Setrag Panian

Panian, Setrag of Waltham, June 5. Beloved husband of Lucy (Boyadjian) Panian. Devoted father of Salpi (Panian) Vasquez and her husband German and Ardo Panian and his wife Tina (Maserejian) Panian. Loving grandfather of Michael Nigol Catino, Selena Vasquez, Aren Panian, Vicken Panian, and Raffi Panian.

Brother of Roupen Panian. Funeral service at Saint Stephen’s Armenian Church, 38 Elton Avenue, Watertown on June 9 at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held at Saint Stephen’s Armenian Church on June 8 from 4-8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Saint Stephen’s Armenian Church or Saint Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School.

Interment at Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

All Parliamentarians—Including Two Armenian Deputies—are Safe and Unharmed

YEREVAN (A.W.)— On June 7, Armenia expressed solidarity with Iran as it condemned the deadly attacks on the Iranian Parliament and the mausoleum of the Republic’s founder.

Iran’s Parliament building (Photo: QSTA/Wikimedia Commons)

Armenian President Serge Sarkisian and Parliament Speaker Arno Babloyan condemned the attacks in letters of condolence sent to their Iranian counterparts.

“While strongly condemning the acts of terror and forms of extremism, we are convinced that we need to work together internationally to fight against this terror,” read a part of Sarkisian’s letter.

“At this difficult time, I express my condolences and my solidarity to Your Excellency and the people of Iran as well as the families of all the victims, while wishing all those wounded a speedy recovery,” concluded the letter.

At least 12 people were killed and dozens more injured in Tehran, after gunmen and suicide bombers attacked the Iranian Parliament and the mausoleum of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. A third attack was stopped, according to Iran’s Intelligence Ministry.

The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attacks on the two sites, publishing a brief video that purported to show the assailants inside the Parliament. If an ISIS role is confirmed, this would be the first attack conducted by the terror group inside Iran, according to The Guardian.

The Parliament assault began when four gunmen armed with rifles burst into the building. One of the attackers blew himself up as police surrounded the building.

Soon after, two assailants entered the grounds of the shrine, firing at the visitors. One detonated a suicide vest, while the other was shot dead.

“We strongly condemn attacks at Iran’s Parliament and Mausoleum of Ayotollah Khomeini. In Solidarity with people of Iran,” said Armenian Foreign Ministry on the Armenian Foreign Ministry’s Twitter page.

The Armenian Embassy in Iran also urged Armenian nationals to stay away from the scenes of the attacks as well as Tehran’s markets and other crowded places. “The Embassy is following the course of events. If necessary, additional information will be provided,” said the Embassy on their Facebook page.

According Tehran-based Armenian newspaper Alik Daily, all Parliamentarians—including two Armenian deputies Karen Khanlarian and George Abrahamian—are safe and unharmed. All deputies were at the session hall of the Parliament and were away from any threats, Khanlarian told Alik.

By Allison Racicot

WORCESTER, Mass. (WPI)— One of the staples of an undergraduate education at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is the Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP), a project experience in which students work together to tackle and solve a real-world problem. In addition to local project centers around Massachusetts, students may choose to complete their projects at one of over 40 centers around the world—locations range from England and Albania to South Africa and China.

The brainchild of Diran Apelian, professor and founding director of the Metal Processing Institute (MPI), and Michael Aghajanian, adjunct professor and member of the Foisie Business School’s advisory board, the Armenia Project Center is an endeavor years in the making.

Starting this summer, students now have another option to add to their list of prospective destinations: Armenia.

The brainchild of Diran Apelian, professor and founding director of the Metal Processing Institute (MPI), and Michael Aghajanian, adjunct professor and member of the Foisie Business School’s advisory board, the Armenia Project Center is an endeavor years in the making.

Both Apelian and Aghajanian have Armenian roots and clicked immediately upon meeting, like many people around campus had said they would. “It was one of those meetings where you connect with someone almost instantly and you feel like you’ve known them for a long time,” Apelian says.

According to Aghajanian, it didn’t take long after their first meeting for them to start making the Armenia Project Center a reality. “I brought up the idea to Diran a few minutes into our conversation, and right away he said, ‘I’ve been thinking about the same thing for years, let’s do it!’”

A small country about the size of Maryland with a population of roughly three million, Armenia celebrated its 25th year of independence from the Soviet Union in Sept. 2016, and Apelian is quick to point out the impressive amount of varied opportunities available in the young country. “It’s 25 years old, but it has 3,000 years of history,” he explains. “It’s perfect for students to see the impact of technology on society while figuring out plans, executing them, and delivering results.”

Aghajanian began getting involved with IQPs five years ago, co-advising projects in Melbourne, Australia; Venice, Italy; and Santa Fe, New Mexico. “Each time I was working on projects, I could see that in addition to the great things students get out of it and the satisfaction I get by helping and teaching them, the communities we work in are getting a tremendous amount of benefits from these young, highly intelligent students,” he says. “I realized that Armenia could really benefit from getting access to these students, as well. There’s a mountain of projects they could work on, and their work would be extremely impactful for Armenia. The citizens would be very grateful to get those resources.”

Additionally, Aghajanian says that he hopes the project center will spur students on to potentially partner with Armenia when working with various companies after graduation. “Armenia was known as the Silicon Valley of the Soviet Union, with all of its technology,” he explains. “Most people aren’t aware of or have much familiarity with it, but maybe the students will look to Armenia someday as a country to partner with in the future.”

Apelian and Aghajanian faced several challenges while creating the Armenia Project Center; complications that ranged from securing housing to determining appropriate sponsors for projects, but one of the biggest hurdles that had to be overcome was the program’s cost.

Because of schedule constraints—as a professor, and due to his work with the MPI, Apelian’s free time is minimal, and while Aghajanian is retired, he’s busier than ever with charitable, business, and academic work—the only feasible time to host the program would be in E-Term. However, students interested in traveling to a project center during the summer have to pay additional tuition. With the decision that it wasn’t fair to penalize the students because of their respective schedule constraints, Apelian and Aghajanian raised the funds to cover the costs.

“We were able to fund the trip for all eight students… tuition, a round-trip ticket, housing, and a stipend.”
As a young country full of possibilities, Armenia is the perfect place for WPI students to begin their project experiences. Because the center is a pilot program, rather than the usual four to six projects, two are available to students:

My Armenia Cultural Heritage Tourism Program comes from a collaboration between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Smithsonian Institution. It centers around the impressive amount of tourists Armenia attracts—between 400,000 and 500,000 per year. Most tourists stay in Armenia’s capital, Yerevan, and do not venture out to the more remote regions where there is much to discover. Armenia is a country that has distinct national treasures—architecture, viniculture and the culinary arts, craftsmanship. It is a paradise for birdwatchers—the country has more bird species than anywhere on earth (due to the landing of Noah’s Ark on Mount Ararat, according to legend). WPI students working on this project will help develop a website that approaches the goal of increasing tourism in the rural areas through a market segmentation approach.

Armenian EyeCare Project (AECP) will challenge students to build upon Armenia’s Mobile Eye Hospital (MEH), which travels to the country’s remote villages to serve those unable to travel to Yerevan for eye care. The AECP is in the process of building five Regional Eye Centers to provide care on a more consistent basis. The students’ project work will revolve around examining the current situation, researching best practices used to deliver medical care in remote areas of developing countries, and providing recommendations on how to best meet the eye care needs of Armenian citizens.

WPI’s decision to establish the new project center is even more fitting, due to the fact that the city of Worcester is home to a prominent Armenian population. “When Armenians in the ‘old country’ talked about going to America, they meant going to Worcester,” Apelian says, citing the vast historical and cultural connections to Armenia throughout the city. “WPI has many Armenian alumni and connections with the Armenian community within the city, so this partnership makes sense.”

After spending just a short amount of time with Apelian and Aghajanian, I could see their passion for and dedication to the Armenia project center; seeing their efforts come to fruition is exciting—and for Apelian, it was almost as if the stars had aligned to set everything into motion. “When those things happen in life, you should grab them,” he says. “When those opportunities come, you should do it.”

This article by Allison Racicot was first published on the Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s website on June 2.

LATAKIA, Syria (A.W.)— On June 7, an aircraft carrying humanitarian aid from Armenia to Syria arrived at Latakia’s Khmeimim military airbase, reported the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia to the Syrian Arab Republic.

On June 7, an aircraft carrying humanitarian aid from Armenia to Syria arrived in Latakia’s Khmeimim military airbase.

The aid, which was transported by Russian military aircrafts, was received by the Armenian Embassy of Syria, and will be distributed by vans to four cities including Damascus, Aleppo, Kessab, and Latakia. According to the Embassy statement, the aid will be distributed to families most in need. A total of around 40 tons of food and goods were sent.

The aid, which was transported by Russian military aircrafts, was received by the Armenian Embassy of Syria, and will be distributed by vans to four cities including Damascus, Aleppo, Kessab, and Latakia.

This is the third time aid has been sent to Syria by Armenia in the last year.

‘With wishes of peace from Armenia, to our brotherly Syrian people’ reads the message on the aid.

YEREVAN—The Provost of the University of Southern California, Dr. Michael Quick, and Dr. Anthony Bailey, University of Southern California’s (USC) Vice-President for Strategic and Global Initiatives, as well as dignitaries and over 20 scholars from Armenia and around the world participated in the second part of “The End of Transition: Shifting Focus a Quarter Century After the Soviet Collapse” international conference, held on May 23-24, in Yerevan.

A scene from the panel Governance and Economy (Photo: USC Institute of Armenian Studies)

Organized by the USC Institute of Armenian Studies, the conference’s first part was held on the USC campus April 9-10, and featured scholars and specialists from across the globe as they discussed Armenia’s trajectory since independence in 1991.

Salpi Ghazarian, the director of the Institute, opened the conference. Provost Quick, Vice President Bailey, and Deputy Director of the USC School of International Relations and moderator of the conference, Professor Rob English, presented the opening remarks.

“This conference reflects our commitment to be that essential bridge between the problems and challenges facing Armenia and Armenians, and those with the intellectual and academic skill and passion to tackle them.” said Salpi Ghazarian, director of the USC Institute of Armenian Studies.

Salpi Ghazarian, Director of the USC Institute of Armenian Studies (Photo: USC Institute of Armenian Studies)

Provost Quick, who spent his first day in Yerevan visiting the American University of Armenia, TUMO, and CivilNet, as well as the Genocide Memorial and Museum and other sites in Yerevan, reflected on his experences. “The past is present in Armenia like no other place I have ever visited in the world, whether it’s around the issue of genocide, or whether it’s around the issue that we’re going to be talking about today and tomorrow about the 25 years since the break up of the Soviet Union. But I realize it’s not just about the past. It’s about how that past influences the future.”

Vice President Bailey said, “Part of my role here today is to tell you that the USC Institute of Armenian Studies is the most important international center at USC.”

The conference opened on the afternoon of May 23. In addition to the USC guests, special speakers included Ambassador Jack Matlock, the last U.S. envoy to the USSR; Ambassador Ed Djerejian, director of the Baker Institute at Rice University and a former U.S. diplomat with extensive experience in Russia and the Middle East; Tim Judah, a Balkans expert and writer for the Economist and the New York Review of Books; Professor Ronald Suny of the University of Chicago who has specialized in the Soviet and post-Soviet space, with a special focus on the Caucasus; Dr. Hans Gutbrod founder of Transparify, formerly with the Caucasus Research Resource Centers; Garik Hayrapetyan of the UN Fund for Population Activities on the demographics of transition, and finally, Russia-based author and journalist Anna Arutunyan.

Professor Ronald Suny presented the first talk of the conference, summarizing the relations between the West, Turkey, and Russia.

Ambassador Jack Matlock (Photo: USC Institute of Armenian Studies)

Suny noted that one of the most important factors to remember is how important and central Russia is to any of the problems in the South Caucuses. “What if Russia were the power that, in fact, could bring some kind of solution to the problems in the South Caucasus?” he said.

Ambassador Matlock, who served between 1987 and 1991, discussed the evolution of US-Russia relations since the fall of the Soviet Union and the impact of this relationship on the South Caucasus region. Matlock noted that, as long as Russia continues to sense growing hostility and rivaly from the US, it will take reactionary steps to ascertain itself not only regionally but internationally. “What Putin, internationally, has reacted negatively to is what he considers an effort to put him down,” Matlock said.

Ambassador Ed Djerejian took the stage next. He further expanded on the important role of US-Russia relations on Armenia. “Armenia’s future is linked, in an important way, to the way in which the US-Russia relationship is going to evolve,” Ambassador Djerejian noted.

Following the individual presentations, Professor Suny, Ambassador Matlock and Ambassador Djerejian engaged in a conversation moderated by Professor English. They focused on the impact of regional and global hegemons on Armenia’s transition since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Professor Robert English, Deputy Director of the USC School of International Relations (Photo: USC Institute of Armenian Studies)

The panelists agreed on the growing role of Russia in the region and the need for the U.S. to take into account Russia’s regional interests.

“Armenia should, of course, act in its own interests, but those interests involve the other great powers around it and the limits placed on it by those particular powers. And those interests have to maybe be more carefully defined at times. They go in all kinds of different directions,” Ron Suny concluded.

USC Provost Michael Quick (Photo: USC Institute of Armenian Studies)

The conference continued with the next speaker, Anna Arutunyan, a journalist and author of The Putin Mystique. Arutunyan highlighted the focal points of transition for both Russia and the independent states during the last 25 years.

She said, “In the case of Russia, when we look at it as transitioning, we think transition from point A to point B, from yesterday to tomorrow, from tyranny to freedom. It’s a binary issue. And that in itself, that view, has embedded with it a path dependency.”

Following the conversation on Russia, Garik Hayrapetyan of the United Nations Population Fund summarized the data related to the demographics of transition. Out-migration, sex-selected abortions, and an aging population are all part of this conversation. Talking specifically about sex-selected abortions, Hayrapetyan noted, “If we continue the trend like this, by 2060, Armenia will lose 93,000 girls.”

Dr. Hans Gutbrod, director of Transparify, a policy research and advocacy organization based in Tbilisi, Georgia, discussed global and regional trends in democracy development, or what he called “ten years of backsliding of democracy.” Gutbrod’s presentation focused on local activism and policy changes that can have impact on the next stages of transition. He highlighted Georgia as an important example of transition.

Anthony Bailey, USC’s Vice-President for Strategic and Global Initiatives (Photo: USC Institute of Armenian Studies)

“Why was change possible? Small teams of people who trusted each other worked together, a mix of insiders and outsiders that brought relevant expertise, and an emphasis on delivery in the first six months so you could actually make change and have an impact. Georgia shows that change is possible, even in places where it seems like people have given up,” he noted.

Changing the topic from regional to domestic issues, Gutbrod discussed the need to tackle more specific domestic issues, such as immigration, women’s rights, and more. “We need to also have a transition in our thinking. It’s not only enough now to target fertility in our policies. What we need to target is more gender equality, increasing of women’s roles in our society because it’s women who decide if they should have more children or not.”

Tuesday’s final speaker was Tim Judah, the Balkans correspondent for The Economist. To offer a comparative element, Judah explained the transitional processes in the Balkans, noting, “In the former Yugoslavia, nobody had much time for expectations. And communism, unlike in Armenia, didn’t collapse, it just fizzled out.”

He mentioned that the Kosovo War was also important because it propelled Bulgaria and Romania into NATO and sooner, rather than later, into the EU. This significantly impacted the transition process in the Balkans.

The conference continued on May 24.  The first panel—The Beginning and End of Transition—was chaired by Anna Arutunyan.

Professor Robert English opened the panel with a talk entitled, “Russia, Trump, and a new Détente.” He addressed Washington’s obsession with Russia’s potential meddling in U.S. elections and the need to move beyond smaller issues into the larger picture of the relations between the two powers. “As long as this cloud hangs over the Trump administration, any progress or relations with Russia will be viewed as Kremlin manipulation; Congress will not provide any funding or support any initiative,” Professor English noted.

Professor Ugur Ümit Üngör from the Netherlands addressed the evolving relations between Armenians and Turks. His talk was focused on the Armenian Genocide and its aftermath; evolving social and political relations in the past decades; and the issue of leadership in both countries.

A scene from the panel Civic Culture and Social Change (Photo: USC Institute of Armenian Studies)

Referencing Professor Suny’s discussion on transitology, he noted that there is one element of this that is relevant to Armenian-Turkish relations, which is transitional justice. This is a burgeoning field that looks at the aftermath of mass crimes, such as genocide.

Pointing out the importance of the event in the present, Professor Üngör said, “There is no single interaction between any single Armenian or Turk, either at a café or at a university or in a business setting that the genocide does not cast a shadow on. The genocide looms large.”

Continuing the conversation, Director of the Armenian Communities Department at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon, Dr. Razmik Panossian, asked in his presentation on Trends and Lessons from Transitions, “Where are we now, globally?” His talk addressed issues of electoral illiberalism, consolidation of elites in government, as well as ineffective or “tired” civil societies.

Calling on the Diaspora, Dr. Panossian asked again, “The choice that we, as Diasporan Armenians, have vis-à-vis Armenia itself, given this rather bleak picture, is, do we accept it as it is with the occasional visit, do we engage with Armenia for change, or do we turn back and move on?”

Professor Georgi Derlugian from New York University in Abu Dhabi, focused his talk on the development of democracy in Armenia and all the various factors that affect this.

Despite all the challenges in Armenia, Derlugian stressed that one should not take for granted the independence of Armenia. “We have a multilingual population…we have refugees now arriving from countries like Syria. This is a burden in the short term. This is, if we manage to keep them, a great investment. So the situation is actually begging for a developmental state.”

The second panel—Civic Culture and Social Change—was moderated by Professor Don Miller, Director of the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at USC.

Professor Miller opened the panel by defining the term civil society, noting that, “Central to civil society are the values of free speech, the right to advocate for the public. A vibrant civil society typically has multiple contending voices that are a part of that.

The first presenter of the panel was Dr. Pål Wilter Skedsmo from the Fridtjof Nansen Institute in Norway. Dr. Skedsmo’s talk focused on environmental rights in Post-Soviet Armenia. Yerevan’s urban landscape since independence was discussed by Vrej Haroutounian, a graduate student at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. The conversation turned to Georgia with Professor Anton Popov from the UK, who presented a talk entitled, “Rebabilitating Telavi: Politics of Historical Heritage in Post-Soviet Georgia.” The changing roles of Armenian churches was discussed by Sabrina Papazian from Stanford University. Dr. Antranig Kasparian addressed the changing motives and modalities of charitable assistance from the Diaspora over a quarter century. The Diaspora conversation continued with Eviya Hovhannisyan from European University at Saint-Petersburg in Russia.

In between the panels, the audience enjoyed a brief presentation by filmmaker Eric Nazarian on the transitioning of post-Soviet cinema in Armenia. He mentioned the urgent need to present Armenia and Armenians in cinema with its new, 21st century identity.

“The first time audiences around the world were exposed to the concept of an Armenian was of a destroyed, victimized, repressed, brutalized, raped race…as they say, you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. This was the first impression the world got of Armenians—as a victimized nation, aka the starving Armenians.”

Following Nazarian, philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan, took the stage to discuss approaches to the next stage of transition in Armenia. He talked about his desire to do something more systemic to address development in Armenia. “Let’s try to go from the vision to execution, which is sometimes the more difficult part of transition,” he said.

Ruben Vardanyan (Photo: USC Institute of Armenian Studies)

Mr. Vardanyan discussed the impact of his initiatives, taken by his family foundation, or with the collaboration of friends and other investors. Those initiatives range from development projects which focus on advancing education, expanding tourism, and developing local economies through the IDEA Foundation. In turn, the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative aims to put Armenia in a global context.

Dr. Irina Ghaplanyan moderated the third panel on Governance and Economy.

Professor Armenak Atinyan from Tianjin University in China opened the panel with a presentation on the impact of temporary migration in the South Caucasus. Dr. Taline Papazian discussed the role of the Yerkrapah in the institutional development of democracy. Discussing ‘hybrid regimes,’ Babken DerGrigorian presented Armenia as a case of anocracy. The conversation changed to healthcare as Shant Shekherdimian of the University of California, Los Angeles, discussed the efficiency, or lack thereof, of the Diaspora’s efforts in healthcare in Armenia.

Building on previous research done by Professor Don Miller, Dr. Karena Avedissian presented a talk on her current research on post-Soviet perceptions of poverty and unequal wealth. Arsen Stepanyan addressed the transition in legislative processes in Armenia since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Eric Nazarian (Photo: USC Institute of Armenian Studies)

The last panel of the conference, entitled Foreign Policy and Regional Integration, was moderated by Dr. Hans Gutbrod. Presenters focused on Russia, Iran, the European Union, and Georgia.

Professor Mikayel Zolyan of Yerevan’s Brusov University addressed the paradoxes of Russian-Armenian relations. Iran’s relationship with Armenia was covered by Iran-based scholar Robert Markarian. Armen Grigoryan of the Central European University in Hungary presented on Armenia and the European Union, with a focus on lessons from Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. Georgia-Armenia relations were addressed by Tamar Kutsishvili.

“Apart from the evident value of bringing together the experiences of these scholars and diplomats, this conference is proof of the need to support deeper research into all aspects of development in the Republic of Armenia. The Institute has embarked on supporting research in and about Karabagh; we continued with offering assistance for research on aspects of the transition process. We intend to continue to identify critical areas of research needed to address national challenges,” said Salpi Ghazarian.

Video of the two-day conference in Yerevan is available below.

Video of the two-day conference in Los Angeles is available below.

The Institute of Armenian Studies promotes research, scholarship and programming that address national and global challenges and seek to contribute to policy that impacts the development of Armenian communities and the Armenian Republic.

YEREVAN—On the occasion of the 99th anniversary of the First Armenian Republic, Armenia’s President Serge Sarkisian presented Vartan Gregorian, President of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, with the Order of Honor.

Vartan Gregorian wears the Order of Honor bestowed on him by the president of Armenia.

The award, which recognizes significant services in the defense of the state and the protection of the national interests of the Republic of Armenia, thanked and honored Gregorian for his contributions to the strengthening of U.S.-Armenia relations.

Gregorian was one of a group of individuals presented with high state awards and honorary titles for their contributions to the areas of “science, education, healthcare, economy, arts, culture, and sports, efficient work, patriotism, boundless dedication, deepening and expansion of the Fatherland-Diaspora relations.” The bestowing ceremony took place on May 28 at the presidential palace in Yerevan, Armenia.

The bestowal of the Order of Honor on Gregorian coincided with the second annual Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity ceremonies, also held on May 28 in Yerevan. Founded on behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors, the Aurora Prize seeks to raise awareness of humanitarians and their efforts around the world. In 2015, Gregorian, Noubar Afeyan, and Ruben Vardanyan cofounded the “100 Lives” initiative and the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity.

Five New Members Join Chapter

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.—A gathering took place in Philadelphia that focused on the present activities and future trajectory of the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society in the area. Upon the invitation of the Philadelphia Hamazkayin Executive Committee, Hamazkayin Central Executive member unger Hrair Baronian, together with Hamazkayin Eastern Regional Executive members ungerouhis Anny Aghajanian (secretary) and Kari Ghezarian (treasurer), held a meeting with the Hamazkayin Executive Committee of Philadelphia, as well as members of the local chapter and the parents of the youth enrolled in the Hamazkayin Meghry dance group. The meeting took place on April 30 in the Terhanian Hall of Saint Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church.

A gathering took place in Philadelphia that focused on the present activities and future trajectory of the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society in the area.

Unger Hrand Jilizian, chair of the Philadelphia Hamazkayin chapter, opened the meeting and welcomed the invitees and those present, and invited Baronian to address those gathered. Baronian congratulated the chapter for its five new members who joined the organization in recent weeks. He spoke about the mission of the organization, which aims to nourish and teach the Armenian culture and language to the new generation. He emphasized the importance of engaging the youth in organizational life, to prepare them for leadership roles. He stressed that the future of the organization, as well as the nation, rests in the engagement of the younger generations.

Later, the parents of the youth enrolled in the dance group joined the meeting. Baronian thanked the parents for their dedication and commitment to Armenian culture exhibited in their children’s engagement in the Hamazkayin dance group. He also spoke about the importance of keeping the culture alive through dance and music, as well as Hamazkayin’s mission of supporting cultural and educational initiatives.

The meetings were warm and inspiring, and gave way to discussions on the work of the organization, as well as the needs of the community.

YEREVAN—Wine has been produced in Armenia for millennia, as evidenced by one extraordinary cave nestled alongside the Arpa river running through Vayots Dzor Province. In recent years, the industry has flourished and Armenian wines have gained international recognition. However, the average grape grower in the country lack the skills to produce, brand, and market wine from the grapes they grow. As major wineries progress by leaps and bounds each year, small farmers are being left behind.

In recent years, the wine industry has flourished and Armenian wines have gained international recognition. (Photo: ONEArmenia)

ONEArmenia and Semina Consulting seek to address this issue by partnering to empower local farmers to break into the fast growing industry through the crowdfunding campaign, Farm-to-Bottle.

The crowdfunding campaign will raise $61,515, which will provide farmers in Vayots Dzor—the oldest winemaking region in Armenia—with training, tools and facilities to produce and market their own unique brands of wine. The average salary in Armenia is approximately $4,200 per year, but the ability to sell quality wine will enable the farmers to increase their annual income significantly, with the potential to make an average of $12,000 per person within the first year of production.

“This project hopes to create a ripple effect on rural entrepreneurship in Vayots Dzor, by demonstrating that farmers can launch sustainable businesses with a little startup support.” says Aimee Keushguerian of Semina Consulting. “We can show others across Armenia the path towards independence and prosperity.”

Semina Consulting, a winery incubator whose mission is to develop and promote the wine industry in Armenia, has mentored several of the recently emerging wine brands and is now turning their attention to small farmers. In collaboration with EVN Wine Academy, they will provide viticultural training to the farmers, so that they can grow quality grapes. Semina will go on to produce wine from these vineyards, in their state of the art facility, return the wine to the farmers, and proceed to coach them through the process of creating a brand and marketing the products.

As wine tourism increases, so too does the need for infrastructure to support those eager to discover Armenian wines.

“Armenia has a rich, 6,000 year old history in winemaking—it’s time to accelerate the ability for tourists and locals to easily access products from local farmers,” said Patrick Sarkissian founder of ONEArmenia.

Each farmer will be provided with a tasting room, called Wine Cubes, which will allow them to showcase their wine to tourists visiting the region. The Wine Cubes, beautifully designed by DZ Architectural and Design Studio and constructed by Shelter Construction, will serve as the starting point for each farmer to build their own winery and will bolster tourism to the region.

Visitors will have the opportunity to visit the vineyards and then sample the wine on the spot, in the stylish Wine Cubes. Each farmer will learn how to present their wine, how to educate visitors on their work and how to sell the wine directly from the tasting room. Every farmer has their own skill set and assets and can tailor the tourists’ experience accordingly. They will be able to offer other products that they produce from honey to jam to cheese or even sit down meals.
With the proper training and infrastructure in place, the possibilities are limitless for farmers in Vayots Dzor. Farm-to-Bottle is an opportunity for people around the world to show their support for local farmers in Armenia and empower them to become major players in the wine industry.

The end result will be more beautiful and exciting tourist experiences in Armenia, stronger local economies in Vayots Dzor and more quality Armenian wine on the market- and that’s something everyone can benefit from.

WOBURN, Mass.—Last month Armenian communities around the world commemorated the 99th anniversary of the battle of Bash Aparan. On May 21, 1918, an Ottoman Turkish division attacked Armenian forces at Bash Aparan, with the intent of pushing towards Yerevan. After three days of fierce combat, the Armenians, led by General Drastamat Kanayan, known as General Dro, began to repel the Turkish regiments, and they retreated on May 29, 1918. The victory at Bash Aparan, along with Armenian success at Saradarabad and Karakilisa, was instrumental in leading to the formation of the First Republic of Armenia.

As the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Bash Aparan approaches, ATP is creating a living memorial to General Dro and his victory in 1918 near the monument and final resting place of the national hero.

As the 100th anniversary of the battle approaches, General Dro’s family is cooperating with Armenia Tree Project (ATP) to create a living memorial to Dro and his victory at Bash Aparan. There is a park in the town of Aparan, Armenia at the site of the battle where a visitor will find General Dro’s final resting place as well as a monument to the victorious battle of Bash Aparan.

ATP has begun to beautify and improve the Aparan site, planting trees and shrubs and developing walking paths. This project will culminate in May 2018 with a ceremonial tree planting at the park with Dro’s family and friends.

General Dro’s grandson Philip Kanayan states, “Any monument to our grandfather should be a living memorial. General Dro was not a man who wore medals. He lived a life of service to the Armenian nation, and in that vein the Armenia Tree Project promotes those ideals of giving back to the Armenian Nation.”

General Dro’s daughter Olga Proudian of Watertown, Mass. describes her father not as a war hero, but a man who was always true to his ideas and himself. “He was always positive about the future of Armenia,” she said. “He assumed we would have an independent Armenia, and he believed we should give it priority. His mission was always an independent Armenia. He would not allow the world to not have an Armenia.”

In 2000, Olga and other family members accompanied Dro’s remains to Armenia, where they were re-interred near the Bash Aparan memorial. It was an emotional experience for Olga. She felt a tug on her sleeve. An elderly man, recognizing her as Dro’s daughter, wanted to show her a small house nearby. He explained that his father and Dro had fought the Turks together from that house in 1918.

Tatul Sonentz-Papazian first met Dro in Cairo in the early 1950s, when both men attended the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) World Congress there. Tatul remembers Dro as a great diplomat, strategist and tactician, but also much more: “Not only did General Dro play a key role in formation of the First Republic, he re-kindled the Hai Tahd fighting spirit. Thanks to his work in Armenia and the Diaspora, the spirit of Hai Tahd lives on in youth around the world.”

General Dro’s grandson and namesake, Dro Kanayan of Massachusetts, says that planting trees in his grandfather’s honor is appropriate because he had a strong connection to the land. He grew up on a farm in Igdir, and at times fed his army from the harvest of his father’s farm: “Dro understood the importance of what the land can provide for the people. Armenia Tree Project provides resources for our people to survive and prosper by living off the land, which follows Dro’s ideals to continue helping our nation.”

Last fall, ATP began the beautification of the site honoring General Dro and the Battle of Bash Aparan by planting nearly 1,000 trees with volunteers from Birthright Armenia. (Photo: ATP)

Since 1994, ATP has used trees to help Armenians improve their standard of living and help protect the global environment. ATP’s work is guided by its core principles: promoting self-sufficiency, aiding those with the fewest resources and conserving the indigenous ecosystem.

“ATP is proud to participate in this project. We’re honored to help remember  the historic victory at Bash Aparan. Planting trees for the future is a fitting tribute to the bravery and sacrifices of General Dro and his troops,” said ATP Executive Director Jeanmarie Papelian.

ATP and the Kanayan family will hold fundraising and promotional events on the east and west coasts in the coming year. If you would like to support this project, or participate in the May 2018 planting in Armenia, please contact ATP at info@armeniatree.org.

The Armenian Cultural Foundation of Arlington, Mass.

ARLINGTON, Mass.—In pursuant of its mission, to sponsor programs in the arts and humanities for the advancement of culture in general, and the Armenian culture in particular, the Armenian Cultural Foundation (ACF) recently announced the launching of a new musical program. On June 25, at 3 p.m., the ACF, co-sponsored with Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA) New England affiliate, will hold the inaugural concert of the Mirak Chamber Music Series, named in memory of John P. Mirak (1907-2000) entrepreneur, philanthropist, community leader, sole benefactor for decades, and late president of the ACF.

The Series aims to place the world’s finest classical music at the center of the cultural life of the Boston Armenian community in general and Arlington in particular.  In line with the Foundation’s mission, to focus “on the history of Armenian music in the diaspora and on the role of Armenian women in the nation’s history,” the Series will showcase works by international and Armenian composers, with an emphasis on introducing works by Armenian women composers in Armenia and the Diaspora. On occasion, the Series will also feature and promote young and promising performers, and groups and premieres of newly written works.

With this inaugural concert, the ACF will also celebrate the rededication of the Foundation’s piano. The handsome ebony 1897 Steinway is the gift of the late Lillian Norian Moranian (1929-2006).  Refurbished and extensively renovated, the Moranian piano will provide new opportunities for higher quality performances and musical events at ACF.  Several noted and internationally recognized pianists have already praised the quality of this especial gift and pledged participation in future events.

Born in North Bergen, N.J., Lillian Moranian is the child of Armenian immigrants from Aintab: her mother was a survivor of the Armenian Genocide and her father was a businessman and philanthropist.  She grew up in a musical home: two of her sisters were concert pianists. She received her formal education at Drew University in Madison, N.J.

For decades, Moranian and her husband played instrumental roles in the development of such important Armenian cultural and academic organizations as the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR), the Armenian Museum of America (AMA), and AIWA.

Performing at the concert will be the NOR [“new” in Armenian] Trio, formed in Boston by the coming together of three instrumentalists, Nune Hakobyan (piano), Sarkis Karapetyan (violin), and Andrei Sobchenko (saxophone). A trio whose instruments do not traditionally comprise a classical trio, Nor Trio produces music that is distinctive, while retaining the traditional aspects of a piano trio. It seeks to promote Armenian and Russian music, introducing rarely performed composers through their own unique arrangements.

The program will include works by Glinka, Franck, and Khachaturian.  Specifically, the concert will feature Boston premieres of three works:  Paul-Henri Büsser’s (1872-1973) Rhapsodie armenienne [Armenian Rhapsody], Elegia for violin and piano by Svetlana Aleksanyan (b. 1965) and Cantique by Koharik Ghazarossian (1907-1967).

Paul-Henri Büsser was born in Toulouse. He received his musical education at Paris Conservatoire, where he studied under César Franck. Later he became protégé of Jules Massenet. He composed a wide range of pieces, mostly for the stage. His Rhapsodie armenienne, dedicated to violist Maurice Vieux, on a popular theme, was written for the “Concours” of the Conservatoire nationale de Musique in Paris in 1930.

This will be the Boston premiere of the piece arranged by the NOR Trio.

A native of Armenia, Svetlana Aleksanyan belongs to the younger generation of Armenian composers.  A graduate with honors of the Tchaikovsky Music School (1982), Aleksanyan continued her studies in the Komitas Conservatory of Music under N. Shamakhyan and Ghazaros Saryan and received her Doctoral degree in composition with high honors in 1991. Some of her works include “Nocturnal Dialogue with Narekatsi,” based on Vahagn Davtian’s same-named poem, “Devotional Choral-Melody in memory of her mentor Ghazaros Saryan, and Cindrella, a musical which was staged in Armenia under the directorship of Arman Mirijanian. Aleksanyan is the recipient of a number of national and international awards. Her above-mentioned work, Elegia for violin and piano, will be premiered in Boston for the first time.

Born in Istanbul, Ghazarossian received her early musical education in her native town under European instructors and Armenian composer Edgar Manas. Upon graduating from the Essayan School, she left for Paris to continue her musical studies at the Conservatoire National de Musique where she studied under prominent pianists Lazare Lévy, Camille Decroix, Paul A. Dukas, and Jean Roger-Ducasse.

Upon completing her studies, Ghazarossian embarked on a flourishing career of composing and performing.  She performed almost 400 concerts that spanned Europe and the United States. One Paris critic wrote about her performances: “She shows in her entire execution that she is a cultivated musician of superior intelligence.”

Ghazarossian has left a rich musical legacy. Among her works are: Two Sharakans (1940), Prelude and Fugue (1941), Album (1948), Sonate (1956), 24 Etudes for piano (1963), and concertos for double piano.

Established in 2003, the ACF musical archives house a unique collection of Koharik Ghazarossian papers, articles, newspaper clippings as well as musical scores and correspondence.  This special collection constitutes part of the Ardashes H. Shelemian Collection, a massive collection of books and Armenian music, donated to the Foundation in 2012, which will also be dedicated on this occasion.

Born in Constantinople (1923 -) Ardashes H. Shelemian received his early education at the Nersesian School, Constantinople, and the Azgayin Kentronakan [National Central], and continued his higher education at the American Robert College, graduating with a B.S. in Exact Sciences. Later he attended the Reserve Officers Academy where he received the rank of Lieutenant in the signal corps.

A music lover and enthusiast, Shelemian received his musical education under Sargis Boyajian of historical St. Gregory the Lusavorich Armenian Church of Galatia and Harut’iwn Muradian (later, Fr. Shnorhk’ Muradian). He also studied violin under Enoch Gavafian and harmony and composition under prominent musician Koharik Ghazarossian.

Fluent in Armenian, Turkish, English, and Spanish, Shelemian has been an active member of his community in his birthplace as well as Buenos Aires, Argentina and Boston. As a freelance writer and correspondent, Shalemian has contributed pieces to several Armenian language periodicals, among them Jamanak, Marmara, Jarakeyt, and Badge, Arev, and Yerchanik, all in Istanbul; and Nerkay, Hay Ketron, and Vospor as editor, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Shelemian has held a number of academic positions in the United States, Argentina and Turkey. He has been a member of a number of Armenian and non-Armenian organizations and institutions, among them, Alumni Association of Ketronakan Armenian Lyceum, Istanbul; Associacion Cultural Armenia de Estambul, Buenoes Aires; Co-founder of Pro-Music Armenia, Buenos Aires; Association of Argentino-Armenian Musicians; National Association for Armenian Studies and Research; and Tekeyan Cultural Association, Boston.

The Shelemian collection, donated to ACF in 2012, is a welcome addition to the ACF musical archives collection. It will join those of violinist, composer and conductor Rouben Gregorian (1999), maestro Arsen Sayan (2002), pianist Beatrice Ohanessian (2012), world renowned prolific composer Alan Hovhaness (2013) and Hayg Boyadjian (2012).

The concert, free of charge and open to the public, followed by a reception, will be held on June 25 at 3 p.m. For more details, contact (781-646-3090) the ACF office during office hours 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays.

BELMONT, Mass.—Researcher George Aghjayan will lead a series of genealogy workshops beginning on, June 22, at 7 p.m., at the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) Center, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, Mass. 02478.  Subsequent meetings on Thursdays June 29, July 13, and July 20 (there will be no meeting on Thursday, July 6), with additional sessions being planned for the fall.

George Aghjayan speaking at an Armenian Genocide commemoration event in Ankara (Photo: Mehmet Ozer)

For beginners to more experienced researchers, this workshop will provide both a general overview of available resources and research strategies as well as address specific inquiries.  All are welcome to participate in the discussions led by Aghjayan, NAASR Board Member, researcher on Armenian demographics and population records in the Ottoman Empire, and co-organizer of the 2016 and 2017 Armenian Genealogy Conferences in Watertown, Mass., and Dearborn, Mich. Aghjayan is also is chair of the Central Committee of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Eastern United States.

Advance registration (per session or for all four) is required for all attendees.  Registration fees are $10 ($6 for current NAASR members) per session or $30 for all four ($24 for current NAASR members).  Participants can contact  NAASR at 617-489-1610 or hq@naasr.org to register.

DETROIT, Mich.—The hall was filled with the music of violinist Harry Hovakimian as guests enjoyed an Italian feast prepared Krista Tossounian at the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Detroit “Sybille” chapter’s annual Mother’s Day celebration. The event, which brought together friends and families, also included its famous tin can raffle and an opportunity to meet Diane Harountian of “The Pampered Chef.”

ARS members stand with Rev Fr. Hrant Kevorkian and keynote speaker Liana Aghajanian

Armenian-American journalist Liana Aghajanian was event’s the keynote speaker. Aghajanian is currently based in Detroit, after being awarded a home by the non-profit “Write a House.”  In her address, she reflected on moving to Detroit a year ago and our collective Armenian identity.

The “Sybille” chapter is honored to share excerpts from the speech that Aghajanian so eloquently delivered that very special evening (below).

***

To understand this city—and appreciate it—you have to be here. You have to be gardening with your Bengali neighbors, you have to be going to the Michigan’s oldest blues bar on a Thursday night – the only establishment that seems to be holding down a devastated street full of empty building every which way you look.

You have to be eating at coney islands peppered throughout the city, you have to be visiting cemeteries and the African-American mosque after Friday prayers. You have to be attending the soccer games of the city’s underdog team, or hanging out for weeks with the crew of the only mailboat in the world with its own zip code. You have to drive your car over the pot-hole ridden streets, and recognize that the new, hip and cool Detroit is only contained in less than 10 miles and that this city still has very serious, visible problems with infrastructure and water and perhaps most important of all—schools.

You have to be the kind of person who cares enough to explore the complexity of this place. When I start to have panic attacks about the state of journalism fueled by overthinking, reality and copious amounts of tea, I try to remind myself why I start writing in the first place: journalism has always been my excuse to get the know the world.

That curiosity has helped me out before. Now it’s helping me understand the most misunderstood city in the country, which I’m still slowly getting to know.

***

The eternal conundrum of the Armenians, Jews, Rwandans, Bosnians, Cambodians and Native Americans – people who survive and overcome something as horrific as genocide is a dual reality, teetering between what once was and what is, an inability to exist only in the present, with time divided between the here and now and the past.  This is what happens when your connections to home are severed and when that home transforms and molds overtime to erase you.You are on a never ending mission, one that sometimes borders on an unhealthy obsession, to figure out what home even means. Not being able to think about your identity isn’t part of your reality, but an unreachable luxury reserved for those whose family lines follow a straight line. In the Armenian case, this quest for identity is made even more burdensome by an overarching issue that never actually resolves itself: the continued denial by the Turkish government that such organized annihilation ever took place.

What does this kind of mass displacement do to a people? It destroys bloodlines, cities, homes, success and wealth while insidiously making room inside you for the kind of inter-generational trauma that spreads itself into your consciousness over decades, seeping into your being and taking up residence in ways unseen. It disrupts memory, identity and your ability to cope with and process both.

But when we often talk about about genocide, we fail to discuss another aspect of what comes after – of how a population insists on not just existing in the face of unspeakable tragedy, but persists in spite of it.

When speaking about the fate that had befallen on the Ottoman Empire’s Armenian population, the French novelist Anatole France said in 1916 that “a nation that does not want to die, does not die.”

In many ways, this sums up the quintessential modern Armenian story, a roller coaster of building and rebuilding, over and over again for 100 years, despite genocide, despite being refugees, despite facing prejudice, despite having to start all over again as newcomers in foreign countries around the world, suffering through and escaping subsequent decades of violence, war and displacement.

Nowhere is this story expressed more poetically than America, where each generation of Armenian-Americans have contributed in their own way to a patchwork attempt to put the Armenian nation back together again. Nowhere is this better expressed than Detroit.

This history rooted in resilience has remained largely hidden—both to Armenians and Americans – despite the fact that the United State’s first collective display of humanitarian aid was a relief campaign dedicated to the Armenian Genocide.

***

I’ve learned to start over in a sense, in a new city that’s more complex and perhaps more misunderstood than anywhere else in America, here is a lesson I’ve learned, the biggest thing I’ve taken away with me both from Detroit and from the Armenian-American community sitting in front of me today: people can and will thrive, if you let them

***

YEREVAN—On June 3, the American University of Armenia (AUA) held its inaugural undergraduate and 25^th commencement ceremonies, in which over 400 students received their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The ceremonies also welcomed graduates’ families and friends, the AUA Board of Trustees, dignitaries from the Armenian government, ambassadors, representatives from local and foreign organizations, and guests from the Armenian Diaspora.

A scene from the ceremony (Photo: AUA)

The morning began with the playing of the traditional graduation musical score, Pomp and Circumstance, and was followed by an invocation delivered by His Grace Bishop Gevorg Saroyan, Supervisor of Religious and Higher Education Institutions of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Thereafter, the ceremonies were led by AUA President Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian, also one of the University’s co-founders.

“The founding of AUA in 1991 was a bold move at a difficult time in Armenia’s history. This is a special day of celebration for faculty, students, parents, and all the organizations and individuals who have worked towards the establishment and development of this institution,” said Dr. Der Kiureghian. He also highlighted the ways in which the University has grown its facilities threefold over the last 25 years, with modern classrooms, auditoria, offices and other facilities. Specifically, Dr. Der Kiureghian cited the modern collaborative study area, AUA’s first tiered classroom, and the Entrepreneurship & Product Innovation Center (EPIC), including its new classrooms and laboratories that were inaugurated last year. Founders, supporters, administrative staff, and faculty were also called on to be recognized for their efforts and many years of service to the University. His remarks were followed by a greeting from the University of California, with which AUA is affiliated, read by the Chair of AUA’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Lawrence H. Pitts.

In a heartfelt moment, Dr. Der Kiureghian addressed the graduates and asked that their family members also stand to be recognized for “their continuous hard work and sacrifices,” which helped students achieve their educational goals. In turn, he congratulated the graduates once again and encouraged them to think of ways to give back to their families, communities, and nation as they go forward.

The keynote address to the 190 undergraduates was delivered by Impact Hub Yerevan Co-founder and CEO Sara Anjargolian, who encouraged graduates to find their passions and pursue them. Finally she added, “Changes in this country will only be made by those who show up and raise their voice.”

Ms. Anjargolian was followed with valedictory addresses in both Armenian and English. The address in Armenian was delivered by Mikayel Arzumanyan, a business student: “Studying at AUA has been a journey, during which we became a family. Here, we learned how to meet expectations, gained the skills we need to deal with any given situation, and we learned how to communicate clearly and express ourselves.” He was followed by Nare Hovhannisyan, an English and Communications student, who delivered the English address. “Spending four years in the classroom, hallways, and library of AUA has changed our identities, given us the chance to meet inspiring people, discover new interests, and created long-lasting friendships,” Nare stated in her remarks.

Later in the day, Professor Dr. Naira Hovakimyan of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign delivered the keynote address to the graduating class of graduate students. The 210 students listened as Professor Hovakimyan urged them to dream, have the vision to realize their dreams, be resilient and pursue their set paths and strategies with courage. “The future is nothing more than what we create,” she added.

The ceremonies were highlighted by the inaugural bestowal of the AUA Presidential Commendation award to Edward Avedisian, an AUA Trustee and major benefactor of the University. As stated on the Commendation, it was “In recognition of extraordinary achievements and distinguished service in the advancement of education in Armenia.” Mr. Avedisian’s myriad philanthropic works were buttressed by his notable professional career as a musician, university professor, and investor. His gift to the University led to the building of the Paramaz Avedisian Building, named for his late brother.

The Presidential Commendation award was succeeded by two Teaching Excellence Prizes, which were awarded to Irshat Madyarov, Program Chair and Associate Professor of the Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Foreign Language Program, and Vardan Baghdasaryan, Assistant Professor at the Manoogian Simone College of Business and Economics. The year was also marked by the establishment of the Staff Excellence in Service and Balian scholarship awards. The recipients of the Staff Excellence in Service award were Gayane Sargsyan, System Administrator from the Information and Communication Technologies Services, Robert Gyulumyan, Senior Accountant from Financial Services, and Hasmik Galstyan, Head of Reference/Circulation Department of the AGBU Papazian Library. The recipient of the 2017 Balian Scholarship award was Tigran Mamikonyan from the Master of Science in Computer and Information Science program. This year, four faculty research grant awards were awarded on a competitive basis to Narek Mkrthchyan and Marina Dodogovic from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Gurgen Khachatryan from the Zaven and Sonia Akian College of Science and Engineering, Knar Khachatryan and Aleksandr Grigoryan from the Manoogian Simone College of Business and Economics, and Stefan Schlafer from the Acopian Center for the Environment. The faculty research grant awards were made possible thanks to the Hemayak Setrakian Endowment, as well as donations from Sam Simonian and Sinan Sinanian.

Special acknowledgments were also extended to those individuals and organizations who make it possible for AUA students to pursue their educations irrespective of the financial status. In particular, the Turpanjian Family Educational Foundation and the Akian Family Foundation scholarship programs were highlighted as key supporters in the University’s full-need and need-blind admission policy and commitment to accessible education.

“The depth and detail of what we are learning at AUA is far beyond my high school experience in Russia. Professors here not just demand but teach you, they encourage you to learn and awaken your sense of responsibility. Here, you gain knowledge and skills that will come in handy in your career; you meet friends for life; you find a second home,” English and Communications undergraduate student Mariam Mkrtchyan said.

Pattyl Vartanian, a student from the English and Communications program who came to AUA from Saudi Arabia, added, “Studying at AUA is a privilege. I received my degree with integrity and professionalism. The University provided me with the best quality of education that I’m sure will guide me towards a better life in the future.”

The commencement ceremonies were the appropriate coda to an exceptional year for the University. Topping the long list of accomplishments was the creation of two new degree programs: the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Sciences and the Master of Science in Strategic Management. Additionally, this academic year saw the establishment of the Center for Creative Writing and an AUA Extension office in Vanadzor.

Generous support for the University from a number of sources, including two capacity-building grants from the Erasmus+ program, the 25th Anniversary Gala celebration in Los Angeles that raised over $1.5 million for student scholarships, a $999,000 grant from American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) program of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for the construction of a student residence facility, the establishment of a $1 million scholarship by the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative for students from certain countries in the Middle East, and the 100 Pillars program and other philanthropic giving.

As AUA bids success to its graduates, it looks forward to the coming academic year with hope and high expectations.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.

ALEPPO, Syria (A.W.)— Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Bureau chairperson Hrant Markarian met with the representatives of various Aleppo-Armenian organizations during his recent visit to the city, reported Aleppo-based Armenian news outlet Kantsasar.

A scene from the meeting (Photo: Kantsasar)

“The Armenian community of Syria succeeded through its attitude, behavior, and by serving as a model Syrian citizen as well as a patriotic Armenian,” Markarian during the June 8 meeting. Markarian provided details about the ARF’s Syrian Armenian Committee for Urgent Relief and Rehabilitation, which was formed in the beginning of the Syrian Civil War and explained that over the past seven years, the organization worked tirelessly to assist the Armenians of Syria.

Markarian stressed that the plight of the Syrian-Armenians should not only be a concern for the Syrian-Armenian community, but also for all Armenians around the world. According to Markarian, it is with that in mind that the ARF decided to include the problem within the top of its agenda.

“We’ve always tried to provide our greatest support to the Syrian-Armenian community and today we will lead the efforts towards recovery,” said Markarian. “The damage in Aleppo is so severe that it requires international attention and effort to rebuild the city.” According to Markarian, the ARF had anticipated that the civil war would not end quick and acted accordingly.

Markarian assured that although the situation in Syria is still unstable, the ARF and the global Armenian community are standing in solidarity with Syrian-Armenians and are ready to provide help when needed.  He also said that he believed that the conflict could come to an end soon if the international community wanted chose to act.

“Just like how we have been working actively for assistance and have been by your side for the last seven years, we will continue to do that,” said Markarian. “Although the priority is given to Syrian-Armenians that are still living in Syria, we will not remain indifferent to the many Syrian-Armenian refugees that are living around the world in difficult circumstances… We will stay by your side until the end,” concluded Markarian.

The representatives of the various organizations represented praised the ARF for its work and Markarian for his visit during a challenging time.

The Bureau chairperson also visited the gravesite of longtime ARF member and leader of the defense of the Armenian neighborhoods of Aleppo Raffi Bchakjian, who was killed last year on June 10.

OTTAWA, Canada—Hisyar Ozsoy, vice co-chair of the Peoples’ Democratic Party of Turkey (HDP) and the party’s foreign affairs critic, discussed the current political situation in Turkey and the ongoing persecution of minorities at a series of community events in Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa on June 10-12. The events were jointly organized by the Canadian Kurdish Federation (CKF) and the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC).

Ozsoy speaking to community members at the Armenian Community Center of Toronto (Photo: ANCC)

At each event, Ozsoy spoke of the aftermath of the constitutional referendum and the ongoing uncertainty and concern regarding the rights and freedoms of the minorities living in Turkey today. He specifically stressed the importance of raising international awareness and ensuring that western powers categorically condemn Turkish President Recep Tayipp Erdogan’s misconducts and actively engage in empowering civil society in Turkey.

On June 12, Ozsoy met with Canadian Members of Parliament and various officials representing the Government of Canada at special meetings organized by Mr. Tom Kmiec, Member of Parliament (MP) for Calgary Shepard and chair of the Kurdish-Canadian Parliamentary Friendship Group. During the meetings, Ozsoy, accompanied by Mr. Abraham Niziblian, executive member of the ANCC, and Mr. Gurkan Ormangoren, co-chair of CKF, discussed Canada’s responsibility to protect human rights of minorities in Turkey.

Toronto City Councillor Jim Karygiannis presents Ozsoy with a special citation (Photo: ANCC)

“Times are difficult and challenging but we will survive despite all the hardships imposed by the Erdogan regime… 5000 members of my party are in prison today, and I will get arrested when I get back to Turkey as well. However, I refuse to hide in another country. I need to be there with my people. I still have work to do,” Ozsoy said in his Montreal speech.

“We highly appreciate and commend the unwavering commitment displayed by Mr. Ozsoy and his party in promoting tolerance and human rights for ethnic minorities in Turkey” said Raffi Donabedian, chair of the ANCC. “Our expectation is for our government and for the entire international community to become more engaged and actively pursue efforts to promote human rights and justice in Turkey, especially at a time when the current regime is descending into absolute autocracy,” added Donabedian.

A scene from the Montreal event (Photo: ANCC)

Commenting on the events, Ormangoran noted that the mistreatment of the Kurdish minority and all other minorities in Turkey today has reached alarming levels. “Ozsoy’s appeal in Canada and elsewhere is more relevant than ever,” Ormangoran said.

Ozsoy is a ranking member of the HDP and a long-time activist for human rights issues in Turkey and around the world. Ozsoy was first elected as an MP from his hometown Bingol on June 7, 2015. He was re-elected on November 1, 2015.

Ozsoy speaking to community members at the Armenian Community Center of Toronto (Photo: ANCC)

Ozsoy is currently serves as the vice co-chair of the HDP, in charge of foreign affairs and a member of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. He is also a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE PA) and a substitute member of  the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

BURBANK, Calif.—Members and supporters of the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) gathered at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Harout and Vicky Marashlian on June 4 for a fundraising luncheon which raised over $33,000 to benefit the ARS Stepanakert Soseh Kindergarten and the purchase of a number of necessities for the kindergarten, including children’s bedding and furnishings.

Children of the Soseh Kindergarten at the ‘We Are Our Mountains’ monument (Photo: ARS)

Among the 80 guests were ARS Central Executive Board Vice-Chairperson Nyree Derderian; ARS Central Executive liaison to the Western Region Maral Matossian; Regional Executive Board Members Carmen Libaridian and Maro Papazian; Jackie Hawley, Jane Karageorge, and Catherine Yesayan of Sorptimist International of Glendale; Lynda Burns of the Glendale Commission on the Status of Women; previous ARS Regional Executive Board chairpersons, chapter representatives, and donors.

The official re-opening ceremony of the ARS Stepanakert Soseh Kindergarten will be held in Artsakh on Sept. 6. ARS regions from around the world have joined the rebuilding project initiative to help ensure that the kindergarten will continue to provide early childhood education in a nurturing environment.

While the project turned into reality thanks to the government of the Artsakh Republic, which allocated the land for the kindergarten to the ARS and contributed to construction costs, the ARS has undertaken the greatest of responsibilities in the rebuilding project.

In an effort to ensure the smooth progression of the project, the ARS Central Executive Board formed a committee, which focused on fundraising for the project through events and programs throughout the Western and Eastern United States and Canada. ARS members Jasik Jarahian, Seda Khojayan, and Vicky Marashlian represent the Western Region on the ARS Stepanakert Soseh Kindergarten Rebuilding Project Committee. As a result of their dedication, the ARS of Western USA has brought its maximum participation to the rebuilding project.

During the event, each of the three committee members delivered remarks to guests, explaining the progress and goals of the rebuilding project. While this event may be one of the last ones in the region to benefit the project, the ARS of Western USA extends its utmost gratitude to all the supporters, who have helped further this cause.

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Providence “Arax” chapter held its annual Mother’s Day celebration on May 13, attended by more than a hundred guests at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick.  This year’s honoree was longtime ungerouhi, Marlene Vichabian. In attendance were representatives of sister organizations—the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF), Homenetmen, and Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Society. Also present, was ungerouhi Johanna Chilingirian, representative and member of the ARS Regional Board of Executives.

Honoree Marlene Vichabian receiving her commemorative pin

Ungerouhi Maroushag Krikorian, vice-chair of the “Arax” chapter, welcomed guests and invited Der Gomidas Baghsarian to start the evening by blessing the tables. Ungerouhi Maro Nadjarian, chapter secretary followed with opening remarks, after which the guests enjoyed a delicious dinner.

After dinner, Nadjarian delivered the ARS message, stressing the challenges that Armenian mothers have faced, as well as their crucial role of the in the survival of the Armenian nation throughout a difficult history. The ungerouhi continued and praised the many accomplishments of the beloved ungerouhi Vichabian and her invaluable contribution to the ARS for more than half a century.

The ARS Providence ‘Arax’ chapter held its annual Mother’s Day celebration on May 13, attended by more than a hundred guests at the Crowne Plaza, in Warwick.

Nadjarian presented Vichabian’s brief biography. Marlene Vichabian was born in Beirut to Garbis and Hasmig Mardinian. She received her elementary education at Sourp Nshan School and continued her academic years at the Nshan Palandjian College. In 1962, she married the late and beloved unger Kevork Vichabian. They were blessed with three children, their eldest daughter Sossie (Pomakian), then Dzovig (Chobanian), and finally their youngest child, Yervant. She is the grandmother to six beautiful grandchildren.

In 1982, due to the unrest and ongoing civil war in Lebanon, Vichabian and her family emigrated to the U.S. and settled in Seekonk, Mass. She has been a devout church member and a very active participant in our many community organizations, such as Hamazkayin, ladies guild, and ARS “Arax” chapter. She has been elected as a National Representative Assembly delegate for many years and a has served on the Board of Trustees of the Providence Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church.

Vichabian joined the ARS ranks in 1963 and throughout half a century, has held many positions in the organization. She has been the chairperson of the “Arax” chapter for years, has served on the ARS Regional board from 2000 to 2004, has represented our chapter in numerous conventions and has been one of the pillars of our community, leading our youth in an exemplary manner.  “We are extremely grateful to have ungerouhi Marlene as a wonderful role model to our youth and many generations to come,” said Nadjarian.

A scene from the celebration

Nadjarian then thanked Vichabian for her years of service to the Armenian community, here and abroad, and particularly for her work within the ARS family.

Following Nadjarian message, Vichabian’s son, Yervant thanked the ARS on behalf of the Vichabian family and entertained the audience by mentioning the uniqueness of all Armenian mothers and especially his beloved mother.

The ARS Providence “Arax” chapter held its annual Mother’s Day celebration on May 13, attended by more than a hundred guests at the Crowne Plaza, in Warwick.

Ungerouhi Taline Mkrtschjan, chairperson of the “Arax” chapter, presented Vichabian with a special ARS fifty-year commemorative gold pin and a certificate of appreciation issued by the ARS Central Executive Board. Ungerouhi Karen Pilla, chairperson of the ARS Providence “Ani” chapter, presented the ungerouhi with a wonderful bouquet of flowers on behalf of the chapter. Der Gomidas and Der Kapriel Nazarian then honored guests with their words of wisdom and congratulated Vichabian and thanked her for her many years of service.

The ARS Providence “Arax” chapter held its annual Mother’s Day celebration on May 13, attended by more than a hundred guests at the Crowne Plaza, in Warwick.

The evening continued with joyful dancing on the wonderful music of DJ Rams by Aram Kayserian.

The ARS “Arax” chapter would like to thank everyone that supported the event, especially all the ungerouhis that worked tirelessly to make this event a huge success.

Vartsket katar ungerouhi Marlene. May we all strive to follow your exemplary lead.

Additional $3 Million Included for Armenian-American Museum

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— California State Senator Anthony Portantino announced that the Armenian Genocide Education curriculum implementation and the Armenian-American Museum funding have been included in the final version of the State budget.

The California State Capitol building (Photo: Henri Sivonen)

The California Legislature will be voting to pass the 2017-2018 budget on June 15.

The $3 million-dollar funding commitment for the Glendale-based museum brings the state investment to this important human rights project to $4 million dollars. Earlier in the year, Portantino helped restore the initial $1 million from last year’s budget. Portantino asked the State Senate to prioritize increasing the State’s commitment to the museum to an additional $3 million over the next three years.

Portantino, with the support of Senate Pro Tem Kevin de León and Budget Subcommittee Chair Richard Roth, arranged a presentation from Armenian Museum Executive Board Member Zaven Kazazian before the budget subcommittee. Portantino joined Kazazian in making the presentation before the subcommittee.

“I am extremely happy that as a member of the budget committee, I was able to bring these two important proposals to light this year. It was such a pleasure to invite Kazazian from the Armenian Museum Board to Sacramento to present this significant human rights project to the attention of the Senate and then into the State Budget,” commented Portantino.

The subcommittee and the Senate subsequently included the funding in the Senate version of the budget. Since the request was not included in the Assembly budget, it had to be sent to the budget Conference Committee for resolution. The Conference Committee adopted the Senate proposal, paving the way for the museum funding to be included in the fiscal 2017 – 2018 budget.

“I am very pleased that the State Senate included the request for funding of our important museum proposal. It was an honor to present at the Senate subcommittee and I’m very excited that the full budget includes the Senate request,” concluded Kazazian, Armenian American Museum Executive Board Member.

As Chair of Budget Subcommittee on Education, Portantino also put in the request for the funding of the genocide curriculum update implementation. Again, this proposal was included in the Senate priority list. After long negotiations, $10 million dollars was included in the 2017-2018 budget to fund the History-Social Science curriculum framework, which includes teacher training for the Armenian Genocide and other important historical updates.

Over the past several years, the legislature has passed bills to update California curriculum on various issues included the Armenian Genocide. Assembly Member Adrin Nazarian authored the legislation to include teaching Armenian Genocide history. Portantino’s budget request funds the development and implementation of this important curriculum update.

Portantino represents nearly 930,000 people in the 25th Senate District, which includes Altadena, Atwater Village, Bradbury, Burbank, Claremont, Duarte, Glendale, Glendora, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, La Verne, Lake View Terrace, Los Feliz, Monrovia, Montrose, Pasadena, San Dimas, San Marino, Shadow Hills, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Sunland-Tujunga, and Upland.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—California State Assembly member Laura Friedman announced that the 2017-2018 California State Budget, which was passed by both the State Assembly and Senate on June 15, includes $3 million in funding for the Armenian American Museum planned for Glendale.

Laura Friedman

Funding for the museum will be granted over a three-year period.  In addition, a $5 million fund has been created to update current public school curricula and train teachers on the history of the Armenian Genocide.

“For months I’ve fought for funding in the budget for the museum,” said Friedman. “And I’m thrilled that the funding has come through for the museum, which will serve as a beacon of hope and understanding for the local Armenian community, and countless visitors from around the world.”

Plans for the Armenian American Museum in Glendale have been under discussion for several years. Assembly member Friedman has been a strong supporter of the proposed museum since her tenure as a member of the Glendale City Council. She is also a co-author of the Divestment from Turkey bill, AB 1597, which recently passed the Assembly Floor and is now in the Senate.

“Glendale is the perfect place for the museum, which will embrace the rich diversity of the Armenian community, and educate and empower all who step through its doors,” said Friedman.

The 2016-2017 State Budget had originally allocated $1 million for the Armenian American Museum. When Governor Brown released his initial 2017-18 budget proposal in January, the promised $1 million was removed. Assembly member Friedman successfully pushed legislative leaders to include the funding for the museum in the final budget package.

Armenians started to emigrate to California in the early 1870s. Southern California, especially the city of Glendale, is home to the largest Armenian community outside of Armenia.  Building the museum in Glendale and the implementation new curricula about the Armenian Genocide for public schools will be vital steps towards deepening understanding of Armenian culture and history.

“The Armenian Genocide is a topic that has not been properly taught in our classrooms.” said Armenian Youth Federation Western United States chairperson, Rafi Orphali. “For students to become educated on the Genocide from instructors that have undergone specialized training will ensure that our students know our history and learn the truth.”

The State of California, along with 45 other states, has recognized the Armenian Genocide.

YEREVAN—This year’s Commencement ceremonies celebrated a number of firsts for the American University of Armenia (AUA), including the inaugural AUA Presidential  Commendation award, bestowed to Edward Avedisian. The award was given to the AUA Trustee and major benefactor of the University “In recognition of extraordinary achievements and distinguished service in the advancement of education in Armenia,” as stated on the Commendation.

Edward Avedisian receiving the inaugural AUA Presidential  Commendation award (Photo: AUA)

Prior to embarking on a long list of philanthropic works, Avedisian established himself with a notable professional career as a musician, taught at a university, and became a successful investor. He served as a clarinetist in the Boston Pops and the Boston Ballet Orchestra for 30 years and 43 seasons respectively. His musical talent has spanned much of the East Coast as he held posts in the Atlanta & North Carolina Symphonies, Boston Opera Co., Boston Lyric Opera and Harvard Chamber Orchestra, as well as the Boston Symphony and the Metropolitan Opera. In Armenia, Avedisian has also appeared as soloist with the Armenian State Philharmonic, the Armenian Radio and TV Orchestra, and the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia.

Later in his career, Avedisian began combining his musical talents with teaching. He served as Adjunct Professor of Music at Boston University in the 1970s as well as a lecturer at Endicott College. Later, he was a panelist for the National Foundation for Advancement of the Arts for two years. His service as an educator and musician were recognized in 2008 when he received the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award from Boston University’s College of Fine Arts. From 1977, he served as Artistic Administrator of the Harvard Chamber Orchestra for fifteen years.  While serving as orchestra committee chairman with both the Lake George Opera Festival and the Boston Ballet Orchestras, Avedisian wrote and successfully negotiated the first union contracts for both organizations.

As a private investor, Avedisian has reinvested his success by establishing endowments and award grants to a number of nonprofit organizations. At AUA in particular, he fully funded the Center for Health Studies & Research and the Center for Business Research & Development.  Beginning in 2005, he served as the principal benefactor and Chair of the construction committee of the new 100,000 sq. ft. Paramaz Avedisian Building (PAB). The PAB, named after Avedisian’s late brother, now holds most of the AUA’s academic facilities including schools, colleges, and research centers and has added enormous value and space to the University.

Both in 2008 and 2014, he was awarded the Movses Khorenatsi Medal by Armenia’s President Serge Sarkisian for Contributions to Education, Culture Literature and the Arts. In 2016, he was awarded the distinguished Ellis Island Medal of Honor and was one of the few recipients invited to deliver personal remarks at the ceremony. Presently, he remains a Trustee of AUA, the National Association of Armenian Studies and Research, and the Armenian Missionary Association of America.

During the 2017 AUA Commencement exercises, Avedisian was called on to be recognized for his extraordinary service to the University. “The award honors an individual who has made extraordinary contributions in advancing education and scholarships with a special impact on Armenia. I am therefore very pleased to announce that this year’s recipient is Edward Avedisian,” Dr. Der Kiureghian said.

Avedisian addressed the graduates, adding, “I was fortunate to get through school on a number of scholarships. But that is a very small accomplishment when I think of what I can do for others, and I encourage all of you to do the same.”