CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—In commemoration of our Sainted Martyrs of 1915, and dedicated to His Eminence Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian of blessed memory, the Erevan Choral Society of the Holy Trinity Armenian Church will present a concert on Sun., April 17, at 2:30 p.m., in the church sanctuary at 145 Brattle St. in Cambridge. Under the direction of Composer Konstantin Petrossian, music director and conductor, the Erevan Choral Society will present a befitting program that will include Armenian memorial, folk, and patriotic songs.

The Erevan Choral Society

Guest soloists will be David Ayriyan, kamancha, and Gohar Manjelikian, mezzo-soprano, with Nune Hakobyan on the organ and piano. Ayriyan is one of Armenia’s greatest musicians, a living legend, and a virtuoso kamancha performer. The kamancha is an ancient stringed musical instrument of Armenia. Ayriyan entered Baku Conservatory where he studied this unique instrument. He has won gold medals in many worldwide competitions, including one in Moscow (1957), and has toured Europe, Asia, United States, and Canada. In 1991, Ayriyan and his family moved to the United States, where he has expanded his repertoire and is able to meet new requests and exploit the full range of the kamancha.

Mezzo-soprano Gohar Manjelikian is an Armenian artist now living in the United States She began her singing career in Armenia in 1981, when she was accepted as a member of the State Academic Chorus. She graduated from the Komitas State Conservatory of Yerevan. Since her arrival in the United States, Manjelikian has sung in many Armenian and American churches. Her extensive repertoire includes a wide range of European, Russian, and Armenian operas as well as classical, romantic, and sacred music. “How Great Thou Art” is her first CD with sacred Armenian songs.

Also included in the program will be recitations of inspirational poems by students of Holy Trinity’s Armenian School.

“It is extremely fitting,” said Fr. Vasken Kouzouian, pastor of Holy Trinity Armenian Church, “to be dedicating this concert in memory of His Eminence Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian, who was an avid and long-time supporter of the Erevan Choral Society and attended as many of the concerts as he was able.”

Yeghishe Srpazan served as pastor at Holy Trinity Armenian Church from 1974-76. He was the former Primate of the United Kingdom, a long-serving pastor among churches of the Eastern Diocese, and the eldest clergyman of episcopal rank in the Armenian Church. He was a true spiritual father to his people.

“We invite the Armenian and non-Armenian community to join us on Sun., April 17,” Fr. Vasken said, “as we commemorate through music and poem, the Sainted Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide and fondly remember Yeghishe Srpazan.” The concert is a gift to the community, but those interested in supporting the Erevan Choral Society may make contributions to the Holy Trinity Armenian Church.

By Arpi Arukian

When Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School (HMADS) first opened its welcoming doors to the Armenian community as “Hye Bardez” in 1967, little did its founders realize the impact it would have on the generations that followed. For nearly 50 years, HMADS has upheld a tradition of excellence in elementary education while inspiring a love and appreciation for Armenian heritage, language, and culture.

Join HMADS for an evening that is sure to be memorable.

Surpassing the mandated New York State education standards, HMADS cultivates in its students a love of learning, a thirst for knowledge, a spirit of unity, and strength of character. Several years post-graduation, many of the alumni maintain a strong desire and responsibility to give back to the school, either monetarily or through service. They distinguish themselves with academic and professional honors, and as active and respected members of the Armenian community. It brings the school community great pride and joy to witness the return of many older alumni to HMADS as parents and members of the PTO, the school board, and the “Friends” fundraising committee. This ensures the school’s legacy will carry on for years to come.

The preservation of HMADS and its mission is the main goal of a dedicated group of supporters known as the “Friends of HMADS.” The Friends committee has coordinated and promoted fundraising activities since 1994, with extraordinary support from the greater Armenian community. Time and time again, this unwavering generosity has amazed us, allowing HMADS to maintain its high academic standards, while keeping tuition affordable for families. Chaired by school board treasurer Hovannes Malikyan, the Friends committee meets frequently to plan social and cultural programs and events, including the most anticipated one of the year: the annual gala dinner dance.

This year’s gala will be held on Sat., May 21 at the elegant North Hills Country Club located in Manhasset, N.Y. This significant fundraiser for the school is a truly elegant affair bringing together a vast group of HMADS supporters and friends. The evening’s festivities will begin at 7:30 p.m. with a lavish cocktail hour, followed by a sumptuous multi-course dinner served at 9 p.m. Talented international singer Harout Bedrossian and his band from Toronto will provide the evening’s entertainment.

Join HMADS for an evening that is sure to be memorable. A contribution to the commemorative booklet, as well as the $130 admission donation, will greatly assist HMADS in continuing its mission of educating the next generation of Armenian Americans.

For more information on the gala dinner dance, call the school office at (718) 225- 4826; Nayda Voskerijian at (516) 603-2809; Siran Saroyan at (718) 224-0121; or Siragan Varolian at (718) 631-7131.

Arpi Arukian was in the HMADS Class of 1992.

BROOKLYN, N.Y.—Composer Joseph Bohigian is curating a concert for the Composer’s Voice Concert Series featuring music by Stony Brook University composers on Thurs., April 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Firehouse Space in Brooklyn. The concert will feature music by Stony Brook University faculty, students, and alumni representing the unique and diverse musical voices that have come out of the Stony Brook Department of Music.
A current master’s student at Stony Brook, Bohigian is a composer, percussionist, and pianist whose music has been heard around the world in Germany, Portugal, Armenia, Brazil, and across the United States. The school, Bohigian states, is “very open and encouraging to composers of various styles, as reflected in its composition faculty and students. With this concert, I hope to highlight this diversity in the works of my accomplished colleagues and teachers by bringing their music to new audiences in New York.”
The April 21 concert will feature works by Stony Brook University faculty members Matthew Barnson and Daria Semegen, current students Joseph Bohigian, Alan Hankers, and Andrew Conklin, and alumni Robert Voisey, Ryan Carter, João Pedro Oliveira, and Philip Schuessler performed by sTem (Meagan Amelia Brus, Eric Umble, and Sophia Subbayya Vastek), Fly String Quartet (Jaram Kim, Andrew Minguez, Alison Rowe, and Brendan Shea), soprano Beth Griffith, clarinetist Ford Fourqurean, pianists Shiau-uen Ding, Yumi Suehiro, and Niloufar Nourbakhsh, and percussionists Joseph Bohigian, Ross Aftel, and Brian Smith.
The Composer’s Voice Concert Series is an opportunity for contemporary composers to express their aesthetic and personal voice. Founded in 2001 by Robert Voisey, himself a Stony Brook alumnus, Composer’s Voice has presented hundreds of concerts in New York City. The series has premiered thousands of works from living composers from around the world. Works are chosen from a wide range of contemporary composers of different styles, aesthetics, and genre, and are performed by dedicated musicians devoted to new music. Performances are recorded and archived to further promote new music, performers, and composers.

The Firehouse Space is located at 246 Frost St., in Brooklyn, N.Y.

The article below was originally written in Armenian by Henrik Anassian. It was recently translated into English and edited by Arevig Caprielian.

On March 2, 2015, notable musicians, musicologists, and artists from nearby states gathered in New York city to celebrate in splendid setting the 90th birthday of Lucine Amara, a sublime Armenian singer, the treasured diva of the Metropolitan Opera.

Lucine Amara as Nedda in Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci (Photo:Sedge LeBlang)

Lucine Amara appeared on the stage of the globally acclaimed Metropolitan Opera in 882 productions, depicting 56 roles, which have often been broadcasted by radio and television. Amara is the only singer in the world who has sung at the same opera house for more than 40 years, not counting her performances for television and radio, her recordings and participation in films.

Lucine Amara has performed the principal roles in G. Bizet’s “Carmen,” G. Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly” and “La Boheme,” Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin,” J. Offenbach’s “The Tales of Hoffmann” (Les Contes D’Hoffmann), W.A. Mozart’s “Don Giovanni,” R. Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci,” G. Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” and “Aida,” to name just a few.

For the past 20 years, she has been the artistic director of the New Jersey Association of Verismo, where talented young vocalists develop their art under her immediate attention and guidance.

Lucine (Tagouhie, meaning “queen” in Armenian) Armaghanian-Amara is the daughter of Adrine and Georg Armaghanian, survivors of Armenian Genocide of 1915. To the question regarding the altering of her name, L. Amara replied: “Lucine is the moon [in Armenian], as you know it, armaghan means a gift, but I’ve changed it to Amara, which means bitter, unkind in Italian.”

Amara was born on March 1, 1925 in Hartford, Conn. Initially, she studied at San Francisco’s Community Music School as a violinist, simultaneously singing in the choir of a local Armenian church, thus learning the liturgy, classical hymns, and canticles.

Soon, thanks to her naturally beautiful voice, the gifted young singer was trusted with solo parts. The appreciation of Armenian parishioners encouraged Amara. By the definition of her listeners, she possessed an “angelic voice,” and for that very reason she was advised to take vocal training lessons instead of continuing her current studies.

Following the advice of relatives and close friends, Amara began her studies with Richard Bonelli at the Music Academy of the West.

The years 1945-46 became memorable in Amara’s artistic career, marking her stage debut at the War Memorial Opera House as a chorus member…as a contralto! In 1948, she won the first prize at the Atwater Kent competition. In 1949, her teacher, Stella Eisner-Eyn, decided that Amara should participate in the auditions at the Metropolitan Opera and the almighty Fortuna smiled upon our compatriot: She was given a “young artist” contract. In 1950, her rendition of “Celestial Voice” (“Voice From Heaven”) in G. Verdi’s “Don Carlos” was defined by the critics as an unprecedented interpretation and an off-stage success. Celebrated violinist Isaac Stern once remarked, “Your singing sounds like a magnificent violin.”

Thus, in 1950 began Lucine Amara’s glorious artistic career—not only within the walls of the Metropolitan Opera house but also on the stages of famed opera houses throughout the world.

Despite her crowded schedule, Amara found time to record G. Verdi’s “Requiem” and L. van Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 9,” consequently acclaimed as one of the best performances of that work. Amara appeared with famous Italian tenor Mario Lanza in “The Great Caruso” film and recorded “Pagliacci” with Franco Corelli.

Among others, Amara worked with such prominent conductors and artistic directors as James Levine, Dimitri Mitropoulos, Eugene Ormandy, Leonard Bernstein, Leopold Stokowsky, and Pierre Monteux. She shared the stage with Franco Corelli, Carlo Bergonzi, Nicolay Gedda, Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, Jan Peerce, Richard Tucker, Jon Vickers, and other virtuosi of the vocal art. As readers may have noticed, Amara often sang with Italian singers. For several decades, the Metropolitan Opera had two prominent principal singers of Armenian descent: Lucine Amara and contralto Lili Chookasian (Chookaszian).

With her powerful talent, Lucine Amara conquered the best stages. Her preferred roles are in W.A. Mozart, G. Puccini, and G. Verdi repertoire.

It is a commonly known fact that the cradle of the art of opera is Italy, and a still more widely known fact that only exceptionally talented performers succeed in winning the love and appreciation of Italians.

Having thoroughly researched innumerable nuances comprising the facets of “Bel Canto” and having listened to many a singer well-versed in that style, Amara is firmly set as one of the stars in the constellation, symbolizing Armenian singers at the Metropolitan opera in New York—one of the most esteemed opera houses of the world. Other memorable singers are Armand Tokatyan, Ara Berberian, and Lili Chookasian. (It is worth mentioning another contemporaneous actor-singer and fellow Armenian, Michael Kermoyan (baritone), celebrated for his stellar performance in “The King and I.”) That brilliant “constellation” of Armenian stars will shine forever in the history of Metropolitan Opera, proving that we, Armenians, as one of the ancient nations of the world, have truly made significant contributions to the universal sphere of arts and culture.

It is a different issue, as to how many more such stars we could have had in the arts, sciences, and culture if Turkey had not broken the spine of our nation by annihilating our intelligentsia.

For Amara, it would not suffice to capture the audience solely with her beautiful voice. No, not so at all for her. The art of opera is a musical drama, a theater, in which each participant must display perfect acting, as required from actors of dramatic theatre.

While Lucine Amara’s acting is superb, her majestic voice flows like an abundant river, like honey—thick and vigorous when appropriate, and at times sorrowful and celestial.

Generally, any singer’s art, especially the strength of the voice, the capacity and vibrations of the vocal cords, are measured by singing gently, sotto voce. Singing loudly is relatively easy, while singing softly is far more difficult.

The ability to sing softly is a special art. Amara concurs with this mentality. She is capable of singing softly with an incredibly masterly command. While singing softly, her vocal resonation, timbre, and color are never reduced. Her renditions are inherently refined and typically there are no changes of timbre within her vocal range (diapason).

Sotto voce stems from “Bel Canto.” Examples of the former are ample in Armenian canticles, the folk songs of peasants, in laments of those exiled longing for the motherland and in heroic song narratives (sagas).

Amara’s accomplished renditions in the romantic and verismo styles are highly esteemed and admired by vast Italian audiences in Italy, the very cradle of operatic art.

For decades, Amara appeared in principal roles at the season openings of the Metropolitan Opera. The Times deftly qualified Lucine Amara as “the greatest lyric soprano of our times.” Time Magazine stated: “She brought to the stage the kind of dazzling vocal splendor that made the Met famous…” and “Lucine Amara is a superstar by longevity; a phenomenal vocal and dramatic artist of the highest order.” In reviews for W. A. Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,” we read: “Mozart’s opera was revived at the Metropolitan opera thanks to Lucine Amara.” We also encounter in the press of the period: “Lucine Amara is the pride of Metropolitan.”

The extraordinarily beautiful voice, flexible vocal cords, and splendid stage presence of Amara have enraptured her audiences at her concerts. As witnessed by her concert programs, alongside celebrated arias and vocal works of Western European composers, Amara always performed songs and romances by Armenian composers.

Music lovers of our country relished Lucine Amara’s live performances twice (1965 and 1991) with passionate, reverent emotion. I, too, was present at her concert in 1965, with the official responsibility of overseeing the live radio broadcast of the concert of this inimitable singer. The frenetic ovations of the audience made Amara sing encore three additional times. Poet Paruyr Sevak described his impression of the concert in these words: “Amara turned us into violins and played on the [strings] of our emotions.”

After the resonate success of her concert in 1991, Amara postponed other scheduled concerts. Instead, she chose to record a large number of Armenian songs and romances with the State Radio of Armenia. Is there a better expression of patriotism than this act of love?

In 1991, at age 66, Amara left the stage of the Metropolitan Opera, but remained professionally active, singing at concerts, coaching, and working on music-related projects. Currently, Amara and her daughter, Evelyn (also an opera singer, voice teacher, and stage director) give master classes in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Mexico.

Doubtless, besides being an American operatic artist, Amara is also an Armenian by her heritage, temperament, and imagination. Although American-born, she has never been solely American. Amara speaks Armenian fluently, maintains close ties with the Armenian community and the Armenian Apostolic Church, and honors and practices Armenian traditions and customs.

Occasionally, even at her respectable age of 90, she performs cherished Armenian songs and romances at events within the Armenian and American communities.

We conclude by thanking, on behalf of true lovers of music, this universally acclaimed Armenian singer, Lucine Amara, on the occasion of her 90th birthday and wish her good health. We assure her that she has been, is, and will always be one of the world titans of the art of opera. Lucine Amara will forever be one of the stars in the constellation of Armenian artists at the Metropolitan Opera. That star is our pride. We ought to strive to deserve that pride.

Special for the Armenian Weekly

Armen, ARK Armenia’s co-founder (Photo: ARK Armenia)

Last year I had the great pleasure of living in Kapan for a month while I was consulting for a project in the Zangezur Biosphere Complex in Southern Syunik, Armenia. It was my first time in Kapan and I was excited to explore the area. I went to Southern Syunik with three common preconceptions that many share about the region:

– There is a lot of mining in this area;

– Armenia’s second largest forest reserve, the Shikahogh Reserve, is located here and there is a high level of biodiversity; and

– This part of Armenia is sorely underexplored

I also knew that there was a local organization based in Kapan, the ARK Ecological NGO (ARK Armenia), that is trying to increase tourism to the area by building hiking and camping infrastructure. I was intrigued to learn more about them. Oscar Alvarado, ARK Armenia’s environmental coordinator, had reached out to my organization, the Armenian Environmental Network (AEN), months earlier to introduce us to their efforts and to collaborate.

While I was in Kapan, I visited the ARK Armenia office and met with its founders, Armen Kazaryan and Siranush Vardanyan. I was instantly impressed with their passion and commitment to raising awareness about the area and increasing tourism. It’s rare and refreshing to find such vision, drive, and optimism in Armenia, especially outside of Yerevan.

I visited ARK’s eco-camp, a modest yet totally sufficient camp with three two-story bungalows, a bathroom, shower, kitchen with a gas stove, and electricity. Kazaryan described to me his plans for an organic permaculture garden. The camp is a 15-minute walk from the heart of Kapan but has great views of Kapan and the majestic Khustup Mountain.

The ARK Armenia campsite with bungalows (Photo: Serda Ozbenian)

I also went for some hikes while in Southern Syunik and can attest to the breathtaking beauty and biodiversity in the area. As an environmentalist and outdoor enthusiast, I was excited not only about the efforts to increase accessibility to and awareness of this area but also about the increased attention on ecotourism in Armenia. As with any development in Armenia, it’s critical that it be sustainable, which ARK Armenia is committed to. It’s exciting to think how increased ecotourism to this neglected part of Armenia could help the residents who live in the remote villages there, and could increase awareness about the value of this area and the importance of conserving it.

I recently interviewed Alvarado about ARK Armenia to find out more about them and their current ARK Bridge Project.

Serda Ozbenian: When and why was ARK Ecological NGO founded?

Oscar Alvarado: Having returned to Armenia in 2013, after spending many years abroad, Armen Kazaryan and Siranush Vardanyan decided to buy a plot just outside Kapan (Armen’s hometown) to realize their ambition of having a place where they could practice organic farming, fitness activities, and also host guests. Soon they found like-minded people, among them Armen Bodoyan who was ARK Armenia’s first supporter, and realized they would rather develop this project in a way that would also benefit the community at large. In autumn 2014, they decided to launch their first crowdfunding campaign to finance the project. Besides raising funds this campaign helped ARK gain recognition in Armenia and beyond, thus attracting volunteers who have always been and still are ARK’s most valuable resource. This is how I joined the ARK team in early 2015.

As we worked on the first eco-camp, we realized the potential of using nature as a valuable resource to start a brand new economic industry in the region, away from traditional industry and mining that one usually associates with Kapan. Thus, in mid-2015 ARK Ecological NGO was officially registered.

S.O.: What is ARK Armenia’s mission and long-term goals in Armenia?

O.A.: ARK Armenia is focused on developing sustainable practices in the region and then sharing this knowledge with the local communities. Under this mission, our strategy is to help shift the Kapan economy away from heavy industry and towards more sustainable activities. Ecotourism is at the forefront of what we do, but we are using our first eco-camp to showcase to the community sustainable practices such as upcycling, organic farming (including permaculture designs), being outdoors, hiking, and an overall healthy lifestyle. ARK Armenia’s activities are concentrated in Syunik, but we are ready to cooperate with other NGO’s to realize our ideas all over Armenia.

Southern Syunik is beautiful! (Photo: Serda Ozbenian)

S.O.: Briefly describe the ARK Bridge Project and what kind of support is needed.

O.A.: ARK Bridge Project is our latest initiative, the goal of which is to connect the Tatev Monastery, the most popular tourist attraction in Syunik, to Kapan and eventually to the Zangezur Biosphere Complex in Southern Syunik. This will be by means of a hiking trail network, campsites, and a tourism information support system. We have decided to use crowdfunding as a way to finance this project because we believe that when people hear our story, learn about our achievements, and see the benefits of what we’re doing, they will not only donate but join our cause either as a volunteer or as a guest.

S.O.: How have local communities reacted to ARK? What kind of community outreach has been done?

O.A.: We have always had the support of local communities for our projects. We were grateful to have the assistance of local people while creating our hiking trails, as they were most familiar with the routes we wanted to mark.

ARK in turn delivers social services to local communities. ARK’s eco-camp is used for recreation, as well as physical and social rehabilitation. Now we are collecting data from rural inhabitants who can offer products and services to tourists. The database will be on ARK Armenia’s website to be available for eco, agro, and adventure tourists. Rural communities will be the main beneficiaries of the ARK Bridge project.

S.O.: What is ARK’s future vision for Syunik and ecotourism in Armenia?

O.A.: Armenia has an amazing diversity of landscape, flora, and fauna which is the most attractive factor for ecotourists. This is especially true for Syunik, where there is one of the largest forests in Armenia and the greatest change in altitude. With proper marketing and infrastructure, Syunik can be among the top ecotourist destinations in the world and help raise the profile of Armenia even further.

S.O.: Can you talk a little bit about the importance of hiking trails in Armenia (as opposed to just hiking wherever)?

O.A.: Hiking trails are the best way for a traveler to engage with a country’s nature, people, and cultural landmarks. By creating distinct trails, we discourage ad hoc trails that may pass through sensitive natural areas or that lack appropriate information. Our hiking trails, which are marked and mapped, allow travelers to feel comfortable on their hike and lets them explore many of the features that make Kapan unique in Armenian history.

The ARK Bridge Project trail map (Photo: ARK Armenia)

S.O.: Does ARK Armenia follow the “do no harm” principle? What precautions is ARK taking to ensure that visitors and the construction of hiking trails does not harm the environment, wildlife or local communities?

O.A.: Mountains and forests of Syunik are covered with a dense network of historical routes known and used by locals. ARK’s task is not to make new paths through forest by cutting trees, but rather to mark these existing trails and encourage engagement with the local communities that surround them. We ourselves go hiking on these trails often to make sure that no garbage is being left behind and to discuss with locals the effects. Our wish is for local communities to more greatly appreciate the nature that surrounds them if they see international travelers doing the same.

On Feb. 19, the German ambassador to Turkey was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry to give a statement on a new German textbook centered on the Armenian Genocide.

On Feb. 19, the German ambassador to Turkey was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry to give a statement on a new German textbook centered on the Armenian Genocide.

The book was prepared by Prof. Mihran Dabag, the director of the Institute for Diaspora Research and Genocide Studies (Institut für Diaspora und Genozidforschung) of the University of Bochum, Germany, and members of his staff. It was published by the ministry of school in Saxony-Anhalt.

“The material has been developed under a solid scientific perspective,” Minister of Cultural Affairs (Saxony-Anhalt) Stephan Dorgerloh said in a press conference, after the German news magazine Der Spiegel reported on the visit in its April 2 issue. “I suspect that in the current debate the Turkish actors try to make domestic political capital.”

The ambassador was summoned in the context of the current discussion on the status of freedom of press and opinion in Turkey.

“The textbook is the result of a close cooperation between the educational institutions of Saxony-Anhalt and our institute,” Dabag said. “It can be a chance to show how to teach genocide in schools beyond the realm of the discussion on the comparability of collective acts of violence.”

“If not today, in face of the recent violence in the Near East, when then will we accept our obligation to recognize and remember the victims of the genocidal politics of the Ottoman Empire,” he asked.

In 2005, the institute conceptualized a teacher’s guide, entitled “Teaching 20th Century Genocides and Violent State Crimes in School,” for the federal state government of Brandenburg; the guide received wide public attention. Since the guide contained a chapter on teaching the Armenian Genocide in schools, the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Germany intervened to prevent its publication. Its efforts, however, were unsuccessful. The guide was published and proved so popular that the first edition was out-of-stock after a short period of time.

The research team of the Bochum University later prepared another teacher’s guide on teaching genocides. Commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs of Saxony-Anhalt and in cooperation with the Federal Institute for School Quality and Teacher Training, the teacher’s guide, Teaching Genocide in Schools, was published in December 2015.

Prof. Mihran Dabag

The textbook comprises the latest state of research and enables teachers to address the topic of genocide in the classroom, as well as to integrate genocide into teaching units within different school subjects (history, politics, ethics, religious education). In the center of the textbook, the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire is discussed, outlined comprehensively, and integrated in the context of the history of violence in the 20th century.

The teacher’s guide also contains a newly drafted and complete teaching unit for the Armenian Genocide, including didactic materials and edited sources. Both fundamental considerations concerning genocidal violence in the 20th century and short depictions of other genocides complement this thematic focus.

The internationally renowned Institute for Diaspora Research and Genocide Studies, founded in 1994, originates from an Armenian initiative and is under the direction of its founding director, Mihran Dabag, to this day. It was and still is the first and only research institute in Germany specifically devoted to comparative genocide studies and investigations on the emergence, the realization, and the consequences of collective violence. In addition to scientific research, teaching occupies an important place at the institute, and its lectures and seminars enjoy great popularity. The institute’s associates mentor between 150 and 300 students each semester. Additionally, numerous students graduate from the institute and go on to complete their Ph.D. with Dabag. Here, too, the Armenian experience is an important key subject.

The transfer between science, university, and society has always been of great importance to the institute. Scientific conferences and discussion meetings, memorial projects, seminars for adult and teacher education, as well as the realization of thematic weeks and projects in schools rank among the most important activities of the institute.

Within the last 10 years, especially, the latter has become a focus of the institute, which has elaborated materials for teaching and learning about collective violence and genocide. Moreover, the institute plans to make the content available in the form of a multimedia web portal.

To order Teaching Genocide in Schools (128 pages, ISBN/ISSN: 1438-4787), via the Landesinstitut für Schulqualität und Lehrerbildung (LISA) of Saxony-Anhalt, visit https://www.bildung-lsa.de/bildungsland/landesinstitut_fuer_schulqualitaet_ und_lehrerbildung_sachsen_anhalt__lisa_/publikationen.html.

The cover of The Armenian Genocide Legacy

THE HAGUE, Netherlands—November 2015 saw the publication of Alexis Demirdjian’s The Armenian Genocide Legacy, published by Palgrave Macmillan. Edited by Demirdjian and co-authored by 22 experts from different fields of study, the volume was written on the occasion of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide.

This major interdisciplinary volume consists of works that tackle the issue of the relevance of the Armenian Genocide in modern-day academic endeavours, from the perspective of history, law, political science, sociology, anthropology, journalism, literature, and media studies. It examines such issues as impunity, sexual violence, demographics, compensation, memorializing, media approaches, and the legal ramifications of the Armenian Genocide.

On April 12, the Asser Institute established in The Hague will host the book launch during the course of a Supranational Criminal Law lecture entitled, “The legal ramifications of the Armenian genocide: compensation, genocidal intent, and failure to prosecute.” The speakers will include Demirdjian and one of the volume’s co-authors, Nolwenn Guibert, a French lawyer specializing in international criminal law.

The lecture will focus on the legal aspects of The Armenian Genocide Legacy book, in line with the Asser Institute’s research mission in international and European law.

The lecture is public and free of charge. Registration is not necessary; seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Asser Institute is located at R.J. Schimmelpennincklaan 20-22, 2517 JN, The Hague. For more information on the lecture, e-mail alexisdemirdjian@gmail.com. Information relating to the book may be found online at http://www.palgrave.com/uk/book/9781137561626.

BELMONT, Mass.—On Wed., April 20, Dr. Talin Suciyan will present a lecture entitled, “The Armenians in Modern Turkey: Post-Genocide Society, Politics, and History,” beginning at 8 p.m., at the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) Center, 395 Concord Ave. in Belmont.

Talin Suciyan (Photo: Lara Aharonian)

After the Armenian Genocide, thousands of Armenians lived and worked in the Turkish state alongside those who had persecuted their communities. Living in the context of pervasive denial, how did Armenians remaining in Turkey record their own history?

The cover of The Armenians in Modern Turkey

In The Armenians in Modern Turkey (I.B. Tauris, 2016), Suciyan explores the life experienced by these Armenian communities as Turkey’s modernization project of the 20^th century gathered pace. Suciyan achieves this through analysis of remarkable new primary material: Turkish state archives, minutes of the Armenian National Assembly, a kaleidoscopic series of personal diaries, memoirs and oral histories, various Armenian periodicals such as newspapers, yearbooks, and magazines, as well as statutes and laws that led to the continuing persecution of Armenians.

The first history of its kind, The Armenians in Modern Turkey is a fresh contribution to the history of modern Turkey and the Armenian experience there. As historian Raymond Kevorkian has written, “This study fills a historiographical vacuum. The subjects broached in this book until now constituted a white page, doubtless because the Turkish academic environment was not interested in conducting a study of this nature.”

Talin Suciyan completed her Ph.D. at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich, where she is currently an assistant professor at the Institute of Near and Middle Eastern Studies.

For more information about Suciyan’s talk, contact NAASR by calling (617) 489-1610 or e-mailing hq@naasr.org.

NEW YORK, N.Y. (A.W.)—Hundreds of Armenian-Americans converged in New York on April 9, to participate in a peaceful protest against Azerbaijani aggression in the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic (NKR/Artsakh). The demonstration was organized by the New York and New Jersey (“Armen Garo” and “Dro”) chapters of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) and the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (ADLP/Ramgavar Party). The protest took place at the Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza, near the United Nations (UN) headquarters—and around the corner from the Consulate General of Azerbaijan.

Hundreds of Armenian-Americans across the Eastern United States converged in New York on April 9, to participate in a peaceful protest against Azerbaijani aggression in NKR. (Photo: Araz Chiloyan)

A requiem prayer was observed by Fr. Mesrob Lakissian of St. Illuminator’s Armenian Apostolic Cathedral and Rev. Haig Kherlopian of the Armenian Evangelical Church of New York, in memory of the Armenian servicemen who were killed in the recent hostilities in NKR.

More than 300 protesters voiced their outrage over the recent violent attacks that were instigated by Azerbaijani forces against the peaceful residents of NKR.

A requiem prayer was observed by Fr. Mesrob Lakissian of and Rev. Haig Kherlopian, in memory of the Armenian servicemen who were killed in the recent hostilities in NKR. (Photo: Robert Garabedian)

ARF Eastern U.S. Central Committee member Aram Hovagimian stressed the need for international condemnation of Baku’s unprovoked attacks on the people of NKR. “We call on the United States and the international community to end their silence on [Azerbaijani] aggression. We also call on [Azerbaijani President Ilham] Aliyev to account for Azeri war crimes, including beheading of soldiers, and the mutilation and execution of civilians,” said Hovagimian.

The demonstration was organized by the New York and New Jersey (“Armen Garo” and “Dro”) chapters of the ARF and the ADLP/Ramgavar Party. (Photo: Robert Garabedian)

“The only salvation of the Armenian people is through armed struggle,” said ADLP-Ramgavar representative Norair Meguerditchian, in his address to protesters. “Though we are not on the ground in NKR, we have a lot of work to do here as well—through our lobby organizations such as the Armenian National Committee of America and the Armenian Assembly of America, we must put pressure in order to ensure Artsakh’s safety,” he said.

Author and playwright Herand Markarian addressing the youth (Photo: Robert Garabedian)

Author and playwright Herand Markarian also addressed the crowd—the youth in particular. “You, the youth, have gathered here today to tell the Turk and the Azeri that they cannot drive away our people [from our homeland] because we have a history [there],” Markarian said in his address. “Artsakh is not alone; Armenia is not alone. We—the Diaspora, Armenia, and Artsakh—are one.”

“We need to show the American government that we’re here, and we’re not going anywhere,” said Ani Tchaghlasian, who spoke on behalf of the Armenian National Committee (ANC) of New Jersey. “As citizens of this country, we demand that Artsakh is recognized today—not tomorrow… You must all call your congressmen; call your senators; sign the letters on the ANCA website—that’s how change comes… Policy has to change here in the United States, for the war to end in Artsakh,” she said.

More than 300 protesters voiced their outrage over the recent violent attacks that were instigated by Azerbaijani forces against the peaceful residents of NKR. (Photo: Araz Chiloyan)

Below is video footage of the protest.

Click here to view the embedded video.

WATERTOWN, Mass.—Prompted by the recent fighting in the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic (NKR/Artsakh), a panel discussion and fundraiser for the victims of aggression and families of fallen soldiers will take place on Sat., April 16, at 7 p.m. at the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center (ACEC), 47 Nichols Ave., in Watertown.  A suggested minimum donation of $50 is appreciated.  Donations can be made by check the night of the program or online through the ARS Artsakh Fund or AGBU Nagorno-Karabagh Relief Fund.

(Photo: Araz Boghossian)

The featured speakers will be Robert Avetisyan, permanent representative of the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic  to the United States (by Skype); Ambassador Rouben Shougarian, Tufts University, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Armenia’s first ambassador to the United States (1993-99); Ambassador Armen Baibourtian, Ph.D., director of Administration, Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church, Armenia’s first Ambassador to India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia (2000-04); and Prof. Simon Payaslian, Charles K. and Elisabeth M. Kenosian Chair in Modern Armenian History and Literature, Boston University.  Marc A. Mamigonian, the director of Academic Affairs at the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR), will serve as moderator.

The event is organized by the MIT Armenian Society and NAASR and is co-sponsored by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Boston “Sardarabad” Gomideh, the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Cambridge “Shushi” Chapter, the ARS Watertown “Leola Sassouni” Chapter, the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) New England, and the Armenian Assembly of America.

For more information about this program contact NAASR by calling (617) 489-1610 or e-mailing hq@naasr.org or narek@mit.edu.

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—On Sat., April 9, the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Providence “Ani” and “Arax” Chapters hosted the annual ARS Eastern USA Regional Education Seminar at the Aramian Auditorium in Providence.

The seminar, titled “The ARS in the 21^st Century: Opportunities and Challenges,” was open to ARS members and friends of the organization. Taline Daghlian, chairwoman of the ARS Eastern USA, gave opening remarks. “Since the outbreak of the Artsakh War at 2:30 a.m. on April 2, it was immediately clear, the need for this chance to connect with our dedicated ARS members half way around the world. And we will modify today’s seminar agenda to connect via Skype with the ARS Artsakh Chapter members around noon.”

Participants of the ARS Eastern USA Regional Education Seminar

During the 30-minute conference call, U. Svetlana, ARS Artsakh secretary, U. Artemis Gregoryan of the Soseh Kindergarten, and U. Karine Dadoyan, chair of the Artsakh Chapter, described the ARS’s relief efforts in Artsakh in detail. The members reported that the ARS has been at the forefront of relief efforts since day one, and have visited the wounded soldiers in the Stepanakert hospital with supplies. They’ve also provided food and clothing to families that were relocated to safety.

“Morale all around has been high,” said U. Artemis. “We must let you know how much just seeing you and having your support in this very moment means for us. We have been patiently waiting for our Skype conference call all day, and seeing you all makes us feel that our Ungerouhis are behind us and that together we will overcome any obstacles. We are thankful to you all, for your support and for your care.”

During the 30-minute conference call, U. Svetlana, ARS Artsakh secretary, U. Artemis Gregoryan of the Soseh Kindergarten, and U. Karine Dadoyan, chair of the Artsakh Chapter, described the ARS’s relief efforts in Artsakh in detail.

The ARS Artsakh members explained that the relief packets and supplies (like sugar and pasta) received from Armenia are distributed as soon as the cargo arrives. “This morning the new relief cargo, which included food, clothing, and water, arrived to the office, and ARS members personally took it to the villages and already distributed them.”

The Armenian Relief Society was established in 1910 in New York City to provide educational and humanitarian assistance to Armenians throughout the world. For more information, contact the ARS of Eastern USA office by calling (617) 926-3801. The ARS Eastern USA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

To make a donation, visit http://arseastusa.org/donate/ or mail your donations to ARS Artsakh Relief Fund, ARS Eastern USA, Inc., 80 Bigelow Avenue, Suite 200, Watertown, MA 02472.

BOSTON, Mass.—Peace of Art, Inc. continues its annual Armenian Genocide commemoration campaign in various Massachusetts cities during the month of April with digital billboards dedicated to the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

One of the billboards in Boston (Photo: Peace of Art, Inc.)

Its first “double-themed” billboard went up in Foxboro on April 2 near Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. The first screen is a group photo of Armenian orphans who survived the genocide. Its bright yellow text reads, “1.5 million victims. 150,000 Orphans”; the letter O has been replaced by a bouquet of yellow roses. The follow-on screen reads, “In Remembrance of the Victims of All Genocides, 101st Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide”; the floral background with forget-me-not flowers represents the demanding eyes of the victims screaming for recognition and justice. Six more digitals were scheduled to go up April 7 on Rte. 1, Lynnway; Rte. 1, Malden; and Rte. 495, Haverhill.

“On April 24, 2015, at the Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan, I participated in the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,” said Daniel Varoujan Hejinian, president and founder of Peace of Art. “I witnessed Armenian children presenting a yellow rose to each of the many foreign leaders and dignitaries, including French President Francois Hollande, Russian President Vladimir Putin, the presidents of Serbia and Cyprus. Together they placed their roses into the main Centennial wreath.”

“It would have been wonderful to see the U.S. president himself in attendance, placing a rose in memory of the 1.5 million Armenian Christian victims of 1915-23. Unfortunately, President Obama has yet to make good on his widely publicized 2008 campaign promise to formally acknowledge the Armenian Genocide.”

One of the digital billboards dedicated to the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide (Photo: Peace of Art, Inc.)

Since 1996, Hejinian has been sponsoring the Armenian Genocide awareness billboards campaign, and this project was taken over in 2003 by Peace of Art. While in the past the constant message was “Recognize the Armenian Genocide,” this year the message is of remembrance. The Centennial memorial wreath and its central floral bouquet, constructed rose by rose by world leaders, served as the visual inspiration.

“Despite the bitter rain, cold, and body-piercing wind in Yerevan on April 24, the children of the free and independent Armenia stood as honor guards, paying the world’s respects to the memory of the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide. Images of the youngest victims of that genocide resurfaced before my eyes; thousands of defenseless and frightened beings, screaming ‘Forget me not,’” said Hejinian.

The first screen is a group photo of Armenian orphans who survived the genocide. Its bright yellow text reads, “1.5 million victims. 150,000 Orphans”; the letter O has been replaced by a bouquet of yellow roses. The follow-on screen reads, “In Remembrance of the Victims of All Genocides, 101st Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.” (Photo: Peace of Art, Inc.)

Peace of Art, Inc. is a non-profit educational organization registered with the Massachusetts Secretary of State, and tax exempt under section 501(C)(3). It uses art as an educational tool to bring awareness to the universal human condition and promote peaceful solutions to conflicts.

In 2015, Peace of Art, Inc. launched its Genocide Centennial awareness billboard campaign, “100 Billboards for 100 Years of Genocide,” in the United States and Canada to commemorate not only the victims of the Armenian Genocide but also the victims of all genocides.

By Taleen Kupelian

Cover of The Martyred Armenian Writers 1915-1922: An Anthology

PARAMUS, N.J.—With the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide quickly approaching, now is a more poignant time than ever to celebrate the Armenian culture rather than mourn its loss. Accomplished author, scientist, professor, playwright, poet, translator, actor, literary and theater critic, and director Dr. Herand M. Markarian does just that with his latest publication, an anthology titled, The Martyred Armenian Writers (1915-22).

All those present at the Armenian Presbyterian Church in Paramus on March 18 heard the words of the greats brought to life in a moving performance with help from a number of the community’s youth: Nick Aynilian, Jr., Raffi Aynilian, Vatche Demirjian, Richard Hekemian, Anoush Kalachian, Niree Kaprielian, and Melani Salibian.

This special event, titled “The Literary Works of 13 Armenian Martyred Writers,” began with remarks by Armenian Missionary Association of America, Inc. (AMAA) Executive Director/CEO Zaven Khanjian and included a brief biography of the honored guest. Khanjian qualified the literature of the 19^th and early 20^th centuries “as superb, distinct…and deserving to be read, enjoyed, and spread.” Markarian’s enlightening slide show that followed highlighted the accomplishments of the 13 writers featured in his book.

Markarian’s anthology is brilliantly segmented into three parts, each one a pertinent background about the time the subject matter was written. The first part contains general introductions to Western Armenian literature of the 19^th century. The second contains a foundation for understanding the Armenian Genocide. In the final section, the readers are provided with short biographies of 13 of the most beloved Armenian writers of the era, along with a bibliography of their writing and excerpts from each author (in English).

While there are certain nuances that may get lost in translation, Markarian’s anthology is as good as it gets. Markarian (with skillful help) has translated the works of the 13 featured authors. In his book, he beautifully records the classic and powerful words of the martyred Armenians during the Armenian Genocide, proving that whether it’s 1 or 101 years that have passed, these writings have truly stood the test of time.

The literary program was brought to a moving close by the dynamic aforementioned performance and was followed by a delectable reception graciously organized by Seta Nalbandian, Anita Buchakjian, and Berjouhi Gulesserian.

To order The Martyred Armenian Writers, visit www.amaa.org, or contact the AMAA by calling (201) 265-2607 or e-mailing info@amaa.org.

‘Armenian Justice and Survival: The Next Hundred Years’

BOSTON, Mass.—Each April for the past 31 years, members of the Armenian community along with state legislators and guests have come together at the Massachusetts State House to commemorate the Armenian Genocide. This year the commemoration will take place on Fri., April 22 at 10:30 a.m. in the House Chamber, with a program of speakers, music, and honorees. Following the ceremony, a reception provided by Ani Catering of Belmont will be held at the Grand Staircase; there, guests will be able to view a video created especially for the event by filmmaker Roger Hagopian about Armenia and the survival of the Armenian nation.

2014 State House Commemoration (Photo: Jirair Hovsepian)

The event recognizes the genocide of 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923 by the Ottoman-Turkish government. This is an opportunity for survivors and Armenian-American descendants to demonstrate their commitment to preserving their culture, religion, and language; working for humanitarian projects and awareness; and striving for recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

House Speaker Robert DeLeo will provide welcoming remarks. Governor Charlie Baker is invited to present proclamations. Ray Flynn, the former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican (1993‐97) and three-term mayor of Boston (1984‐1993), will deliver the keynote address. Conventures, Knights of Vartan Ararat Lodge #1, and the Armenian Genocide Commemoration Committee of Merrimack Valley will be recognized with joint Senate and House resolutions.

Late Speaker George Keverian began the annual commemoration at the State House in 1985. His brother, Jack Keverian, will be making a special announcement on behalf of the Keverian family to honor George.

Music and participation by the youth are an integral part of the commemoration. Performing will be the children of St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School, the Zankagner Performing Arts Ensemble, and pianist Jasmin Atabekyan and young violinist Emily Gasparyan. Members of the Homenetmen Scouts will also attend.

The commemoration is hosted by State Senator Will Brownsberger (D-Belmont) and State Representatives Jonathan Hecht (D-Watertown), Dave Rogers (D-Cambridge), John Lawn (D-Watertown), David Muradian (R-Grafton), and James Miceli (D-Wilmington). The event is organized by a planning committee of pastoral and lay leaders chaired by Belmont resident Lalig Musserian.

Buses to the State House will leave from Watertown at 9 a.m. from St. James Church, 465 Mount Auburn St., and from St. Stephen’s Church, 38 Elton Ave. The buses will depart the State House at 1:15 p.m. and transport guests back to originating locations, with an expected arrival in Watertown at approximately 2 p.m. The bus service is free, donated by the Knights of Vartan, Ararat Lodge #1.

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Gallery Z hosts the “Armenian Artists: 101 Years” exhibit, featuring artist Emma Grigoryan, from Thurs., April 7 through Sat. April 30. The opening reception will be held on Thurs., April 21, 5-9 p.m.

By Alexander O. Grigorian, b. 1927, d. 2007, ‘Untitled,’ oil on canvas, 20×16 inches

One year after the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, Armenian artists continue to flourish as the Armenian people continue to survive. Last year at this time, the gallery featured an extensive commemorative multimedia exhibit of not only many works of art by a broad selection of well-known Armenian artists, but also archival material and historical propaganda affiches and posters, theatrical readings, poetry recitations, live music and theatre, documentary film screenings, artist talks, lectures, and continuous video footage. This large undertaking was curated by owner Berge Zobian and was extremely well attended by both non-Armenian and Armenian members of the community.

Art works by numerous, prominent Armenian and Armenian-American artists—including featured artist Emma Grigoryan—will be on exhibit. Born and raised in Gyumri, Armenia, Grigoryan attended the notable Panos Tenemesian School of Art in Yerevan and is a graduate of the Yerevan Fine Arts and Theatrical institute. She became a member of the Union of fine Artists in Armenia in 1971.

By Hagop Hagopian, b. 1923, d. 2013, ‘Landscape #29,’ oil on canvas, 39×28 inches

Her paintings have been exhibited in both group and solo shows in New York, Paris, Moscow, Toronto, Boston, New Mexico, Belgium, Beirut, Iraq, Armenia, and Yugoslavia. Grigoryan currently lives in Sunnyside, Queens, N.Y.

“On her canvases, paints turn to color, a world of hope and vibration. … The viewer will see from the early savage beauty of Armenia to today’s sophisticated and refined world…a pubescence of color, line, and rhythm,” says Rafael Petrosyan.

To her canvases, writes Henrik Budaghian, Grigoryan “imparts not only her art and talent but all her being, the rich palette of her soul, her feelings, her pain and joy.”

Gallery Z also displays an ever-changing, extensive, and diverse selection in salon style of original fine art works (paintings, photographs, drawings, mixed media, glass, sculptures, assemblages, etchings, and lithographs) from its deep stable of almost 400 fine artists—locally, nationally, or internationally renowned—along with fine ceramics and pottery, jewelry, and Armenian and international handicrafts.

By Emma Grigoryan, b. 1943, ‘Musicians,’ oil on canvas, 20×16 inches

The adjacent “Italy” room expands the vibrant local Federal Hill Italian cultural atmosphere with “Dreamy Venice,” filled with luminous, handmade, small Murano glass gifts (paperweights, ornaments, vessels, and perfume bottles) and Murano glass jewelry (pendants, necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, watches, and hair clips), all personally chosen and imported from Venice by Gallery Associate Linda Kamajian in a sparkling rainbow of colors. These are set amidst fine art paintings and photographs related to Italy or by some of Gallery Z’s established Italian-American fine artists.

Now in its 15^th year, Gallery Z offers an intimate setting and provides a center for experiencing fine art in a historic Providence neighborhood. Gallery Z is a tax-free zone. Hours are from Wednesday to Saturday, 12-8 p.m., and Sunday, 12-6 p.m., or by appointment. On the third Thursday of each month year round, Gallery Z hosts a reception from 5-9 p.m.

NEW HAVEN, Conn.—Armenian pianist Kariné Poghosyan will perform a recital on Sat., April 30 at 7:30 p.m., in Southern Connecticut State University’s Charles Garner Recital Hall (Engleman Hall C112).

Karine Poghosyan

An avid musician who has been described as “extraordinary” and “larger than life,” Poghosyan made her orchestral debut at 14, playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1, and her solo Carnegie Hall debut at 23, and has since gone on to win numerous awards as well as perform in some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls.

In fall 2007, Poghosyan organized and performed a three-recital concert series at the Yamaha Piano Salon titled, “Twentieth Century Piano Sonata.” She also helped organize the “Requiem and Resurrection” concert in commemoration of the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide at the Saint Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York, where her performance of the Piano Sonata by Khachaturian received a standing ovation and was described as “jaw-dropping.”

The Armenian Mirror Spectator wrote, “The three-movement Khachaturian Sonata—a rarely performed composition —is a real tour-de-force for the virtuoso pianist. Technically pristine, Ms. Poghosyan brought out the driven qualities of the outer movements, and the heart-rending beauty of the middle section.”

Kariné Poghosyan has appeared as a soloist with numerous orchestras and has participated in the master classes of distinguished artists such as Alicia de Larrocha, Claude Franck, Jon O’Connor, and Jerome Rose. She has won numerous piano competitions and has been the recipient of several prestigious musical scholarships.

Her music studies began in her native Yerevan in School of the Arts, No. 1, and later at the Romanos Melikian College as well as the Komitas State Conservatory. Her teachers in Armenia included Irina Gazarian, Vatche Umr-Shat, and Svetlana Dadyan. After moving to the United States in 1998, she received her B.M., summa cum laude, from California State University in Northridge, under Françoise Regnat, and her M.M. and D.M.A. degrees at the Manhattan School of Music, under Arkady Aronov. She completed her D.M.A. in a record-breaking two years with a thesis on “Aram Khachaturian for Piano.” Poghosyan is currently based in New York, where she teaches at her alma mater, the Manhattan School of Music.

Her solo CD of Khachaturian’s piano works and ballet transcriptions was released in 2015, on the NAXOS label. There is a $5 admission fee at the door for Poghosyan’s performance. For more information, call (203) 392-6631.

The Armenian Students’ Association, Inc. recently announced the start of its 6th annual poetry competition. Once again, the ASA is partnering with the Armenian Poetry Project (APP) for the writing competition named in honor of the late Arthur Halvajian, a former ASA, Inc. trustee who led the board in sponsoring the first competition.

The 2016 competition is now open; the deadline for submissions is May 28, 2016. The competition winners will be announced by the jury in June 2016.

“Over the past five years we have received hundreds of entries from across North America and continue to be impressed with the creativity, quality, and range of poems. We look forward to reaching out to even more communities in the coming months,” said Alice Movsesian, a member of the ASA, Inc. Board of Trustees as well as its liaison to the competition’s organizing committee.

ASA National Board secretary M. Manoog Kaprielian sees the poetry competition as a particularly meaningful window of expression for Armenians who endured as refugees from the Azerbaijani pogroms or from the ongoing war in Syria, and settled throughout the United States and Canada. “We will do all that we can to reach out wherever they may be,” said Kaprielian.

The Armenian Poetry Project, led by poet Lola Koundakjian, is a research and documentation site for 19^th– to 21^st-century Armenian poems and related topics. Currently containing more than 2,500 poems, it is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. APP has a worldwide following and releases poems through RSS feeds, Twitter, and podcasting.

All individuals of Armenian descent residing in the United States and Canada are invited to submit their work, in English or Armenian. Entries should be e-mailed by May 28, 2016, to ArmenianPoetryProject@gmail.com, with the subject heading “Halvajian ASA/APP Poetry Competition.” Only one poem per individual may be submitted.

The competition groups submissions into three categories: students (ages 12-17), college age (ages 18-22), and adult (ages 23 and older). A top prize will be awarded for each of the categories in the amounts of $75 (students), $125 (college age), and $300 (adult).

Each poem submitted must be accompanied by the author’s full name, age, home address, and telephone number. Students must also include their school name and sponsoring teacher’s telephone number.

To learn more about the Armenian Poetry Project, visit http://armenian-poetry.blogspot.com.

The Armenian Students’ Association of America, Inc. encourages educational pursuits by Armenians in America and the raising of their intellectual standards. It provides financial assistance in the form of scholarships to deserving Armenian students and develops fellowship, cultivating in them the spirit of service in the public interest, and acquainting them and the entire American community with Armenian culture.

NEWARK, N.J. (A.W.)—On April 7, filmmaker Eric Nazarian delivered a lecture titled, “Celluloid Exiles and Matine Idols: The Armenian Genocide and Diaspora on Film” at Rutgers University’s Engerhald Auditorium.

The flyer for the April 7 event

Dr. Khatchig Mouradian, coordinator of the Armenian Genocide Program at Rutgers, delivered welcoming remarks and introduced the speaker to a packed auditorium comprised primarily of students and faculty.

Nazarian’s talk highlighted key historical parallels between the genesis of photographic and motion picture technology, its critical role in the visual documentation and presentation of the Armenian Genocide, and the after-effects across the 20th century in mainstream media and diaspora communities worldwide.

The lecture was sponsored by the Armenian Genocide Program and the Center for the Study of Genocide and Human Rights (CGHR) at Rutgers University, and co-sponsored by the Center for the Study of Peace, Justice, and Reconciliation at Bergen Community College.

Eric Nazarian is a screenwriter, filmmaker, and photojournalist. In 2007, Nazarian wrote and directed “The Blue Hour,” his first feature film that won six international awards. In 2008, Nazarian received the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences® (home of the Oscars) prestigious Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting for his original screenplay, “Giants.” In turn, Nazarian’s film “Bolis” was the recipient of the Best Short Film Award at the 14th Arpa International Film Festival in 2011.

Nazarian is currently adapting Chris Bohjalian’s critically acclaimed novel The Sandcastle Girls for the big screen.

Dr. Talin suciyan will speak on her new book The Armenians in Modern Turkey: Post-Genocide Society, Politics and History, on April 21 at 7 p.m. at Rutgers University’s Engerhald Auditorium.

George Clooney to Present Inaugural Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity

From April 22-24, special guests from the global humanitarian community will convene in Yerevan, Armenia, for a weekend of discussions focused on the most pressing humanitarian issues. The weekend will culminate in the awarding of the inaugural Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity.

The Aurora Prize ceremony will honor the outstanding contributions of the four finalists and their nominated organizations.

The weekend will culminate in the awarding of the inaugural Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity.

On Sat., April 23, leading humanitarians, Nobel Laureates, academics, and former statesmen will convene for the Aurora Dialogues, a series of insightful discussions. The Dialogues will include panels on the global refugee crisis, women as agents of change in the humanitarian community, and the role of media in drawing attention to humanitarian crises around the world.

The Dialogues will also unveil the results of the Aurora Prize Humanitarian Index, a unique survey investigating international attitudes on responsibility and the effectiveness of humanitarian intervention, as well as motivations to intervene on behalf of others.

On Sun., April 24, Armenian Genocide Memorial Day, participants will join a flower-laying ceremony at Armenia’s Genocide Memorial, Tsitsernakaberd.

That evening, Aurora Prize Selection Committee Co-Chair, George Clooney, will present the $100,000 grant to the inaugural Aurora Prize Laureate. The Laureate will then invite his or her nominated organization(s) to the stage to receive the $1 million award.

The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) will also present the inaugural ICFJ Integrity in Journalism Award in partnership with the Aurora Prize, which celebrates the courage, commitment and impact of a journalist reporting from the frontlines of some of the world’s most pressing humanitarian crises.

The Ceremony will be attended by VIP guests and feature musical performances from leading Armenian talents.

Updates of the weekend will be posted on the 100 LIVES and Aurora Prize media center.

YEREVAN—The American University of Armenia (AUA) community has been deeply affected by the recent violation of the ceasefire on the entire Karabagh-Azerbaijan line of contact (LoC).

Posts in Arabic, Turkish, Armenian, French, Persian, Russian, Spanish, Polish, German, Estonian, Japanese and even Hebrew have been shared through AUA’s independent student newspaper “The Bridge.”

The university embraces the values of human rights, self-determination, and peace, and stands in solidarity with the citizens of the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic (NKR/Artsakh) and the men and women defending the nation, including the students, alumni, and children of their faculty and staff.

Turning sentiment into support, a group of students, in collaboration with faculty, recently set up a working group to translate news and information from official sources into 19 languages. Posts in Arabic, Turkish, Armenian, French, Persian, Russian, Spanish, Polish, German, Estonian, Japanese and even Hebrew have been shared through AUA’s independent student newspaper “The Bridge.” More than 100 news and articles have been translated since the launch of the project.

“In such situations, every citizen wants to make his or her contribution to the improvement of the situation. … Since we are an educational institution, and quite a unique one, we have the capability of reaching the international community. And, we have many students from the diaspora who know many different languages. I thought we could have our impact on the international media,” said Eduard Avetisyan, the Undergraduate Student Council secretary and a third-year computational sciences student.

Arpi Janyan, a second-year business student, noted that “a lot of misinformation is being spread in the media. … Before starting the project, we wanted to make sure that everyone has some basic knowledge of how to be literate in the media field. So, one of our instructors, Maria Titizian, organized a workshop in media literacy. We are getting our information from the official websites of the president of the Republic of Armenia, Ministry of Defense and their speakers.”

There are around 50 AUA students working on the initiative. To expand, AUA’s Undergraduate Student Council met with students from Yerevan State University who will also begin to participate. “There soon might be hundreds of translators working on this project,” said Avetisyan.

The number of followers of “The Bridge” increased by 500 people in the first couple of hours after the launch of the initiative.
Another group of students has started a collection drive to send basic supplies to the afflicted populations. Students have been encouraged to talk with faculty and staff members about additional steps that can be initiated.
On Wed., April 6, university counseling services held open discussions with faculty and students and announced extended hours.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia is a private, independent university located in Yerevan and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides U.S.-style education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.