CHICAGO, Ill.—Armenians from across Greater Chicago converged on Daley Plaza in the city’s central business district to mark the 99th Anniversary of the Armenian genocide and to protest the Turkish government’s ongoing campaign of genocide denial. The Armenians were joined in the protest by Pontian Greek and Assyrian Christians, whose people were also victims of the genocide, as well as by Moslems from Palestine, Iraq, Nigeria and Sudan. The protest was organized by the Armenian Youth Federation “Ararat” Chapter on April 24.

AYF members lead the Armenian community in a demonstration against genocide denial in Chicago on April 24th.

In addition to carrying signs, waving flags, and chanting slogans, the protestors distributed thousands of leaflets calling for an end to Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide. The leaflets urged passersby to contact their state legislators to oppose Turkey’s blatant attempts to win support for its denial campaign by lavishing gifts on members of the Illinois legislature. The Chicago Tribune has reported that from 2009 to 2012, 32 of the 43 foreign trips received as gifts were by legislators traveling to Turkey, including four trips by Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

“The people of Illinois need to send a message loud and clear to their state legislators that our state is not for sale, and we will not tolerate Turkey’s attempts to export lies,” stated Mike Demirjian, Chairman of the Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Illinois.

Demirjian noted that the Turkish Human Rights Association had issued a declaration calling on the Turkish government to halt its denial of the Armenian Genocide and to begin discussions with the Armenian people on the issues of restitution for “the incalculable losses their ancestors and they themselves have suffered and continue to suffer because of the Genocide and its denial.”

“Spending money on PR firms and lobbyists here in Illinois and around the world, the Turkish government thinks that it can somehow re-write history,” stated Mike Demirjian, Chairman of the Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Illinois. “Prime Minister Erdogan needs to understand that the world will no longer tolerate his antics, and that even Turks in Turkey have had enough of his genocide denial agenda.”

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Dr. Henry Astarjian makes a point during his presentation in Chicago on Saturday, April 26.

GLENVIEW, Ill.—The Chicago Armenian Community marked the 99^th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with a number of events spanning from April 24 to April 27.

The commemorative activities began on Thursday, April 24, with a protest against genocide denial organized by the Chicago “Ararat” Chapter of the Armenian Youth Federation. Held in downtown Chicago, the event was attended by Armenians from across Chicago, as well as by Pontian Greeks, Assyrians, Palestinians, Nigerians, Iraqis and Sudanese.

On Saturday, April 25, the Armenian National Committee of Illinois organized a commemorative program in Shahnasarian Hall. The program opened with the presentation of the colors and the singing of the Armenian and US national anthems by the Chicago Homenetmen Scouts Color Guard. ANC of Illinois Chair Mike Demirjian offered introductory remarks, and then invited former congressman Robert Dold, offered his thoughts and expressed his disappointment, shared by the community, in the failure of President Obama to use the word “genocide” in his annual April 24^th statement.

Following Cong. Dold, the Taniel Varoujan Armenian School students took the stage to perform Artyok Ovker En, Mousa Lertsinerou Yerkuh, and Gliligia, which were warmly received by the audience. Demirjian then introduced the featured speaker, Armenian Weekly columnist Dr. Henry Astarjian. Dr. Astarjian delivered a powerful presentation in the Armenian language, calling on Armenians everywhere to do more. His insightful presentation also included discussion about Armeno-Kurdish relations and the need for Armenians to leverage their worldwide dispersion and become a global power.

On Sunday, April 27, the community gathered at Armenian All Saints Church for a special requiem service dedicated to the memory of the 1.5 Million Armenian Marytrs. Following the hokehankisd, the congregants were led in a procession by the Homenetmen Scouts bearing memorial wreaths to the Armenian Martyrs’ Monument. At the monument, Chicago ARF “Christapor” Gomideh representative Ara Surenian spoke about the upcoming Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, warning that Turkey would be on the offensive, seeking out naïve and self-promoting elements in Armenia and the Diaspora to “share a plate of dolma.”

Surenian was followed to the podium by Chicago AYF representative Daron Bedian, who noted that, unlike previous generations, his generation did not have the chance learn about the Genocide directly from the survivors, and called on the older generation to serve as good examples and teach the youth about commitment and sacrifice through their service to the community. The Chicago Hamazkayin Choral Group then performed a song and the program concluded with the singing of Giligia and a solemn procession with each member of the crowd placing flowers at the Martyrs’ Monument. The program was followed by a memorial dinner offered by the Armenian All Saints Church Ladies Guild and a town hall discussion featuring Dr. Astarjian and an additional performance by the Hamazkayin Choral Group.

Also on Sunday, the Chicago Armenian Relief Society “Zabelle” Chapter organized a Memorial Blood Drive in Hudaverdian Hall. The blood drive, which has been conducted annually for nearly twenty years, has served as a symbolic way for members of the Armenian community to commemorate the sacrifices of our Martyrs by shedding their own blood for the benefit of those in need in the Chicago area.

who spoke about the legacy left to the younger generation.

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BOSTON, Mass.–A protest has been announced online against Abraham Foxman, long-time Director of the Anti-Defamation League, who is planned to speak at Suffolk University Law School’s commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 17^th. The protest, organized by activists within the Boston Armenian community, aims to bring attention to Foxman’s decades-long effort to thwart official US government recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Suffolk University President James McCarthy has come under fire for the choice of Foxman as speaker, as well as Suffolk University Law School’s decision to award Foxman an honorary law degree. In spite of a petition circulated by the National Lawyers Guild at Suffolk Law advocating for Foxman’s invitation to be revoked that garnered over 1,000 signatures and broad opposition in the community at large, the school has shown no intention of reversing its decision. Suffolk’s administration issued a defensive statement instead, quoted in The Boston Globe: “Mr. Foxman’s body of work is well deserving of recognition. . . .It is our hope that Mr. Foxman’s personal story as a Holocaust survivor and attorney who has dedicated his life to public service will inspire our graduates as they embark on their professional careers.”

When pressed in a 2007 interview with JTA if he had “done anything wrong” by engaging in a concerted effort against the recognition of a genocide, Foxman said, “It was also very clear to me that after the United States, the most important ally Israel has is Turkey. It’s a country that not only has promised to provide Israel with water until moshiach comes, but it’s a country that permits Israel’s pilots to do maneuvers over its land. And so, to me, it was very clear that there are two moral issues, but one trumps the other.”

Later in the same interview, Foxman offered his explanation for the criticism that the ADL received for opposing recognition of the Armenian Genocide from within the Jewish community. “That comes out of a changed demography, sociology. When we talk about assimilation, when we talk about intermarriage–you know what, that’s what it is.”

Meanwhile, outrage over Suffolk’s choice of commencement speaker has spread beyond the Armenian community. Foxman’s vocal support of the racial profiling of Muslims has drawn additional condemnation from students and the community, as has his stance on the Park 51 mosque controversy, during which he argued that the mosque should not be allowed to be built in the vicinity of Ground Zero. He was quoted in a 2010 article in Newsweek, explaining, “Their [the families of 9/11 victims] anguish entitles them to positions that others would categorize as irrational or bigoted.”

The protest will be held beginning at noon on Saturday, May 17^th, outside Boston’s Wang Theatre where the commencement is scheduled to take place.

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WATERTOWN, Mass. (A.W.)—Fourth graders at St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School in Watertown raised $435 recently for their peers in Kessab and for the ARS Sponsor-a-Child program.

In recent years, the school’s fourth grade students have begun raising funds to support the ARS program. This year, as news of the Kessab crisis reached them, they decided to raise additional funds ($235) by selling hand-made bracelets and recycling bottles and cans.

“We felt bad for the Armenian students in Syria and wanted to help more people than just the orphans in Armenia, so we raised more money,” said fourth-grader Nathan Kefeyan. His classmate, Ani Belorian, said, “When you help others you feel like you’ve helped yourself.”

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By Doris Melkonian and Arda Melkonian

On the eve of the Armenian Genocide Centennial, the 44^th Annual Scholars’ Conference (ASC) on the Holocaust and the Churches featured the first Genocide of the 20^th century, adopting the theme, Remembering for the Future: Armenia, Auschwitz and Beyond. Rev. Dr. Henry Knight (Professor, Keene State University), President of the Annual Scholars’ Conference commented, “Our theme for this year’s ASC invited us to examine the Genocide of the Armenian people while continuing to sustain our four decades of examining questions and issues raised by the Holocaust. By having more than an occasional session devoted to their distinctive traumas, each of the communities represented at this year’s gathering grew in their grasp of the issues uniquely at stake in their respective histories.”

Group picture of Armenian scholars and friends

The historic event, hosted by the American Jewish University, Los Angeles, on March 8-11, 2014, brought together scholars of the Armenian Genocide and Jewish Holocaust in an interdisciplinary, international, interfaith and intergenerational conference. It provided a unique forum for scholars to highlight the events of the Genocide and Holocaust, and to discuss the implications of these tragedies, the impact on subsequent generations, and the necessity of genocide and holocaust education and prevention.

Dr. Marcia Sachs Littell (Professor, Stockton College), Vice-President of the Annual Scholars’ Conference, and wife of the late Rev. Dr. Franklin Littell (Co-founder of the Conference), emphasized the historical significance of the Armenian Genocide in relation to the Holocaust. “The Armenian Genocide, the first Genocide of the Twentieth Century, sent a message to Adolf Hitler, that he could do anything he wanted and the world would not protest.”

The opening plenary session, “A Century of Genocide: What Have We Learned?” allowed for a conversation among clergy and scholars from diverse backgrounds. The panelists, representing different denominations and ethnic groups, Father Dr. John Pawlikowski (Professor, Catholic Theological Union), Dr. Richard Hovannisian (Professor Emeritus, UCLA), Rev. Dr. Henry Knight, and Rabbi Dr. Michael Berenbaum (Professor, American Jewish University) provided unique perspectives to the question posed. Dr. Pawlikowski explained that while a new sensitivity to and awareness of many issues within the Christian community has developed, there has yet to be a movement from awareness to genocide prevention. Dr. Hovannisian shared that increased knowledge and awareness has not led to prevention since governments have not found it in their self-perceived national interest to implement punishment for genocide. Dr. Knight added that the world has become complex and the tools for detecting signals of genocide have also become complex. He underscored the need to spot genocide signposts early in order to effectively prevent killings. Dr. Berenbaum explained that governmental inaction to prevent genocide is not related to matters of conscience but to a lack of political will.

Several papers, presented by Armenian and non-Armenian scholars, focused on the Armenian Genocide, addressing topics such as religion, literature, trauma, altruism, denial, reconciliation, and risk analysis. Armenian scholars from Armenia, Germany, Italy, and various US universities and centers participated in the conference: Ishkhan Chiftjian (Leipzig University & Hamburg University), Richard Dekmejian (Professor, USC), Khachatur Gasparyan (Professor, Yerevan State Medical University), Sona Haroutyunian (Professor, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice), Marc Mamigonian (Academic Affairs Director, National Association for Armenian Studies and Research), Arda Melkonian (Graduate Student, UCLA), Doris Melkonian (Graduate Student, UCLA), Garabet Moumdjian (UCLA), Rubina Peroomian (UCLA), and Vahram Shemmassian (Professor, CSUN).

“Armenia, Auschwitz and Beyond”

The religious dimension of the Armenian Genocide was addressed by Ishkhan Chiftjian, Arda Melkonian, and Doris Melkonian. Chiftjian’s paper, “A Theological Approach to the Armenian Genocide,” asserted that survivors experienced faith as one of the reasons and the instruments of the crime. He discussed several examples of religious repression of Armenians; plundering and desecration of churches, monasteries and holy objects; and brutal attacks on clergymen. As victims experienced the Genocide, their faith was challenged, leading them to formulate their own responses to the question of theodicy. Many invoked the suffering of Christ on the cross, convinced that they suffer with Him and for Him. Their suffering does not call into question the nature of God, but instead leads them on a search for a God who has been absent during the Genocide.

Doris Melkonian, in her presentation, “Crisis Within: Faith and the Armenian Genocide” used survivor testimonies from the UCLA Armenian Oral History Collection to examine responses of Genocide survivors as they attempted to reconcile the catastrophic occurrence with their faith and belief in God. This inward reflection, often involving a re-examination of their faith in God, has resulted in various types of religious responses. For some survivors, this catastrophe led them to question the existence of a loving, omnipotent God. Some lost their faith entirely, rejecting a God who chose to forsake them. While for others, their genocidal experiences drew them closer to God, reinforcing their belief in Him.

On another panel, Arda Melkonian presented on “Armenian Evangelical Clergy Responses to the Genocide.” She explained that the Genocide has radically altered Armenian Christianity, changing Armenians’ understanding of God and their faith in Him. However, Armenian theologians have failed to acknowledge the damage caused by this tragic event and have yet to grapple with the profound religious impact it has had on the faith of the Armenian community. Her paper presented pastoral responses to this tragedy, and underscored the need to develop an Armenian theology that can make sense of the suffering and death of innocent Armenian victims. She explained that Armenian clergy must find a way to respond to those who are alienated from God and are asking, “How is it possible to believe in God after the Genocide?” They must speak about God to those who are struggling to understand His absence during the Genocide.

Doris Melkonian, Arda Melkonian, Nora Hovsepian, and Nora Yacoubian with Henry B. Morgenthau

Presentations by Dr. Vahram Shemmassian and Dr. Sona Haroutyunian examined literature about the Armenian Genocide. Shemmassian presented a paper, “The Musa Dagh Resistance to the Armenian Genocide, Franz Werfel’s novel The Forty Days of Musa Dagh, and Their Impact to the Present” showcasing the heroic resistance of Armenians living on Musa Dagh (Mountain of Moses), and addressing the issue of international press coverage and world readership reaction to the resistance. Shemmassian spoke about the impact of The Forty Days of Musa Dagh on the world, and Turkish reaction to the MGM movie project. He posed the question: “What is the relevance of Musa Dagh today in our collective memory on the 80^th anniversary of the novel’s publication (1933-2013)?”

Sona Haroutyunian’s paper, “Translation and Representation of the Armenian Genocide in Literature and Film,” analyzed the limitations of each medium (literature, translation, cinema) and the effect of each on reader and audience experiences. Focusing on renowned Italian-Armenian novelist, Antonia Arslan’s genocide narrative Skylark Farm, she discussed the power of translation as a means of cultural, historical and linguistic interaction.

Dr. Rubina Peroomian, in her paper, “The Symbiotic Relationship between Turks and Armenians: A 100-year-old Obstacle against Healing and Reconciliation,” explained that the relationship between Turks and Armenians has been shaped by governmental policies, societal behaviors and stereotyping of each other, with Turks viewing Armenians as gavours, unbelievers, and “rejects of the sword,” with Armenians viewing Turks as evildoers, perpetrators and deniers of the Armenian Genocide. She concluded that as long as this grim symbiosis between Turks and Armenians exists, artificial interventions and joint events will be ineffective in altering the attitudes of the masses. She added, “Healing and reconciliation, if ever possible after an inflicted catastrophe of that magnitude, are plausible only if Turks face their own history, confront and acknowledge the past.”

In “Academic Denial of the Armenian Genocide in American Scholarship: Denialism as Manufactured Controversy” Marc Mamigonian explained, “Although it is well known that denial of the Armenian Genocide began concurrently with the genocide itself, and for decades Turkey and those who support it have ignored, minimized, or denied the Armenian Genocide, the growing body of critical scholarship and documentation of the Armenian Genocide has rendered traditional strategies of silencing and denial increasingly untenable.” He argued that supporters of the “Turkish position” seek to construct denialism as a legitimate intellectual debate. After presenting several examples of denialist rhetoric (e.g., the link between smoking and cancer, between carbon emissions and climate change, or the evolution vs. intelligent design “controversy”), and specific cases of “academic denial,” emanating from American universities, he discussed the fundamental challenges of denialism and the quest for intellectual legitimacy.

Dr. Richard Dekmejian, in “Utility of Pre-Genocidal Risk Assessment: From the Armenian Genocide and Jewish Holocaust to the Present,” discussed risk assessment of pre-genocidal situations, and the foresight of political thinkers and activists who attempted to prevent the Armenian Genocide and Holocaust. He presented a critical analysis of modern-day Early Warning Systems, explaining their ineffectiveness to prevent genocide in up to 15 Middle Eastern, African and Asian countries.

In the final session of the conference, Dr. Garabet Moumdjian presented “Ottoman Official Resistance to the Armenian Genocide in the Southern Theater of War.” Moumdjian discussed examples of Ottoman officials who refused to obey orders from Constantinople to exterminate Armenians. The altruism demonstrated by officials who defied Talaat Pasha’s orders despite the potential risk to their careers, should be further studied. Moumdjian analyzed the political, social, and military reasons motivating Jemal Pasha and others to rescue Armenian deportees. He suggested that Jemal’s motivation may have stemmed from his ambitions of creating and ruling an Arab state, populated by Armenian survivors who would form its new middle class.

A special guest, Henry B. Morgenthau IV, great grandson of Henry Morgenthau, addressed the gathering as a luncheon keynote speaker. He shared with the attendees his great-grandfather’s legacy as ambassador to Turkey during the Armenian Genocide.

The plenary session on “Survival and Self-Actualization – Managing Memory, Identity an Social Conditions after Genocide has Occurred,” featured Khachatur Gasparyan who spoke about “Psychotraumatic Elements of Armenian Identity: One Hundred Years of Surviving.” During another plenary session, Rabbi Dr. Richard Rubenstein (Former President, University of Bridgeport), spoke about “The Armenian Genocide as Holy War,” and David Patterson (Professor, University of Texas at Dallas) presented “From Hitler to Jihadist Jew Hatred: Influences and Parallels.”

The public lecture, “Armenia, Auschwitz and Beyond” featured Dr. Richard Hovannisian, Dr. Stephen Smith (Executive Director of the USC Shoah Foundation), and Dr. Michael Berenbaum, who provided suggestions for future action. Dr. Berebaum urged the community to transform the memory of tragedy into a warning system to prevent future genocides. Dr. Hovannisian challenged the Armenian community to “find ways and means to universalize their experience and make it part of world history as the Jews have done.” Lastly, Dr. Smith alerted the audience to the dangers of obfuscation, stressing that the appropriate response must be to inform it. The evening concluded with the presentation of the Eternal Flame Award to Dr. Smith in recognition of his efforts to remember the victims of the Holocaust and to build a better future for all humanity.

Dr. Hovannisian remarked, “This conference reinforced my view that the comparative study of genocide is the most useful and effective way of confronting the problem. One can be knowledgeable about various cases of genocide, their antecedents, processes, and aftermath without losing sight of the specific factors at play in each individual case…The conference demonstrated that there is much need for such an approach.”

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Women are, very often, the backbone of society. During the Armenian Genocide and its immediate aftermath, both Armenian women and those from different countries intent on helping the Armenians were instrumental in saving the lives of the innocent. This is the premise of the new documentary by award-winning filmmaker Bared Maronian, titled, “Women of 1915.”

The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Eastern USA is sponsoring this new film project, to be completed by April 2015, in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. Maronian previously made the documentary film “Orphans of the Genocide,” which aired on PBS in several markets across the country, and was viewed by more than 12 million people. In “Women of 1915,” Maronian continues the conversation from the perspective of the women who put their own lives in peril to collect, protect, and house orphans who would have otherwise perished.

A scene from the event

On Sat., April 26, the four New Jersey chapters of the Armenian Relief Society (ARS)—“Agnouni,” “Bergen County,” “Shake,” and “Spitak”) joined in hosting a fundraising event in support of “Women of 1915”. Approximately 125 attendees were entertained by Mary Apkarian (of the Hamazkayin Nayiri Dance Ensemble), who delighted the audience with her graceful solo dance, and the well-known singer Hooshere, who captivated listeners with her beautiful renditions of a few Armenian classics.

After a delicious meal of plentiful appetizers, Virginia Davies, the mistress of ceremonies, introduced Maronian, who showed a sampling of his previous work on “Orphans of the Genocide.” The audience was literally moved to tears. Realizing the importance of recognizing the heroic efforts of those who helped save a generation, many in the audience generously pledged their financial support for “Women of 1915.”

The ARS Eastern USA appreciates the support of our communities as we move toward realizing this endeavor. To learn more or to donate, visit www.arseastusa.org.

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NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.—In keeping with its annual tradition of assisting Armenian charities, the Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee of Merrimack Valley distributed $3,550 to four worthwhile projects.

Charitable contributions paid out this year were $1,300 to Armenian Syrian Relief; $1,000 each to both the Women’s Resource Center (battered women) and Fuller Center for Housing in Armenia, along with $250 to the Armenian Genocide Education Committee of Merrimack Valley.

Over its 20-year existence, some $75,000 has been donated to charities both here and abroad, resulting from net proceeds from an annual commemoration in North Andover.

This year’s commemoration drew 220 guests featuring a memorial concert given by the Arev Armenian Folk Ensemble.

Plans are currently being made for next year’s centennial observance.

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LINCROFT, N.J.—On May 14, the Center for Holocaust, Human Rights & Genocide Education at Brookdale Community College (Chhange) held its 32^nd annual Colloquium at the Collins Arena on the Lincroft campus. This year, the Colloquium was held in commemoration of the 20^th anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Globally recognized activist Lt. General Romeo Dallaire spoke to a captivated crowd of more than 2,400 people, including around 2,000 middle and high school students from 45 different schools.

Dallaire speaking (Photo by Sara Brown)

Dallaire was an eyewitness to the genocide as Commander of the United Nations forces on the ground. Despite his pleas to the UN and governments worldwide, the international community failed to intervene and stop the murder of 800,000 innocent victims.

During his moving and, at times, emotional speech, Dallaire spoke to the audience about his experiences in Rwanda in 1994—the atrocities he witnessed, and what he took away from it all. He focused on the human experience, posing the question: “Is one human being more human than any other?” Dallaire referred to the students as “The Generation Without Borders,” citing their global responsibility to assist others, and highlighting the fact that they have the technology to communicate with anyone, anywhere. He challenged them to make a difference, to value humankind, to act, and to take steps towards improving the world for those who live in inhumane conditions.

Young Rwandan survivor and youth activist Yannick Tona opened the event by sharing his testimony of the genocide. At age four, he spent three weeks walking with his disabled mother through the bush to safety. For the last six years, he has been an advocate for genocide prevention, determined to make the world a better place.

Dale Daniels, the executive director of Chhange, said after the program, “As I walked the campus with General Dallaire, the thank-you’s and verbal commitments from the students brought tears to my eyes. I know that there were many children there today who will never forget hearing these two men, and there will be those who will commit to the responsibilities Dallaire placed upon them.“

Chhange educates about the Holocaust, genocide, and human rights issues; promotes the elimination of racism, anti-Semitism, and all forms of prejudice; and develops outstanding creative programs and activities regarding these crucial issues. To learn more about Chhange and its programs, visit www.chhange.org or call (732) 224-1889.

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Story and photos by Tom Vartabedian

DEARBORN, Mich.—As a veteran legislator, United States Senator Carl Levin has been most passionate about issues that have affected our ancestral homeland, whether it’s been genocide recognition or foreign aid support.

United States Senator Carl Levin graciously accepts the Prelacy’s “Spirit of Armenia” Award with his wife and Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan looking on.

He co-sponsored every single genocide resolution and authored many of those movements himself.

Senator Levin was an early supporter of the Karabagh independence movement and worked on the passage of the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act, which prohibits aid to countries blocking U.S. foreign assistance from reaching other countries.

He has received an “A” grade in the ANCA Congressional report card, attended commemorations on Capitol Hill, fought for justice among dissidents, and contributed heavily to the overall welfare of Armenians throughout the world.

For this and other qualities enhancing Homeland security and Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Levin was presented the “Spirit of Armenia” Award by Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan at this year’s NRA Assembly May 16, attended by nearly 300 guests.

The affable legislator was humbled by the award, joined at the podium by his wife to a standing ovation. He’s been to Armenia and visited with world leaders of the Armenian Church at Etchmiadzin.

“Being Jewish, I’ve been haunted all my life by the words Hitler uttered as he planned the extinction of my people,” said Senator Levin. “We must prove Hitler wrong and call genocide a genocide. Failure to speak out against it only encourages those who would seek power through the destruction of others.”

In this year of the elderly as proclaimed by the Catholicos, two prominent individuals shared the Eagle Award, given periodically by the Prelacy.

Accepting the honor were Onnig Hachigian and John Manoogian, two icons of the parish community.

Youth Awards were presented to recipients Karoun Cholakian, Vahan Cholakian, Sanan Malkedjian, Chris Kourtjian and Araxie Tossounian, joined by Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan and Rev. Fr. Hrant Kevorkian.

Hachigian served nine years as a trustee executive; 12 years as an NRA delegate, and four years on the Prelacy’s Executive Council with a focus on Armenian religious education. One of the original AYF pioneers, his wife and three sons have all been active components of St. Sarkis Church.

Manoogian’s niche was building classrooms in his church to the tune of a $250,000 addition, Together with his wife Rose, they have been generous benefactors to both the Prelacy and church.

While chairing the trustees for six years, he presented plans for streamlining Board procedures and methods while also mentoring several newcomers in the process.

For 48 years, he spent every working day with Ford Motor Company—a right hand to those like Lee Iacocca—getting the company’s support to accelerate Armenian issues.

“There is a wisdom to their lives which created a better Armenian-American community for all,” Serpazan pointed out. “With their faith and love, they promoted a new lifestyle for generations that followed. They are the reason we are here.”

Sunday School activist Diana Changelian was presented a certificate of merit for her years of dedicated service over the decades, starting from Granite City to Watertown, then Providence and finally Dearborn. Over that time, she directed school programs, worked tirelessly on NRA and ARS committees, bazaars and grasped every opportunity to serve the church.

National Representative Assembly convened at Soorp Sarkis Church May 15-17 in Dearborn, MI.

“She is motivated by the love of God and heritage,” said Serpazan.

Youth awards were presented to five outstanding students: Karoun Cholakian, Vahan Cholakian, Sanan Malkedjian, Chris Kourtjian and Araxie Tossounian.

Karoun is a star performer for Hamazkayin dance group, Sundayschool teacher, AYF member and active volunteer.

Vahan counseled orphans in Armenia and served as a Camp Hayastan counselor. He’s helped the elders of his committee as well as the needy.

Sanan is an active HMEM member, dances with Hamazkayin, serves on AYF executive and works her own cake pop business. Her poem at the Friday banquet received loud applause.

Chris has held many leadership positions, served on the altar and remains active in AYF leadership roles. He also dances with the Hamazkayin ensemble.

Araxie sings in the church choir. She’s a member of the Armenian National Committee and AYF while also a member of the Alik Trio which entertained at the Friday banquet.

In keeping with the “elder” concept, retired Rev. Archpriest Vasken Bekiarian (Worcester) was proclaimed by Serpazan as “Man of the Year” for his distinguished service throughout the decades. Illness prevented him from attending the event.

Remarks were rendered by Chairman Stephen Hagopian, who served as MC, along with Rev. Fr. Hrant Kevorkian, pastor, and Michael Hagopian, vice-chairman, trustees.

In his message, Archbishop Choloyan emphasized the importance of organized leaders and called upon communities to mobilize themselves for next year’s Armenian Genocide centennial. He commended the work performed by the Executive Council.

“The best road is being well-prepared and organized,” he said, “not leaving our ecclesiastical-national life to chance. The NRA Assembly is one ring in our eternal quest and the task of turning it into gold falls upon all our shoulders.”

Oshagan Serpazan was re-elected by unanimous acclamation as he enters a fifth term. Rev. Archpriest Gomidas Baghsarian was re-elected to the Religious Council. For Executive Council, those re-elected were Stephen Hagopian, Hagop Antranigian and Sarkis Ohanessian.

John Aharonian was elected a new member, replacing Raffi Ourlian, who completed three terms of impeccable service as treasurer.

More than 50 delegates joined with clergy in promoting new inroads for the church. The National Guild met separately with close to 20 delegates. A tour of the Motown Music Museum was enjoyed by the ladies.

On the lighter side, the very last raffle ticket sold by extremist Antranig Boudakian wound up being a winner. It belonged to Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, one lucky vicar!

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Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian embraces 102-year-old Nellie Nazarian by ‘A Mother’s Hands’ Genocide Memorial after unveiling. Nellie is the lone remaining genocide survivor in Merrimack Valley. (Tom Vartabedian Photo)

LOWELL, Mass.—Knot by knot, a mother’s hands weave the history of her people.

These hands performed another ritual May 10 when they welcomed a crowd of more than 300 people to their side at Lowell City Hall.

At long last (three years in the making) this unique genocide memorial stands proud inside City Hall Plaza—the first time such a monument finds itself across government soil in America.

While other monument unveilings went through some tenuous moments in other parts of the world, this one was dedicated and blessed with fanfare as various churches and organizations staged a united stand behind a group called the Merrimack Valley Armenian Monument Committee.

The stone exceeds six feet in length and takes its place in Monument Park where other ethnic groups are represented. Anyone entering or leaving the building is bound to take notice.

The mother’s hands jets out over a khatchkar (cross-stone) wrapped around an elaborate border with an emotional message below. At the base, an inscription reads, “In Memory” and “Ee Hishadag,” in Armenian.

“There are approximately 230 monuments dedicated to the Armenian Genocide in 42 countries around the world,” said artistic designer Daniel Varoujan Hejinian. “Most of these monuments are located in land belonging to Armenian churches and organizations. What’s so special about this is the fact it is a first in the diaspora—an Armenian Genocide memorial in front of a government building.”

Combined with bronze and granite, the stone shows a mother’s weaving hands sculptured in clay, then refined through an elaborate process to exude a 3-dimensional effect.

As a model, the artist used his sister Lena’s hands. Buried into the foundation of the stone was an actual piece of crochet done by Hejinian’s mother as a symbolic gesture of his family history and the qualities that enhanced the concept.

“In spite of the pain and horror of our genocide, the Armenian people everywhere cast their hopes and dreams, knot by knot, as they bloom and prosper,” added Hejinian, who has personally put up more than 50 genocide billboards around Greater Boston over the past 18 years.

“Our mothers were dream weavers,” he added. “They worked the mills in Lowell, holding down nearly two-thirds of all textile jobs in this city. They came here to weave the fabric of our culture and we owe them all a debt of gratitude.”

Ironic that the unveiling took place on the eve of Mother’s Day after an earlier date was postponed due to a conflict. The fact it rained did little to deter the crowd.

Crowd pours around ‘A Mother’s Hands’ Genocide Memorial with cameras in hand. (Tom Vartabedian Photo)

Chairman Armen Jeknavorian found a prominent Mother’s Day saying in capturing the moment, “The earth’s warmth is in the mother’s hands.” He, too, looked to the mills for a symbolic connection to the memorial. Like his parents before him, they coped with difficult times in bringing homage to the community.

“The Armenian population in Lowell during the early 1930’s was significant,” he noted. “They built and consecrated their own church in 1916. Our history remains proud with prosperity.”

A procession in the downtown sector was led by members of the Sam Manoian Post, Armenian-American Veterans, led by Commander Richard Juknavorian.

Replica of ‘A Mother’s Hands’ Genocide Memorial is presented to artistic designer Daniel Varoujan Hejinian, center, by Merimack Valley Armenian Monument Committee. Making the presentation were Chairman Armen Jeknavorian, left, and Dr. Ara Jeknavorian. (Tom Vartabedian Photo)

A torch bearing an eternal flame made its way to the entourage, led by youth activists Garo Tashjian and Mgo Kassabian. It originated in Armenia, making its first stop here, and will proceed through communities across America before winding up in Historic Armenia next April.

Children from different church schools held banners and marched with their elder counterparts amid a police escort. Umbrellas were the order of the day before it finally cleared for the dedication ceremony shortly thereafter.

In attendance was Nellie Nazarian, the lone genocide survivor in Merrimack Valley, joined by her family. The 102-year-old was embraced by Armenians and Americans alike for her resilience as she posed for photographs before the stone.

In a special certificate from U.S. Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (Lowell), she applauded the courageous Armenian men and women who have thrived to become a vital part of her community.

“This first monument of its kind in Lowell stands as a testament to Armenians throughout history,” she pointed out. “While we remember the deceased, we also celebrate those who survived, worked the mills, and raised their families with dignity.”

U.S. Congressman John Tierney (Peabody), another strong advocate on Armenian issues, described the monument as a symbol of this community’s strength and resilience in the face of adversity.

“Rest assured that I will continue my efforts to address core humanitarian and economic difficulties that face the Armenian population,” he said.

Other proclamations and remarks were issued by State Senator Eileen Donaghue, State Representative David Nangle, Mayor Rodney Elliott, City Manager Kevin Murphy, City Councilor Rita Mercier (a former ANCA Freedom Award winner), and City Councilor James Milinazzo, who embraced the monument idea and selected the site as former mayor.

Members of Sam Manoian Post, Armenian-American Veterans of Lowell, make their way along downtown Lowell in the rain, led by Commander Richard Juknavorian. (Tom Vartabedian Photo)

Youth of the community presided over a flag-raising ceremony following the monument blessing.

An ambitious fund-raising effort launched a year ago brought it the $35,000 needed by Skylight Studios of Woburn for construction. Another $15,000 is being raised toward the perpetual care. Contributions poured in from around the country from donors who found the concept both eclectic and ingenious.

A reception followed at Lowell High School, where a miniaturized replica of the memorial was presented to Hejinian by committee members as a gesture of gratitude.

A delightful cultural interlude was provided by soloist Sevan Dulgarian, a UMass Amherst freshman and Greater Boston AYF Chapter member.

Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian spoke both at the unveiling and the luncheon. He served as honorary chairman of the project after a visit last summer to the Lowell Folk Festival where he noticed an Armenian tricolor and volunteered to get involved.

“The memorial represents the true Armenian-American dream: an opportunity for us to show the public who we are and what we teach,” he brought out. “The more we teach, the sooner people will realize the truth about our genocide. Your effort here is compatible with what was accomplished at Armenian Heritage Park in Boston. Heart. Commitment. Energy. All the qualities go into it.”

Three students were called upon to read their winning essays on a theme that reflected the monument. They were Anna Shahtanian and Matthew Kochakian, both of St. Gregory Church, North Andover, and Isabelle Kapoian, Sts. Vartanantz Church, Chelmsford.

The event was televised by Haykaram Nahapetyan, representing public television of Armenia H1, and also received front-page exposure in the local press. Serving as master of ceremonies throughout the day was Dr. Ara Jeknavorian, committee activist and co-chairman of the Armenian National Committee of Merrimack Valley.

The post Lowell Genocide Memorial Gets Rave Notice appeared first on Armenian Weekly.

Samvel believes in an Armenian Dream..for a very bright future for his country based on creating a knowledge-based economy that will make Armenia the Switzerland of the Caucasus.

We could live all over the world, miles apart, and embody all the culture differences of the countries we were born and raised in. Yet, we are bound by this noble idea, this “Armenian-ness,” the Armenian Spirit that burns like an eternal flame in many of us. We are a proud and principled people. We view ourselves as smart, industrious, dedicated, generous, kind, principled, forthright, and honest. The Armenian Spirit is what bonds us. We know it when we see it and admire our countrymen who embody these virtues we so value.

Samvel’s vision was to make the future open for each and every child in the Republic of Armenia.

Allow me to introduce Samvel Movsisyan. He has at least a triple dose of the Armenian Spirit and the values we so cherish.

Samvel has a passion for Armenia and Armenians. He wants to help the people of Armenia to not only survive but thrive. He wants the Republic of Armenia to succeed. In order for that to happen, there must be meaningful jobs and career opportunities for Armenians in Armenia. The future must be bright enough with work and career opportunities that emigration is out of the question—and, in fact, turns into repatriation and immigration. Samvel has dedicated his life to these noble goals, and has created and manages three NGOs dedicated to this mission.

Like all young Armenian men, Samvel served in the Army of the Republic of Armenia. In the army, Samvel had the opportunity to visit villages all around the country. Like many, he got to see, appreciate, and love the rural Armenia and Armenians. Samvel saw how people were leaving the country because they could not earn a living, and he knew this was bad for the country. During this time, Samvel realized that he had a passion for communicating with the people not only in the army but in all walks of life. He has a special and deep affinity with the people of the Armenia.

After the army, Samvel studied IT at the European Regional Academy (ERA). He was advised to participate in the student council to enhance his leadership skills and give his education a service component. As members of the student council were expected to participate in service projects in the community, Samvel decided to implement a project in an orphanage. He researched various orphanages in Armenia, and found one named Hope that resonated with him. He called the director and arranged a group visit to this orphanage in Gyumri. They collected boxes of clothes, treats, and school supplies for the Hope orphanage. At the orphanage, Samvel did what he does: He talked to, well, everyone.

He especially spent time talking with the children. He met a child who was crying. Samvel asked him why he was crying. The child said he wanted to be like Samvel and to go places and help people. He especially wanted to go home. His father was a humble laborer who did not make enough to support all of his children, so this young fellow found himself in the orphanage. It was a defining moment for Samvel who decided, at that point, to dedicate himself to the education of the young who had no opportunities. The child was only 11. Samvel talked to him about the possibilities he could have, that he could maybe even become president of Armenia. The boy stopped crying and started smiling… Samvel then knew his life’s work.

Samvel is not one to leave today’s work for tomorrow. He started the Future is Open educational NGO (see www.fio.am) the very next day. His vision was to make the future open for each and every child in the Republic of Armenia. This organization was created with the belief that equal educational opportunities for all children is one of the most important requirements for the comprehensive development of Armenia and the realization of future citizens’ potential. The mission is simple: “We believe that with educational programs for the endangered children (orphanages and special schools, disadvantaged families), which we have been conducting already for more than six years, we can help them to become decent citizens of Armenia.”

As the Future is Open began to gain traction and grow, more volunteers started to participate, both from within Armenia and abroad. The results were encouraging. Young Armenians were graduating from the orphanages and special schools with better future plans and perspectives. Yet, there was also the feedback from the volunteers that many young people didn’t see a future for themselves in Armenia. They were thinking about leaving the country because they could not earn a decent living. This saddened Samvel…but not for long. Samvel and his team do not wallow in such emotions.

Samvel and his team knew more was needed. For the future to be open for the youth he was serving in the Future is Open, there needed to be jobs and career opportunities. Armenia needed more entrepreneurs and leaders within the young generation to believe, organize, and work for the future of Armenia; and more innovators and “techno-preneurs” to work in the IT direction, which the team believes has the potential to become the growth engine of Armenia.

In order for Armenia to have jobs and careers, Armenia needs thriving companies to create and offer those jobs and careers. Samvel realized that Armenia could not rely on multi-nationals to provide opportunities in Armenia; rather, Armenians themselves would have to create the enterprises that would, in turn, create the jobs and careers.

It took years of hard work and research (including a course of study at the Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) in India for Samvel), but in due time two foundations were established: the Leadership School and IT School Foundations. Samvel followed his academic focus and founded the IT School Foundation (www.itschool.am). The vision of this foundation is to create, nurture, and expand a tech base for Armenia and make the Ararat Valley the Silicon Valley of the Caucasus.

Innovators and techno-preneurs are one of the most important requirements for the development of Armenia and its transition to the knowledge society model. “We believe that through future-oriented, practical and fast education, we can contribute to the formation of new generation IT specialists,” Samvel says. To foster entrepreneurship in Armenia, the Leadership School Foundation (www.leadershipschool.am) was founded in 2009. “In the global reality of accelerating changes, Armenia needs faster development, one of the most important requirements of which is the discovery and development of strong leaders within the young generation. We believe that in cooperation with prominent Armenian and international leaders, thinkers and organizations, we can support the development of future leaders.”

The Leadership School is an additional course of study for working people, generally ages 18-35, both non-college and college-educated. They leadership and entrepreneurship, business English, LINUX, and in the background of all this: self-confidence and pride. The Leadership School fills a gap that universities in Armenia do not. The school has about 20 students per year. The course of study is 200,000 dram (or approximately $700). The graduation rate is 50 percent simply because not everyone has the entrepreneurial fire to complete the vigorous program. The school has a cadre of about 150 professionals who give lectures once or twice a year.

From the Armenian Weekly community, Ken Hachikian, Ara Surenian, and I have all lectured, via Skype, to Leadership School students. Alumni help current students bring their ideas to the marketplace. The kinds of businesses started by graduates include dental clinics, IT, finance, and audit firms. There are even Syrian-Armenian refugees in the current cohort of students.

At only 31 years old, Samvel has created 3 registered foundations that are the vehicles in his steadfast mission to be of service to his country and his people. It is clear that the ERA, which has a distinct bias for “Practical Orientation of Education,” had an impact on Samvel. All three of these foundations are geared to providing practical, valuable, and immediately applicable training to their students. These foundations are fully registered with the government. I related that the Armenian government’s perception of the Armenian Diaspora is not the most positive, especially in regards to diasporans doing business in Armenia. His response was simple: “No matter what people think about the government, the rules for foundations are very clear and more aboveboard than ever before.”

Samvel acknowledges the concept of the American Dream. He believes in a similar Armenian Dream. His Armenian Dream is for a very bright future for his country based on creating a knowledge-based economy that will make Armenia the Switzerland of the Caucuses. He believes that Armenians need to do our best and to work hard. These three foundations exist to make this dream a reality.

This summer Samvel is coming to the US. He will be visiting New York, Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. He is not coming here to ask for money. He is coming here to ask for opportunity. Thus, his visit is not a fundraising trip, but rather a business development and alliance development trip. He is interested in meeting Armenian-American business leaders and entrepreneurs that would be interested in:

• advising and doing business with Armenia-based start-ups;
• contracting with the growing IT providers in Armenia; and
• discussing business ideas that could benefit Armenia

To contact Samvel, e-mail smovsisyan@gmail.com, or Skype at smavel.movsisyan.

The post Creating the Armenian Dream appeared first on Armenian Weekly.

Dr. Vartan Matiossian will give a lecture entitled “Code Name Haiko: Discovering the Last Unknown Participant in Talaat Pasha’s Liquidation,” on Thursday, June 5, 2014, at 7:30 p.m., at the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) Center , 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA.

In 1921 the mastermind of the Armenian Genocide, Talaat Pasha, was killed in a Berlin street by a young avenger, Soghomon Tehlirian. This was the main act of Operation Nemesis, planned and partially carried out between 1919-1922 to fulfill the justice to the Armenian people that had been denied by tribunals. In his memoirs, published in Armenian (1953), Tehlirian unveiled many of the details of his action. For security reasons, he introduced his immediate on-the-ground collaborators with pseudonyms: Hazor, Vaza, and Haiko. Three decades later, the identity of the first two were revealed (Hakob Zorian) or inferred, but the third operative, Haiko, has remained hitherto unidentified.

While waiting for the day that archival material will yield more information about him, a lucky hunch and a painstaking collection of data from the Armenian press and secondary literature has allowed Dr. Vartan Matiossian to identify by name and to outline the life and activities of “Haiko.”

Dr. Vartan Matiossian was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, and lived in Buenos Aires until 2000, when he moved to the United States. He graduated from the University of Buenos Aires and has a Ph.D. in History from the Academy of Sciences of Armenia, with the Armenian community in Argentina from its beginnings until 1950 as his subject. He currently lives in New Jersey and is the executive director of the Armenian National Education Committee, at the Armenian Prelacy in New York.

Matiossian is the author of five books in Armenian, including a biography of writer Gostan Zarian (1998), a history of the Armenian communities in Latin America until 1950 (2005), a collection of travelogues about Armenia (2005), a biography of the Oriental dancer Armen Ohanian (coauthored with Artsvi Bakhchinyan, 2007), and a collection of studies, book reviews, and essays on Armenian literature (2009). He has translated and published 15 books from Armenian into Spanish and English.

Admission to the event is free (donations appreciated). The NAASR Bookstore will open at 7:00 p.m. The NAASR Center is located opposite the First Armenian Church and next to the U.S. Post Office. Ample parking is available around the building and in adjacent areas. The lecture will begin promptly at 7:30 p.m.

More information about the lecture is available by calling 617-489-1610, faxing 617-484-1759, e-mailing hq@naasr.org, or writing to NAASR, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA 02478.

The post Matiossian to Speak on Previously Unknown Participant in Operation Nemesis appeared first on Armenian Weekly.

Arthur A. Maranian, Sr. was born in May 1928 in Arlington, Mass., one of nine children of the late Aram and Alice Maranian.

He attended schools in Arlington as well as in Boston at Don Bosco for printing. At the age of nine, he was already an entrepreneur. Following his discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps, Arthur started his own business in Somerville. In 1950, he married the late Helen Marian of Lowell, and they moved to Washington, D.C. There, Arthur and Helen started their family and were blessed with two beautiful children, Arthur Jr. and Linda.

Arthur worked for a printing company affiliated with the U.S. government and was in charge of the Special Marine Unit from the Pentagon that provided and rushed secret documents and maps crucial to the Korean War effort. This experience provided him with a thorough understanding of lithography. In 1953, he returned to Boston and started Maran Printing Service, Inc., in Arlington. Over the years, Maran Printing Service became one of the most unique printing plants in the Boston area, receiving many awards for outstanding work in the printing trade.

Arthur made special presentations for President Gerald R. Ford, the Bicentennial, the U.S. Postal Service, the U.S. Constitution Museum, the opening of the Kennedy Library attended by President Jimmy Carter, and other historical programs. He received numerous expressions of gratitude, among them from President Ford, the White House, and the Kennedy Family. Arthur’s love for history and printing was recognized by his peers in the New England Printer and National Geographic magazines, as well as the Armenian Mirror Spectator and other Boston-area papers.

Arthur was a long-standing member and generous supporter of the Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Cambridge along with other local Armenian churches and organizations. He was a member of Mystic Valley Masonic Lodge, the Knights of Vartan, the Aleppo Shriners. He is survived by his son, Arthur Jr. and his wife Karen; his daughter, Linda Mitchell and her husband Kenneth; 4 grandchildren; and 7 great grandchildren. He was the brother of Aram, Jack, Lucy Balian, Dorothy Parsikikian, and the late Leo, George, Michael, and Ann Hartounian. He is survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Arthur is also survived by his loving companion and friend Nadia Ann Karnik.

Funeral service was held on Wed., May 28 at 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Armenian Church, 145 Brattle St. in Cambridge. Visiting hours were at the Aram Bedrosian Funeral Home, 558 Mt. Auburn St. in Watertown on May 27. Memorial gifts may be made to the Quimby Center for Geriatric Care at Mt. Auburn Hospital (300 Mt. Auburn St., Ste. 517, Cambridge, MA 02138; Attention: John R. Anderson, MD). Interment will be at the Lincoln Cemetery in Lincoln, Mass.

The post Arthur A. Maranian (1928-2014) appeared first on Armenian Weekly.

CHICAGO, Ill. (A.W)—A banquet celebrating the 115^th anniversary of Hairenik and the 80^th anniversary of the Armenian Weekly took place at the home of Arpi Seferian on May 17.

A scene from the event (Photo by Tina Cholakian)

Around 50 guests attended the event, which featured Professor Richard Hovannisian as guest speaker. Hovannisian spoke about the time he spent in Lebanon when he was still a student, and the wealth of experience he gathered there. He told anecdotes from that period in his life, accompanied by slideshows of photographs of that time, nearly 60 years ago.

Additional details to follow.

The post Hairenik, Weekly Celebrate Anniversaries in Chicago appeared first on Armenian Weekly.

Armenian Weekly columnist C.K. Garabed (Charles Garabed Kasbarian) discussed his recently-published Dikranagerd Vernacular Handbook with the Kurdish website Infowelat.

“Sometime about 1970, I began recording whatever I knew from speaking to my parents and members of the Armenian community at large. After all, the Dikranagerdtsi dialect is my native language. I made entries in a notebook in my spare time,” he said. “As the years went by, I realized that a written record of our dialect was an important undertaking, and therefore took my task more seriously. With the advent of personal computers, I transcribed whatever I had recorded, until it grew to a size that was feasible to pass on to the public.”

The interview is accompanied by a letter, photographs, and a brief history of the author’s family in Dikranagerd prior to the Armenian Genocide.

Concluding, C.K. Garabed poses the following questions on Kurdish-Armenian relations to the interviewer and Kurdish readers: “Have any of your Kurdish colleagues touched on this subject? What is the thinking among rank and file Kurds, especially in the Dikranagerd region? It’s all well and good for Abdullah Demirbaş, mayor of Sur in the province of Diyarbakir, to invite Armenians back. But does that reflect the thinking of those Kurds who are currently occupying property of the ancestors of those very same Armenians? Would your Kurdish colleagues like to see the forming of dialogues and alliances with Armenians of the Diaspora? If so, to what extent?”

The full text of the interview can be read here.

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WATERTOWN, Mass.—The Armenian Memorial Church of Watertown will hold its Annual Fair on Fri., June 6, from 5-8 p.m., and Sat., June 7, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.—rain or shine. Visitors will have two days to enjoy the fabulous beef, chicken, and losh (ground meat) kebab dinners complete with sauce, rice pilaf, salad, and pita bread. The selection will also include Armenian vegetarian meals. Visitors may eat at the tables under the tent or may purchase take-out orders.

Committee members gather in preparation for the Annual Fair to be held June 6-7. (Back, L-R) Sona Ashjian, Gregg Ohanian, Arpy Haleblian, Arpie Ashjian, Chris Mekjian, and Roberta Vanderkeyl. (Front, L-R) Adrine Beurklian, Carol Trio, Angel Parseghian, Vicky Tomasian, and Marilyn Coughlin.

The women of the church are known for their fine cooking, and have been busy preparing the Armenian delicacies. They recently held an all day mante-making session, producing hundreds of the petite Armenian dumpling-like treats. They will be featured on the baked goods table along with paklava, kadayif, cheoreg, koufte, eetch, cheese beureg, and many other baked specialties.

The entire fair will also feature an Armenian delicacies table, a fabulous silent auction, and craft tables. In addition, an indoor yard sale this year will feature an extensive array of items at bargain prices.

Carol Koundakjian Trio of Marlborough is chairing this year’s committee, which includes Arpie Ashjian of Waltham, Adrine Beurklian of Watertown, Marilyn Coughlin of Needham, Arpy Haleblian of Belmont, Christine Mekjian and Bette Ohanian of Watertown, Azniv Nigoghosian of Waltham, Gregg Ohanian of Woburn, Vicky Tomasian of Belmont, and Roberta Vanderkeyl of Watertown. Angel Parseghian of Belmont, the president of the Ladies’ Aide, is chairing the delicacies table.

While the fair is the largest fundraiser of the year, the church sets aside 10 percent of the proceeds to benefit a worthy charity. This year’s funds will be donated to the Syrian Relief Fund through the Armenian Missionary Association of America.

The Armenian Memorial Church is located at 32 Bigelow Avenue in Watertown, just off Coolidge Square. The event is open to the public. Bring the family and enjoy the day! The church is wheelchair accessible. For more information, call (617) 923-0498.

The post Memorial Church’s Annual Fair Set for June 6-7 appeared first on Armenian Weekly.

By Sarah Newell and Ivy Tran

BOSTON, Mass.—On Wednesday evening, March 26, Rouben Shougarian and Armen Baibourtian, former ambassadors of post-Soviet Armenia, spoke at the Kenosian Chair Current Issues Series, “The United Nations, Armenia, and the Sovereignty of Nagorno-Karabagh,” at Boston University’s (BU) Castle.

Professor Simon Payaslian, Charles K. and Elisabeth M. Kenosian Chair in Modern Armenian History and Literature at Boston University, invited these prominent figures in Armenian diplomacy to participate in the event, which was co-sponsored by the departments of history and international relations at Boston University, as well as the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). The speakers discussed the role of the United Nations in Armenia, Armenia’s foreign policy, and national sovereignty issues in the Karabagh conflict, and related them to the current Crimean crisis.

Ambassador Rouben Shougarian (Photo by Dan Aguirre)

The first speaker, Ambassador Shougarian, served as Armenia’s first ambassador to the United States (1993-99), as deputy foreign minister (1999-2005), and as ambassador to Italy, Spain, and Portugal (2005-08). He also worked for the Armenian Parliament’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and acted as a senior foreign policy aide and spokesperson for former President Levon Ter-Petrosyan. Holding an MA with honors from Yerevan Linguistic University, Shougarian currently lectures at Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. He is the author of two books, West of Eden, East of the Chessboard (2010) and The Politics of Immaculate Misconception: The Ides of the Post-Secular Age (2013), in addition to numerous articles addressing conflict resolution and the Black Sea region’s geopolitical identity.

Shougarian began his speech by recognizing how “the last decade brought about tectonic geopolitical changes” for Nagorno-Karabagh, and discussed the impact these changes had on issues pertaining to national sovereignty. He went on to say that the region’s sovereignty is intertwined with the problems facing other former Soviet territories. Shougarian further linked these problems to the current crisis in Crimea.

“The concept [of sovereignty] has to be redefined,” he stated. The issue requires rethinking the philosophy and changing our mindsets. The current definition of sovereignty, he argued, implies autonomy, but “no nation is autonomous.” Countries always depend on one another for support and security.

Sovereignty as it exists now is “as useless as a unicycle—one can ride on it, but not well,” he said. Therefore, we must rethink this definition to avoid double standards and to stop measuring ethno-territorial conflicts with the same yardstick. Instead, the international community should adopt the idea of what Shougarian called “remedial sovereignty,” which he defined in four ways: sovereignty yielded by the center to peripherals, sovereignty granted by an international body to an ethno-territorial unit, sovereignty earned and defended by the region itself, and sovereignty claimed by an intervening outside party.

Shougarian also acknowledged that a region’s sovereignty must first be achieved, granted, or recognized in order to be remedied, an observation that certainly applies to the current Crimean crisis.

Ambassador Armen Baibourtian (Photo by Dan Aguirre)

Ambassador Baibourtian spoke next, expanding on the evening’s theme of national sovereignty. With PhDs in international studies and modern world history, Baibourtian currently teaches at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. He previously served as senior adviser to the UN resident coordinator in Armenia, where he developed and coordinated the UNDP “Global Armenia” program. Baibourtian also acted as deputy foreign minister of Armenia (1997-2000 and 2004-08) and Armenia’s chief negotiator with the European Union (2005-06). His served as the first Armenian ambassador to India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia (2000-04), and as Armenia’s first consul general in Los Angeles (1995-97), as deputy permanent representative of Armenia to the United Nations, and as foreign policy advisor to the speaker of the Armenian Parliament (1991-92).

“The UN is important to Armenia not only because of the scale or magnitude of its operations, but also for its targeted development policies in the country, its wider partnership approach in devising projects, and its functions of donor coordination,” Baibourtian argued. He asserted that although the United Nations as a system planned to contribute a relatively small amount of $72 million to Armenia through its UN Development Assistance Framework for 2000-15, the UN programs are marked by their effectiveness and efficiency.

Describing the UN as a global network that applies in Armenia the “best practices in the existing world,” the diplomat offered examples of the UN’s aid in Armenia. The organization, he said, works with the Armenian government to help college graduates find employment by placing them in internships and training in private and public companies, to develop proper mid- and long-term budgeting and to implement modern, secure integrated border management. Baibourtian held that “the principle of the UN’s work in Armenia is not just cooperation, but forging partnerships” in addressing numerous challenges; for instance, soft securities issues like the introduction of border management on its northern borders with Georgia.

According to Baibourtian, the UN does not have a presence in Nagorno-Karabagh and is not able to assist in addressing the humanitarian needs of its population due to the politicization of the issue. Without the consent of Azerbaijan, the UN cannot extend its assistance to the people in need even during natural disasters. He mentioned that a consortium of five European NGOs implements EU-funded peace-building projects in Karabagh to help build mutual trust across the dividing lines. He stressed that the unresolved conflict remains one of the world’s “most dangerous.”

The Karabagh conflict invokes two major and contending principles of international law: self-determination and territorial integrity. While this tension manifests itself in Karabagh as Armenia invokes the principle of self-determination and Azerbaijan cites the principle of territorial integrity, Baibourtian reminded his audience that this ideological collision has occured repeatedly throughout history.

But what international examples can lead to a peaceful resolution for Karabagh? “Precedents in international law are considered binding,” he noted. Instead, the dominant international attitude is based on a case-by-case approach to each conflict.

In the question and answer session, Payaslian addressed one of these difficult cases, asking what the long-term implications of the Crimean crisis would be for Armenia. Shougarian answered that in the worst-case scenario, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) would cease to exist, which, he warned, “should never be allowed to happen.” More positively, a successful resolution could set an example of self-determination reached by national referendum for Karabagh.

Either way, the situation is a “double edged sword,” according to Shougarian. While it could inspire self-determination, it could also give Azerbaijan a “green light” to use force in Nagorno-Karabagh as Russia did in Crimea.

In response to an inquiry about how Armenia chooses to respond to Azerbaijani military build up, Baibourtian explained that there are two considerations that must be taken into account: First, the external security arrangement dimension and the way the international community perceives the issue. Second, the capabilities of the domestic defense, which is linked to economic advancement. These two main factors, along with others, condition the security of Nagorno-Karabagh.

During the catered reception that followed questions from the audience, a Boston University graduate student described the event as a “good, informative presentation that touched on crucial issues.”

For more information about the Kenosian Chair Current Issues Series and the discussion on “The United Nations Armenia, and the Sovereignty of Nagorno-Karabagh,” contact Professor Payaslian by e-mailing payas@bu.edu.

Sarah Newell, Class of 2015, is a history and economics major at BU. Ivy Tran is a psychology and history major, and is slated to graduate in 2016.

The post BU Talk Features Ambassadors Shougarian and Baibourtian on ‘The UN, Armenia, and Karabagh Sovereignty’ appeared first on Armenian Weekly.

GLENDALE, Calif.—The most recent Syrian Armenian Relief Fund (SARF) HyeAID3 concert, held on April 29 at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, raised an additional $100,000 for Syrian Armenians in need. Within days of the attack on Kessab on March 21, the SARF sent $100,000 in aid to Armenians displaced from their ancestral homes.

The concert began with a medley of Aram Khachatourian’s music, featuring Armen Aharonian on the piano, accompanied by his orchestra. Artist-broadcast journalist Nune Avetisyan opened the concert by reciting the poem “Gantsrevé Dghas” (“It’s raining, my son,” in reference to crying) by Vahan Tekeyan. Avetisyan delivered the opening remarks, thanking the audience and volunteer artists for supporting SARF, and quoted poet Barouyr Sevag—“We exist, we shall prevail and multiply”—to show the determination of the Armenian people throughout history.

SARF Executive Committee chairperson Zaven Khanjian then addressed the audience with an inspiring message that reaffirmed the enduring quality of the Armenian people despite the genocide and the recent crisis in Syria. Khanjian noted, “What’s happening in Syria is the latest chapter of the annihilation of our race that started with the heinous crime of the Young Turks in the Ottoman Empire a century ago. … I have often found myself weak and desperate, which has led me to search the word of God for hope and consolation. Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’ There is no doubt that we should be vigilant in the pursuit of justice.”

Khanjian concluded, “At this gathering of solidarity with our brethren in the Armenian Diasporan community of Syria, let us use our knowledge of the truth in our struggle to bring peace and harmony to ourselves, and to the troubled region and life and resurrection to its unjustifiably crucified communities.”

The program continued with alternating performances of songs, instrumental music, and dance, with a dash of poetry. Aline Aroustamian, Gagik Badalyan, Ani Christy, Harut Hagopian, Harout Jeghelian, Arthur Madoyan, Salpy Mailyan, Heibert Sarian, and Samuel Sahakyan sang; Harout Pamboukjian played the guitar and sang; Ruben Harutunian accompanied the Karavan Studio dancers on the duduk; the Dynamic Duo performed; and the Hamazkayin Ani Dance Company and Hamazkayin Barouyr Sevag “Nairi” Dance Group performed several elaborate dance numbers.

Poet Gailag’s (Panosian) lyrics dedicated to Kessab, titled “Geh Lsvin Voghper,” were read by Nune Avetisyan. In honor of renowned composer Konstantine Orbelyan (1928-2014) who recently passed away, Armen Aharonian played one of his compositions on the piano.

As Kessab is one of the last remnants of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia, the closing song was aptly “Giligia.” Arthur Hagopian began with an English version, and the rest of the singers joined him with the original Armenian version by Nahabed Rousinian.

Closing remarks were made by Ara Aroyan, vice-chairperson of the SARF Executive Committee, who applauded Louise Mardirossian Gill’s “vision, persistence, and persuasion” as co-chairperson of the HyeAID3 organizing committee. The participating artists were handed special Congressional certificates of appreciation from Rep. Adam Schiff (28^th District) and certificates of recognition from California Assembly member Mike Gatto (43^rd District).

The program was accomplished with a large crew of volunteers. The program execution relied on the technical skills of the production crew, which included Edgar Nikolian, Neptune Productions, and Val Hovanissian.

The varied styles and subjects of the lyrics and dances from “Adana” to “Yeraz Im Yergir” allowed the audience to feel a range of feelings, from sorrow to joy. One audience member who lost a family member to the fighting in Kessab said, “They sang, we cried.”

Those who have family members caught in the middle of the conflict in Syria are sacrificing whatever they can to financially support them; it is up to the rest of the diaspora to do its part and let those effected by the calamity in Syria know that “We are still here,” as Khanjian said.

Among the audience were representatives of the SARF organizations, including Archbishops Hovnan Derderian and Mousheg Mardirossian, Very Rev. Fr. Andon Atamian, and Rev. Hendrik Shanazarian. In addition to other local clergy, Very Rev. Fr. Tatoul Anoushian of the Armenian Patriarchate attended from Istanbul, Turkey.

The following churches, charities, and organizations came together to form the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund in August 2012: Armenian Catholic Eparchy in North America; Armenian Evangelical Union of North America; Western Diocese of the Armenian Church; Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America; Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU); Armenian Missionary Association of America; Armenian Relief Society (ARS) of Western USA; Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (ADLP); Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Western USA; and Social Democrat Hunchakian Party (SDHP) Western USA.

Ani Keshishian (ARS CEB), Lena Bozoyan (ARS Western USA), Avedik Izmirlian (ARF CC), Krekor Karaguezian (AGBU), Gabriel Moloyan (SDHP), Hagop Nazarian (ADLP), and Esther Tognozzi (Kessab Educational Association of LA) also attended the event. The concert was sponsored by many generous donors, including the general sponsor, Onnik Mehrabian of Glendale and his family.

To learn more, visit www.SyrianArmenianReliefFund.org.

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LOS ANGELES—On May 4, Armenia Tree Project (ATP) officially began its 20th anniversary celebrations with what can only be called a bustling outdoor gathering amid the lush gardens of the Huntington Library, Art Collection, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, Calif. Long-time supporters and new friends joined founder Carolyn Mugar to celebrate two decades of planting and greening all corners of Armenia and promoting environmental consciousness throughout the country.

ATP founder Carolyn Mugar, West Coast Building Bridges Manager Anahit Gharibyan, and Flora Dunaians

After cocktails on the Art Gallery Loggia and dinner at the South Terrace of what was once the Huntington family residence, senior Obama Administration official Matt Bogoshian began the program as master of ceremonies. “Organizations like ATP are creating jobs, and doing it in a way that is good for the planet. It’s all a part of the ‘triple bottom line,’” he explained, alluding to the importance of people, profit, and the planet.

Bogoshian, who promotes sustainability initiatives and develops policy on pollution prevention in the Obama Administration, addressed the role ATP plays in reducing global climate change. “By planting trees, ATP is actually at the cutting edge on this issue. Your work can be used as a model to show other countries how to do reforestation and introduce solutions to this global crisis. ATP can set an example to save the world.”

In his keynote address, Matthew Karanian, author of Armenia and Karabakh: The Stone Garden Travel Guide, spoke about the positive ecological and

(Seated) David Mgrublian, Ara and Armineh Tavitian, and Susan Arzoumanian. (Back) Michelle Kezirian, Kathryn and Madlyn Mgrublian, Gala Committee chair Margaret Mgrublian, journalist and author Mark Arax, and Sarkis Arzoumanian

economic impact ATP has had on Armenia. “Reforestation is not as simple as planting trees. Once a forest has been lost to clear cutting, its biological diversity cannot easily be replaced,” Karanian explained. “The Tree Project recognizes this, and this is why ATP does more than plant trees. It also educates about the need to save, and manage, and conserve the trees we already have.”

Special guests who joined ATP to celebrate the milestone included former Secretary of the U.S. Navy and Assistant Secretary of Defense Paul Ignatius, and award-winning journalist and author Mark Arax.

Introduced as a leader with a long resume of effecting social change and a committed citizen changing the world, founder Carolyn Mugar addressed the human face of ATP. She expressed heartfelt gratitude to the thousands of friends who have helped ATP fight poverty and unemployment in rural villages by establishing tree nurseries, community planting sites, and fruit orchards. “This project is you all, and our people in Armenia,” she said. “You won’t believe how much of ‘a village’ it takes to do all of this.”

ATP Gala benefactors Haig and Hilda Manjikian with their extended families

She invited guests to visit ATP’s various projects and sites. “See it for yourself. See the nurseries, education centers, and planting sites, and meet the people that are doing this work in communities all over Armenia and Artsakh [Karabagh]. Please call us if you plan to go because everyone should do it.”

In closing, Mugar amusingly added, “ATP is not an NGO, a non-governmental organization. We are an NGU, meaning Never Give Up!”

Since its inception in 1994, ATP has planted more than 4.4 million trees during 41 seasons of planting, established 3 nurseries and 2 environmental education centers, and has greened villages, churches, parks, and open spaces throughout Armenia. In the process, the organization has provided employment for hundreds of people and provided vital resources to thousands of villagers throughout the country.

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WATERTOWN, Mass.—On Sat., June 14, the Armenian Museum of America will present a lecture by Dr. Richard G. Hovannisian on “The Armenians of Gesaria: From Evkere and Talas to Mount Arkeos, Chomakhlu, and Evereg.”

Hovannisian was the UCLA Armenian Educational Foundation Chair in Modern Armenian History and Distinguished Chancellor’s Fellow at Chapman University, Orange County, California. He is a Guggenheim Fellow and has received many honors for his scholarship, civic activities, and advancement of Armenian studies, including election to the Armenian National Academy of Sciences.

Drawing on his research for contribution to the 12^th in a series of volumes on historic Armenian cities and provinces, Armenian Kesaria/Kayseri and Cappadocia, Hovannisian will give a presentation with PowerPoint illustrations and selected film shorts of the region’s Armenian history and the significant roles played by Armenians, both in urban and rural Kesaria/Gesaria (now Kayseri). The Armenian presence in Cappadocia and Kesaria dates back to the times of Tigran the Great and Gregory the Illuminator. Down through the centuries Armenian communities in the area grew in number and size. Hovannisian has visited Kesaria several times. The lecture begins at 7 p.m., at the Armenian Museum of America, 65 Main St. in Watertown. It is free and open to the public.

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