WATERTOWN, Mass.—The Armenian Museum of America (ALMA) and the Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA) are collaborating in March to celebrate Women’s History Month. The two organizations will be co-hosting a Community Brunch and conversation with Professor Christina Maranci, of Tufts University on March 4, at 11 a.m.

The two organizations will be co-hosting a Community Brunch and conversation with Professor Christina Maranci, of Tufts University on March 4, at 11 a.m.

An authority on medieval Armenian art and architecture, Dr. Maranci in recent years has embarked on a crusade to save a historic 7th century church located in a remote area of eastern Turkey. Mren Cathedral is a product of the “Golden Age” of Armenian architecture and is considered a masterpiece of world art.

Although Mren Cathedral has stood for over a millennium, bearing world history on its elaborately sculptured walls, Dr. Maranci points out that it is now on the verge of collapse. The south façade has been crumbling in recent decades, severely compromising the domed structure of the monument and opening the interior and its wall paintings to the elements.

Professor Maranci has spearheaded a successful effort to have the cathedral listed on World Monuments Watch, to raise awareness about the site’s artistic and cultural significance. In 2015, with support from the US Department of State’s Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, preliminary documentation and analysis of the cathedral took place, leading to the development of an emergency conservation plan for the site. However, stabilizing what is left of the church is a challenging endeavor, not only because it is located in a military zone in Kars province, near the closed Turkish-Armenian border but also because it is so remote, in an area lacking paved roads and surrounded by a high rocky plateau and deep river gorges and ravines. It is only with great difficulty that Dr. Maranci has been able to visit the area.

This Women’s History Month event provides an opportunity to celebrate the professional contributions of women in the Boston community and to enjoy a buffet brunch in the 3^rd floor galleries of the Museum.

The Brunch is open to the public and tickets are available with a $15 donation.  AIWA and Museum members are invited to attend for free as guests of the two organizations. Proceeds from the event will be put toward hosting more women’s events for the community in the future.

Guests and members may RSVP for the event by calling the Armenian Museum Administrative Offices (617-926-2562 x 4) or contacting AIWA at aiwainc@aol.com before Feb. 27.

The Armenian Museum of America (ALMA), located in the heart of Watertown, Mass., has the distinct mission to collect and maintain Armenian artifacts, textiles and publications in order to preserve the Armenian heritage and serve as a national repository and information center on the Armenian people, history and culture.

9MIAMI, Fla.—The Florida premier of “Earthquake,” a drama set in Soviet Armenia about the tragic 1998 earthquake in Gyumri (Leninakan), Armenia will take place at the O Cinema in Miami Beach, Florida on March 2 at 7 p.m. This will be the first and only screening of the film in Florida.

The theatrical poster for ‘Earthquake’

Based on a true story, “Earthquake” is a dramatized recreation of one of the Soviet Union’s most devastating natural disasters—a massive 7.0 earthquake that struck northern Armenia in December 1988—produced by Mars Media in Russia and directed by Sarik Andreasyan. “Earthquake” tells the story of the massive quake that struck Armenia’s second largest city, destroyed more than 300 communities, and killed about 30,000 people.

Focused around the story of two young men, Andrey Berezhnov and Robert Melkonyan, whose fates were already intertwined by an earlier tragedy—a car crash caused by Andrey that killed Robert’s parents—the film brings them together in the same rescue squad of Gyumri (formerly Leninakan) as they struggle to cope with a disaster that eclipses their own personal stories.

Directed by Sarik Andreasyan, the film is in Russian with English subtitles. It was selected by Armenia as an entry for the 89th Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category.

Tickets are $18 (non-refundable and cannot be exchanged) and available for purchase online here. The film is only for viewers 16 years+, and not recommended for pregnant women and people suffering from heart disease.

Guest can RSVP on Facebook.

OTTAWA, Canada—On Feb. 13, Dr. Oleg Kravchenko, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, delivered a lecture entitled “Belarus and its Neighbors,” at Carleton University’s Dunton Tower in Ottawa. Along with a significant number of Diplomatic representatives from various CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries, academics from the Carleton University’s Institute of European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (EURUS), analysts and students, representatives from the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) and the Armenian Students’ Association (ASA) of Ottawa were also present at the event.

(L to R) ANCC’s Sevag Belian and Deputy Minister Kravchenko (Photo: ANCC)

A Q&A was held after the lecture during, during which Canadian-Armenian students and the ANCC’s Executive Director Sevag Belian asked a barrage of questions to Kravchenko, in regards to Israeli-Russian blogger Alexander Lapshin’s extradition from Belarus to Azerbaijan, as well as human rights violations in Belarus. According to the ANCC, Kravchenko became perplexed and gave contradicting answers to these queries.

During his lecture, Kravchenko drew similarities between Canada and Belarus. To the remark made by an ASA member that Canada is a democratic state, whereas the president of Belarus has ruled the country in an autocratic manner for more than 20 years, the Kravchenko responded by saying that there are no flawless countries.

Kravchenko was in Canada pushing for better relations between Minsk and Ottawa. He was, however, caught off guard when he was asked to answer questions regarding the Lapshin case. “During a one-on-one conversation with ANCC’s Belian, the Deputy Minister claimed that he had minimal information about the extradition, clearly indicating his discomfort to discuss such a disgraceful act by his country that has put the value of political expediency higher than freedom and human rights,” read a part of the statement released by the ANCC.

Lapshin, who holds a dual citizenship from Russia and Israel, is an active journalist and blogger who has visited the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabagh /NKR) and the Republic of Azerbaijan on multiple occasions. Through his independent reporting, Lapshin has supported the native Armenian populations’ call for self-determination and independence in Artsakh and has vehemently criticized the Azerbaijani government’s dictatorial tendencies in the region.

Lapshin has been accused of trumped up charges of insulting president Aliyev of Azerbaijan and for visiting the Republic of Artsakh. He was extradited to Baku on Feb. 7 and arrested upon arrival.

NEW MILFORD, N.J.—Members of the Return to Asbury Kef Weekend organizing committee were invited to participate in a ceremony at the Hovnanian School, where they delivered Armenian musical instruments to schoolchildren.

Delivering the musical instruments (Photo: Florida Armenians)

Funds to dedicate these hand-made-in-Armenia instruments were raised at the 2016 Return to Asbury Kef Weekend—an independent, non-profit event that takes place annually in Asbury Park, N.J. This year, the organizers decided to use the proceeds specifically for Armenian musical instruments to perpetuate Armenian music in America, and to carry forward the Armenian Kef culture for the next generation of Armenian American youth.

The 5^th Annual Return to Asbury Kef weekend took place on Aug. 5-6, 2016, at the city’s beautiful new hotel, The Asbury. Arsine Kaloustian, Taniel Koushakjian, Alan Minoyan, David Norian, and Steve Vosbikian organized the event, with the support of Florida Armenians.

“As the Chair of Return to Asbury for the last two years, it was my pleasure to be involved in the planning of this event for a third year, alongside such a dynamic group of Armenians who are all so dedicated to giving back to the community,” stated Kaloustian. “We tried to focus this year’s event, not only on the kef music that we all love to listen to on the beach, but also on looking forward to the future. It is vitally important that we pass our music and traditions down to the next generation if we want to avoid events like Return to Asbury from fading away into silence. This music and this event truly belongs to all of us,” Kaloustian said.

As part of the dedication ceremony held on Nov. 16, 2016, renowned Armenian American musician Steve Vosbikian gave a musical demonstration, playing a variety of instruments to help inspire the students to become future musicians.

“The purpose of this event was to perpetuate Armenian music for our treasured Armenian youth, and I want to thank everyone who attended and supported this event,” stated Vosbikian. “This is only the beginning. Our hope for next year is to expand on this concept and bring the gift of music to even more of our youth,” Vosbikian said.

All of the proceeds were used to purchase 35 new Shvis for the music education program at the Hovnanian School. The Shvi is a simple Armenian woodwind instrument that is a stepping-stone to learning more advanced Armenian instruments such as the Duduk or Zurna. These professional Shivs were handmade in Armenia by Master “MKS.” Each instrument is professional grade and has been specially crafted with a two-piece design to ensure accurate tuning.

“Happiness through musical education was the motive and I couldn’t have felt that more by seeing how happy all the children were in the auditorium,” Alan Minoyan said. “Super inspiring to see the music of Return to Asbury Kef weekend leading to more music. A kef broke out at the assembly today!” stated David Norian.

The aim of the Return to Asbury Kef Weekend is to continue the tradition of Armenian music and culture in a city that has been an iconic historical gathering place for Armenian Americans dating back to the 1940s. For about three decades, Asbury Park was an annual summer gathering spot for Armenian American families from New England, Mid-Atlantic, and Mid-West communities, but faded in the late 1970s. It wasn’t until 2012 that Armenians made their return official.

“This day took lots of planning and determination. I’m not surprised, but I am definitely grateful. Thank you Steve Vosbikian, Taniel Koushakjian, Arsine Kaloustian, David Norian, Alan Minoyan, and everyone else who made sure we would bring the gift of music to our children,” Hovnanian School Principal Shakeh Tashjian wrote in a Facebook post following the ceremony. Founded in 1976, the Hovnanian School is a private, non-profit, multi-lingual Early Learning Center through Eighth Grade day school in New Milford, N.J.

GLENDALE, Calif. – The Armenian National Committee of America Western Region (ANCA-WR) announced today that is proud to welcome three dedicated and bright students, Hasmik Burushyan, Isabel Grigoryan, and Adrine Keosian to the Winter 2017 Internship Program session.

The ANCA-WR announced today that is proud to welcome three dedicated and bright students, Hasmik Burushyan, Isabel Grigoryan, and Adrine Keosian to the Winter 2017 Internship Program session.

“The ANCA-WR Internship Program continues to be one of the most critical components of our work on the regional level as it prepares and hones the next generation of our community’s leaders,” commented ANCA-WR Executive Director, Elen Asatryan. “We are excited to welcome Adrine, Hasmik, and Isabel into the ANCA family and look forward to providing them tools to succeed and a true hands-on experience in grassroots organizing and public policy,” added Asatryan.

Burushyan, a recent graduate from Herbert Hoover High School and a political science student at Glendale Community College (GCC), comes from the ranks of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF). Within the AYF, she currently chairs the AYF Glendale “Roupen” chapter social and fundraising committee and dedicates her time to assisting other committees including the Hye Tahd Council and the United Human Rights Council. As an active member in GCC’s Armenian Student Association (ASA), Burushyan was also recently appointed the ALL-ASA representative for the college and has previously volunteered on political campaigns. Her passions include international human rights affairs and economic development in Armenia.

“Getting involved with the ANCA-WR and participating in the internship program serves as an outlet to display my devotion to the Armenian Cause,” said Burushyan. “The experiences that I have already and will continue to obtain from the internship will be a template of efficient ingenuity in management and community improvement,” she continued.

Raised in Glendale, Grigoryan has worked with an extensive number of non-profit organizations revolving local politics and social justice. As a Herbert Hoover High School senior, she found her passion in fighting for women’s and minority rights in her community and launched her own feminist newsletter, From Margin to Center, for and by young girls of color while conducting social justice seminars for teens in LA.  She was the Engagement Advocate at the YWCA of Glendale, where she created numerous informational brochures, a child care curriculum, and launched the first self-care kit at the YWCA and the online intern for the Gender Spectrum council and CURB, a California based nonprofit working against the prison industrial complex. On top of her work for social justice, Grigoryan was the head intern for the Ardy Kassakhian State Assembly campaign and the online press secretary for a City Council race in Los Anheles.

“Through my work at the ANCA-WR, I hope to build lifelong relationships with individuals for future work in political advocacy and have the opportunity to help Armenian women, and recognize the struggles we face,” said Grigoryan.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Keosian is currently a junior at UCLA, where she studies communication and is an active member of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) ASA.  Keosian has previously interned at the Los Angeles Superior Court, where she researched and filed court documents, as well as assisted with discovery and drafted memoranda addressing the merits of a case.  Keosian has also served as a teacher’s assistant at the John Tracy Clinic at USC, where she helped educate children with hearing loss and taught them how to communicate more efficiently within their given restrictions.

“By the end of this program, I hope to achieve a stronger sense of knowledge on Armenian-American issues and how they are dealt with on a local and state level,” said Keosian. “I hope to participate in real committee meetings as well as meet elected officials who have made worldwide impacts,” she continued.

College students or recent college graduates interested in learning more or applying to the ANCA-WR Internship Program may do so online at www.ancawr.org/internship.  Applications are accepted year-round. Deadline for the spring session is March 20.

Established in summer 2006, the ANCA Western Region Internship Program is a selective part-time leadership program, which introduces college students and recent college graduates to all aspects of the public affairs arena. The program provides an opportunity for student leaders and activists to gain an in-depth understanding of the American political system, Armenian-American issues and advocacy efforts on the local, state and federal levels.

NEW YORK—Thousands will gather in New York’s Times Square (43rd St./Broadway) to commemorate the 102^nd anniversary commemoration of the Armenian Genocide On April 23, 2-4 p.m. In recognition of Genocide Awareness Month in April, Holocaust Remembrance Day will also be commemorated, along with other genocides committed in contemporary history.

Thousands gathered in Times Square in 2016 to commemorate the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide (Photo: Anahid Kaprielian)

This powerful event, free and open to the public, will honor the 1.5 million Armenians who were massacred by the Young Turk Government of the Ottoman Empire and the millions of victims of genocide worldwide. Speakers will include well-known artists, politicians, academics and humanitarians. Dr. Rachel Goshgarian, Professor of History at Lafayette College and Armen McOmber, Esq. will preside over the program. The theme of this year’s commemoration is “Turkey is Guilty of Genocide: Denying the Undeniable is a Crime.”

The 102^nd Armenian Genocide Commemoration is organized by the Mid-Atlantic chapters of the Knights & Daughters of Vartan (www.kofv.org), an international Armenian fraternal organization headquartered in the United States, and co-sponsored by the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), the Armenian Assembly of America, and the Armenian Council of America and the Armenian Democratic League-Ramgavars.

Participating organizations include the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, Prelacy of the Armenian Church of America, Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA), Armenian Catholic Eparchy for U.S. and Canada, the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA), the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF-YOARF), Armenian youth organizations and university Armenian clubs.

For more information, please visit, www.kofv.org/main/april232017/.

YEREVAN (A.W.)—Armenia’s Minister of Education and Science Levon Mkrtchyan of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) said that he will urge all schools in the country not to engage in partisan politics ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Levon Mkrtchyan (Photo: Horizon TV)

“School principals have the right to belong to political parties, however, they shouldn’t engage in partisan politics or propaganda within schools,” Mkrtchyan said during a recent interview with Armenia-based News.am. According to the Minister, a circular will be sent to all schools, saying that the Ministry categorically prohibits schools from engaging in election propaganda.

In past elections, there has been much criticism that parents of students and teachers have been persuaded by school administrators and principals to vote a certain way. “School principals have the right to be politically active, but they have no tight to use their positions to force parents or teachers to vote a certain way. We must do everything our power to prevent that,” Mkrtchyan explained.

The Minister went on to say that if principals or other school administrators are on party election lists, they will not be allowed to meet with voters within their schools.

ISTANBUL, Turkey (AGOS)—Bishop Sahak Mashalian, the Chairman of the Religious Council of the Armenian Patriarchate in Istanbul, announced his resignation in a statement released on Feb. 13, stating that General Vicar Aram Ateshian is to blame for his decision.

Bishop Mashalian (Photo: Agos)

Mashalian stated in his resignation letter that his decision came after the Clerical Assembly meeting on Feb. 13, where he stated that Archbishop Ateshian had “unfavorable attitudes.” Mashalian also announced that he will step down from his candidacy for the patriarchal seat, and has plans to leave Istanbul.

The Religious Council voted Archbishop Aram Ateshian to lead the Patriarchate after Patriarch Mesrob Mutafyan withdrew from his duties after diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

In his letter, Mashalian outlined the proper procedure for holding patriarchal elections, indicating Ateshian’s attempts to sabotage the process. He went on to explain that the religious council had set up a commission comprised of four clerics, which was to submit an application to the authorities about holding new elections. However, according to him, Ateshian did not allow the letter to be submitted to the governor of Istanbul, which has suspended the submission process.

Mashalian noted that the elections should be held following the constitutional referendum in Turkey, referring to Armenian community leader Bedros Sirinoglu and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Jan. 27 meeting. According to Mashalian, the meeting  should have accelerated the election process, however, the Grand Vicar used this information as another pretext to avoid elections.

“Ignoring his promise given to the community, he told the media without consulting with anyone that no application will be submitted for holding elections. The Religious Council of the Patriarchy, and I, the chairman of the Council, learned about it from the media,” Mashalian said.

During the Feb. 13 meeting, Mashalian stated that the application should be immediately submitted to the governorate and released to the community. “His Eminence Aram managed to manipulate this issue with his capricious and threatening attitude; he even threatened to leave the meeting,” he wrote in the letter, adding that his proposal was rejected.

Acting Patriarch Ateshian arrives in Sourp Giragos church in Diyarbakir in Oct. 2012 to preside over its reconsecration. (Photo: Khatchig Mouradian/The Armenian Weekly)

“It’s evident that there can be no Patriarchal elections as long as Aram Ateshian holds the position of the General Vicar of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople. Everyone already shares the opinion that the existing situation—the fact that the post is vacant and the chaos grows deeper—worsens due to Aram Ateshian,” said Mashalian, adding that the Patriarchal post has never been vacant for eight years in the Armenian Church’s history. “[Ateshian has been] using his powers, abusing his position… and deserves punishment according to Church laws,” the Mashalian said.

“Clerics, leaders, and people—leave me alone. This is a speech of defeat. But I am not the only defeated. You are all defeated. Once again only one person remains victorious,” Mashalian concluded in his letter.

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—The graduate students of Armenian Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) recently announced the 15th Annual Graduate Student Colloquium in Armenian Studies to be held on Feb. 24. The event will be held at UCLA in Royce Hall 314 from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and includes a catered reception.

The event will be held at UCLA in Royce Hall 314 from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and includes a catered reception.

The day-long event will feature graduate research on various topics in Armenian studies including genocide and memory, language and literacy, state- and community-wide policies, and specific studies on various aspects of Armenians’ long history. Presentations will be made by 11 scholars from seven different counties. The program will conclude with a musical performance and a reception.

For 15 years, the graduate student colloquium has dedicated itself to encouraging, fostering, and promoting scholarly research among young scholars in the field of Armenian studies.

“We are proud to host this one-of-a-kind event that gives young scholars in the field of Armenian Studies all across the world a forum at which to present their research, receive constructive feedback, and network with their peers and the faculty of UCLA. This year we are looking forward to celebrating the fifteenth year with a piano recital by Los Angeles pianist Harout Senekeremian, and a look back on the history of the colloquium,” said Jesse Arlen, Director of The UCLA Graduate Student Colloquium in Armenian Studies.

Moreover, the third Annual Undergraduate Student Colloquium in Armenian Studies will be taking place on the day prior, on Feb. 23. The event will be hosted in Royce Hall 314 at UCLA from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., followed by a reception. Undergraduate presenters will discuss topics pertaining to Armenian language, music, and history.

The third Annual Undergraduate Student Colloquium in Armenian Studies will be taking place on Feb. 23.

Both colloquia are free and open to the public.

More information regarding the Colloquia may be found at: http://nelc.ucla.edu/agsc/ as well as on Facebook at: https://tinyurl.com/UCLAGradColloquium and at: https://tinyurl.com/UCLAUndergradColloquium.

The Armenian Students’ Association, Inc. recently announced the start of its seventh annual poetry competition.  As in the past six years, the ASA, Inc. is partnering the Armenian Poetry Project for the writing competition named in honor of the late Arthur Halvajian, a trustee who led its Board in sponsoring the first competition.  The 2017 competition is now open and the deadline for submissions is April 30. The competition winners will be announced by the jury in May 2017.

The Armenian Students’ Association, Inc. recently announced the start of its 7th annual poetry competition.

“Over the past six 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 competitions 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 Azerbaijan refugees out of and survivors of the ongoing war in Syria, who have settled throughout the United States and Canada.  “We will do all that we can to reach out wherever they may be”, stated Kaprielian.

The Armenian Poetry Project lead by poet Lola Koundakjian, is a research and documentation site for 19^th to 21^st century Armenian poems and related topics.  Currently containing over 2,500 poems, it is celebrating its 11^th 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 for the competition.  Entries should be e-mailed by April 30, 2017 to ArmenianPoetryProject @gmail.com with the subject heading “Halvajian ASA/APP Poetry competition”.  Only one original unpublished 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 US $75 (students), $125 (college age), and $300 (adult).

Each poem submitted for the competition must be accompanied by the author’s full name, age,  and home address/telephone number.  Students must include school name and sponsoring teacher’s telephone number.  You can learn more about the Armenian Poetry Project by visiting 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, providing financial assistance in the form of scholarships to deserving Armenian students, developing fellowship among them, cultivating in them the spirit of service in the public interest, and acquainting them and the entire American community with Armenian culture.

OTTAWA, Canada—Despite continuous efforts by Azerbaijani authorities to discourage foreign diplomats, parliamentarians, and observers from visiting the Republic of Nagorno-Karabagh (NKR/Artsakh), former Canadian parliamentarian, the Honorable Jim Karygiannis, will serve as an international observer in the republic’s constitutional referendum that is set to be held on Feb. 20, reported the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC).

Jim Karygiannis

A long-time supporter of Artsakh’s independence and its people’s right to self-determination, Karygiannis will be visiting Artsakh at the request of the ANCC. Previously and as recent as 2012, Karygiannis led a team of Canadian election observers for the NKR presidential elections.

“It was a picture-perfect election from start to finish and witnessing the election process in a new democracy was a positive learning experience,” Karygiannis said in a statement following the 2012 elections. “I also met with government officials, residents of Nagorno-Karabagh and members of the Canadian Diaspora who were visiting and learned more about the challenges facing Artsakh,” Karygiannis added.

A historically undisputed Armenian land that has a history of over 5,000 years, Artsakh was gifted to Azerbaijan in 1921 by Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. At the wake of the Soviet Union’s decline in power, on Sept. 2, 1991, the people of Artsakh declared independence from the Soviet Union and established the Republic of Nagorno-Karabagh. On Dec. 10, 1991, Artsakh held an independence referendum in which 99% voted for independence. In response, Azerbaijan launched an all-out war against the newly formed republic, targeting ordinary civilians.

Despite the Internationally brokered ceasefire in 1994, Azerbaijan has steadily violated the terms and conditions of the bilateral agreement, and on multiple occasions, it has carried out unsanctioned attacks against Artsakh.

In spite of all the hardships that are prevalent today, for the past 25 years, Artsakh has stood as a beacon of democracy, freedom and development. While breaking new grounds economically, socially and politically, it has continued to maintain a world-renowned reputation in advancing its commitment to peace, stability and prosperity in the South Caucasian region.

“Karygiannis’ timely visit to Artsakh is yet another indication that the young republic is a democratic and a fully functioning state, with a thriving market economy and an active civil society, that is striving to achieve its freedom and the formal recognition of its independence,’ read a part of a statement released by the ANCC.

MISSION HILLS, Calif.—Asya Darbinyan, a PhD Candidate at the Strassler Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Clark University in Worcester, Mass., will give a talk entitled “Russia’s Response to the Armenian Genocide: Refugee Crisis at the Caucasus Front and Russian Imperial Humanitarianism,” on Sunday, February 26, 2017, at 4pm, at the Ararat-Eskijian Museum—Sheen Chapel, 15105 Mission Hills Road, Mission Hills, Calif.  The lecture is co-sponsored by the Ararat-Eskijian Museum and the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR).

Asya Darbinyan and Khatchig Mouradian at the Strassler Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Clark University

The lecture will analyze how the recognition of an emergency situation by Russian imperial authorities transformed political and public reaction to genocide into action—substantial Armenian relief work. “Russia” and “humanitarianism” are rarely coupled in the historical literature on the 20th century, but Darbinyan’s research emphasizes the importance of exploring imperial Russia’s response to the Armenian refugee crisis on the Caucasus battlefront during WWI. The Russian imperial government as well as a number of non-governmental organizations provided assistance to hundreds of thousands of Armenian refugees.

Drawing upon materials in military and historical archives in Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as in the Armenian National Archives in Yerevan, for the first time, Darbinyan’s work offers new perspective on Russian policy towards Armenians during the genocide and elucidates complexity of Russian humanitarianism during the Great War.

Previously, Darbinyan worked at the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute in Yerevan as a senior research fellow and the Deputy Director of the museum (2008-2013).

For more information about this program, contact the Ararat-Eskijian Museum at (747) 500-7585 or Ararat-eskijian-museum@netzero.net, or NAASR at (617) 489-1610 or hq@naasr.org.

Urgent Legal Changes Are Next Step to Get Treatment to Those in Need

By Giorgi Gogia

About 8,000 people die from cancer in Armenia every year, many spending their last days in excruciating pain.

But Armenia is taking an important step towards ending their suffering, and the government recently adopted a national strategy to introduce palliative care services, which focuses on treating pain and other physical symptoms, and provides psychosocial support for people with life-limiting illnesses. The strategy specifies reforms in policy, education, and medicines’ availability, and designates the responsible state institutions.

Gurgen G., who had a brain tumor, and his mother. Gurgen participated in a palliative care pilot project, which improved the quality of his remaining life. He died in August 2012, free from pain. (Photo: New Media Advocacy Project/HRW)

In July 2015, Human Rights Watch released a report showing the impact of untreated pain and lack of support services on the lives of cancer patients in Armenia. I interviewed many people who were dying – in horrible pain. Among them was Lyudmila, a 61-year-old kindergarten teacher. Her words were deeply personal:

“The pain attacks start unexpectedly and I start screaming and become a different person. … When it starts I can’t speak, I have pain attacks every night…. It’s inhumane pain, unbearable pain for a human being…”

Her experience was not an exception.

When curative treatment is no longer effective, patients with advanced cancer in Armenia are simply sent home. Abandoned by the health care system at arguably the most vulnerable time of their lives, people with life-limiting illnesses face pain, fear, and anguish without professional support. The support they need is palliative care.

Morphine, the mainstay medication for treating severe pain, is inexpensive and easy to administer, but fewer than 3 percent of those who need morphine in Armenia get it. That’s because the government has put in place nearly insurmountable bureaucratic barriers around the prescribing and dispensing of morphine.

The Armenian government has long recognized the need for palliative care, but regrettably it has taken officials over three years to develop and adopt the strategy and action plan.

The strategy recognizes the need to amend regulations restricting access to pain relief medications, and the government plans to review them in 2018. But thousands of cancer patients in Armenia have waited long enough.

Armenian authorities should urgently overhaul the regulations and promptly take the necessary steps to ensure that cancer patients can get the pain treatment they need – and to which they have the right.

Giorgi Gogia is Human Rights Watch’s South Caucasus Director, Europe, and Central Asia Division. This piece originally appeared on the Human Rights Watch website. 

WATERTOWN, Mass. (A.W.)—Hundreds packed into the Dorothy and Charles Mosesian Theatre for the Arts in Watertown on Feb. 19 to take in the sold-out tribute concert “The Emperor, the Nalbandians and the Dawn of Western Music in Ethiopia,” dedicated to Ethiopian music icon Nerses Nalbandian.

A scene from the concert (Photo: The Armenian Weekly)

The concert, which was organized by the Friends of Armenian Culture Society (FACS), featured the Grammy-nominated Either/Orchestra, directed by Russ Gershon, as well as vocalists performing songs in four languages: Bruck Tesfaye of the Debo Band (Amharic), Ronald Murphy (English), Serena Tchorbajian (Armenian), and Manolo Mairena (Spanish).

The program opened with remarks by FACS Executive Board Secretary Armineh Mirzabegian M.D., who welcomed guests and music enthusiasts. “Tonight’s program explores the major contributions by a member of a minority group in an adopted homeland,” Mirzabegian said, “The story of Nerses Nalbandian and the evolution of modern Ethiopian music is closely connected to the 40 Armenian orphans—survivors of the 1915 genocide—and their subsequent settlement in Ethiopia as members of the Royal Brass Band in 1924. Their story is that of resilience and triumph in the face of calamity.”

Mirzabegian went on to say that FACS was honored to have the opportunity to pay tribute to Nalbandian and to help share his story and his musical legacy, and welcomed members of the Nalbandian family, who had traveled from Montreal, Toronto, and Ohio, to be in attendance.

Mirzabegian then invited Armenian scholar Dr. Boris Adjemian, the director of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) Nubar Library in Paris, who delivered an overview of the Armenian community of Ethiopia. Adjemian’s talk focused on the history of the Ethiopian-Armenian community and the fact that Nalbandian’s success in revolutionizing modern Ethiopian music is a part of a larger history that was shared by the Ethiopian and Armenian people.

Dr. Boris Adjemian (Photo: The Armenian Weekly)

Adjemian explained that Armenian immigration to Ethiopia began before the Armenian Genocide—the end of the 19^th century—and estimated that just prior to WWI, about 200 Armenians lived in Ethiopia. Despite being such a small percentage of the overall population, Adjemian said that the Armenians of Ethiopia were one of the four main minority groups in the country at the time.

Adjemian said that following the Armenian Genocide, the number of Armenians in Ethiopia reached about 1,200 in the 1920’s, which remained consistent until the Ethiopian revolution in 1974. Throughout the years, the Armenians became an influential minority within the country, according to Adjemian.

Adjemian went on to chronicle the story of the 40 orphans of the Armenian Genocide, who, in 1924, were adopted and brought to Ethiopia by the future emperor Haile Selassie, after he saw them performing in Jerusalem’s Armenian quarter.

After Adjemian’s short presentation, members of the Either/Orchestra took the stage, under the leadership of Russ Gershon, who presented the members of the band and their love for Ethiopian music.  Gershon explained that in 2004, during their first visit to Ethiopia, the Either/Orchestra was heard by Nalbandian’s adult children, who invited Gershon and the band to revive Nerses’ long-unplayed music for the theater orchestra.

The Either/Orchestra then played their renditions of Nalbandian’s works as well as three works by composers and artists that inspired Nalbandian, including Komitas Vardapet’s “Kele Kele.” Nalbandian’s son Harout Nalbandian, who was attending the event from Montreal, also joined the Either/Orchestra on stage to play the guitar for one song and to share his reflections about his father and his legacy.

TEHRAN, Iran (A.W.)—Representatives of Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) student and youth associations participated in a regional meeting entitled “The Armenian Youth and the Envisioned Future in Armenia and the Middle East,” on Feb. 15-17 in Tehran, Iran. The meeting was organized by the ARF “Hovnan Davtian” Student Association and the ARF Bureau Youth Office.

Scenes from the meeting (Photo: ARF Bureau Youth Office)

ARF Student Association and Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) members from Armenia, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabagh), Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and Kuwait participated in the three-day program.

Following the opening remarks by the Executive Director of the ARF Bureau Youth Office Sarkis Mkrtchian and one of the leaders of the Armenian community of Tehran Henrik Khaloyan, the representatives provided updates about the work of their organizations and addressed some of the issues in their respective communities.

Some of the issues discussed were preserving the Armenian identity in the Diaspora, working towards a pan-Armenian approach to problems, and the role of the Diasporan-Armenian youth in the domestic and external affairs of Armenia.

Representatives also took in lectures about the political situation in the Middle East and the Armenian communities, the current situation in Turkey, Hai Tahd (Armenian Cause), the domestic and external challenges of Armenia, and the role of Armenian youth in the future development of Armenia.

In addition to the meeting’s agenda, participants also visited several Armenian institutions and various places of cultural and historical significance in Tehran and New Julfa (Isfahan).

At the conclusion of the meeting, all the regions affirmed their willingness and commitment to serve the interests of the Armenian people in their continuous struggle for the Armenian Cause.

A long time Hairenik supporter and dedicated member of the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Chicago “Zabelle” chapter for over 40 years, Alice Derderian passed away Jan. 19.

Alice Derderian

Born in Jerusalem to Armenian Genocide survivors Simpad and Armenouhi Kassardjian from Marash, Alice grew up in a family vibrant with the Armenian spirit and faith.  In 1967, she migrated to Chicago with her husband, Mgrditch Derderian and two very young children, Talin and Sevan. An ardent defender of the Armenian language and culture, Alice typified the strong, yet gentle Armenian mother.  She insisted Armenian be spoken and culture preserved in the home at all times.  For this reason the Hairenik newspaper was always prevalent in the home. Attendance to Armenian All Saints Apostolic church and Taniel Varoujan Armenian School were essential, participation and support to community and cultural events were absolute.

Alice Derderian is survived by her daughter and son in law—Talin Derderian and Robert Artinian, granddaughter, Areni Artinian; son and daughter in law—Sevan and Lina Derderian, grandchildren—Nigol and Isabella Derderian.

The family of Alice Derderian and the Hairenik Association would like to acknowledge the following individuals for their kind donations to the Hairenik Weekly:

Greg and Silva Bedian

Vahe and Hasmig Dombalagian

Ari and Stephanie Killian

Arpy Killian

Knarik Meneshian

Tamar Stevenson

Christos and Ekaterini Vellios

PARAMUS, N.J.—The Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA), through the gracious effort of AMAA member Dr. Chris Tashjian, recently donated medical equipment, instruments and beds to the Armenian Ministry of Defense. The official presentation was held on Feb. 20 at the Medical Central Base of the Defense Ministry. Harout Nercessian, AMAA’s Armenia Representative, Lusine Ohanyan, Coordinator of AMAA-Armenia’s External Affairs and Major Nver Arakelian, Chief Commander of Medical Central Base, were present.

(L to R) Captain Nver Arakelyan, Harout Nercessian, and Lusine Ohanyan (Photo: AMAA)

“These items are all extremely necessary for our hospitals and other medical institutions,” said Commander Arakelian in his opening remarks, “and they will contribute to the improvement of our medical care and services. I must emphasize that this is not the first aid we are receiving from AMAA. In 2015, the Association donated numerous electronically controlled hospital beds and equipment. I want to thank the AMAA for helping our Army.”

Nercessian explained that this assistance is implemented by the AMAA on behalf of the MATTER organization and the transportation was financed by Dr. Tashjian. He also stressed that the equipment and tools were thoroughly examined before they were shipped to Armenia. He assured us that this kind of aid to the Ministry of Defense for medical institutions will continue in the future.

YEREVAN—Last year, the Entrepreneurship and Product Innovation Center (EPIC) at the American University of Armenia (AUA) teamed up with Impact Hub Yerevan Social Innovation Development Foundation (Impact Hub Yerevan). The goal of the partnership was to establish a fellowship program that will support AUA students interested in developing projects that aim to tackle social problems in Armenia. Throughout the six-month fellowship, Impact Hub Yerevan will nurture the fellows in a supportive environment of over one hundred of Armenia’s brightest social entrepreneurs to inspire, connect, develop and realize new ideas to address social issues. After assessing multiple student submissions over the past year, the collaborating parties are proud to announce the team of fellows selected to develop their project with support from Impact Hub Yerevan further.

The American University of Armenia

The winning team includes Samvel Grigoryan, a graduate student from AUA’s Gerald and Patricia Turpanjian School of Public Health, Levon Harutyunyan, a graduate student from the Department of Sustainable Development and Ecology at the Armenian State Pedagogical University, and Maria Antonosyan, a graduate student from the Department of Zoology at Yerevan State University.  Their project, AlterVedi, aims to transform Vedi, a small town in the Ararat Province of Armenia, into a tourism hub.

Vedi, located along the Vedi River, 31 miles south of Yerevan, houses a population of about 11,384. Through the AlterVedi project, the team intends to transform the remote town into an eco-friendly and healthy tourism center that will serve as an archetype of environmental sustainability.

Through their efforts, the team will also be contributing to the Tree of Life NGO, registered in Vedi in 2016. The organization’s mission is to implement various educational, environmental, and research projects that engage citizens of different age groups in the development of civic society. Thus, the Tree of Life NGO advocates the participation of the local citizenry in events on topics of environmental protection, rational use of natural resources, health education, healthy lifestyle, and cultural preservation.

Impact Hub Yerevan will house the project and provide Samvel, Levon, and Maria with a collaborative community, through which they will receive entrepreneurial support and access to educational programs and events. AUA, EPIC, and Impact Hub are committed to the continued support of entrepreneurship and innovation in Armenia and look forward to the team’s next chapter of success.

The American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides US-style education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.

EPIC (Entrepreneurship and Product Innovation Center) is a platform for promoting entrepreneurial education, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and startup incubation at AUA. EPIC aims to develop knowledgeable and efficient entrepreneurs to address global and local needs. By combining classroom lectures, prototyping capabilities, and experience of a diverse network of business and technical advisors, EPIC allows students to utilize their knowledge and develop new ventures effectively.

Impact Hub Armenia Social Innovation Development Foundation (also known as Impact Hub Yerevan) is a professional membership organization dedicated to individuals, enterprises, start-ups, and organizations making a positive impact in Armenia and around the world.

Neery Melkonian was a groundbreaking contemporary art curator, critic, and writer. After her sad passing in July 2016, she leaves behind an important legacy of critical discourse and community building among diasporan Middle Eastern and Armenian art and artist

Neery Melkonian was a groundbreaking contemporary art curator, critic, and writer.

Neery worked at the Center for Contemporary Art in Santa Fe and at the Bard (College) Center for Curatorial Studies before becoming an independent curator. She stood behind Armenian art and artists throughout her career producing the NK Arts Festival, which supported artists and families of Nagorno-Karabagh (Artsakh), and the Blind Dates Project, which teamed Armenian and Turkish artists in a collaborative exhibition at Pratt Institute. Her endless contributions ranged from producing important symposia of artists and thinkers at Columbia University and the American University of Armenia to curating and writing for the Armenian participation at the Venice Biennale. At the time of her death, she was working on Accented Feminism, a show and catalogue about female Armenian artists, and “art farm”, an archive and center for Armenian diasporan art.

To honor her memory, her friends and colleagues will join together to present her work and impact to celebrate and continue her profound vision. The evening will include personal and professional tributes as well as a special screening of AGBU WebTalks, which she recorded in the months prior to her passing.

Presenters include Silva Ajemian, Jean Marie Casbarian, Tina Chakarian, Aram Jibilian, Lola Koundakjian, and Hrag Vartanian

RSVP requested as space is limited. 212-319-6383 or rsvp@agbu.org

Two Ontario Teachers and Four Students Receive Corning Center Awards

TORONTO, Canada—On Feb. 25, the Corning Center (The Sara Corning Center for Genocide Education) introduced Bared Maronian’s inspiring and powerful documentary, Women of 1915 for the second time at the Hamazkayin Toronto Pomegranate Film Festival Committee’s special encore presentation in benefit of the A.R.S. Armenian School annual Telethon. The screening took place at the Armenian Youth Center’s Hamazkayin Theater.

A scene from the award ceremony (Photo: Corning Center)

“The documentary you are about to see is very unique as was Bared Maronian’s previous documentary, Orphans of the Genocide. Both left audiences worldwide with knowledge they would not have otherwise come across and a high level of curiosity, prompting one to dig deeper and learn more,” said Corning Center Founder and Chair Raffi Sarkissian in his introduction. “Bared’s creations embody every aspect of an excellent documentary. Therefore, it is no coincidence that he has received many honours and awards,” Sarkissian added.

The Corning Center is dedicated to promoting and providing ongoing research and education in the fields of human rights and genocide education. The Center’s educational initiatives focus on developing teacher training and workshop opportunities, program development for schools, classroom visits, public lectures and presentations and the development of resources for teachers and students.

At the event, the Corning Center’s Director of Finance, Paul Ternamian, presented the Speak Out contest to the audience and invited the awardees to stage. Director Bared Maronian joined the Corning Centre on stage to present the awardees with their certificates and awards. On the occasion of the 100^th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the Corning Centre held an Essay and Creative Writing Contest called Speak Out. The contest was open to all senior level high school students in Ontario, awarding a first place prize in each category of $500 and a runner prize of $100.

This year’s winners represented two schools from two school boards. Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute in the Waterloo Region District School Board and Sir Allan Macnab Secondary in the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board.

The students who won this year were fortunate to have had exemplary teachers who attended the event, both of whom have worked with the Corning Centre in the past.

The Corning Center recognized the two outstanding Ontario teachers for their commitment to genocide education, Erin Ledlow from Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute in the Waterloo Region District School Board and Deborah Brown from Sir Allan Macnab Secondary in the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board.

The Corning Center gifted the two teachers with a copy of Aram Adjemian’s A Call From Armenia: Canada’s Response to the Armenian Genocide, and Bared Maronian’s two films on DVD Orphans of the Genocide and Women of 1915.

The Corning Centre awarded prizes to their students whose works were chosen for first and second places for the centre’s Speak Out Contest: Gabriella Zepeda Ayala (first place)  and Nate Skeen (second place) and the winners of the creative writing contest, Casey Monkelbaan (first place) and Lareb Zahra (second place).

“Education is the most effective means to equip every new generation with the knowledge and skills needed to become positive contributors in society and agents of change. The grade 11 Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity Course has been doing just this thanks to dedicated teachers like Erin and Deborah,” Ternamian concluded.