Dear Harry,

In the early twenties, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, a little Armenian boy was playing with his brother and sisters in the snow. That little boy was you, Harry.

Like so many Armenians, your parents, Charles and Mary Zadoorian, were forced to leave their beloved land to escape genocide. They settled in Canada and started a new life.

Guess you remember every single moment shared with your mom. How could you ever forget the sound of her voice, the touch of her hand and the goodness of her heart. At that time, you were too young to see the pain and sorrow hidden behind her smile. A few years before you were born, her first child was murdered in the Armenian Genocide, and a part of her heart died on that day.

Looking back on your childhood, there were unforgettable moments that became treasured memories, and there were also struggles. One of the most painful moments must have been when your father walked out the front door and abandoned the family. Just like that, your dad was out of your life. As a consequence, your big brother Bert dropped out of school after ninth grade and started working to help support the family.

A few years later, your family moved to Detroit, Michigan, and you married Lucy. She was the one, and you couldn’t wait to spend the rest of your life with her, but in a world of chaos and terror, you did what you had to do. Like many Armenians, you joined the U.S. Army to liberate Europe and defeat the Nazis. Just before going overseas, you said goodbye to your loved ones and told Bert to look after your mother.

As a proud member of the 853rd Bomber Squadron, 491st Bomber Group, you played your part and fought for our freedom…until March 24, 1945. On that fateful day, you were on a mission over Germany when anti-aircraft fire hit your B-24 bomber, taking out two of its engines. Only God knows what you thought about seconds before the aircraft crashed and exploded. You had so much to live for, so many dreams to fulfill, and so much love to give, but you sacrificed everything for us. 

You were then buried with full military honors at the Ardennes American Cemetery in Neupré, Belgium, and here we are, more than 74 years after your death, thinking about you and still missing you. In a world at war, you were one person, but for many persons, you were the world. Hope you know how grateful we are for what you did, and that we will never forget you. 

In the early nineties, at the Ardennes American Cemetery, snow was falling and a little boy was looking at all the white marble crosses. That little boy was me, Harry.

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John Dekhane

John Dekhane grew up in Paris before moving to the South of France. He works for a sport organization in Monaco. Since he was a child, he has always been interested in World War II with particular emphasis on American soldiers. In order to honor them, over the past years, he has located and purchased WWII U.S. artifacts in Europe and donated these items to more than a hundred museums in the United States.

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PROVIDENCE, RI—On October 26, 2019 under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, the Providence community celebrated the 85th anniversary of Mourad Armenian School. The Mourad Armenian School has served as a cornerstone to preserve the Armenian language and culture in the community and for future generations.  

Rev. Fr. Kapriel Nazarian of Sts. Vartanantz Church offered the opening prayer followed by the singing of the national anthems by graduate Alysha Phillips. Garo Tashian, master of ceremonies and chairman of the 85th anniversary committee, welcomed close to 250 guests at the Providence Marriott Hotel, including past and present Armenian school students, teachers and school committee members. Tashian, a graduate of the school, spoke about his experience and how proud he was to be able to emcee the ceremony in Armenian. He asked the community to prioritize educating their children in an Armenian environment that nurtures their sense of belonging and strengthens their Armenian identity.  

Hagop Donoyan, vice-chairman of the Sts. Vartanantz Church Board of Trustees, congratulated the Mourad Armenian School for its diligent service to the community and wished the school continued success in educating future generations.

During his welcoming remarks, school committee chairman Hagop Khatchadourian stressed the importance of not only sending children to school, but also communicating with them in the Armenian language at home. “Every single Armenian is a flame, and if we don’t hold on to our story, language, beliefs and fatherland, that flame will go out,” he said.

The musical program began with the school anthem and Ov Em Yes, a song with delightful choreography; music teacher Raffi Rachdouni accompanied on piano. Graduates Taleen Donoyan and Shant Eghian sang Doon Im Hayreni with the accompaniment of Rosdom Mkrstchjan on guitar and Rachdouni on piano. The musical program concluded with a stunning dance performance by the students and led by Maral Kachadourian, the school’s long-time dance instructor.

During her congratulatory message, Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Eastern Region Board member Johanna Chilingirian expressed her personal feelings as the daughter of Anahid Hajian-Kibarian, who attended Armenian school, then served as a substitute teacher, and now principal. Chilingirian described the great joy she hears in her mother’s voice when she talks about the school and all the students she has enjoyed serving in her role as principal.

Tashian also announced that the Kibarian family will donate students’ tuition payments during the next academic year (2020-21), provided there is 85 percent attendance during the current academic year (2019-20). The Providence community and parents of the Mourad Armenian School enthusiastically thanked the Kibarian family for their generosity and expressed their unending gratitude to Hajian-Kibarian for her countless years of service and dedication to the school.

Tashian then reminded the community to come together and better the future of the community. “This means going back to the time where being Armenian and speaking the language was a priority for families, a time when parents would ensure their kids were involved in the Armenian community and especially in the Armenian school,” he added. 

Der Kapriel then offered his pastoral message, remembering the late Roxanne Arzoomanian, co-principal, who dedicated all her retirement years to the church, and especially to Mourad Armenian School. He spoke of the love he sees emanating from the teachers every Saturday morning during opening prayers and his weekly Bible lessons before the students begin their classroom studies. He said he could see how “the teachers love every single one of the students.” The students are not just greeted with a “hello,” but with a hug and kiss from their teachers. 

Teacher and school committee secretary Maggie Nalbandian noted the colorful Armenian alphabet wooden bookmarks at each place setting. They were handmade and painted individually by Nanar Hakobyan from the Republic of Artsakh. On behalf of every member of the Mourad Armenian School family, Nalbandian presented Hrair Hawk Khatcherian’s photography book “100” to Khatchadourian in appreciation for his decades-long efforts and tireless dedication.

During his formal remarks, His Eminence announced that the Prelacy was honoring those who have served the Mourad Armenian School for decades as teachers with special certificates of merit. The honorees were Zepur Donoyan, Maral Kachadourian, Angel Kozinian, Tigranoui Minassian, Maggie Nalbandian, Zvart Tahmassian and Menar Tarpinian. Carol Mesrobian was honored as the school committee treasurer for more than 40 years. Then His Eminence announced that His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, sent a special pontifical blessing and message in appreciation of Hajian’s dedication to the Mourad Armenian School. The Prelate spoke about how unique the Providence community is in every way and referred with admiration to the students’ writings in the ad book commemorating the event. Several had thanked their parents and teachers and said they cannot wait to return to school as aides after graduation. The Archbishop encouraged the community to be rightful followers of the name bearer of the school, Sebastatsi Mourad, and become a healthy entity that preserves faith, culture and language for future generations.

The program concluded with the singing of Giligia. Live music was provided by the talented Kevork Artinian and his band.

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Guest Contributor

Guest contributions to the Armenian Weekly are informative articles written and submitted by members of the community, which make up our community bulletin board.

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LOWELL, Mass.– Armenian National Committee of Merrimack Valley activists Aram, Armen and Ara Jeknavorian will be honored with the prestigious Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region Vahan Cardashian Award at the 13^th annual ANCA Eastern Region banquet on Saturday, November 9, 2019, at the U Mass Lowell Inn & Conference Center located at 50 Warren Street, Lowell, MA 01852. This year’s banquet will begin at 6 pm with cocktails and silent auction before the dinner and awards program commences at 7:30 pm.

The Vahan Cardashian Award is given annually to ANCA Eastern Region activist(s) who demonstrate long-standing leadership and success on behalf of the Armenian Cause. The award is named in honor of the late Vahan Cardashian who led the American Committee for the Independence of Armenia (ACIA), the precursor to the Armenian National Committee of America.

The Jeknavorian brothers have worked diligently within the Armenian community to promote Armenian American issues as well as civic activism and awareness. Along with building key congressional relationships throughout the years, Aram, Armen and Ara have worked tirelessly in positions of leadership for the ANC of Merrimack Valley and numerous other Armenian American organizations throughout Northern Massachusetts.

“Our community is so proud and honored to have the Jeknavorian brothers recognized for their unwavering commitment to both the ANCA and the entire Merrimack Valley Armenian community. All three brothers have devoted their lives to promoting Hai Tahd and advocating on behalf of Armenia and Artsakh. The ANC of Merrimack Valley is eager to see our friends and supporters join us in honoring the Jeknavorian brothers for their continued efforts, which have led to significant political support from numerous elected officials in our area,” said Muriel Parseghian, 2019 ANCA-ER Banquet Committee member and ANC of Merrimack Valley Member

Aram, Armen and Ara Jeknavorian, natives of Lowell, MA, have served and held leadership positions with numerous Armenian organizations and committees supporting a diverse range of Armenian causes. They are alumni of the former Lowell Ararat AYF Chapter, long time members of the Lowell Aharonian ARF Gomideh, the Merrimack Valley ANC, the Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee of Merrimack Valley, the Armenian Genocide Monument Committee, and the Armenian-American Veterans of Lowell. In addition, they play an active role in the parishes of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church, Chelmsford and St. Gregory Armenian Church, North Andover.

Among their many projects undertaken over the years, the creation and dedication of the Mother’s Hands Armenian Genocide Monument at Lowell City Hall is especially cherished by the Jeknavorian brothers. The Jeknavorian brothers attribute their service to Hai Tad and the Armenian Community to their beloved parents, Abraham and Flora Jeknavorian, who served as inspiring role models through their life-long, dedicated involvement in the ARF, ARS and the Armenian Church.

The evening’s honorees also include Congressman Jim McGovern and Dr. Taner Akçam who will receive the ANCA-ER Freedom Award.

Heather Apigian Karafian will serve as the mistress of ceremonies and special guests include Congresswoman Lori Trahan who will introduce Congressman McGovern as well as the 2019 ANCA Eastern Region ANCA Leo Sarkisian interns Roubina Bozoian (New Jersey), Nairi Diratousian (New Jersey), Mary Galstian (Massachusetts), Daron Pogharian (Pennsylvania) and Lucine Poturyan (Connecticut) who was the Maral Melkonian Avetisyan Fellowship Recipient. ANCA-ER 2019 LSI Intern Mary Galstian will perform the national anthems.

For more information about this year’s banquet, please call (917) 428-1918 or email erbanquet@anca.org.

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ANCA-Eastern Region

The Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region is part of the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots organization, the ANCA. Working in coordination with the ANCA in Washington, DC, and a network of chapters and supporters throughout the Eastern United States, the ANCA-ER actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

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WASHINGTON, DC – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Bob Menendez (D-NJ) offered a scathing indictment of Turkish President Recep Erdogan’s escalating repression at home and aggression abroad in a 15-minute Senate floor speech during which he called for immediate Senate passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (S.Res.150) and Senate consideration of far-reaching sanctions over Turkey’s invasion of northern Syria.

Sen. Menendez’s remarks come as the ANCA continues its nationwide campaign to urge Senate passage of S.Res.150, building on the historic near-unanimous House passage of a similar measure (H.Res.296) last week. Advocates can thank House members who supported the measure, urge Senators to take action and ask President Trump to clearly and properly condemn this crime – all through one unified online action.

“We join with Senator Menendez in predicting a crushing defeat for Armenian Genocide denial on the floor of the U.S. Senate – where an overwhelming bipartisan majority is ready – eager in fact – to vote for S.Res.150, if and when they are given the opportunity to do so by Majority Leader McConnell,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “Please join with friends across all fifty states in calling on your two U.S. Senators to press for passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution,” continued Hamparian.

“Today, I would like to lay out a fact pattern that so many of my colleagues have come to see in recent weeks – that Turkey under Erdogan should not, Turkey under Erdogan cannot be seen as an ally,” stated Senator Menendez, who cited Turkey’s invasion of northern Cyprus, ongoing belligerence in the Eastern Mediterranean against Greece, the 2017 Erdogan-ordered attacks against peaceful protesters in Washington, DC among that government’s many acts of aggression.

“As momentum builds following the passage of the Armenian genocide resolution in the House, Turkish lobbyists are working overtime to block it in the Senate,” explained Senator Menendez. “Because they know that if this resolution were to come to the floor for a vote, it would pass resoundingly and send a clarion message that recognizes the truth. The Armenian genocide happened, it was a monstrous act and those who deny it are complicit in a terrible lie. The Senate should not bow to this pressure, it cannot bow to this pressure. Let’s pass this resolution today,” added Sen. Menendez.

Video of Sen. Menendez’s remarks was presented live on the ANCA’s Facebook page and shared broadly through a Greek and Armenian American effort led by the Hellenic American Leadership Council and the ANCA.

Sen. Menendez was joined by Sen. Ted Cruz in spearheading the Armenian Genocide Resolution (S.Res.150), which currently has over 20 co-sponsors. Like H.Res.296, the resolution establishes, as a matter of U.S. policy, 1) the rejection of Armenian Genocide denial, 2) ongoing official U.S. government recognition and remembrance of this crime, and 3) support for education about the Armenian Genocide in order to help prevent modern-day atrocities.

Just one day following Sen. Menendez’s floor remarks, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair James Risch (R-ID) stated that he would postpone any discussion of sanctions against Turkey pending President Erdogan’s visit to Washington, DC on November 13. Earlier in the day, President Trump tweeted that the meeting would take place, following a phone call with the Turkish President.

The announcement confirming the Erdogan-Trump meeting also followed statements by unnamed State Department sources noting opposition to the H.Res.296 and a Turkey sanctions measure adopted by the U.S. House on October 29.

“President Trump is pursuing of a Turkey-first foreign policy, blocking bipartisan sanctions, enforcing Ankara’s Armenian Genocide gag-rule, enabling its domestic crackdown and regional aggression, and – now – rewarding Erdogan for a high-profile White House visit,” noted Hamparian, following a Bloomberg news accounts announcing State Department opposition a week after the measure was passed. “The Senate should follow the House’s lead, upholding U.S. interests and American values by enacting Turkey sanctions and adopting the Armenian Genocide Resolution, S.Res.150,” added Hamparian.

The ANC of New Jersey has been a staunch ally of Senator Menendez dating back to his first election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992.

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ANCA

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues. To learn more, visit www.anca.org.

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WASHINGTON, DC – Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Chairman Raffi Hamparian issued the following statement on the near-unanimous U.S. House passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.296).

“The ANCA is proud to have led the historic movement that delivered last week’s near-unanimous vote of the U.S. House of Representatives for H.Res.296 – the bipartisan resolution to end Ankara’s veto against honest American remembrance of the Armenian Genocide.”

“The overwhelming passage of H.Res.296 (405 to 11) landed a powerful blow for justice, heralding the end of U.S. complicity in Turkey’s denials. This vote paves the way to a pro-active American policy that openly challenges Ankara’s obstruction of justice and pivots toward U.S. support for a truthful, just, and comprehensive resolution of this still unpunished crime.”

“Our landmark achievement was the direct result of decades of high-level Washington advocacy, sophisticated legislative strategy, and relentless grassroots education, civic engagement, and electoral activism by our regional ANCA offices, ANCA chapters, local advocates, and coalition partners.  We are particularly gratified that, in adopting H.Res.296, we saw the U.S. House properly cite the Greek, Assyrian, Chaldean, Syriac, Aramean, Maronite and other Christian victims of Turkey’s genocidal campaign. We will continue to work to complete the recognition process and put in place the remedies for Turkey’s crimes until justice is served to all our peoples.”

“I was pleased, on behalf of our community and coalition partners, to personally meet with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) in Los Angeles in order to thank her for her courage and leadership in bringing H.Res.296 to the House floor. I share our thanks, as well, with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) who worked with the ANCA to make sure the Armenian Genocide resolution enjoyed broad bi-partisan support. And, of course, we express our deep appreciation to the sponsors of the Armenian Genocide resolution – Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), our great Armenian American champions, Congresswomen Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Jackie Speier (D-CA), along with stalwart allies like Congressmen Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Jim Costa (D-CA), and Jim McGovern (D-MA) – for working hand in hand with us to move America to the right side of the Armenian Genocide.”

“The historic U.S. House vote on H.Res.296 represents a tribute to our community – whose rock-solid commitment to justice – remains the source of the ANCA’s power and strength.”

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ANCA

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues. To learn more, visit www.anca.org.

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WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has teamed up with Hellenic, Kurdish, Assyrian, Christian human rights, and religious freedom groups to protest Turkey’s President Erdogan at his White House meeting with President Trump, scheduled for Wednesday, November 13th.

Groups including the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC), American Hellenic Educational and Progressive Association (AHEPA), American Hellenic Institute, In Defense of Christians, Armenian Youth Federation and American Rojava Center for Democracy are calling attention to a wide array of Turkish transgressions from its recent invasion of northern Syria to its ongoing crackdown against Kurdish communities, occupation of Cyprus, oppression of Christian and other minority communities, crushing of dissent, jailing of journalists, blockading of Armenia, and denial of the Genocide committed against the Armenian, Greek, Assyrian/Syriac/Chaldean and Maronite nations.

“Turkey long ago walked away from NATO, turned its back on the US and yet still expects to have a veto over US policy on issues, and that needs to end,” ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian told the Jerusalem Post earlier today. “Erdogan is extremely open about the direction he’s taking his country. And I think every aspect of our political system here in America, especially here in Washington, has woken up to this fact. But the last holdout is the White House. We’re protesting to help bring that to an end,” continued Hamparian.

The Trump-Erdogan meeting comes just two weeks after the U.S. House near-unanimous passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.296), which establishes, as a matter of U.S. policy, 1) the rejection of Armenian Genocide denial, 2) ongoing official U.S. government recognition and remembrance of this crime, and 3) support for education about the Armenian Genocide in order to help prevent modern-day atrocities. Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) led the House effort, while Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) are spearheading the pending Senate measure (S.Res.150).

The protest is set to begin Wednesday, November 13th at 12:00 noon at Lafayette Park, across from the White House.  The timing of the White House protest is subject to change based on the Trump-Erdogan White House meeting schedule. Following the meeting, protesters will go to Sheridan Circle, the site of the May 16, 2017 protest where video evidence showed that President Erdogan ordered his security detail and supporters to attack peaceful protesters, sending multiple protesters, police and secret service to the hospital.

ISIS Murder of Catholic Armenian Priest Should Be on Trump-Erdogan Meeting Agenda

Earlier today, the ANCA called on the White House to bring up the latest ISIS killing of Armenian Catholic Priest Hovsep Petoian and his father, who were traveling from the Syrian town of Qamishli to Der-Zor to review the rebuilding of an Armenian Catholic Church there.  According to news reports, Turkey’s attacks on Kurdish led anti-ISIS defense groups in Syria last month created a vacuum allowing ISIS sleeper cells to reactivate in the region.

“We look to President Trump to publicly press Turkish President Erdogan this Wednesday for answers regarding today’s murder by ISIS militants of a Catholic Armenian priest and his father, in a region of Syria that has fallen increasingly under the control of Ankara’s allies,” the ANCA’s Aram Hamparian stated following news of the murder earlier today.

Chairman Engel: “Rescind the Invitation to Erdogan”

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ANCA

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues. To learn more, visit www.anca.org.

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NEW YORK, NY—On the first Saturday of November, scores of college-aged Armenians congregated in the hallowed halls of Yale University for a day-long event filled with lectures and panels on an assortment of topics. The ARS Norian Youth Connect Program (YCP), sponsored and organized by the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Eastern USA, with a generous endowment from the Norian Fund, has become one of the eastern region’s most popular and versatile draws for young Armenians. What used to be an annual affair is now held twice a year—at Yale University in the fall and Columbia University in the spring, though these locations may change, depending on the interest of students at their respective universities, says Dr. Khatchig Mouradian, Columbia University professor and YCP program director and moderator for the last six years. Under his leadership, the program has expanded in scope, versatility and participation.

For the first time ever, a series of lectures were dedicated to various science topics. Generally, discussions regarding Armenian culture make use of art, literature, politics and history, but topics related to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) traditionally do not fit into the equation. Some students started expressing a desire to see their majors and career interests coincide with their Armenian identities; YCP heeded the call. The addition was an encouraging reflection on the importance of filling out the evaluation forms that are distributed at the end of the program. (They really do listen!)

The first lecture was by Dr. Vikrant Yadav, a post-doctoral fellow at Yale, who presented some of his groundbreaking research, concerning the storage potential of biological materials, in this case, proteins. Similar to how we store data in our computer hard drives, we can do the same in our “actin cytoskeleton,” he described. The title of Dr. Yadav’s “How much protein do you need to store all 7 Harry Potter books?” was a clever way to introduce an otherwise highly-abstract topic to a broad yet eager audience. That and a few quips about confusing biologists and physicists alike with his “biophysicist” label and how anyone could do their research, so long as they, too, have a $500,000 telescope laying around. 

After a granular deep dive into the human cytoskeleton, the next lecture zoomed out to space. The speaker Armen Samurkashian works as an aerospace engineer in the Armenian megalopolis of Los Angeles, but many in the room recalled his humble beginnings as a former YCP participant during his undergraduate days at MIT. Titled “Satellites and Space-Based Infrastructure—Why You Should Care,” his talk provided an engrossing overview of the many ways in which satellites have completely transformed our lives in the last few decades and the importance of being aware of them.

After a bout of shuttles and satellites and space wars, the program landed back down on earth, to (arguably) its core, at least, as it concerns Christians. Dr. Hratch Tchilingirian of Oxford University examined the precarious situation of Christian minorities in Turkey. He began by pointing out the very word “Christian” has its roots in Antioch (renamed Antakya), where being Christian today is met with hostility. Dr. Tchilingirian explained how a series of policies were implemented by the modern Turkish state, formed from the ashes and lootings of genocide that have disadvantaged and disenfranchised Christian communities, which continue into the present day. 

After breaking for lunch, a series of rapid-fire presentations followed by the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), h-pem Armenian Cultural Platform and Oknooshoon project. 

The ANCA has long been a fan favorite at YCP. Programs Director Sipan Ohannesian spoke about the organization’s long-standing efforts in rallying for the Armenian Cause, including the recent passing of H.Res.296, the bipartisan House resolution that recognized the Armenian Genocide earlier this month. Ohannesian talked about the many ways in which students and recent graduates can get involved with ANCA, including the Leo Sarkissian Summer Internship for undergraduates and the Capital Gateway Program for those searching for career positions in the nation’s capital, as well as signing up for their Rapid Responder Program.

I was also fortunate to address the student body as the Assistant Project Manager of h-pem, a new online platform that presents Armenian art and culture in innovative ways, while enhancing cultural interaction among a global network of Armenians. In this horizontally-run initiative, it is vital that young diasporans get involved. They can follow h-pem’s social media pages (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter—all @hpemonline) and sign up as active users on the website, even becoming “ambassadors” in their local communities. However, the platform also serves as a space for budding creatives to pursue their craft(s). “We believe that anyone can submit their own artwork, photographs, videos and articles, because h-pem is not just for your consumption but your active engagement and contribution,” I told the students.

Nairi Krafian is the founder of Oknooshoon, a nonprofit whose aim is to strengthen the human-canine bond in Armenia with the use of animal-assisted therapy and reshaping of local preconceived attitudes on street dogs. The name “Oknooshoon” is a pun on the words “dog” and “help” in Armenian. After running through the organization and its accomplishments, Krafian noted that they are always looking for interns to help out in various areas of operation. She then called on the audience to get involved by spreading the word and following their social media accounts.

The scheduled programming resumed with a discussion of the “Dark Pasts” of Turkey and Japan. Dr. Jennifer Dixon of Villanova University presented some of the findings from her book “Dark Pasts: Changing the State’s Story in Turkey and Japan” which compared the altering narratives by each state (regarding the 1915-1917 Armenian Genocide in Turkey and the 1937-1938 Nanjing Massacre in Japan) from 1950 to 2008. She explained that while both states’ narratives started from similar positions of silencing, relativizing and denial, Japan has apologized for the Nanjing Massacre, while Turkey has continued to deny the Armenian Genocide. Dr. Dixon concluded that “international pressures increase the likelihood of change in official narratives, while domestic considerations determine the content of such change.” 

The next presentation was a panel discussion titled “Northern Syria: Community, Culture and Invasion” with Clark University political science professor Dr. Ora Szekely and Dr. Tchilingirian. Dr. Mouradian explained that the inclusion of this panel was brought on last-minute, following the recent events in northern Syria. The professors presented on the harrowing situation in Syria, including a discussion on the recent Turkish invasion of the Kurdish-controlled Rojava region following US withdrawal of support.

Dr. Szekely rewound to 2011 at the breakout of the war in Syria, which, she explained, that many Syrians take issue with labeling as a “civil war,” due to its sectarian connotations. She described the dizzying eight years since, which has ravaged the small country, leaving over 500,000 dead and a staggering 50 percent of its population displaced, either internally or as refugees, with an overwhelming majority (over three million refugees) in Turkey today. 

The complicated geopolitical considerations, tensions and conflicts that exacerbate an already depressing situation were further addressed by Dr. Tchilingirian, who touched upon the heterogeneous role of the Kurdish people, noting that the Kurdish perspective(s) on Turkey, Syria and their respective politics is not a monolith. Due to their dispersal and historical persecution in four different countries (Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq), some Kurds have internalized their victimhood and project slurs toward other minority groups who are even lower on the totem pole, namely Armenians. 

When asked by an audience member who would be the “best winner” among all of the players in this war, Dr. Szekely answered, “All of them have committed egregious war crimes.”

Realizing the need to digest the previous panel’s heavy content, Dr. Mouradian introduced the final speaker’s talk as a true “dessert.” Attorney by day, photographer of the Armenian Highlands by anytime-his-schedule-permits, Matthew Karanian is the ultimate storyteller. His latest book “The Armenian Highland: Western Armenia and the First Republic” was also the name of his talk. Karanian began by sharing the poignant story of Yaşar Kemal, the humble Kurdish man who saved Akhtamar Cathedral from Turkish destruction in the 1950s, using nothing but his wit and profound love and respect for historical legacy—a legacy that did not distinguish between Armenian or Turkish or Kurdish, but “human.” Yaşar Kemal saved Akhtamar, and “he wasn’t even Armenian,” he pronounced.

Karanian then went through a slideshow of some of the images in his book, framing each one with a story or personal anecdote. While he acknowledged that much has been destroyed in Western Armenia, so much still remains and needs to be preserved. “I do not want to have someone look back on my photographs 100 years from now as archival research,” he told the doe-eyed crowd. At this moment, the hall fell silent; one could hear a pin drop. The lesson of the story, as there always is one with Karanian, is that every individual can make a difference, no matter what they are up against. Indeed, that same conviction propels programs like YCP and keeps people coming back every year after year.

After a whirlwind eight hours of enthralling, thought-provoking, transporting discussions, the program officially concluded, but the conversations continued at dinner at Olives and Oil Restaurant.

Author information

Lilly Torosyan

Lilly Torosyan is the Assistant Project Manager of Hamazkayin’s h-pem, an online platform to engage young diasporans in Armenian art and culture. She holds a master’s degree in Human Rights from University College London and a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Boston University, where she served on the ASA Executive Board. Her writings primarily focus on highlighting unique facets of, and approaches to, identity, community, art and youth events.

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WASHINGTON, DC – On the eve of a meeting between President Trump and Turkey’s President Erdogan, key Senate and House leaders slammed the White House for welcoming the authoritarian leader, citing Turkey’s repressive policies at home and recent invasion of northern Syria among the long list of Erdogan’s rights abuses, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

A consistent theme in Congressional remarks was the Erdogan-ordered beating of peaceful protesters in Washington, DC during his visit in May, 2017, with leaders rallying to defend the First Amendment rights of demonstrators who planned to protest at the White House.

“There’s a right that has to be protected — that’s the right of Americans to speak freely here in America and not ever feel as though they should be quiet or silenced because of threats and intimidation from a foreign government,” ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian told Washington, DC National Public Radio affiliate WAMU reporter Daniella Cheslow earlier today. “The law enforcement authorities are on notice and the world is watching.”

The ANCA is teaming up with the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC), American Hellenic Educational and Progressive Association (AHEPA), American Hellenic Institute, In Defense of Christians, Armenian Youth Federation and American Rojava Center for Democracy for the White House protest timed with the Erdogan-Trump meeting. The protest will begin at 11:30 am and will continue through approximately 4:00pm, after which it will proceed to Sheridan Circle, the site of the May 2017 attacks by Erdogan’s security detail and supporters.

Sen. Robert Menendez:  10 Critical Questions that Turkey has Yet to Address
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Democrat Robert Menendez (D-NJ) – for the second time in two weeks – took to the Senate Floor highlighting 10 issues that should be prominent in the Erdogan-Trump meeting, including Turkey’s purchase of the Russian-made S-400 Air Defense System, the commission of war crimes in Syria by Turkish backed forces, Turkey’s occupation of Cyprus, violation of Greek airspace, and efforts to turn the Hagia Sophia Greek church into a mosque.  Sen. Menendez also called special attention to the 2017 Erdogan-ordered attack on peaceful protesters, calling for the extradition of Erdogan’s security guards responsible for the attack.  “While Erdogan may not believe in the right of peaceful protests in his home country, but I hope that Erdogan learns his lesson that here in the United States, the right to peaceful assembly is enshrined in our constitution and core to our democracy, and I hope that President Trump clearly reminds them of this fact,” said Sen. Menendez.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen:  Erdogan’s Visit is a “Shame on the United States”
Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), in a 20 minute floor statement, condemned Turkey’s recent invasion of northern Syria, including Erdogan’s use of “jihadi proxies that include a lot of Al Qaeda elements, and they are committing gross human rights abuses, including what the Trump Administration has acknowledged are war crimes.”  Sen. Van Hollen emphasized the recent ISIS murder of Armenian Catholic priest Priest Hovsep Petoian and his father, who were traveling from the Syrian town of Qamishli to Der-Zor to review the rebuilding of an Armenian Catholic Church there.  Referencing U.S. House passage of H.R.4695 demanding Turkey sanctions (adopted by a vote of 406-16), Sen. Van Hollen called for immediate action on that or similar measures in the Senate.  He cited the importance of sending “a message to President Erdogan that while he may be going to the White House tomorrow, he does not have support in the United States Congress.”

Sen. Richard Durbin:  “Why in the World is this President Sitting Down with Erdogan at this Moment?
Earlier in the day, during an interview on CNN, Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) offered a litany of reasons for President Trump not to meet with Erdogan “from their decision to acquire Russian missile defense systems, which we think really are inconsistent with Turkey’s commitment to NATO, the complicity of the Turkish government in moving would-be terrorists around their territory, threatening the United States and its troops, the decision to move forward and to eradicate the Kurdish populations, a population that has been in strict alliance, close alliance with the United States for years and has seen many of their own killed in the process.”  Sen. Durbin noted, “you put all these together and say, why in the world is this president sitting down with Erdogan at this moment?”

Senators Ed Markey, Ron Wyden, Celtics Star Enes Kanter Rally Against Erdogan’s Crackdown on Free Speech
Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) teamed up with Boston Celtics star player Enes Kanter and the Committee to Protect Journalists to call attention to Erdogan’s “crackdown on Turkish citizens, within Turkey and abroad,” introducing legislation which states that “it is the policy of the United States to support democracy, peace and prosperity in Turkey and to oppose the abuse of Turkish counter-terrorism authorities that target journalists, target political opponents, and dissidents and minorities including Kurds, and others who exercise their right to freedoms of expression.”  During a press conference, they called on President Trump to rescind Erdogan’s White House invitation.

Texas Republicans McCaul and Crenshaw Rally for First Amendment Rights of Protesters
In the U.S. House, House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Republican Michael McCaul (R-TX) issued a statement noting that he is “extremely concerned by reports of violence in northern Syria committed by Turkey and Turkish backed forces, including reports of possible war crimes. Turkey must end its incursion in Syria immediately.”  In addition to citing Turkey’s “numerous recent actions that harm NATO,” Rep. McCaul referenced the 2017 attacks on peaceful protesters, noting “it is imperative that all representatives of the Turkish government respect the United States’ laws, notably the right to peacefully protest. The American people will not tolerate visitors disregarding our laws and violating our founding principles on U.S. soil.”

Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) led Congressional calls on the State Department and DC Police to protect First Amendment rights during Erdogan’s Washington, DC visit, circulating two Congressional sign-on letters addressed to Cam Henderson, the State Department’s Chief of Protocol, and Chief Peter Newsham of the Metropolitan Police Department.  The letters stressed that “those who wish to assemble and speak out against the Turkish regime and its leader are free to do so peacefully and without violence from President Erdogan’s security detail.”

The ANCA encouraged legislators to co-sign the Crenshaw letter, which was forwarded to the DC Police and the State Department prior to the planned Trump-Erdogan meeting at the White House.

BACKGROUND:

On May 16, 2017, ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian videotaped the brutal attack of peaceful protesters by President Erdogan’s security detail and supporters at Washington, DC’s Sheridan Circle, across from the Turkish Ambassador’s residence, where Erdogan was scheduled to have a closed-door meeting with think tank leaders. Hamparian’s viral video showed pro-Erdogan forces crossing a police line and beating peaceful protesters – elderly men and several women – who were on the ground bleeding during most of the attack.  Voice of America video of the attacks offered strong evidence that President Erdogan had personally ordered the attack.

Newly released documents reveal there was yet another altercation, this time between Turkey Foreign Minister Cavusoglu’s security detail and U.S. Secret Service and the Metropolitan Police Department at the Turkish Embassy, in which two Diplomatic Security special agents, six U.S. Secret Service officers and one MPD officer sustained multiple injuries, with at least one taken to the hospital.  The Turkish Ambassador negotiated the release of two Turkey Security Detail members, with the whole group immediately taken to Andrews Airforce Base for their return to Turkey.

Nineteen perpetrators were indicted for the brutal beatings, which included 15 members of Turkish President Erdogan’s security detail, two Canadians, who reportedly repatriated to Turkey, and two Turkish Americans. All 19 defendants were indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, with a bias crime enhancement – charges of hate crimes – which carry a maximum 15 years prison sentence. Two of those indicted – Eyup Yildirim and Sinan Narin – pled guilty to one assault charge and served one year in prison.  Based on a plea deal, the hate-crimes component of the charges were removed. They were released in March, 2018.

On June 6th, with a vote of 397 to 0, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously condemned Turkey in response to the attacks, taking a powerful stand against Ankara’s attempts to export its violence and intolerance to America’s shores. H.Res.354, spearheaded by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA), Ranking Democrat Eliot Engel (D-NY), House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and received the public backing of then House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI). On July 14th, the U.S. House also unanimously adopted an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Bill, championed by former Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman David Trott (R-MI), raising objections to a proposed U.S. sale of handguns for use by the very Erdogan security detail involved in the May 16th attack.

The May 16, 2017, protest in front of the Turkish Ambassador’s residence was a continuation of a demonstration held earlier in the day in front of the White House, co-hosted by the ANCA. As President Trump met with President Erdogan, human rights and religious rights groups were joined by representatives of the Kurdish, Yezidi and Armenian communities to call attention to the Erdogan regime’s escalating repression against free press, the Kurdish and other ethnic communities, as well as Turkey’s ongoing obstruction of justice for the Armenian Genocide.

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The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues. To learn more, visit www.anca.org.

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PARAMUS, NJ–Peter Kougasian, Esq., former Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) Board Member and Vice President and a longtime active member of the Armenian Evangelical Church in New York City, was honored on September 27 by the New York City District Attorney’s (DA) Office at a celebration of his 40 years of service as an Assistant District Attorney and as “an extraordinary human being.”

Kougasian was elected a member of the AMAA Board in 1996, serving during that time as Vice President and as Chairman of the Armenia Committee. He also served as Moderator of the Armenian Evangelical Church of New York for many years. He is a long-time member of the New York City (NYC) Bar Association serving as former Vice President, former chair of the Executive Committee and former chair of the NYC Bar Association delegation to the House of Delegates of the New York State Bar.

“We congratulate our dear friend Peter on this very prestigious honor,” said Zaven Khanjian, AMAA Executive Director/CEO. “His service to the AMAA is founded on the same principles that he has come to be known for in his profession – loyalty, dedication, devotion, service and commitment.”

Peter’s former colleagues and many friends were present at the standing room only celebration to unveil a bronze plaque that will hang outside of the Manhattan DA Office Training Center, which has officially been named after him. The plaque reads:

“The Peter M. Kougasian Training Center – Dedicated to Peter M. Kougasian, Assistant District Attorney 1979-2018. Executive ADA and Counsel to the Special Narcotics Prosecutor, Senior Trial Counsel, Bureau Chief, Director of Legal Training, Co-Founder Diversity Program, Conviction Integrity Committee, Ghostwriter Extraordinaire. In each position held during his 40 years as a prosecutor, Peter committed himself to justice, improving the institution that he revered, and serving the city he loved. He taught us the practice of law through his brilliance of words, his kindness of heart, inventive humor, and a touch of magic.”

The dedication ceremony, presided over by current DA of New York County Cyrus Vance, Jr. Esq., featured several notable speakers, including Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, a friend and former colleague who, by video, praised Kougasian for his long career. Speakers also cited his friendship, mentoring, loyalty, wisdom, leadership, dedication, humor, generous heart, faith, pride in his Armenian heritage and his love of magic.

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Princeton University and a Yale Law School graduate, Kougasian has been “a friend for all seasons, a forever friend, a formidable public lawyer by day and a magician by night,” according to Judge Robert Katzmann, Chief Judge of the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and a forty-year friend and former Yale classmate. “Peter found a love for magic in college and performed whenever and wherever he could, even once before fellow amateur magician Johnny Carson. He has been called the ‘Amazing Kougasian’ and ‘Uncle Peter’ performing at many clubs in New York as well as internationally. Peter is a person of profound faith and has been proud of his Armenian heritage. He makes all of us better and brings out the best in all of us. As we celebrate Peter’s life today, we also celebrate his wife Beth and son Alex who are at the center of his life.”

“Peter’s retirement is a loss for all of us,” said his former boss, DA Vance. “His gift to me was to share the magic of his gift of writing. I am forever grateful for your years of friendship, Peter. I love you. We all love you. I thank Peter for being in our lives; you are someone we’ve all looked up to. The plaque will now hang outside of the Training Room. In the days and years ahead, feel free to touch the plaque and get a touch of Peter’s magic.”

Bridget Brennan, Esq., Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York, said, “Peter guided many colleagues with their careers and was a sounding board, trusted friend and advisor for us. His guidance has been invaluable, and it is fitting that this Training Room is named after Peter as he has trained and educated so many of us who are here today. You shaped our outlooks and our careers.”

“Peter, you are a man of integrity, honor and valor,” said Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor, who was a classmate of Peter’s both at Princeton and Yale and worked with him under the late Robert Morgenthau, Esq. in the DA’s Office. “I hope that every young ADA who visits this Center will realize the very high bar you’ve raised for us in learning and mastering our skills as lawyers and as human beings. It is fitting to name the Training Center in your honor, Peter, as your words, heart, humor and magic have touched so many. Your epic struggle with ALS has been an example for all of us. You have told me that your faith has buoyed and sustained you. I know that is true, but I see much power in your indomitable spirit. The Training Center is lucky to have that spirit at its heart.”

In a touching moment, from his New York City hospital room where he has been treated for ALS since November 2018, Kougasian spoke on camera to his assembled friends with the assistance of an electronic device.

“I am truly humbled and touched by this honor,” said Kougasian. “You know that I am passionate about training because it is through training that we convey the value of our greatest assets. Your friendship sustains me, and I am thankful to everyone who has made this ceremony possible.”

This article is a press release submitted to the Armenian Weekly and has been published to our community news section. If your organization has news it would like to submit to the paper for consideration, please email us at editor@armenianweekly.com. 

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Guest contributions to the Armenian Weekly are informative articles written and submitted by members of the community, which make up our community bulletin board.

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LOWELL, Mass.—Hundreds of supporters of the Armenian National Committee of America-Eastern Region (ANCA-ER) honored community leaders and grassroots activists whose tireless efforts led to this month’s House passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.296) at its 13th annual banquet.

“This is a game we are going to win,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian during his remarks at the University of Massachusetts Lowell Inn and Conference Center on Saturday evening. “You will know that we have won the end of this battle when it is inconceivable that an American president or even a member of Congress will engage in genocide denial.” Hamparian declared that the ANCA’s next course of action is delivering a genocide resolution to the Senate floor for a vote.

ANCA Leo Sarkisian summer intern Mary Galstian opened the program with the singing of the Star Spangled Banner and the Armenian national anthem. Galstian was then joined by four of her colleagues on-stage for their work with the ANCA leading up to H.Res.296. “During the internship, the interns passed four pro-Armenia, anti-Azerbaijan amendments,” explained ANCA Program Director Sipan Ohannesian, adding that the interns returned to Washington, DC to support the delivery of the resolution to the House floor. “We were all in the US Capitol three days days in a row, knocked on every single office, visited them three times and got the Resolution passed,” recalled Ohannesian. The interns are among hundreds who have advanced their careers through the ANCA’s leadership programs; currently, 60 alumni are staffers on Capitol Hill working for members of Congress. Even Mistress of Ceremonies Heather Krafian was a former ANCA intern and fondly recalled her experiences on the hill during her formal remarks.

This banquet is one of the largest events of the year for the ANCA-ER. This year, the organization honored Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Dr. Taner Akcam with the Freedom Award and brothers Aram, Armen and Ara Jeknavorian with the Vahan Cardashian Award.

“Not recognizing the Armenian Genocide is a stain on our human rights record,” said Congressman Jim McGovern after being presented with the Freedom Award and greeted with roaring applause from the crowd. “If we’re going to sacrifice the truth and turn our back on a human rights atrocity because there’s business to be had or there’s some strategic military consideration that we want from another country, then we lose all moral authority to speak about human rights wherever they exist,” said the Congressman, hinting at US-Turkey relations. McGovern affirmed the meaning behind this resolution as being one step closer to preventing the cyclical crime of genocide.

As a native of the first Armenian community in the US, McGovern reminisced about being sworn into Congress in 1997 and attending the 82nd genocide commemoration at the Armenian Church of Our Savior in Worcester. “I remember that commemoration because the first several pews of the church were filled with survivors.” He described the harrowing childhood story of the last late genocide survivor, Rose Der Sahagian, who was trapped in a prison camp, forced to flee her homeland and escape to Russia before making her way across the world to Worcester, Massachusetts. He expressed his frustration with colleagues elected for office who based their campaigns on empty promises of justice for people like Rose. “If it weren’t for your constant lobbying and constant appeals, I don’t think Congress would’ve done the right thing,” said Rep. McGovern, commending the devoted ANCA team. “My only regret is that we should’ve done it a long, long time ago.”

Dr. Taner Akcam began his speech with a letter from an Armenian who addressed him as a brother. “We love you so much,” he read to a captive audience, “please don’t forget that your name will be engraved in the hearts of Armenians.” Sincerely apologizing on behalf of the Turkish people he earnestly expressed, “Every time you look at me and I see the love in your eyes and you open your hearts to me, I almost die of embarrassment. I am so ashamed,” to which the ballroom answered with thunderous applause.

“It’s humbling, but at the same time it’s embarrassing because what I’m doing is not something extraordinary…We should really try to create the conditions where truth telling is not something prize-worthy,” said Dr. Akcam in an interview with the Weekly. Born, raised and educated in Turkey, Dr. Akcam explained his internal battle as a “self-critical process” when speaking about his initial acceptance of the Genocide. There was an overwhelming sense of gratitude from members of the Armenian community on Saturday night, many of whom waited in line to shake his hand and personally thank him for speaking out against his native government and its continuing denialist campaign.

Muriel “Mimi” Parseghian, chair of the Silent Auction committee, emotionally introduced and recognized the Jeknavorian brothers for their staunch commitment to their service to Hai Tad. Following in their parents’ footsteps, the brothers have actively served as longtime members of organizations including the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), ANC Merrimack Valley, the Armenian church and numerous genocide and veterans committees. They are also alumni of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF). Together, the Jeknavorians reflected on their experiences in the community with a photo presentation, featuring old family photographs.

Throughout the evening, an overall sense of responsibility was instilled among attendees, many of whom are descendants of genocide survivors. “We turned the page on this,” said Hamparian to a roaring, inspired room. “We’re not going back. We’re going forward. We do not bow. We do not bend. We do not break.”

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Kristina Ayanian is a recent graduate of Bentley University with a double major in finance and global studies and a minor in corporate communications. She was a reporter for ABC's Teen Kids News, whose episode interviewing Prince Edward of England was nominated for the 2014 Emmy's. She enjoys performing and has been invited to sing and play piano at Carnegie Hall.

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WASHINGTON, DC – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Robert Menendez (D-NJ) asked for a “unanimous consent” vote to immediately adopt the Armenian Genocide Resolution (S.Res.150), the Senate version of the resolution the House adopted 405 to 11, establishing ongoing American remembrance of this crime, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

Sen. Menendez took to the floor an hour after Turkey’s President Erdogan appearance in a joint White House press conference with President Trump, during which Erdogan attacked U.S. House passage of Armenian Genocide Resolution, noting that this vote “hurt deeply the Turkish nation.” Erdogan asserted that Turkey has “nothing to hide” and that the matter should be left to historians. “I believe the Senate will take the United States out of this vicious cycle,” said Erdogan.

Sen. Menendez sent a clear and resounding message to President Erdogan that while he is being welcomed to the U.S. by President Trump, he does not get to continue his gag-rule on U.S. foreign policy.

“I ask unanimous consent that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 150 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. I further ask that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate,” said Menendez.  The “unanimous consent” request, if unopposed, would allow for an immediate Senate vote on a resolution.

Opposing the measure was South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham, who, in his remarks, cited his recent meeting with Erdogan as the reason to not pass the Senate resolution saying that in view of the current crisis in Syria, as well as discussions with Turkey on its purchase of Russian weapons, the Senate should not move forward with the affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.

“Are we so afraid to stand up to history and the truth? Are we so afraid about Turkey?” asked Menendez in response to Graham’s opposition.

“Who’s the superpower? Who’s the superpower? I’m beginning to wonder. Because every time Turkey threatens to do something, we cower. Well, as far as I’m concerned, they don’t get to dictate the views of the Congress of the United States. They don’t get to dictate the views of this Senate,” added Menendez, saying the he “will prick the conscience of the Senate and to ultimately reveal who supports recognizing the Armenian Genocide and who does not? Otherwise these words about never again, they’re just hollow.”

ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian welcomed Sen. Menendez’s actions, noting, “As much as he might like – as much President Trump may have led him to believe – Recep Erdogan doesn’t get a vote in the U.S. Senate.  The ANCA hails Sen. Menendez’s call for immediate passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution – a powerful rebuke to Erdogan’s century-long obstruction of justice.  It’s clear – in the wake of near-unanimous, bipartisan U.S. House passage H.Res.296 – that the Senate would also pass this resolution overwhelmingly. Senator Graham knows this and – understanding that this would further isolate the Trump Administration – is blocking his colleagues from an up-or-down vote on this measure. If Senator Graham has a problem with S.Res.150 he should vote against it, not prevent his Senate colleagues from voting their conscience on this human rights measure,” added Hamparian.

Led by Senator Menendez and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), the Armenian Genocide Resolution (S.Res.150) currently has over 25 cosponsors, with four Senators—Michael Bennet (D-CO), Bob Casey (D-PA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Jackie Rosen (D-NV) – registering their support during Erdogan’s visit to Washington DC.

President Trump and President Erdogan met for some four hours at the White House prior to the press conference, with Armenian, Hellenic, Kurdish, and religious freedom groups protesting throughout.  The protest was organized by the ANCA, in cooperation with the American Hellenic Educational and Progressive Association (AHEPA), Hellenic American Leadership Council, American Hellenic Institute, In Defense of Christians, Armenian Youth Federation and American Rojava Center for Democracy – all calling attention to a wide array Turkish transgressions from Ankara’s recent invasion of northern Syria to its ongoing crackdown against Kurdish communities, occupation of Cyprus, oppression of Christian and other minority communities, crushing of dissent, jailing of journalists, blockading of Armenia, and denial of the Genocide committed against the Armenian, Greek, Assyrian/Syriac/Chaldean and Maronite nations. Maryland Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD) was on hand to support the protesters.

“Two years ago, Erdogan’s visit to DC was defined by foreign goons attacking and beating US citizens on American soil,” said AYF Washington Ani Chapter’s Nareg Kuyumjian.  “Today, the foreign dictator was welcomed by hundreds of protesters organized by the AYF in coalition with a broad diversity of allies rallying around the permanent recognition of the Armenian Genocide in the House with H.Res.296. We will continue to build a movement around the momentum created with the passing of H.Res.296 to put an end to authoritarian oppression and genocide around the world.”

Earlier in the day, a small group of AYF and HALC members confronted Erdogan’s motorcade on its way to the White House.

Hellenic American Leadership Council Executive Director Endy Zemenides noted “As an American, I am very discouraged that President Trump would set aside both American interests and values to roll out the red carpet for Erdogan.  At the same time, I am encouraged by the diverse alliance of Americans who combined forces to protest in favor of those values and interests.”

The protest was cast live on the ANCA Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Channels.

U.S. Secret Service and Metropolitan Police were are high alert following the May, 2017, Erdogan-ordered attack on peaceful protesters across from the Turkish Ambassador’s residence, leaving many on the ground bleeding during most of the attack and send a dozen to the hospital.  One Turkish American attempted to instigate a riot during the protest – flashing the ultra-nationalist Grey Wolves sign – but was quickly pushed out by police.  Armenian and Greek groups went to Sheridan Circle, committed to standing up for First Amendment rights of peace protesters.

“In Defense of Christians joined the protests today to send a clear message to Turkish President Erdogan that we will not sit by and allow him to commit atrocities against Christians and Yazidis in Northeast Syria,” said IDC Executive Director Peter Burns.  “Congressional recognition of the Armenian Genocide was only the beginning. We hope that he received the same message from the Trump Administration during their meetings today,” noted Burns.

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The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues. To learn more, visit www.anca.org.

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Chaos broke out in front of the White House on Wednesday when a Turkish Embassy employee was seen flashing a fascist salute at a group of protesters demonstrating against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, provoking a near-riot until police intervened.

“Baby killer Erdoğan!” the pro-Kurdish demonstrators had been shouting. “Turkey out of NATO!” The man—later identified as Berkay Altinok—was seen arguing with a group of anti-Erdoğan protesters carrying Kurdish flags outside the White House. While walking away, Altinok made the politically-charged sign of the Gray Wolf, prompting several protesters to peel away from the pro-Kurdish rally and give chase across Lafayette Park.

Inside the White House, Erdoğan was meeting with US President Donald Trump, trying to smooth over heightened tensions between their countries.

“The gray wolf sign is not only associated with the Erdogan-allied far right Nationalist Action Party (MHP), but also with decades of paramilitary vigilantism responsible for pogroms, extrajudicial executions, and hate crimes,” wrote Dr. Aykan Erdemir, a former member of Turkey’s parliament, in an email to the Armenian Weekly. Erdemir said it would be “correct” to describe the salute as “fascist.”

One man was knocked down as police on horses rode in to protect the fleeing counter-protester. Protest marshals and organizers in yellow armbands ran to the front of the crowd, shouting at their fellow protesters to ignore Altinok and avoid clashing with the police lined up along H Street.

A protester also reportedly shoved Tuna Sanli, a reporter for Turkish state television. “I extend my sincere best wishes to TRT News reporter who was attacked by the enemies of Turkey during live stream in Washington,” the station’s Director General Ibrahim Eren wrote on Twitter. “We will continue to transmit the truth without fear, no matter which part of world we are.”

The incident evoked memories of a violent international incident in May 2017, when Erdoğan’s entourage attacked a group of Kurdish, Armenian and American demonstrators outside the Turkish Ambassador’s residence at Sheridan Circle. Eleven people were injured, and the House of Representatives unanimously voted to condemn Turkey over the incident. No one was hospitalized during Wednesday’s incident, during which protest organizers successfully turned back the angry crowd as Altinok slipped behind police lines.

The protesters had been riled up by an incident about half an hour earlier, when a group of young adults wearing Turkish flag hats lingered outside the rally. When approached for comment, they refused to talk to the Weekly. A group of pro-Kurdish protesters began to swear at them, prompting the counter-protesters to beat a hasty retreat while making Gray Wolf salutes.

Afterwards, the atmosphere seemed to calm down. Protesters danced in a circle to Kurdish music, and a group of women from the Nashville Kurdish community talked about the long ride home. “As refugees, we have a duty to do this,” said Shermin, one of the women. “I can’t imagine what the people are going through.”

Guy Stewart, an American who had fought alongside the Syrian Kurds against ISIS as a volunteer, told the Weekly, “As long as we draw breath, we’ll fight.”

Ömer Pacal, a protester who witnessed the scuffles, told the Armenian Weekly that he recognized Altinok as a Turkish Embassy employee named “Berkay” who “always” shows up at pro-Kurdish protests.

Altinok is listed as a media analyst and tourism and commerce expert at the Turkish Embassy in Washington since 2014 on LinkedIn. A photo caption from the Assembly of Turkish American Associations posted to Facebook on May 30, 2015 and an article in Brigham Young University-Idaho’s school paper published on July 5, 2016 both list Altinok as the Assistant to the Press Counselor of the Turkish Embassy in Washington. The photo of Altinok available on LinkedIn and the photo of him posted by the Assembly of Turkish American Associations match a publicly-available video of the scuffle, as well as footage obtained by the Armenian Weekly. In the latter photo, Altinok is standing beside several other embassy officials.

Altinok’s LinkedIn profile includes a copy of a letter of reference signed by Deputy Chief of Mission Aydan Karamanoğlu and dated June 12, 2018, claiming that Altinok “was able to handle the full load of our press office by himself for a long time in the absence of a Press Counselor.” A woman who answered the phone at the Press Counselor’s office said that she did not recognize Altinok’s name, but provided an email address to follow up. As of press time, the Turkish Embassy has not responded to multiple email requests for comment.

“This particular time, we have taken every precaution to ensure that we will be ready for them if they decide to attack us again, but so far we’ve seen a few very paltry displays,” said Lacy MacAuley, a protest organizer who had been attacked by the Turkish security detail in 2017. “We’re hoping that mainly it is our words that will attack Erdoğan.”

In the 2017 incident, Erdoğan watched as his guards and supporters broke through a DC police line to attack protesters who had been shouting “baby killer Erdoğan!” At the time, the Turkish Embassy claimed that the demonstrators were “aggressively provoking Turkish-American citizens who had peacefully assembled to greet the president. The Turkish-Americans responded in self-defense and one of them was seriously injured.”

While the protesters gathered outside the White House on Wednesday, Trump hosted a meeting between Erdoğan and Republican senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Jim Risch (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Rick Scott (R-FL). Erdoğan defended his country’s controversial war against the US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, showing the senators a video that linked the Syrian Kurdish fighters to a violent Kurdish separatist organization inside Turkey. “Well, do you want me to go get the Kurds to make one about what you’ve done?” Graham reportedly told Erdoğan. But an hour later, Graham blocked an attempt by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) to recognize the Armenian Genocide with unanimous consent.

“For far too long, U.S. policy was set in Ankara, exported to America and enforced by presidents, Democrat and Republican. That day, my friends, is coming to an end!” shouted Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) executive director Aram Hamparian at the rally, referencing what he called the longest-lasting foreign veto in US history. “America was muzzled. America enforced a gag rule for the better part of a century,” said Hamparian.

Turkey refuses to recognize the murder of 1.5 million Armenians during World War I as a genocide. During his joint press conference with Trump, Erdoğan denounced an earlier House resolution recognizing the genocide, instead promising to “establish a history commission.”

Graham echoed Erdoğan’s language, claiming that the goal was not “to sugarcoat history or try to rewrite it, but to deal with the present.” “I just met with President Erdoğan and President Trump about the problems we face in Syria by the military incursion by Turkey,” he told the Senate. “I do hope that Turkey and Armenia can come together and deal with this problem.”

Author information

Matthew Petti

Matthew Petti is a national security reporter at the National Interest and a former Foreign Language Area Studies fellow at Columbia University. His work has appeared in Reason and America Magazine.

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YEREVAN—Armenia Tree Project (ATP) founder and activist Carolyn Mugar was honored at last month’s “Forest Summit: Global Action and Armenia” in recognition of her decades of devotion to Armenia and its forests. Mugar, an Armenian-American who lives in the Boston area, has long been an advocate for the betterment of Armenia, its people and its environment.

Mugar founded ATP in the early 1990s when Armenia was facing a severe energy crisis and people resorted to widespread use of wood for cooking and heating fuel. The country lost many trees in urban and rural areas, so ATP began replanting. In the ensuing years, the organization has established four tree nurseries, four greenhouses and two environmental education centers. The operations provide more than 80 full time jobs in Armenia and dozens more for seasonal work. The organization has planted more than 1,300 sites throughout Armenia and Artsakh and has had the support of thousands of individuals, foundations and organizations in Armenia and the diaspora.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addressed attendees at the inaugural forestry conference, and in praising Mugar announced that part of a forest will forever bear her family’s name.

“Your work, Ms. Mugar, is invaluable. Many of your charitable initiatives and programs have contributed to Armenia’s development since [Armenia’s] independence,” said Prime Minister Pashinyan at the opening session of the Forest Summit. “I would like to inform you that on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Armenia Tree Project, the Government of the Republic of Armenia has made a decision to establish the Mugar Family Protected Lands on the territory of Margahovit Forest.”

Margahovit is a village in Lori where ATP has made significant investments, including the Mirak Family Reforestation Nursery, the Michael and Virginia Ohanian Center for Environmental Studies, the Bilezikian Family Experimental Greenhouse and the Hrant Dink Memorial Forest. The area is known for its clean air and spectacular beauty, and it has been a base for many of ATP’s programs over the past 15 years.

The inaugural Forest Summit brought global forestry professionals to American University of Armenia for panel discussions and collaborative sessions, and also into areas like Dilijan National Park and Margahovit Village for immersive field visits. Located in northern Armenia, ATP’s sites in Margahovit employ of dozens of Armenians and the Mirak Nursery has a capacity to grow more than a million trees. Much of this progress is a direct result of Mugar’s dedication and commitment.

The days after the conference yielded another high honor for Mugar, when Minister of Environment Erik Grigoryan presented her with an official gold medal in recognition of her quarter century of leadership of Armenia Tree Project.

“We are honored to present the official Gold Medal issued by the Ministry of Environment to Carolyn Mugar,” stated Minister Erik Grigoryan during a meeting on October 25. “This is the highest medal issued in the environmental sector in Armenia, and we are bestowing it upon Ms. Mugar in recognition of her significant contribution and investment in environmental conservation. We congratulate you on 25 years of the Armenia Tree Project, and hold its accomplishments in high regard.”

Though small in size, Armenia has worked hard to protect its forests and has shown renewed political commitment to protecting, restoring and expanding Armenia’s forest cover. The government currently has a goal to double its forest cover by 2050 as part of its commitment to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Mugar founded ATP in 1994 to address the rapid loss of trees in the country. In addition to last month’s conference, the non-profit celebrated its 25th anniversary year with a series of fundraising events around the United States, commemorative tree plantings in Boston and Los Angeles, and this fall will plant its six millionth tree in Armenia.

ATP’s goal is to assist the Armenian people in using trees to improve their standard of living and protect the global environment. In doing so, we are guided by the need to promote self-sufficiency, aid those with the fewest resources first, and conserve the indigenous ecosystem. ATP has created hundreds of jobs through tree-related programming and educated tens of thousands of students on environmental issues. Environmental education inspires younger generations to protect and preserve the environment.

Author information

Armenia Tree Project

Armenia Tree Project (ATP) is a non-profit program based in Woburn and Yerevan conducting vitally important environmental projects in Armenia's cities and villages and seeks support in advancing its reforestation mission. Since 1994, ATP has planted and restored more than 5,300,000 trees, and hundreds of jobs have been created for Armenians in seasonal tree-related programs. Visit their website for more info: armeniatree.org.

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DEARBORN, Mich.—A boiler failure on Sunday drove early arriving parishioners at St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church out of the chilly sanctuary and into the narthex to consider their next move.

But a stripped down, acoustic service was held after all when Rev. Hrant Kevorkian picked up the church’s vemkar (consecrated church cornerstone tablet) and took it to the Sunday School assembly room where there was heat.

There, he placed the vemkar on a classroom table, transforming the piece of utilitarian furniture into an altar from which the day’s Badarak was performed.

Parishioners were guided from the sanctuary area to the assembly room where chairs were hastily placed in rows to create makeshift pews. The priest was in his usual place in front of the altar as deacons, acolytes and candle-bearers moved in recognizable ancient patterns, only constrained by space. The choir stood in its usual spot to the right side of the altar, singing the hymns of Gomidas and Echmalian without organ accompaniment and staying on key with the choir director’s help.

More than one parishioner agreed that having the service in the makeshift sanctuary added a sense of anticipation and connectedness that elevated the Badarak to a shared experience they would not soon forget.

“This vemkar made this table an altar,” said Rev. Kevorkian. “It shows that we can have church no matter where we are when we come together.”

Author information

Georgi-Ann Bargamian Oshagan

Georgi-Ann Oshagan is a former editor of the Armenian Weekly. She has worked for various county publications in Wisconsin, and served as chief labor attorney. She is an active member of the Armenian community of Detroit.

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NOVI, Mich.—Detroit’s Hamazkayin Armenian Educational & Cultural Society hosted a high energy program to celebrate Yerevan’s 2800th anniversary, Gomidas Vartabed’s 150th birth anniversary and Detroit Hamazkayin’s Arax Dance ensemble’s 15th anniversary on Saturday, November 9 at Novi High School.

The 500-member audience was treated to Detroit Hamazkayin’s own talented Arax Dance Ensemble during a two-hour dance program. Detroit Hamazkayin Chapter Chair Shoghere Ourlian opened the program, greeting supporters and recognizing the event contributors: ARF Azadamard Gomideh, the four Metro Detroit Armenian Churches and various donors in the community. She conveyed special appreciation for the performers’ hard work and promised attendees a very special evening.

Under the direction of Nayiri Karapetian and co-instructor Dikran Callan, the Arax Dance Ensemble has blossomed over the years into a mature and sophisticated troupe of performers ready to take risks for the sake of authentic performance. The group has approximately 150 dance members.

Hamazkayin’s junior dance ensembles Hrashk and Houys also contributed to the program and displayed their developing talent and growing attention to choreography to a delighted audience.

Dance selections included the following: Der Voghormia, Gomidas tribute, Dagh Gorani, Donagan Hayasdan, Vagharshapati Bar, Varatavar (Performed by the Houys group), Haygazunner, Desnem Ani’n, Shalakho, Qele Qele, Kamancha (Performed by the Houys girls), Chinar Es, Hye-Hye, Kedashen (Performed by the Hrashk group), Artsakh, Daroni Kertsi (Performed by the Hrashk boys & Houys group), Al Ayloughs, Hayasdani Yerke, Gindo bar, Dzaghgadz Baleni and a Gomidas medley performance by the Hrashk girls.

The evening ended with bouquets for Nayiri Karapetian, Dikran Callan and all the assistants. Ourlian closed the program by thanking the instructors, the dance performers and parents for their dedication and tireless efforts.

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Guest Contributor

Guest contributions to the Armenian Weekly are informative articles written and submitted by members of the community, which make up our community bulletin board.

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Փիսօն քէշ երազ կը տեսնէ
Anna Isabekyan
Roslin Press, 2019
Hardcover/ISBN 978-1-946290-14-4

Roslin Press, a New York publishing house known for its Western Armenian publication of The Chronicles of Narnia recently announced its latest publication – ՓԻՍՕ (PISO), an illustrated book series for children aged two and up. The first volume Փիսօն քէշ երազ կը տեսնէ deals with a very common occurrence in any household with young children. Little Piso sees a very scary dream and turns to his parents for safety.

The author/illustrator Anna Isabekyan has done something very unique in her debut work. She has created a highly interactive Armenian language children’s book. Rather than explicitly laying out the dream that Piso found so terrifying, she does not go into the details of this scary nightmare. She leaves that as a potential discussion between parent and child. The book thus can serve as a starting point for a child to feel comfortable describing his or her feelings with the parents. 

The Western Armenian version, edited by Nanor Mikayelian, uses vocabulary that is crisp, clear and easily understood. This volume is perfect as a read-aloud to children two and up. Even better, the words and expressions have been selected such that they can be easily read by a six year-old. 

PISO is not only a fantastic addition to Western Armenian children’s literature, but with its beautiful illustrations, endearing prose and interactive subject matter, PISO is world class content, on the level of Arnold Lobel, Dr. Seuss, Gianni Rodari and David Kherdian.  

Below is an interview conducted by Haig Norian of Roslin Press with author Anna Isabekyan.

Haig Norian: Why did you decide to start writing children’s books in Armenian?

Anna Isabekyan: I have two little children at home. When my son was born, I would constantly read him stories. As he grew up, I noticed that he was very interested in the colorful pages that I would turn as I read the stories. The years quickly passed, and I noticed that the books grew up with him too–more challenging vocabulary, new characters, more complex stories. He is now eight years old and simply in love with books.

I believe that it’s never too early to foster a love of reading in our children. Not only reading I suppose– but love of all art forms – of music, of drawing, of anything that requires mindful concentration to bring your vision to life.

Living in France, my son’s books have been almost exclusively written in French. There is an expansive book culture in France with truly a book for every age group, for every theme, for every interest. When I would travel to Yerevan in the summers, I would seek out appropriate books for the little ones. Oftentimes, I was unable to find books that truly fit. Either the vocabulary was too advanced or the subject matter was too mature. Thus the spark – to fill in the gap that so needs filling. I have set off to provide books that our little ones can truly connect with and cherish…in Armenian.

H.N.: Where do the ideas for the stories come from?

A.I.: The ideas originate from my day to day dealings with the little ones. I’ll observe how they interact with their friends. I’ll note how they play. I’ll even spy on them when it seems things are too quiet. Overhearing their conversations also provides quite a bit of insight into the child’s psyche.

Simply put, inspiration is plenty and all around.

H.N.: Why did you choose a cat? Why not a dog or bird or some other animal?

A.I.: Because this character is first and foremost for the Armenian youth, I wanted to make sure that the animal itself has a native connection to Armenia. It couldn’t be an elephant or a hippo for instance. Furthermore, I wanted to choose an animal that would be soft and caring. At first, I was considering the Gampr (the Armenian shepherd’s dog) or the brown bears of the Armenian highlands, but I settled upon the Van cat, since its cute endearing smile will surely win over the hearts of the little ones.

H.N.: What was your favorite book when you were up growing?

A.I.: We had a huge collection of books at my home. When I was younger, I would look at them in awe, almost unsure if I would be able to ever truly grasp their meaning. Then one day, I remember picking out a book with a blue cover and reading it through and through. It was about a young boy who was always getting himself caught up in all sorts of adventures. It was The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. That said, as much fun as this novel was, the stories that I have come to cherish the most are the tales that my father would tell.

H.N.: What in your opinion must be done to keep Armenian alive in our diaspora communities?

A.I.: I can speak from my own personal experience. I am convinced that parents must absolutely speak Armenian to their child from the day they are born. No matter what country you find yourself in. Never doubt your children’s ability for language acquisition. They will most certainly be able to grasp both Armenian and the local languages. Since they are learning multiple languages in parallel, it may take a bit longer for them to start speaking fluently but what’s a few months in the grand scheme of things?

Children truly are the future of us, the Armenian people. We must continue to read Armenian books and whenever possible, visit Armenia.

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Guest Contributor

Guest contributions to the Armenian Weekly are informative articles written and submitted by members of the community, which make up our community bulletin board.

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WATERTOWN, Mass.—On behalf of the Board of Trustees and staff of the Armenian Museum of America, we are very pleased to announce the arrival of visiting scholar, Dr. Alisa Dumikyan. Born in Armenia, Dr. Dumikyan received her master’s degree from the Yerevan Brusov State University of Languages and Social Sciences (1995-2000) and a second master’s degree from the International Center for Scientific Education of National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (NASRA) (2006-2008). She received her PhD from the Institute of History of National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (2009-2013). 

Dr. Dumikyan has spent her career teaching and researching in Armenia and abroad. From 2001 to 2009 she taught at the Yerevan Brusov State University of Languages and Social Sciences, the Russian-Armenian University and other universities. From 2008 to 2019, she worked as a senior researcher at the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia. 

Her area of focus surrounds the issues in the historiography of ancient and early medieval Armenia from the 19th century and has written prolifically on this matter. Her publications include the following articles and papers: ‘’To the problem of conceptual approaches of the French Armenologists and Orientalists to the history of the Kingdom of Van,’’ ‘’Taik in the Assyrian and Biainian cuneiform inscriptions, ancient Greek and early medieval Armenian sources (the interpretations of the 19th century french armenologists) ,’’ ‘’Historical and spiritual perception of Armenia in the maps of French researchers of XVII-XIX centuries,’’ ‘’The reliability of the 19th century French and modern Armenological interpretations of the Biblical information about Mt. Ararat in the light of the Qumran manuscripts,’’ “The Interpretation of information on the Armenian King Abgar by French Armenologists of the 19th century.”

“I was very honored when I was invited to work at the museum as an Armenian researcher,” said Dr. Dumikyan. “The Armenian Museum is a unique institution with a very rich and extensive collection representing various periods throughout Armenian history, and I feel extremely fortunate to have this wonderful opportunity to share my knowledge and expand upon it with the vast resources at the Armenian Museum and its library. “

Dr. Dumikyan says she’s particularly interested in materials from the Urartu/Van Kingdom and the collection of ancient Armenian coins and stamps donated by Paul Bedoukian (the largest collection outside of Armenia). She also appreciates the museum’s medieval Armenian manuscripts, ceramics, metal ware and rugs.

Dr. Dumikyan’s initial attention will be on strengthening the Museum’s scholarship of its ancient and medieval objects. 

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Guest Contributor

Guest contributions to the Armenian Weekly are informative articles written and submitted by members of the community, which make up our community bulletin board.

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WASHINGTON, DC – For the second time in less than two months, Congressional Armenian Caucus leaders have called on the U.S. Departments of State and Defense to restore military aid parity to Armenia and Azerbaijan, or risk emboldening an already aggressive Azerbaijani government to escalate its attacks against Armenia and Artsakh, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“We join with Reps. Pallone, Schiff and Speier in challenging the administration’s reckless military aid tilt toward Azerbaijan’s corrupt Aliyev regime,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “In light of Azerbaijan’s relentless aggression, we call on Congress to zero-out any and all security assistance to Baku, or – at the very least – match every dollar in military aid to Azerbaijan with another to Armenia.”

In September 2019, Congressional Armenian Caucus founding Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Co-Chair Jackie Speier (D-CA) and Vice-Chair Adam Schiff (D-CA) expressed concerns to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper about the proposed significant increase in security assistance to Azerbaijan for Fiscal Year 2018 and 2019, totaling $102 million, compared to $7 million in military assistance to Armenia over the same period. They noted that Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, adopted in 1992, prohibits aid to Azerbaijan due to its ongoing blockade and aggression against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.

“While the State Department has the authority to extend a waiver of Section 907, we do not believe the waiver the State Department noticed on April 18, 2019, is an appropriate use of this authority considering Azerbaijan’s continued efforts to destabilize the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh and given the ruling regime of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s documented culture of corruption and oppressive tactics against dissenters,” stated Representatives Pallone, Speier and Schiff in their September 27th letter.

In response to State and Defense Department assertions that $102 million in security aid to Azerbaijan “will neither undermine efforts to negotiate a peaceful settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, nor be used for offensive purposes against Armenia,” Representatives Pallone, Speier and Schiff were adamant.

“Without question, the increase of security assistance to Azerbaijan creates an imbalance in the region and ignores a 20-year precedent in U.S. foreign policy. We are concerned that rewarding Armenia’s autocratic neighbor with this windfall at such a time of historic change in Armenia sends negative signals about the importance we place on democratic values. Returning to parity in military assistance is the only way the U.S. will be able to retain its credibility as a regional power capable of bringing Azerbaijan and Armenia together.”

In their November 18^th letter, the Congressional Armenian Caucus leaders go on to request that Armenia be provided with “training and equipment to build partner capacity that will help secure its borders and create military parity in funding with Azerbaijan. This funding would increase Armenia’s capacity for counterterrorism, counter-illicit drug trafficking, and weapons of mass destruction interdiction operations – especially on its southern border with Iran. We also ask for robust funding of confidence building measures on each side of the border between Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, and Armenia – including those that would implement the 2015 Royce-Engel Peace Proposal – to establish a clearer pathway to peace for all parties in this conflict.”

The Congressional Armenian Caucus September 27th and November 18th letters are posted on the ANCA website.

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ANCA

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues. To learn more, visit www.anca.org.

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WATERTOWN, Mass.—The Hairenik and the Armenian Weekly recently announced that they will be publishing a joint, full-color magazine issue for the 12th consecutive year.

Due out in December, the magazine will be dedicated to the 120th anniversary of the Hairenik and the 85th anniversary of the Armenian Weekly. It will feature research, analysis, op-eds, and photographs by a host of former and current newspaper editors, longtime contributors, and commentators.

Rupen Janbazian, former editor of the Armenian Weekly and current editor of Hamazkayin’s online cultural platform h-pem, will serve as the guest editor for the English portion of the magazine issue, alongside Armenian Weekly assistant editor Leeza Arakelian, who has been helping copy edit the final product.

“We are happy to have Rupen back to edit this commemorative issue, which will celebrate 120 years of dedication to the Armenian nation,” noted Geroge Aghjayan, chair of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Eastern U.S. Central Committee. “As a former editor of our English paper, Rupen understands and appreciates the impact our publications have on Armenian communities not only in the Eastern U.S., but around the world,” Aghjayan added.

The commemorative magazine will feature an extensive history of the newspapers, including how they were first conceived and brought to life. The issue will also highlight the personal memories and anecdotes of several former editors.

“We hope to transport readers to 1899 to tell the story of how the Hairenik was born and how it has stood the test of time,” said Janbazian. “Through this magazine, we will provide readers with insight into the history of our newspapers, but also start important conversations about their futures,” added Janbazian.

Every year, we rely on readers and supporters like you to raise the necessary funds for this publication. Please consider becoming a page sponsor. Your contribution is highly appreciated!

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WALTHAM, Mass.—On Saturday night, hundreds celebrated the Armenian school that has, since 1984, meant so much to so many generations of Diasporan Armenian families in the Greater Boston area—St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School (SSAES).

“We all believe in the worthy mission of Armenian schools,” said SSAES principal Houry Boyamian during the sold out event celebrating the Watertown school’s 35th anniversary. “Offering children their heritage language is a unique gift which gives them confidence, enriches their lives and makes them productive members of the community,” said Boyamian, who has been serving as principal of SSAES for the past 31 years.

Only eight students were enrolled when SSAES first opened its doors in the fall of 1984. Armed with the unwavering vision of providing a high quality bilingual education that upholds Armenian language studies, today the school is a second home for almost 200 preschool and elementary students. “There aren’t too many things since I’ve been here that have given me greater joy than to know that we have this school in our community,” said Reverend Archpriest Antranig Baljian who has led St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church for 25 years. Three of his grandchildren are current students at SSAES. 

“St. Stephen’s is where my love for anything and everything Armenian started,” said longtime Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) member and SSAES alumni volunteer Meghri Dervartanian (class of 2008). “This school has shaped me to be the person I am today. It has instilled a passion for our language in me that I hope to instill in future generations.” 

Dervartanian was joined by her classmates and more than 400 other supporters from the community at the Westin Waltham-Boston Hotel, sharing the fondest memories of growing up at St. Stephen’s during a lively cocktail hour with classical pianist Levon Hovsepian. Armenian operatic sensation Mister X also charmed guests throughout the evening, opening the program with a moving tribute to the Armenian kingdom of Cilicia. Eventually, his diverse repertoire brought guests to their feet, creating a vibrant dance floor.

The 35th anniversary celebration—”Preserving Our Culture and Shaping Our Future”—was led by mistress of ceremonies and Harvard professor Dr. Lisa Gulesserian, who teaches the endangered language of Western Armenian to Armenian and non-Armenian students alike. “The Armenian language and its words are central to our understanding of our own culture, our history and fundamentally ourselves,” said Dr. Gulesserian.

“If we don’t immerse our children in rigorous instruction of Armenian language – reading, writing and culture – we will have a generation of Armenians who will be silent,” said keynote speaker Dr. Diran Apelian, who attended Nishan Palanjian Jemaran in Beirut, Lebanon with Mrs. Boyamian. Dr. Apelian also emphasized the pivotal role SSAES plays in cultivating the identity of a young Armenian. “If we don’t make the explicit decision and commitment to maintain our language, we will indeed limit a dynamic generation who will be shackled by their limited understanding of themselves.”

SSAES’ goal to instill a love of the Armenian language would have been impossible without its loyal Armenian teachers. Ardemis Megerdichian has been a fixture for the past 21 years. “My proudest moment as a teacher is seeing my students become successful with the highest honors in their fields,” said Megerdichian in an interview with the Armenian Weekly. “And I am even prouder when my students speak Armenian and truly fulfill the ultimate mission.” 

Kindergarten teacher Alik Arzoumanian says the early years are the most critical. “I try to do hands-on activities where they can build, create and learn from projects that are not strictly academic…like making bread and butter,” she explained. “We speak Armenian during these projects so they know that they can also speak Armenian when they play and have fun.”

Longtime volunteers, including event chair Nicole Babikian Hajjar and education committee co-chairs Krista Aslanian and Heather Krafian, were also recognized. “I am just trying to be sure the flame stays lit,” said Krafian, whose father-in-law Yervant Krafian was one of the founders. 

“We believe in what the school stands for,” said volunteer and 1992 alumna Sabine Chouljian Keljik, reflecting on her continuous responsibility to support the last remaining Armenian day school in Massachusetts. “We have to fight for it. We have to fight harder than ever.” 

Under Boyamian’s direction, the school has celebrated many milestones and improvements over the years, including the lauded expansions of the preschool building in 2004 and 2012, the launch of the STEM Initiative in 2011, and the most memorable for every graduating student since 2004 – the highly anticipated class trip to Armenia, where the young people return feeling like they were baptized as Armenians. This year’s class will be visiting the Armenian Relief Society’s (ARS) Soseh Kindergarten of Qarekah (Karabakh) and will donate a portion of Saturday’s proceeds to the program.

Best friends since their carefree days in pink smocks, Ani Khatchatourian and Talin Sagherian reminisced on their journey to Armenia. “What other fifth grader is riled up that much and so emotional to get to a place and literally cry on the plane? What fifth grader has that connection with anything? I feel like that’s only at St. Stephen’s,” said Sagherian. The two enjoyed their evening laughing and sharing childhood memories with others from the class of 2007, many of whom have been longtime members of the AYF since they graduated, which points to another mission of SSAES—that is, to propel a sense of belonging in the Armenian community by staying involved in youth organizations and fearlessly fighting for the Armenian Cause.  

More than 200 alumni participated in the 35for35 Challenge in the months leading up to Saturday’s fundraising banquet, raising $6,500 and adding to the evening’s grand total of $350,000 for the SSAES financial aid program.

“I renew the pledge made 35 years ago,” exclaimed Boyamian to an enthusiastic crowd. “We will continue to provide an excellent bilingual education, and we will continue to make it accessible to every Armenian American child in the community.”

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Kristina Ayanian

Kristina Ayanian is a recent graduate of Bentley University with a double major in finance and global studies and a minor in corporate communications. She was a reporter for ABC's Teen Kids News, whose episode interviewing Prince Edward of England was nominated for the 2014 Emmy's. She enjoys performing and has been invited to sing and play piano at Carnegie Hall.

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