceeds will benefit programs forthe elderly in Armenia. For more informationor tickets, visit www.farusa.org.

Luminaries Reflect on Aznavour’s Achievements, Comment on His Activism

By Tom Vartabedian

NEW YORK — Karnig Nercessian had adream. As an accomplished dancer, he soughtout to launch his own company 12 years ago.Joined by his assistant, Lena Orangian, the

two choreographers formed what is today theYeraz Dance Ensemble, housed at St. SarkisChurch in the Queens section of New York,which boasts a large Armenian population. The two answered a request from

Anoushavan Tanielian — then a priest — to forma dance company and provide for the culturalenhancement of their heritage. “Yeraz” trans-lates out to “dream” in Armenian.From humble beginnings in the fall of 1999,

the group rose from eight dancers to more than90 today, giving performances near and far with

both a youth and adult ensemble and a dedi-cated complement of adult volunteers.“One part of us will never change,” says

Nercessian. “We’re community-oriented. That’show we started, performing to small picnics andchurch socials. We were a breath of fresh airand people loved watching us. That part of ithasn’t changed. But we’ve grown more refinedover time.” A recent visit to Merrimack Valley in

Massachusetts on May 1 commemorated the96th anniversary of Armenian Genocide withan opening number that simulated the eternalflame at Tsitsernakabert in Yerevan with the 12pylons while engaged to the haunting strains of

Dele Yaman.Rehearsals take place every Friday night

from 8 p.m. to midnight and attendance ismandatory. Discipline remains in high orderwith no exceptions. Two groups comprise theensemble, a younger (ages 5-13) and an older(ages 14-22). Of those attending school, mostare honors students, despite the time con-straints. One dancer remained in a hotel cram-ming for college finals during that MerrimackValley appearance while the others were enjoy-ing dinner at a nearby church the night before.“We’re an extremely regimented group — you

have to be,” says Nercessian. “The commitmentand sacrifice our dancers have shown spills outonto a stage before appreciative audiences. All Iask in return is respect. Our intent is to becomean advocate of the Armenian performing arts.”Many of the steps originated from the villages

and mountains of Armenia dating back overcenturies. Others are more contemporary. Thetwo groups weave in and out like a fine tapes-try. Costuming is a cornucopia of color.Born in Kessab, Syria, Nercessian immigrated

to New York with his family and found solaceon the stage in 1974 with the HamazkayinAkhtamar Ensemble. Two years later, he wasperforming with the AGBU Antranig Ensembleat places like Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.After two decades with Antranig, it was time tobranch out and start his own company. Acting has been another passion with the

entertainer, having performed a variety of roleswith the Tekeyan Cultural Association of NewJersey as well as New York’s HamazkayinTheater Group.It is a family affair for the 55-year-old, as he is

joined by his wife, Ani, as general manager;daughter, Maria, as assistant director; a son,Hagop, and cousin, Shant Simonian. Five mem-bers of the immediate family have been therefrom the outset after propelling the enterprise.“We travel together, eat together, dancing

together and commiserate together,” he pointsout. “If something tragic happens, we all feelthe torment. If it’s a happy occasion, we sharein the joy. It’s really been an extended familylife. We’re cultivating relationships. If nothingelse, the dancers are keeping their heritagealive.”In a world governed by economics and high

business standards, this ensemble doesn’tcharge. A stipend is welcomed to subsidizeshoes and costume costs. What’s earnedthrough fund-raisers and contributions helps tosubsidize the budget.In return, they get private lessons, access to a

performing arts center, a lineup of concerts andvenues like the cruise. Choreographers andstagehands work for gratis. Christina Vandian isan accomplished artist whose work is often inte-grated.

One highlight is the voice of 11-year-oldZovinar Aghavian, taking after her operaticmom. Another might be the brother-sister tan-dem of Tonya and Hovnan Orangian.The elder Orangian has been dancing since

age 5 and has been through the circuit, nowteaching the girls of this troupe. “It takes a lot of patience, persistence and

determination to dance with heart and soul,”she says emphatically. “The energy is infec-tious.”After six years of development, Yeraz made

its debut before a thousand patrons at

Queensborough Community College. Sincethen, there’s barely an empty seat in the the-ater. Their appearances in parades have alsodrawn loud applause. Much can also be said about the tutelage of

Vanoush Khanamirian, former director of theState Dance Ensemble of Armenia, who workedwith the ensemble for an entire month. Nothing would please Nercessian and his col-

leagues more than to see their young dancerssomeday find their way to Armenia and dancebefore the foothills of Mount Ararat.That would realize the ultimate dream.

Brother-sister duo Tonya and Hovnan Orangiandisplay their youthful flair with the Yeraz DanceEnsemble of New York.

Yeraz Dance Ensemble Pursues Its Dream

Tigran Dumanyan goes airborne with the Yeraz Dance Ensemble of New York.

TOM VARTABEDIAN PHOTO

TOM VARTABEDIAN PHOTO

13

FrancisKurkdjianTalks Scents

By Sharon Forrester

LONDON (Vogue) — Perfumer FrancisKurkdjian first found commercial success afterdeveloping the Le Mâle fragrance for Jean-PaulGaultier in 1995. A celebrated nose in the fra-grance industry his accolades include beingnamed one of France’s greatest perfumers bythe French Ministry of Culture in 2009, settingup his own perfume house Maison FrancisKurkdjian in the same year. In London fromParis to launch his new scent, Aqua UniversalisForte, we caught up with Kurkdjian to talkinspiration, going it alone and Kate Middleton.

SShhaarroonn FFoorrrreesstteerr:: What was the inspirationbehind the new Aqua Universalis Forte fra-grance?

FFrraanncciiss KKuurrkkddjjiiaann:: I was in the middle of tri-aling a new bergamot presented to me by mygrower in Calabria in Italy. My business partnerasked me to create something as a gift for afriend — she really liked Aqua Universalis butwanted more density, more volume. I was in arush so I gave the trial I was doing with thenew bergamot away. She was full of compli-ments about it and my business partner said weshould develop it. And so that is Forte. Wecalled it Forte as a comparison to music — dif-ferent notes that tell the same story. It’s aboutchanging nuances of Aqua Universalis, but notthe whole fragrance.

SSFF:: How different is it working on your ownline to creating a fragrance for a brand?

FFKK:: The main difference is that if I’m creatinga fragrance for a brand, they give you a script —[for example] it’s for a woman and we want it tosmell fresh or of flowers. By myself I have tothink of everything and I’m fully responsible foreverything. When I work for a brand I wearclothes; when it’s for me I’m naked working infront of people — there’s nowhere to hide. Thereis an element of exhibition or showing off inthat too.

SSFF:: You are very creative with fragrances —what advice would you give people wanting toexperiment with perfume?

FFKK:: I think people need to change the waythey buy fragrance — not just choose somethingbecause of the celebrity or brand. Ask for a sam-ple, take it away, live with the fragrance. It’s notjust about how it smells to you it’s also aboutthe people around you and their reaction to thescent. A good perfume is one where you can’ttell if someone is wearing something or not —

see SCENTS, page 17

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Arts & LivingS A T U R D A Y, M A Y 1 4 , 2 0 1 1

Illustrator EnvisionsSeries of Children’sBooks in Armenian

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — “I am an illustrator, not an artist or a painter,” said AlikArzoumanian firmly, as she settled her 4-month-old daughter, Aiki into her chair. “I

do abstract art sometimes, but I need to havea story to inspire me.”

Arzoumanian, who was born in 1973 inBeirut, said it was her childhood books thatmade her want to be an illustrator.

“My aunt, who lived in America, would visitand bring all the Caldecott Award books for me to read. When I go back to Beirut,I still search out the books I read as a child,” she said.

Although Lebanon was torn by war during her childhood, Arzoumanian said shefelt very little sense of disruption growing up there.

“Honestly, during the war, as children, we really didn’t know what was going on.We would be happy if the war disrupted our going to school, and we used to playin the bunkers,” Arzoumanian said.

Now launched into a developing career as a successful illustrator of children’s books,Arzoumanian began her working life in a very different milieu. A graduate of the

American University of Beirut, she studied engi-neering and landed a job in Dubai, where sheworked on irrigation designs for hotels.

“I was terribly bored, and I knew this wasnot for me. I had a friend who was a photog-rapher for Gulf News. I was going to explorean opportunity there, but then I met [her hus-band] Sevag, who was then living in England,and I moved there.”

Sevag Arzoumanian, who studied physicsand mechanical engineering at Harvard, com-pleted his PhD recently while living inEngland. The couple married and moved tothe US where they now live in Cambridge.Sevag Arzoumanian works as an acousticalengineer in the Boston area.

“When we moved to the US, I wasn’t sure Iwas going to like it here, but I discovered therewas a big difference between the governmentand the people. I love the people here, they areso optimistic,” said Arzoumanian.

Upon arrival in the US, Arzoumanian enrolled in the Massachusetts College ofArt, from which she graduated in 2007. “I was 27 when I enrolled there, older thanmost of the students, but there was a woman in her 60s who was just beginning herstudies. That’s what I like about America. You are not fixed, doomed to a certain wayof life. There is so much freedom, you can begin again,” she said.

In addition to her illustrative work, Arzoumanian has taught art to young childrenat St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School in Watertown and classes in color ather alma mater, Massachusetts College of Art. She hopes to return to some teach-ing when her daughter is a little older.

see ILLUSTRATOR, page 14

An illustration from Tunjur! Tunjur! Tunjur!

‘FindingZabelYesayan’In NYC

By Aram Arkun Mirror-Spectator Staff

NEW YORK — Zabel Yesayan, a prominentwriter, activist and feminist, observed and sur-vived many of the calamities of the OttomanArmenians before falling victim to the Stalinistregime in Armenia. She created a number ofimportant literary works as well as nonfictionworks of witnessing, but she fell into obscurityafter her death, outside of small literary circlesand some Diasporan Armenian-languageschools. A 40-minute documentary made byTalin Suciyan and Lara Aharonian in Armeniafrom 2007 to 2008, called “Finding ZabelYesayan,” seeks to remedy this situation.

The film was shown at the end of March andearly this April at the Armenian General

Benevolent Union(AGBU) Alex andMarie ManoogianSchool ofSouthfield, Mich.,sponsored by theschool, theA r m e n i a nResearch Center ofthe University ofMichigan atDearborn and theCultural Society ofArmenians fromIstanbul; NationalAssociation for

Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR), withthe cosponsorship of the ArmenianInternational Women’s Association; St. LeonArmenian Church; New York University (NYU)with the sponsorship of NYU Armenian Hokee;the University of Pennsylvania, through the uni-versity’s Armenian Student Association and theAGBU Young Professionals of Philadelphia;Duke University’s Franklin HumanitiesInstitute; and atthe Krikor andClara ZohrabCenter of theDiocese of theArmenian Churchof America. ThisUS tour was madepossible by the ini-tiative of Dr. AraSanjian, head ofthe above-men-tioned ArmenianResearch Center.Suciyan spokeabout the film ateach of theseevents, and her trip provided an opportunity tofind out more about her work.

The idea for the film arose when TalinSuciyan, originally from Istanbul and a writerbetween January 2007 and October 2010 forthe Armenian-Turkish weekly Agos, went toYerevan in 2007 to participate in a three-monthwomen’s creative writing workshop run byNancy Agabian of New York. The workshop wasorganized by the Women’s Resource Center inYerevan, led by Aharonian and the artists’ col-lective and non-governmental organizationUtopiana. Aharonian, originally from Beirut,

see ZABEL, page 16

By Daphne Abeel Special to the Mirror-Spectator

Alik Arzoumanian

Talin Suciyan, codirectorof Finding Zabel Yesayan

Lara Aharonian, codirec-tor of Finding ZabelYesayan

Francis Kurkdjian

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ARTS & LIVING

S A T U R D A Y, M A Y 1 4 , 2 0 1 1

ILLUSTRATOR, from page 13Arzoumanian has taken a somewhat novel

approach to contacting publishers, sending thempostcards of her work; this strategy has been suc-cessful. Her work has now been published by anumber of different publishers. Her first book,Tunjur! Tunjur! TunJur!, with text by MargaretRead MacDonald, is the retelling of a Palestinianfolk tale and was published in 2006 by MarshallCavendish press in New York. It is the story of aPalestinian woman who prays for children but isrewarded, instead, with a little pot, that displayssurprising human attributes.

The illustrations for this first book exhibithas become Arzoumanian’s identifiable style, areliance often on circular shapes that portrayboth people and things, and a use of strong,densely-saturated color. Both attributes wouldseem to make her work irresistible to children.There is a simplicity and directness about herstyle that communicates instantly. Her mostrecent book, Children of God, illustrates aBiblical text, written by the South African MostRev. Dr. Desmond Tutu.

Arzoumanian recently attended the BolognaBook Fair, which is entirely devoted to displayingchildren’s books, and hopes to see her work pub-lished in other countries than the US. Already,one title has been published in Lebanon.

Until now, Arzoumanian has illustrated workby other writers, but her new ambition is to

write and publish Armenian stories forArmenian-speaking children.

“There is so little that is good that is writtenin Armenian for children. I want to write forthese young readers so that the language willlive on,” she said.

To that purpose, she has developed her own

imprint, Kirk-Mirk, which, roughly translated,means “book fruit.” Her first title, DziraniAnoush, is not about apricot jam, which is theliteral translation of the title, but portrays twin

sisters who make up new names for each other.While it is an entertaining story in and of itself,it also introduces new words and new ideas tothe young reader, therefore the story functionsas a teaching tool as well.

She has also illustrated So Many Houses,written by Hester Bass (Scholastic Library

Publishing), Grateful Animals by Sona Zeitlianand Where Are You, Little Frog? By KayleighRhatigan and published by Lark books.

Both Alik and Sevag Arzmoumanian havebeen active politically, and worked for Sen.John Kerry, the Democratic presidential candi-date, in 2004. They were also deeply involved inhelping to expunge the Anti-DefamationLeague (ADL) program from schools and townswhen it became clear that the ADL did notacknowledge the Armenian Genocide.

Arzoumanian is the recipient of AmericanLibrary Association Award (2007) and is a mem-ber of the Graphic Artists Guild and the Societyof Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators.

“What I want to concentrate on now is thewriting and illustrating of children’s books inArmenian. There isn’t a wide selection of booksin Armenian for children or indeed in any cate-gory. We need all kinds of books in Armenian.”

To learn more about Arzoumanian’s work,visit her website at www.alikart.com.

Illustrator Envisions Series of Children’s Books in Armenian

A scene from Rev. Dr. Desmond Tutu’s Children of God Storybook Bible

Royal City appeared in Christmas Carols, published by Ladybird Books

An illustration from Grateful Animals by Sona Zeitlian

Cover of Osman Köker’s book

Köker to Talk about Armenians in Turkey 100 Years Ago at ALMAWATERTOWN, Mass. — Turkish journalist

and historian Osman Köker will present hisbook Armenians in Turkey 100 Years Ago atthe Armenian Library and Museum of America(ALMA) on Thursday, May 19 at 7:30 p.m.

The special event, which marks Köker’s firstpublic appearance on the East Coast of theUnited States, is co-sponsored by ALMA,Friends of Hrant Dink, National Associationfor Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR)and Project SAVE Armenian PhotographArchives. The event is free and open to the pub-lic. A reception will follow.

Köker first came to international attentionin 2005 when he organized the unprecedentedexhibition “Sireli Yeghpayrs” (My DearBrother) in Istanbul. Eventually seen by thou-sands of people, it presented photographs ofArmenian life in pre-Genocide days, drawnfrom a large collection of postcards owned bythe collector Orlando Calumeno. In the fiveyears since then, the exhibition has also beenmounted in Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt,Valence, Paris, Geneva, Yerevan and London.

Köker originally intended to write a bookabout Armenian life in the Ottoman Empire,but with the discovery of the postcard collec-tion the scope of the project changed.

Following the exhibition he published the mas-sive and beautifully-produced volume 100 YilÖnce Türkiye’de Ermeniler, subsequentlypublished in English as Armenians in Turkey100 Years Ago, featuring hundreds of imagesshowing where and how Armenians in theOttoman Empire lived.

He is editor of the books Souvenir ofLiberty: Postcards and Medals from theCollection of Orlando Carlo Calumeno(2008), Bir Zamanlar Izmir (Once Upon aTime in Izmir) (2009), Greek Painters ofIstanbul (2010).

He is also the curator of the exhibitions“Once Upon a Time in Sivas” on theArmenians of Sivas (2008), “Souvenir ofLiberty” on the 1908 Revolution (2008), “TheBlacks of Turkey” (2009), “Once Upon a Timein Izmir” on the multicultural past of Izmir(2009) and “Jamanak: 100 Year Old ArmenianNewspaper in Istanbul” (2010), among others.

This will be his first public presentation onthe East Coast.

The museum is located at 65 Main St. inWatertown. Parking is available in the munici-pal parking lot behind the Museum and in adja-cent areas. For directions and more informa-tion, visit www.almainc.org.

By Tom Vartabedian

BOSTON — Dr. Varant Hagopian’s passion forclassical music and the Armenian performingarts has made him a somewhat inveterate fol-lower.

Since 1952, when the Friends of ArmenianCulture Society (FACS) began hosting ArmenianNight at the Pops, he has never missed a concert.

Over that time, Hagopian has made the trip toBoston’s Symphony Hall with members of hisfamily. There is also an added inducement. Hehas served on the planning committee anddelights in seeing his efforts come to fruition onstage with some of the world’sgreatest musicians and conductors.

For him, it has been a welcomingrelease from his ongoing medicalpractice and in addition has intro-duced his children to the bestArmenian music possible.

“I’ve brought my children andnow their children,” he beams withpride. “I feel pleased that FACS hasremained a staple throughout theGreater Boston Armenian commu-nity for six decades. Its success hasbeen insurmountable.”

From one table to two, theHagopians occupy their seats withpleasure, attend the reception thatfollows and get their friends andassociates involved. To say he is a consummatepractitioner in both medical and concert stage isputting it succinctly.

“When a child of 8 sits at my table and isexposed to music like this, it gives me tremen-dous joy,” he says. “Hopefully, FACS will bearound long enough for him to bring his ownchildren. It’s all about generations and we’reserving numerous.”

As the 60th season unfolds Saturday, June 25,with an appearance by renowned sopranoHasmik Papian, members are hard at work tyingup the loose ends for this milestone venue.

Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart is get-ting his baton ready for what should prove anoth-er delightful encore for the group.

“He’s really enamored by our music,” saidFACS President Ara Arakelian, who has beenactive with FACS the past 15 years. “He pro-motes our concerts and really gets into the spir-it of the moment. He considers our music bothprofound and eclectic.”

Papian has had a rich career since graduatingfrom the Komitas Music Academy in Yerevanfirst as a violinist and then a singer. She madeher debut with the Armenian National Opera asRosina in “The Barber of Seville” and later as theangelic Mimi in “La Boheme,” thus launching aninternational career.

Today she is regarded as one of the most suc-cessful lyrical-dramatic sopranos worldwide andmaking her FACS debut.

Those who might recall the appearance ofsoprano Isabel Bayrakdarian might also connecther with Papian, whose resume is mirrored. Bothbring a physical and vocal reputation to the stagewith their renditions of everything from Puccinito Komitas.

“Through music, we’re conveying some of ourproudest achievements to the world,” addedArakelian. “It’s also showcased our talent — bothrising and accomplished. We’ve hosted artists as

young as 14 and have remained diversified in ourapproach. This being the 20th anniversary of theIndependent Republic, we’re trying to establish abridge between Armenia Proper and the culturaldiaspora.”

The 2001 concert celebrating the 1,700thanniversary of Christianity in Armenia remainsan indelible moment with the group. That yearFACS presented Rouben Gregorian’sSymphonic Armenian Mass conducted by hisson, Leon Gregorian. That year, the Armeniancommunity sold out Symphony Hall.

Another recent highlight was the appearanceof 18-year-old pianist, Nareh Arghamanyan, in2008. It was at that concert where Lockhartannounced she had just won the MontrealInternational Competition. She has since turnedprofessional and performed in many prestigiousvenues and with many outstanding collabora-tors, including this summer with the ViennaSymphony Orchestra.

Memories of the late Rouben Gregorian con-jure up imagines of a local icon as a composer,performing artist and conductor of the KomitasChoral Society for many years.

“He would take people off the street, teachthem music, then stage a concert and make starsout of them,” Hagopian recalled. “He madebeginners sound very, very good.”

The list of FACS accomplishments is long,thanks to the honorary board, directors, associ-ates and thousands of patrons over thesedecades.

Another former president was the late Dr.Keran Chobanian.

FACS has done more than sponsor the Pops.Its goal of “enriching the Armenian cultural her-itage” over the past 60 years has included aplethora of accomplishments.

For 36 consecutive years (1957-1993), theypresented the Armenian Cultural Radio Programon Boston WCRB-FM, airing classical and folkmusic while broadcasting news of Armenian cul-

tural events.In 1969, a concert of sharagans at Jordan Hall

commemorated President John F. Kennedy’suntimely death — a recording of which remainspart of the archives in the JFK Library.

Other memorable musical events through theyears follow:• The Boston premiere of “Come Creative Spirit”conducted by Rouben Gregorian with contraltoLili Chookasian and members of the BostonSymphony and choruses from the BostonConservatory and Radcliffe Choral Society.• A program honoring the late composer AramKhachaturian;• Jordan Hall recitals presenting kanonist AraSevanian, Metropolitan Opera bass-baritone AraBerberian, and a Young Artists’ Festival;• Programs of tribute to soprano Lucine Amaraof the Metropolitan Opera Society, composerAlan Hovhaness, conductor Richard Yardumian,Arthur Fiedler, Rouben Gregorian, KeithLockhart (1995), Harry Ellis Dickson (1996),Seiji Ozawa (1997), Dr. Elizabeth Gregory(1998), Helen Shushan (1999) and LiliChookasian (2000);• A program of hymns and heroic ballads forsolo voices and brass quintet by RoubenGregorian under the direction of Roger Voisin atTufts Cohen Auditorium in 1990;• The establishment of a FACS endowed schol-arship at the Tanglewood Music Center for anannual scholarship to a talented performingartist, conductor or composer of Armeniandescent and• The donation of $6,000 to the YerevanPhilharmonic Orchestra.

Needless to say, the years have showcased a

number of premiere performances by Armeniancomposers and featured many prominent andpromising artists of Armenian descent.

In a 50-year history recapped by the lateVirginia Tashjian, she recalls the fledgling yearswhen organizers met in her home, listened toArmenian classical music, and decided to go pub-lic with it. They went banging on doors, raisingwhatever money they could, and responded tothe challenge with great enthusiasm.

“After a discussion with Arthur Fiedler at hissuggestion, it was decided to sponsor a concertwith the Boston Pops in 1952 — a year after thegroundwork had been laid,” she wrote.“Outstanding members of the Armenian com-munity were selling tickets and handling publici-ty. We socialized for any type of help that couldcontribute.”

Pops ladies were dressed in elegant gowns,while the men were attired in tuxedos. It quicklybecame the social extravaganza of the Armeniancommunity, drawing upwards of 700 Armenianguests a concert.

Among other trailblazers were TuftsUniversity trustee John Baronian, Dr. VictorAftandilian, Attorney Robert Kaloustian, Dr.Arthur Shushan, Gregorian, business expert JackAvedisian and renowned organist BerjJamkochian.

Nothing pleased Stella Aftandilian more thanto see a concert dedicated to her late brother,John Baronian, after being aboard since the out-set. That was in 2002 when violinist Ani Kavafiandrew a standing ovation.

“Having my children along meant a lot to me,”said Aftandilian. “We’d start hunting around forour Pops gowns three months prior. And usuallywith white gloves.”

Vice President Robert Aghababian and hiswife, Sandra, have a personal mission in sight:they want to keep Virginia Tashjian’s memoryintact.

A memorial service for Tashjian took place in2008 at the Newton Public Library, where sheserved as director, featuring Mariam Nazarian,the youngest FACS artist at age 14, when sheappeared in 1998.

Aghababian recalls attending concerts as achild and now considers it a privilege to be onthe plenary end.

“Virginia was truly the matriarch of our fami-ly,” he says of his cousin. “Her presence at theseevents was compelling. She was truly indispens-able.”

Raffi Yeghiayan has been aboard the FACSbandwagon for 35 years. He greets the people inArmenian and recounts the history as if itoccurred yesterday.

“We’re one of the only ethnic groups that hasinput in the Pops program,” he reveals. “That’s amajor distinction for us. The outside world hasshown its appreciation in many ways. They’resurprised at how much talent we have.”

Jessica Manguikian was a violinist growing upand attended these concerts for 20 years. The 34-year-old would like to see more young people atthe Pops.

“Music was always part of my upbringing,” sherecalls. “My dad encouraged me.”

When Dr. Nishan Goudsouzian got dischargedfrom the Army in 1971, it was in time for a Popsconcert. And he has been to most every otherone since then.

“It’s a place where people of all distinctionsand character convene,” he points out. “Half theaudience is non-Armenian and they enjoy ourmusic as much as we do”

This year’s post-concert reception will takeplace at the hotel. For advance tickets, visitwww.FACSBoston.org.

15T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

ARTS & LIVING

S A T U R D A Y, M A Y 1 4 , 2 0 1 1

Nareh Arghamanyan, as an 18-year-old pianist,who performed in 2008 after winning theMontreal International Competition

Friends of Armenian Culture Society Celebrates 60th Year

Rouben Gregorian with Boston Pops conductor Arthur Fiedler

Hasmik Papian

ZABEL, from page 13immigrated to Canada during the LebaneseCivil War, but for the last nine years has beenliving in Yerevan, where she founded togetherwith Shushan Avagyan and GoharShahnazaryan, the Women’s Resource Center.Aharonian has studied psychology and compar-ative literature, while Suciyan in 2008 beganher doctoral studies at Munich’s LudwigMaximilian University’s Institute of Near andMiddle Eastern Studies. She works at theInstitute now as a teaching fellow, and is con-ducting her doctoral research on the Istanbul-Armenian press after World War II.

At the Yerevan workshop, Suciyan andAharonian read excerpts from Averagnerunmech [Among the Ruins], Yesayan’s work aboutthe 1909 Cilician massacres. Suciyan explainedthat they realized that as Western Armenians,“we knew certain parts of Zabel’s life, and ourfriends in the group, Armenians from Armenia,knew another part of Zabel’s life. Furthermore,we realized that according to ordinary publicopinion, Zabel had no place in Armenia. Althoughshe shared the same destiny as Charents orBakunts [Eastern Armenian writers], she neverbecame known in Armenia. This was a little weirdfor us…” Yesayan wrote in Western Armenian formost of her life, and this may have posed an obsta-cle for some Eastern Armenians to get familiarwith her work. However, she wrote in EasternArmenian after 1933.

The two women were moved to read more ofYesayan’s works and when they were informedby Artsvi Bakhchinyan that Zabel Yesayan haddescendants living in Yerevan, they immediate-ly went to see them. They met her grandson,Alexander Yesayan, and other family membersand family friend Clara Terziyan. They read thememoirs of her daughter, Sofi Yesayan, and lis-tened to sound recordings of Zabel’s son, HrantYesayan. The two researchers discovered thatZabel Yesayan’s personal belongings,manuscripts and photographs — and even someof her hair — were held at the CharentsMuseum of Literature and Arts, run by Artsvi’sfather, Dr. Henrik Bakhchinyan, and found

archival materials at Armenia’s NationalArchives pertaining to her lawsuit. All this mate-rial shed new light on the Soviet Armenian peri-od of Yesayan’s life, and the pair decided that itwas worthwhile to prepare a documentary.

Aharonian and Suciyan had personal motiva-tions for the documentary too. For Aharonian,Yesayan and her writings played an importantand liberating role in her life. Suciyan said,“From my perspective, her being from Istanbuland at the same time being diasporan remindsme of the diasporic nature of IstanbulArmenians, which today we are forcibly made toforget. And I think that almost 70 years afterher death, Zabel Yesayan as a woman who wit-nessed two major catastrophes, the first beingthe Adana massacres, and the second, theGenocide, as a woman who believed in her ide-als and struggled for them courageously, still isan inspiring figure.”

Suciyan added that Yesayan used the word“feminism” as early as 1914, in an article pub-lished in the Armenian newspaper Azadamard.She was an extremely independent woman forher time. Suciyan continued, “I think it is diffi-cult to find an intellectual woman at the begin-ning of the century who travelled as much asYesayan did and continued to produce and playa political role not only in Armenian world, butalso was part of the societies in which she lived.For instance, she wrote a novel published inMercure de France, where she dealt with thesocial inequalities of French society.”

The film starts out by showing that even peo-ple at Zabel Yesayan Street in the First District ofYerevan do not know who Yesayan was. Yesayanwas arrested in 1937 as an “enemy of the people”in Soviet Armenia. The manner of her death oreven its exact date remains unknown. Yesayan’sprecocious start as a writer, her education inIstanbul and France, and her work of testimonyon the 1909 Cilician massacres are related, aswell as her escape in 1915 from the Ottomanroundup of Armenian intellectuals.

Literary critic Marc Nichanian noted in thefilm that Yesayan was the only woman in the listof intellectuals who were arrested on April 24

and the weeks followed. After crossing theOttoman border and arriving in Bulgaria in1915, she wrote of her experience of hidingthree months in a hospital in Istanbul.Furthermore, she published one of the earliesteyewitness accounts of the Genocide in 1917 inan Armenian journal, Kordz, in Baku. This 136-page-long testimony of Hayg Toroyan never wasturned into a book. Yesayan spent two years inthe Caucasus and in the Middle East collectingArmenian orphans. She sent articles to Frenchnewspapers in order to raise public awarenessin Europe.

Nichanian declared that it was rare for some-one escaping a dangerous situation likeYesayan to be able to write about it so quickly.Furthermore, Yesayan used to be close to theArmenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF)before 1915, but radically shifted after the warto become its ferocious enemy. Nichanian stat-ed that this led to ARF not speaking about herlife or politics after she became pro-Soviet.

Art historian Vardan Azatyan said thatYesayan wrote Among the Ruins as if she wasinside the events, but also distant in a way thatallowed her to write about the disaster. InDecember 1932, Yesayan was invited to lectureat Yerevan State University. Azatyan thoughtthat this became a safe place, or a utopian placeof hope, which allowed her to write Silihdaribardeznere [Gardens of Silihdar] about the sim-ilarly safe place of her childhood.

Finding Zabel Yesayan was first screened inYerevan in 2009 and then in Istanbul the sameyear. It also has been seen in various cities inGermany, London and Beirut (at HaigazianUniversity). Armen Haroutiunian, a writer andpatron of Armenian publications in Beirut hasoffered to sponsor the preparation and distri-bution of the film in DVD form to Armenianschools in Syria and Lebanon.

(Marc Mamigonian of NAASR facilitated theconnections necessary for the preparation ofthis article.)

16 S A T U R D A Y, M A Y 1 4 , 2 0 1 1 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

ARTS & LIVING

Advertise in the Mirror-SpectatorThe First English language Armenian weekly newspaper in the United

States, now in its 78th year of publication

Zabel Yesayan (center) in Istanbul with several literary figures, including Krikor Zohrab, far right, andLevon Shant between Zohrab and Yesayan

Finding Zabel Yesayan

AApprriill 2244tthh ppooeemmFFoorr GGoommiiddaassby Diana Der-Hovanessian

When the Music Stopped

When he was left for dead,

when he awoke and saw

the slaughter, the cut-off heads,

the crucified young girls

and his modest students raped

he never spoke again.

For twenty silent years

he only stared, past tears,

past outrage, stunned,

never to sing again,

staring into the dark time

when music came undone.

(From Dancing At the Monastery, Sheep Meadow Press, published

April, Diana Der-Hovanessian’s 24th book)

S A T U R D A Y, M A Y 1 4 , 2 0 1 1 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R 17

ARTS & LIVING

MMAAYY 2200 —— SStt.. SStteepphheenn’’ss AArrmmeenniiaann EElleemmeennttaarryy SScchhooooll,, 2255tthhAAnnnnuuaall FFaaiirr ((BBaazzaaaarr)), at the Armenian Cultural & EducationalCenter (ACEC), 47 Nichols Ave., Watertown. Kids Carnival, 3-7 p.m.;special play area for children 4 and under; losh, beef, chicken, lamband falafel available from 12-9:30 p.m., and pastries. Proceeds tosupport the school. For info, (617) 926-6979 or www.ssaes.org.

MMAAYY 2211 —— ““HHiikkiinngg iinn AArrmmeenniiaa’’ss MMoouunnttaaiinnss,, VVaalllleeyyss aanndd VViillllaaggeess,,””an illustrated talk covering the Siunik area of Southern Armenia,given by Joe Dadgigian and Dik Dagavarian of Merrimack Valley, 6p.m., ARS Community Center, 142 Liberty St., Lowell. Presented bythe Lowell ARF Committee; dinner and program, $20 adults, $10students.

JJUUNNEE 44 —— AArrmmeenniiaann MMeemmoorriiaall CChhuurrcchh AAnnnnuuaall FFaaiirr aanndd SSiilleennttAAuuccttiioonn,, (rain or shine), meals served all day, delicacies table, 32Bigelow Ave., Watertown.

MMAAYY 2211 —— ““WWee AArree LLiikkee TThhiiss,,”” oonnee--mmaann sshhooww wwiitthh KKrriikkoorrSSaattaammiiaann,, 8 p.m., at Greek Orthodox Cathedral, St. John theTheologian, 353 East Clinton Ave., Tenafly. Tickets, $65, includingdinner and wine. For tickets, call Mary (201) 745-8850 or Noushig(718) 344-5582. Organized by Tekeyan Cultural Association MherMegerdchian Theatrical Group.

JJUUNNEE 44 —— AAnnnniivveerrssaarryy --BBaannqquueett iinn aannttiicciippaattiioonn ooff tthhee 8800tthhaannnniivveerrssaarryy ooff tthhee AArrmmeenniiaann MMiirrrroorr--SSppeeccttaattoorr nneewwssppaappeerr,, thefirst English language Armenian newspaper in the world, organizedby the Friends of the Tekeyan Cultural Association of New Jersey.Saturday, 7 p.m., at Teaneck Marriott at Glenpoint, 100 Franklin W.Burr Blvd., Teaneck. For tickets, call Shoghig (201) 803-0240 orSirvart (201) 739-7775.

MASSACHUSETTS

CC AA L E N D A RL E N D A R

NEW JERSEY

On May 21, at 8 p.m., Krikor Satamian willperform in a one-man show, titled “We AreLike This,” at Greek Orthodox Cathedral, St.John the Theologian, 353 East Clinton Ave.,Tenafly, NJ, organized by Tekeyan CulturalAssociation Mher Megerdchian TheatricalGroup. Tickets are $65 and include dinner.For tickets, call Mary (201) 745-8850 orNoushig (718) 344-5582.

Francis KurkdjianTalks ScentsSCENTS, from page 13when the scent and the person become one.

SSFF:: Who would you love to create a signa-ture scent for?

FFKK:: Actually Kate Middleton. Coming hereat this time there is so much about the royalwedding, and it made me think: she has nointimacy with anything, everything is seen.Her dress will be seen, her hair, her ring. Ilove the idea that her scent, the fragranceshe chooses to wear on the day, will be theonly part that is intimate.

SSFF:: What kind of fragrance would it be?FFKK:: I don’t see her [Kate Middleton] as a

femme fatale. But she’s in the middle ofsomething, something that is going tochange her. Still, there is something that iswarm and natural about her that is very inter-esting. I would choose something warm andfresh — the new Elie Saab fragrance I’ve cre-ated would be perfect for her.

SSFF:: How do you stay inspired? FFKK:: I encourage myself to be as diverse as

possible, playing on different scents andnotes, that’s why I’ve been working more andmore with artists. I’m excited about gettingperfume to people in a different way, to reachpeople that don’t usually buy fragrance.

Aqua Universalis Forte by Kurkdjian will beavailable in June.

For more informat ion, visitwww.franciskurkdjian.com.

PhotographicJourney toHistoricArmenia

MISSION HILLS, Calif. — The Ararat-Eskijian Museum and Nor SerountCultural Association present a photoexhibition, titled “Journey to HistoricArmenia,” by Shiraz-HovhannesDjeredjian, with English narration byHarut Der-Tavitian, on Sunday, May 15,at 4 p.m., at the Ararat EskijianMuseum, 15105 Mission Hills Road.

Those attending will have the oppor-tunity to see original photos taken byDjeredjian from the 1960s onward, rep-resenting natural scenes, historicalmonuments and Armenian landscape.

Djeredjian is known as “thePhotographer of the ArmenianPeople.” His storytelling photographypreserves the richness of Armenian his-tory. Djeredjian has an ability to nar-rate, coupled with capturing thebreathtaking scenes and historicalsights, taking one back to the placeswhere one’s ancestors lived, prayed andfought.

Djeredjian started working with aFrench archaeological group as a pho-tographer in the 1960s. After touringall over Lebanon, he decided to go tohis home country and photographArmenian fortresses and churches inWestern Armenia (today’s Turkey) andEastern Armenia, including MountArarat, Mount Arakadz and Nemrut.

By his own account, he is the firstphotographer to take aerial photos ofMount Ararat. Djeredjian risked his lifeto get photos in the Artsakh-Karabaghregion, because after the liberationwar, the Azeri army had left mine-bombs in the region, making it a dan-gerous area to visit.

A select number of photographs willbe on sale. A reception will follow theprogram.

For more information, e-mailmgoschin@mindspring.com.

Ara Hagopian to Have Show at Brush GalleryLOWELL, Mass. — An abstract by North Chelmsford resident Ara Hagopian will be included in the Brush Gallery’s upcoming “For the

Birds” exhibition. The show, which features bird-themed artwork by a variety of artists, is juried by David Allen Sibley, a well-known author,illustrator and ornithologist.

“For the Birds” runs May 7 to June 18 at the Brush Art Gallery, 256 Market St. Artists’ Reception is May 14, 2-4 p.m. The show is a col-laboration with the Massachusetts Audubon Society to focus attention on birds and their habitats and to raise funds for the volunteerswho care for injured birds until they are able to be returned to the wild.

Hagopian is an artist and writer. To view his work, visit TheLiterateShow.com.

“The Searcher” by Ara Hagopian

18 S A T U R D A Y, M A Y 1 4 , 2 0 1 1 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

COMMENTARY

LETTERS

By Edmond Y. Azadian

“If we have captivated other people, that has been done onlythrough our songs,” wrote the late, modern Armenian poet,Paruyr Sevak. Indeed, our music and culture have been our onlyweapons of self-defense and self-preservation, as well as themeans to influence non-Armenians. Although our great revolu-tionary novelist Raffy had lamented that we could become agreat nation had we tempered swords rather than chalices andhad we built fortresses instead of churches and cathedrals, thehistoric truth is that Armenians have survived through their cul-ture, by choice or by default and today no alternative is left forus. We need to know our culture, present it to the world and winappropriate recognition for its richness.

We have been too slow in showcasing our cultural heritage tothe world, of course, partly because circumstances have notalways been in our favor.

Perhaps our enemies have been more alert to grasp the valueof the Armenian culture and that is why they have targeted thecreators of that culture. The first task of Talaat Pasha was toexterminate the Armenian intellectuals. And today, Talaat’s suc-cessors, the Azeris have been destroying with the same zeal theArmenian khachkars of Julfa, unique expressions and relics ofArmenian culture.

Recent international recognitions have come to drive homethat our ancestors have created and willed to us cultural and sci-entific legacy of global significance. A case in point, UNESCO’sdecision to award Melina Mercouri International prize for safe-guarding and management of cultural landscapes to the “GarniPreserve Museum.” The prize will be shared with the village ofBatir in Palestine.

Garni is one of the best-preserved Hellenistic monuments inthe world. At one time in history, Armenia was under the influ-ence of Hellenistic culture. Our nation absorbed and preservedthe finest traditions of that culture. Even several manuscripts ofphilosophy, which were lost forever for the world culture, werepreserved in Armenian translation and were thus returned to theworld.

The other cultural milestone is UNESCO’s approval to cele-brate in the year 2012 the 1,400th anniversary of medieval sci-entist Anania Shirakatsi, who was a philosopher, mathematician,astronomer and as well as the founder of exact sciences, naturalscience and astronomy in Armenia. He was a trailblazer in thestudy of the universe centuries before Galileo.

The proposal to include Shirakatsi in UNESCO’s list came fromthe Byurakan Observatory team, which symbolizes the continu-ation of Shirakatsi’s work in space exploration in the modernera.

Under astronomer Victor Harpartzoumian, Byurakan becamea world-class center of cosmic-ray research as well as space-agesciences. The collapse of the Soviet Union diminished its rolebecause of scarcity of funding and the massive brain drain fromArmenia.

In today’s globalized era, many nations have been translatingand introducing their ethnic literatures and heritages intomajor languages and thus introduce them into the forum of

world culture. That is how they attract world attention andawards. We Armenians have traditionally (and subjectively)looked down upon Turks and Turkish literature. Yet they cap-tured the Nobel Prize even before we could get one. And thereare a number of Armenian writers who certainly are no less tal-ented than Orhan Pamuk.

During the Soviet period, there was a program to translateArmenian literature into Russian in order to attract a broaderaudience and gain world recognition. But the Soviet Union at thetime was encircled by its iron curtain, so that very little literature,except the Russian ones, filtered to the West. The French-Armenian community seems less organized, considering its size,but it has shown more instances of breaking the glass ceiling topresent some treasures of the Armenian culture to the non-Armenian public. Recent examples include an exhibition orga-nized by Claude Mutafian presenting the culture of the CilicianArmenian Kingdom (10th and 14th century) under the title of“Silver Age of Armenia Culture.” Then came the exhibition at theLouvre Museum, “Armenia Sacra,” to bring to the world atten-tion our Christian heritage in one of the most visible and presti-gious cultural forums in the world.

Most recently, one of the gems of Armenian musical heritagewas presented to the French audience: the opera buffa “Garine”in French translation by Dickran Tchouhadjian.

Several French singers — none of them of Armenian descent —were so impressed by Tchouhadjian’s music that they haveformed a quartet named Arevadzaghig to present Armenian litur-gical and classical music to French audiences in Armenian.

The 1991 film “Mayrig,” by French-Armenian filmmaker HenriVerneuil, and starring Claudia Cardinale and Omar Sharif, didnot receive the attention and acclaim that it deserved, however.

All these major cultural activities are spearheaded by individu-als without a coherent, broader program, nor sponsored by majorfunding. Unlike other countries, the French government is moresensitive and receptive to minority cultures, and therefore morewilling to support those programs.

Today, with the emergence of the European Union, movementsare more fluid within the continent and achievements in onecountry can move to the other or be easily replicated.

When we speak about Europe we cannot ignore the task of theMkhitarist fathers in Venice (1717) and later in Vienna, who haveserved as beacons of Armenian culture and scholarship. Even thepoet Lord Byron has left his footprint on St. Lazarus Island offthe coast of Venice, with much praise to the achievements of theMkhitarists.

Perhaps it was the offshoot of the Mkhiterists tradition that agroup of Italian architects release the series of Armenian archi-tectural volumes, under the leadership of Adriano AlpagoNovello. The latter was an architect, art historian and professorwho had fallen in love with medieval Armenian architecture.

All these references certainly do not cover the entire gamut ofArmenian cultural achievements in Europe or elsewhere. Manymore could be added to prove that Armenians may only be rec-ognized and respected through their cultural identity.

All we need is to garner our resources to focus on greater andmore significant cultures projects, especially in view of theGenocide centennial, so that we can continue “captivating othersthrough our songs.”

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Alin K. Gregorian

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Aram ArkunART DIRECTOR

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CONTRIBUTORS:Elizabeth Aprahamian, Daphne Abeel, Dr.Haroutiune Arzoumanian, EdmondAzadian, Prof. Vahakn N. Dadrian, DianaDer Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian,Kevork Keushkerian, Sonia Kailian-Placido, Harut Sassounian, Mary Terzian,Hagop Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian,Taleen Babayan

CORRESPONDENTS:

Armenia - Hagop AvedikianBoston - Nancy KalajianPhiladelphia - Lisa Manookian

Contributing Photographers:Jacob Demirdjian, Harry Koundakjian, JirairHovsepian

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Armenian Culture: Our Defense, Our WeaponCOMMENTARY

Check us out at mirrorspectator.com

To the Editor:After reading Edmond Azadian’s latest edi-

torial, “Message from President Obama OnceAgain Causes Trauma,” in the April 30 issueof the MS, I recalled that this is the sec-ond editorial of its kind in which Mr.Azadian seems to take on the roleof apologist for President Barack Obama’sdisappointing policies towards Armenia.Basically, Mr. Azadian lays out the reasonsas to why it’s not in the Obama administra-tion’s interests to use the “G” word in it’sannual Genocide message, some of whichare understandable and most of which weare all aware. But I do have some thoughtsabout some of his points:

Many of the same restrictions on theObama administration, with regard to US-Turkey relations, were in place during theReagan administration but Reagan, aRepublican, had the backbone and ethics touse the word “genocide” in his annual April 24message. By Azadian’s own admission, in thepast several years Turkey also hasn’t

always been on board with US policy.Therefore, in his effort to rationalize Obama’sbackpedaling and thereby convince Armeniansto continue supporting him in the face of hisinsulting policies, it seems as though Mr.Azadian is being self-serving by promoting hisown personal political bent. Is continued sup-port of Obama really in Armenia’s best interest?

As an Armenian-American and not anAmerican-Armenian I take exception to Mr.Azadian’s statement “There are also staunchRepublicans among Armenians who votewith their pocketbooks and don’t give adamn about the Genocide issue.” I wouldprefer to think that when Republicans orindependents, like myself, vote forRepublicans we do so because we vote withour heads and not with our hearts and for avariety of reasons. Perhaps, too, as loyal cit-izens of the US we vote for what’s best forour country. Surely Mr. Azadian knows thatthere are Republicans in Congress who sup-port recognition of the Armenian Genocideand that voting for a Republican and advo-

cating for Genocide recognition aren’talways mutually exclusive.

Our advocacy groups and Armenian orga-nizations “pulled all of the stops” in theirefforts to convince Armenian-Americans tovote for Obama based on his pledge to usethe word “genocide.” They convinced bothRepublicans and independents that it wastheir moral obligation to do so. Not onlydid Obama renege on that promise, hisadministration tried to cut aid to Armeniaand “recently discontinued extendingMillennium Challenge grants toArmenia.” Demonstrations are fine, but“voter remorse” can be used to better advan-tage. Just as we can help elect politicianswho pledge to support the Armenian agen-da we can also form coalitions to oust politi-cians who make false promises to us in orderto garner our support to help get them elect-ed and then renege. That will send a biggermessage than any demonstration.

— Adrienne AlexanianNew York City

Don’t Defend President Obama

S A T U R D A Y, M A Y 1 4 , 2 0 1 1 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R 19

COMMENTARY

Sarkozy Joins Obama in Deceit:Neither should be reelected in2012

Armenians in France and the United States have a com-mon challenge in 2012: To do everything in their power toblock reelection of their deceptive presidents.

Neither Nicolas Sarkozy nor Barack Obama kept theirpromises to their respective Armenian constituents. TheFrench President failed to honor his commitment to sup-port a law penalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide,while the American leader broke his promise to acknowl-edge the genocide.

The long trail of Obama’s broken promises is well known,but not many know about Sarkozy’s deception. On January29, 2001, President Jacques Chirac signed into law a deci-sion adopted by the National Assembly on May 29, 1998,and the Senate on November 7, 2000, recognizing theArmenian Genocide. The Armenian community then peti-tioned the French government to assign a penalty of45,000 euros and 5-year imprisonment for denial of theArmenian Genocide, similar to the existing law penalizingdenial of the Jewish Holocaust.

This reasonable expectation turned into a major contro-

versy due to Turkish pressure on France and oppositionfrom some French intellectuals who staunchly defendedfree speech. Under these circumstances, the French gov-ernment tried to block a vote on this measure in theNational Assembly.

The French intellectuals, who objected to this law ongrounds of restricting freedom of expression, convenientlyignored the fact that a similar law existed in France since1990 to punish those who deny the Holocaust. The objec-tions raised by Turkish denialists, on the other hand, weretotally absurd. Turkey’s autocratic leaders had no rightwhatsoever to lecture the French on freedom of expression,while their own country arrested journalists, censored themedia, and banned the acknowledgment of the ArmenianGenocide.

It was unfortunate that some well-intentioned but naiveArmenians and their liberal Turkish friends also opposedthe proposed law, thereby unintentionally supportingTurkish denialism. They opposed this bill by equating theinfamous Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code banningthe acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide, with theproposed French law penalizing the denial of the genocide.This is a farcical comparison because the Turkish lawmakes it a crime to tell the truth about the ArmenianGenocide, while the French law makes it a crime to lieabout it! Why didn’t these liberal Turks and French intel-lectuals, who claim to support freedom of speech, object toa similar French law penalizing denial of the Holocaust?Doesn’t that law also restrict freedom of speech? Whyshouldn’t Armenian genocide victims be accorded equalprotection under French law?

After lengthy debates and delays, the French NationalAssembly approved the law on penalizing denial of theArmenian Genocide on October 12, 2006, and sent it to theSenate, where it has been stalled until last week.

While Sarkozy was a presidential candidate, he repeat-edly promised to support adoption of this law in the FrenchSenate. But as President, he reversed course and opposedthe measure. After coming under intense criticism byCharles Aznavour and the influential French-Armeniancommunity and realizing that he is badly trailing his likelyopponents in next year’s presidential election, PresidentSarkozy recently met with several prominent FrenchArmenians and promised not to oppose the bill in theSenate. This was too little, too late. After Turkish leadersonce again unleashed an intense lobbying campaign,Sarkozy’s political party (UMP), which holds a majority inthe Senate, was instructed by his government to opposethe bill. On May 4, after a three-hour debate, the Senaterefused to take up the measure by a vote of 196-74.

The battle for this bill is by no means over. Taking advan-tage of President Sarkozy’s poor rating in the polls,Armenians will now join forces with a majority of French vot-ers to support the Socialist Party’s candidate in next year’spresidential election, just as Armenian-Americans are prepar-ing to oppose President Obama in the 2012 elections.

In an attempt not to alienate Armenian voters altogeth-er in the upcoming elections, France’s Justice Minister pro-posed the formation of a joint commission of Armeniansand ministry officials that would bring to the courts’ atten-tion incidents of genocide denial. This is a welcome devel-opment and in line with the existing commission on theHolocaust, but French Armenians should still insist on hav-ing a law that penalizes denial of the Armenian Genocide.

While politicians, whether in France or the UnitedStates, are notorious for breaking their promises,Armenians in both countries can only reach their objec-tives by pooling their resources and forming a cohesive vot-ing block that backs their political supporters and counterstheir opponents.

My TurnBy Harut Sassounian

By Alfred de Zayas

Murder has been a sin since Cain killed Abel,long before the first attempts by lawyers to cod-ify penal law, before the Hammurabi and otherancient codes. More fundamentally, murder is acrime by virtue of natural law, which is prior toand superior to positivistic law. Crimes against

humanity and civilization werecrimes before the British,French and Russian note con-demned the Armenian mas-

sacres in 1915. Genocide was a crime beforeRaphael Lemkin coined the term in 1944.

According to article 38 of the Statute of theInternational Court of Justice, general princi-ples of law are a principal source of law. Notonly positivistic law — not only treaties, proto-cols and charters — but also the immanent prin-ciples of law are sources of law before the ICJand can be invoked. Among such principles are“ex injuria non oritur jus” which lays down therule that out of a violation of law no new lawcan emerge and no rights can be derived. Thisis a basic principle of justice — and of commonsense. Another general principle of law is “ubijus, ibi remedium”, where there is law, there isalso a remedy, in other words, where there hasbeen a violation of law, there must be restitu-tion to the victims. This principle was reaf-firmed by the Permanent Court of InternationalJustice in its famous judgement in the ChorzowFactory Case in 1928. Another general princi-ple is that the thief cannot keep the fruits of thecrime. Another principle stipulates that the lawmust be applied in good faith, uniformly, notselectively. Thus, there is no international lawà la carte.

And yet there are those who claim that theArmenians have no justiciable rights, becausethe Genocide Convention was only adopted1948, more than 30 years after the ArmenianGenocide, and because treaties are not normal-ly applied retroactively. This, of course, is a fal-lacy, because the Genocide Convention wasdrafted and adopted precisely in the light of theArmenian genocide and in the light of theHolocaust. Not only the Armenian Genocidebut also the Holocaust predated theConvention, and no one would question thelegitimacy of the claims of the survivors and

descendants of the victims of the Holocaust,simply because the Nazi atrocities were com-mitted before the entry into force of theGenocide convention. Moreover, this argumen-tation is a kind of red herring, intended to con-fuse and to distract attention from the legalbasis of the Armenian claims. Indeed, the rightsof the Armenians do not derive from theGenocide Convention. Rather: the GenocideConvention strengthens the pre-existing rightsof the Armenian to recognition as victims, torestitution and compensation.

Articles 144 and 230 of the Treaty of Sèvres,signed on August 10, 1920 by four representa-tives of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed VI, recog-nized the rights of the survivors of the exter-mination campaign against the Christianminorities of the Empire, including theArmenians, the Greeks from Pontos, theChaldeo-Assyrians, and affirmed the obligationof the Turkish State to investigate these crimesand punish the guilty. Article 144 stipulated inpart:

“The Turkish Government recognises theinjustice of the law of 1915 relating toAbandoned Properties (Emval-i-Metroukeh),and of the supplementary provisions thereof,and declares them to be null and void, in thepast as in the future. The Turkish Governmentsolemnly undertakes to facilitate to the greatestpossible extent the return to their homes andre-establishment in their businesses of theTurkish subjects of non-Turkish race who havebeen forcibly driven from their homes by fear ofmassacre or any other form of pressure sinceJanuary 1, 1914. It recognises that any immov-able or movable property of the said Turkishsubjects or of the communities to which theybelong, which can be recovered, must berestored to them as soon as possible, in what-ever hands it may be found…”

Article 230 stipulated in part: “The TurkishGovernment undertakes to hand over to theAllied Powers the persons whose surrendermay be required by the latter as being respon-sible for the massacres committed during thecontinuance of the state of war on territorywhich formed part of the Turkish Empire onAugust 1, 1914. The Allied Powers reserve tothemselves the right to designate the tribunalwhich shall try the persons so accused, and theTurkish Government undertakes to recognizesuch tribunal….”

Even though the League of Nations neverestablished an international criminal tribunal totry the Turkish perpetrators of the genocideagainst the Armenians and other Christianminorities, numerous trials under Turkish lawdid take place in Istanbul in 1919, even beforethe treaty of Sèvres was signed. The Turkishauthorities conducted these trials againstOttoman officials involved in the genocide pur-suant to the Ottoman penal code. Many wereconvicted and three persons were executed.

The Treaty of Sèvres, however, was not imple-mented, because of the coup d’état against theSultan conducted by a Turkish general,Mustafa Kemal, who not only overthrew theSultan but proceeded to wage war against theGreeks and the British, push them out ofAnatolia and negotiate a new Peace Treaty withthe Allies, which ensured impunity for the thou-sands of Turkish officials, officers and soldiersinvolved in the massacres.

To deny that the Armenian massacresamounted to genocide manifests both igno-rance of the facts and bad faith. There is nodoubt that the Armenian genocide was manytimes worse than the ethnic cleansing thatoccurred in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s,a crime which the UN General Assembly in itsresolution 47/121 (1992) considered “a form ofgenocide”. There is no doubt that the mas-sacres of the Armenians were many times worsethan the massacre of Srebrenica, which theInternational Criminal Tribunal for the FormerYugoslavia and the International Court ofJustice condemned as genocide.

But let us return to the general principle oflaw ubi jus ibi remedium. What is of relevancetoday is not the punishment of the guilty,because no person criminally responsible forthe massacres is still alive. What is crucial isthe right to the Armenian homeland, whichentails the right to return and the right to resti-tution and compensation. In this context it isrelevant to cite the final Report of the UnitedNations Special Rapporteur on the HumanRights Dimensions of Population Transfers,Awn Shawkat Al Khasawneh (today a judge atthe ICJ).

The Declaration appended to the Report,which was formally adopted by the Commissionon Human Rights and by ECOSOC provides inarticle 8: “Every person has the right to returnvoluntarily, and in safety and dignity, to the

country of origin and, within it, to the place oforigin or choice. The exercise of the right toreturn does not preclude the victim’s right toadequate remedies, including restoration ofproperties of which they were deprived in con-nection with or as a result of population trans-fers, compensation for any property that cannotbe restored to them, and any other reparationsprovided for in international law. “ Article 10reiterates the erga omnes obligation of allStates not to recognize the consequences ofcrime: “Where acts or omissions prohibited inthe present Declaration are committed, theinternational community as a whole and indi-vidual States, are under an obligation: (a) not torecognize as legal the situation created by suchacts; (b) in ongoing situations, to ensure theimmediate cessation of the act and the reversalof the harmful consequences; (c) not to renderaid, assistance or support, financial or other-wise, to the State which has committed or iscommitting such act in the maintaining orstrengthening of the situation created by suchact.”

Similarly, the United Nations Basic Principlesand Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy,adopted by the General Assembly on 16December 2005 stipulate in part in Article IX:

“19. Restitution should, whenever possible,restore the victim to the original situationbefore the gross violations of internationalhuman rights law or serious violations of inter-national humanitarian law occurred.Restitution includes, as appropriate: restorationof liberty, enjoyment of human rights, identity,family life and citizenship, return to one’s placeof residence, restoration of employment andreturn of property.20. Compensation should be provided for anyeconomically assessable damage, as appropriateand proportional to the gravity of the violationand the circumstances of each case, resultingfrom gross violations of international humanrights law and serious violations of internation-al humanitarian law, such as: (a) Physical ormental harm; (b) Lost opportunities, includingemployment, education and social benefits; (c)Material damages and loss of earnings, includ-ing loss of earning potential; (d) Moral damage;(e) Costs required for legal or expert assistance,medicine and medical services, and psychologi-cal and social services.” Since there is no

see LAW, page 20

The Armenian Cause and International Law

Opinion

S A T U R D A Y, M A Y 1 4 , 2 0 1 1 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R20

LAW, from page 10statute of limitations applicable in cases of geno-cide and crimes against humanity, the Armenianclaims to restitution and compensation continueto be valid to this day. Most importantly, howev-er, the Armenians have a right to recognition asvictims of genocide. They have a right to truth(6) and a right to historical memory. Such recog-nition is a fundamental human right and a sinequa non to reconciliation. For decades theArmenians were victims of silence. And indeed,the crime of silence is worse than that of nega-tionism. International law will ensure that truth

and justice shall prevail. (Alfred de Zayas is an American lawyer,

writer, historian and expert in the field ofhuman rights, as well as a former high-rank-ing United Nations official. He is currently aprofessor of international law at the GenevaSchool of Diplomacy and InternationalRelations and was formerly a senior lawyerwith the Office of the UN High Commissionerfor Human Rights. De Zayas has written andlectured extensively on human rights, includ-ing the Armenian Genocide. This commen-tary originally appeared in www.neurope.eu.)

DIASPORA, from page 1“If we take a very broad view since 1920, we

see that there was an influx of Armenians in theArab world and some migration of Armenianswithin the Arab world,” he said.

The revolution in Iran, he said, changed thedynamics. When Armenians left that country,he said, none went to Arab countries; instead,they all headed West.

Regarding Iran, Khachig Tölölyan, a profes-sor of English and letters at WesleyanUniversity in Connecticut, as well as the editorof Diaspora magazine there, cited an interest-ing change. About half of Iranian-Armeniansleft when the revolution happened. Yet, theremaining Armenians are still able to carve astrong presence for themselves, albeit withinthe government-proscribed and sanctionedchurch organizations. For Muslim fundamental-ists, he said, it is easier to recognize religion,therefore church organizations can play a moreprominent role.

Sanjian said that Armenian populations with-in the Arab world are decreasing, but thatdecrease is not only a result of emigration; it isthat there is normal attrition and new peopleare not coming in to take the places of thosewho have died.

“Arab countries are not attractive for newmigration among Armenians,” he stressed. The

major group on the move among Armenians, hesaid, is those from Armenia proper, and theydon’t go to any countries in the Middle East,except Israel.

The decrease of Armenians in the Arab world,he said, should also be seen in the context ofthe Christian exodus out of the region. Thetotal number of Christians in the Middle East isdecreasing, he said.

As for Lebanon, Sanjian said, the number ofArmenians just prior to the 1975 civil war wasappropriately 180,000. Now that number isabout 80,000, thought about 145,000-150,000Armenians hold Lebanese citizenship.

There are three kinds of diasporas, explainedTölölyan.

The first is residual, in which the communitygradually and steadily weakens, such as theArmenian community in Ethiopia, which was“very strong” from the 1920s through the1970s and now has practically disappeared.

Next, there are the emergent communities,which are the result of new migration, thusthey have higher numbers and great commit-ment to their culture.

Third, he said, are the dominant communi-ties, for example, Lebanon before 1975 and Iranbefore 1979.

Tölölyan said that “just the passage of timechanges the nature of any country.”

He ascribed many changes in the Armeniancommunity there to those of the greater hostcommunity, including the introduction of wide-spread media, including Al Jazeera and Westernprogram, as well as wealth from oil and greaterIslamization.

Tölölyan said that perhaps one should con-sider that a smaller community is not necessar-ily a weakened community. “The core groupbecomes even more committed. I don’t feel thateverything is in decline,” he said, though insome communities the numbers are halved.

Western Armenian Culture in Jeopardy

One result of the move out of the MiddleEast, Sanjian said, is the erosion of WesternArmenian culture and language. In fact, he said,last year the United Nations Educational,Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)declared Western Armenian an endangered lan-guage.

“Western Armenian culture is under seriousthreat. This is a delayed consequence of theArmenian Genocide,” he added.

The Middle East, including Istanbul, tradi-tionally has Armenian-speakers for about threegenerations, Sanjian said. However, in Iran, hesaid, Armenians have been able to keep theirlanguage for generations.

In France, the US and Canada, where newerwaves of immigration have led, there is morepressure to conform and speak the host coun-try’s language.

Tölölyan agreed that the attitude in Lebanon,unlike Iran, has been much more inclusive.

“The attitude is, ‘Let’s all be Lebanesetogether.’ It is much more receptive.Intermarriage has tripled and quadrupled. Theysay we can’t keep separate,” Tölölyan said.

Sanjian agreed that assimilation is happeningrapidly. In countries, like Egypt and Lebanon,he said, with large Christian Arab populations,Armenians regularly intermarry with them.

The region is “overwhelmingly Muslim” and

thus, Armenians are marrying within theirgroup, though increasing the definition tomean Christians.

“They think it’s much easier to be with fellowChristians,” Sanjian said.

At the same time, Tölölyan said, what is goingon in Turkey, namely “a debate among them-selves to figure out if there is a pluralist way” todefine their identity and to find out what makesa pluralist society, makes it unique.

From about 1900-1940s, the Middle Eastexperienced a pan-Arab movement, with themovement peaking in the 1960s. However,since the 1970s, instead of pan-Arab national-ism, it is pan-Islamism that has risen.

“Since the 1970s, there has been a shiftingidentity” in the Middle East, so that any persondoes not define themselves as Arab, but ratheras Libyan, Egyptian, Syrian, Lebanese, etc.,Tölölyan noted.

The number of students in Armenian schoolsin Lebanon has gone down accordingly — if notalarmingly. In 1975, he said, there were 21,000Armenian students in grades K-12, but now it isabout 7,000. There are many more ethnicArmenian school children, but now, he said, mostparents opt for private Arabic-language schools inhopes of creating a better future for their childrenby making them more fluent in Arabic.

In Syria, he said, the number of students hasbeen holding, approximately around 15,000.

In Egypt, Sanjian said that the number ofArmenians, once so numerous, is down to a fewthousand. The creation of the new Egyptiangovernment, he said, once the dust settles, willresonate throughout the Arab world. “It willaffect policy and discourse in other Arab coun-tries,” he said, including Lebanon and EastJerusalem. “The changes are not going to stopat the Egyptian border,” he said.

One bright light, paradoxically, is Istanbul, hesaid. “It still has a thriving community,” thoughmany are Turkish or Kurdish speakers. “It hasrecovered the feel of a community.”

New Reality in the Middle East in Wake of Revolts, Reforms and Religion

The Armenian Cause and International Law

“ComedyNight”

featuringActor, Director, Comedian

Krikor SatamianRecreation CenterSt. Johns ArmenianChurch22001NorthwesternHwy.Southfield, MI

$50/personincludes lavishBuffet dinner& Wine and softdrinks

Organized by the Tekeyan Cultural AssociationProceeds to be allocated to the TCA Orphan’s Higher Education Fund

in Armenia.

You must RSVP - for reservations, please call today:Karen Koundakjian at 248-761-9844 • Hagop Minassian at 248-569-0999

Sunday,

May 22, 2011 at 4 p.m.

SYDNEY — Sponsored by Avo and JacquelineTevanian, the AGBU Sydney Chapter presentedthe Aram Khachaturian Trio, as well as pianistSona Barseghyan at two concerts, at TheIndependent Theatre, on Friday, May 6 andSaturday, May 7.

Khachaturian Trio also performed on April29 in Sydney, at a memorial event dedicated tothe 96th Anniversary of the ArmenianGenocide. The keynote speaker will beAssadour Guzelian of London.

In 2010, sponsored by the AGBU LondonChapter, the Aram Khachaturian Trio gave anoutstanding concert dedicated to the 95thAnniversary of the Armenian Genocide on May22, 2010, at St. Yeghishe Church, in London.The same program was also performed by theTrio in Bulgaria, on May 20, under the auspicesof AGBU Plovdiv Chapter.

The members of the group are ArmineGrigoryan, Karen Shahgaldyan and KarenKocharyan, each a distinguished virtuoso per-forming artist individually, playing piano, violinand cello respectively.

A graduate of the Yerevan Tchaikovsky School ofMusic, who has also completed Yerevan StateConservatory postgraduate studies under the guid-ance of Professors Georgy and Sergey Saradjian,Grigoryan has appeared with the ArmenianPhilharmonic Orchestra, performing piano concer-tos by Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms. As anaccompanist, she has won Special prizes at AramKhachaturian (1997) and Levon Chilingirian (2002)Competitions. Grigoryan has collaborated with vio-linist Nikolay Madoyan, performing versatile pro-grams including the Beethoven’s 10 Sonatas.Grigoryan is a laureate of the Roma-2003 PianoCompetition, where she also received a Special

prize and Medal from the Chamber of Deputies ofRome. Grigoryan is a professor at Yerevan StateConservatory and, since 2004, director of the AramKhachaturian Museum.

A graduate of Moscow Conservatory,Shahgaldyan completed postgraduate studieswith Prof. Maya Glezarova. From 1998-2002Karen Shahgaldyan performed with membersof the Moscow Virtuosi under VladimirSpivakov. During the 2004-2005 season heappeared as a soloist with various orchestras,playing on a Stradivarius violin given him onloan by the Ministry of Culture of the RussianFederation. Shahgaldyan is a laureate of theInternational Pablo Sarasate Competition(Spain). He has won scholarships with theDavid Oistrach and Yuri YankelevichFoundations, as well as the MstislavRostropovich International Foundation.Shahgaldyan has toured widely throughout theUS, Sweden, South Korea, Armenia and Russia.

A graduate of the Yerevan TchaikovskySchool of Music and Yerevan StateConservatory, Kocharyan is one of the found-ing members of the Khachaturian Trio, firstsolo cellist of the Armenian Chamber Players(ACP) and Associate Concertmaster of theArmenian Philharmonic Orchestra. He hastoured with the Armenian Chamber Players andArmenian Philharmonic Orchestra throughoutEurope as soloist. In 2005, Kocharyan, underthe conductor Alexander Ivashkin (UK),appeared as soloist with the ArmenianPhilharmonic Orchestra. In 2006, with EduardTopchjan and the Pasadena LAC SymphonyOrchestra, he took part in Beethoven’s TripleConcerto. Kocharyan is a highly-acclaimedchamber musician.

Aram Khachaturian TrioPerform in Sydney