By Aram ArkunMirror-Spectator Staff

NEW YORK — Dr. Taner Akçam, in aninterview with the Armenian Mirror-Spectator after receiving the Man of theYear Award from the Knights of Vartan inon July 7 (see story below), expanded onsome points of his speech and made inter-esting new observations on the course ofTurkish-Armenian relations and theArmenian Genocide. Akçam is the RobertAram, Marianne Kaloosdian, and Stephenand Marion Mugar Chair in ArmenianGenocide Studies at Clark University.He said that the turning point in his rela-

tionship with Armenians was the publica-

tion of his book, A Shameful Act, in 2006.The appearance of this book led him to

become the target of an organized hatecampaign coordinated from Ankara by theparamilitary semisecret organizationErgenekon. This in turn seems to havehelped dissipate fears and suspicions abouthim within Armenian communities in thediaspora.Akçam said that of course he also has

changed in the past 20 years, especiallypolitically. He gave an example of how he isnow more open and relaxed than before:“When I first came to the United States, in2002 or 2003, an Armenian group in NewYork wanted to give me an award. Ideclined. I was scared. Also, I was very care-ful not to make certain political demands,such as the recognition of the Armenian

Genocide by the Turkish government. … Iwas cautious and scared because of theattacks against me. I tried not to be a pub-lic intellectual but a simple academic asmuch as possible.”

see AKÇAM, page 9

Cardinal Discusses‘Brotherly Ties’ withArmenian Church

ECHMIADZIN (RFE/RL) — A high-ranking envoyof Pope Benedict XVI called for the strengtheningof “brotherly relations” between the RomanCatholic and Armenian Apostolic Churches duringa visit on Monday.Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Catholic

Congregation for Eastern Churches, met withCatholicos Karekin II, the supreme head of theArmenian Church, at his official residence inEchmiadzin.“Cardinal Sandri … addressed the Roman

Catholic Church’s brotherly relations with theArmenian Church, expressing hope that they willbecome even closer and deeper,” read a statementissued by Karekin’s press office. It said Sandri,whose congregation oversees Catholic communi-ties in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, passedon Benedict’s “warm greetings” to the topArmenian cleric.Karekin, for his part, spoke of his “brotherly

love” for the pontiff and “particular warmness”between the two “sister churches.” “His Holinessemphasized with satisfaction the importance of theexisting productive cooperation between the[Armenian] Mother See and the Vatican in the edu-cational and social spheres,” said the statement.Sandri was scheduled to meet with Foreign

Minister Eduard Nalbandian on Tuesday. The car-dinal was accompanied by Archbishop RafaelMinasian, the spiritual leader of the ArmenianCatholic minorities in Armenia, Georgia andEastern Europe.

Turkey PM Calls SyriaMassacres ‘Genocide’

ANAKARA (AP, DPA) — Turkey’s prime ministerhas warned Syrian leaders that the Syrian peoplewill “make them pay” for massacres like the report-ed killing of dozens in a farming village by govern-ment forces this week.Recep Tayyip Erdogan calls the killings an

attempted “genocide” and says such acts of vio-lence are “the footsteps of a regime that is on itsway out.”World leaders have heaped criticism on President

Bashar Assad’s regime for the mass killingsThursday in the village of Tremseh.Activists say they have confirmed the deaths of

more than 150 people at the hands of regimeforces. Many more remain missing. The governmentsays 50 were killed but denies its troops caused thedeaths.Also on Saturday, opposition activists reported

that at least 12 people were killed Saturday when acar bomb exploded in central Syria. Fifteen otherswere injured in the attack, which occurred in thedistrict of al-Karameh in the central province ofHama, they added.

INDEXArts and Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Armenia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 3Community News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Mirror- SpectatorMirror- SpectatorTHE ARMENIAN

Volume LXXXIII , NO. 1, Issue 4246

JULY 21 , 2012

$ 2.00

65 YearsOf Service

Page 5

INSIDE

The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932

NEWS IN BRIEFII nn OOuurr 88 00tt hh YYee aa rr

By Nancy Kalajian Special to the Mirror-Spectator

NAASR Founding ChairmanManoog Young DiesBELMONT, Mass. — Manoog Soghomon

Young of Belmont, the founding chairman ofthe National Association for ArmenianStudies and Research (NAASR) and its chair-man until 2001, died on Tuesday, July 3, atthe age of 94.He is survived by his wife of 49 years

Barbara (Johnson) Young, children ArmenYoung of Littleton, Mass., and Adrina YoungGobbi of North Billerica, Mass., and grand-children Jake and Mariah Gobbi andChristopher and Lauren Young.Prof. Gerard J. Libaridian has aptly called

Young “the father of the Armenian Studiesmovement,” and this begins to give a sense ofYoung’s role in ushering into existence thefield of Armenian Studies in America and hishalf-century working to advance it. One ofthe founders of NAASR, which led the effortin the 1950s and 1960s to establish perma-nent programs in Armenian Studies atAmerican institutions of higher learning, starting with Harvard University, Youngserved as chairman of the Board of Directors from its inception in 1955 until 2001.During these decades both NAASR and the field of Armenian Studies continuedto evolve and expand.

see YOUNG, page 6

Manoog Young in 1995

YEREVAN (Hetq) — Parliament memberRuben Hayrapetyan announced his resig-nation from parliament last week out of asense of “moral responsibility” he feels overthe June 17 beating of military physiciansat the Harsnakar Restaurant he owns onthe outskirts of Yerevan.The army doctors were beaten by restau-

rant employees and a personal bodyguardof Hayrapetyan. One of the physicians,Vahe Avetyan, never regained conscious-ness and died in a hospital a few days later.“I would give everything to have been

there on that terrible evening and stoppedthe tragedy with my own hands. I wouldgive everything to be able to turn the clock

back. But I can’t,” said the tycoon, who hasthe nickname Nemetz Rubo, in his publicresignation from the parliament.The move comes after a wave of public

protest, both in the streets and on the inter-net, charging Hayrapetyan with creating anenvironment in which such a savage attackwas possible and demanding that he resign.There is an on-line petition calling on

UEFA and FIFA to call for Hayrapetyan’sresignation as the president of Armenia’sFootball Federation.“I should have prevented such a tragedy

but wasn’t able to. Such incidents shouldnot be possible in establishments owned by

see RESIGNATION, page 3

Hayrapetyan Resigns from ParliamentFollowing Death of Beating Victim

Ruben Hayrapetyan

Prof. Akçam Muses on Turkish-Armenian Relations and Genocide

Dr. Taner Akçam receives the Man of theYear Award from Dr. Dennis Papazian.

Knights Honor TanerAkçam, Ragip Zarakolu atNew York Convocation

By Florence Avakian Special to the Mirror-Spectator

NEW YORK — For the first time in itsnearly 100-year history, the Knights ofVartan honored two internationally distin-guished men of Turkish origin — Dr. TanerAkçam and Ragip Zarakolu — with the“Men of the Year” awards. This uniqueevent took place at the conclusion of the94th annual Knights of Vartan GrandLodge convocation in the ballroom of NewYork City’s Marriott Downtown Hotel dur-ing a banquet on Saturday, July 7. The gala event capped the almost week-

long convocation of the Knights andDaughters of Vartan, under the GeneralChairmanship of Antranik Platyan. Among

see CONVOCATION, page 9

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News From Armenia

S A T U R D A Y, J U L Y 2 1 , 2 0 1 2 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R2

ARMENIA

By Gayane Mkrtchyan

YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — A week-long international film festival thatbegan on Sunday is presenting a totalof 170 features, short feature films anddocumentaries, with 65 of them includ-ed in the competition program. Prizes at the ninth edition of the

Golden Apricot will be in four sections— feature films, documentaries, shortfilms (a category called Stone) andArmenian films (Armenian Panorama).On July 7, many representatives of

the cinema world who had arrived inYerevan for the festival attended themost spectacular part of the openingceremony — the blessing of apricots atSt. Zoravor Church. The red-carpet ceremony for the offi-

cial opening of Golden Apricot laterthat day took place in Yerevan’s CharlesAznavour Square near the MoscowMovie House — the main festival venue.“Cinema is a worthy celebration for

the city and the Armenian people,because during the nine years we haveproved that Armenians are very fond ofcinema art,” said filmmaker HarutyunKhachatryan, the founding director ofGolden Apricot. “The young peoplewho have grown up on the nine years ofthis festival have now themselvesbecome full-fledged cinema profession-als and present new films at variousinternational festivals.”As part of the festival opening cere-

mony two Paradjanov’s Thaler prizeswere awarded to noted Spanish directorVictor Erice and Georgian filmmakerEldar Shengelaya, respectively. Theprizes were handed to the winners byRoman Balayan, a well-knownUkrainian-Armenian filmmaker.Twelve films are presented in the fes-

tival’s feature films section. Erice, aCannes Festival prize winner, heads thejury to decide the winner in this cate-gory. As many as 39 short films arecompeting in the Stone section. The Armenian Panorama competi-

tion, in which Armenian filmmakers

present their films, features six full-length feature films, five short featurefilms and 15 documentaries.Arsen Gasparyan, one of the film-

makers participating in the festival, pre-sents a short film called “New Jugha: ToBe… .” The film tells about the rich cul-tural heritage of Nor Jugha (New Julfa),

the Armenian quarter of Isfahan, Iran,where more than 150,000 Armeniansfleeing Ottoman persecutions in Jugha(Julfa) in Nakhichevan took refuge atthe beginning of the 17th century.“It portrays the Armenian community

that has lived and created in Nor Jughafor more than 400 years, keeping its reli-gion, church, school, as well as customsand traditions. Emigration is the focalpoint of the film,” said Gasparyan.The characters of Vahe Yan’s film,

“Two Roads,” are two deaf persons pre-sented in their daily life. The filmmakertries to give the audience a glimpse ofthe colorful world of the deaf.Hayk Kbeyan’s film, “Kostan Zaryan:

The Lonely Soul of ArmenianLiterature,” presents the image of thegreat writer and intellectual who wasnot understood by his contemporaries

and has arguably not been fully appre-ciated in our own days either.In addition to the competition pro-

gram, the festival also presents films inother “non-competitive” categories —Yerevan Premieres, RetrospectiveScreenings and Tribute.The Book and Film program imple-

mented on the occasion of UNESCO’sdeclaration of Yerevan as World BookCapital presents the screenings ofworks by Armenian and foreign classi-cal and modern writers. The festival will conclude with an

exclusive show of Michael Haneke’smovie, “Love,” that won the GoldenPalm at the Cannes film festival this year.Ralph Yirikian, general manager of

VivaCell-MTS, the festival’s main spon-sor, praised the festival, calling it ameans of raising Armenia’s prestige inthe world.“Artists come to Armenia every year

for this festival and our country isbecoming recognizable...this is the rea-son why we stand next to this festival,because we know well that every yearthis festival reaches higher levels,” saidYirikian.

During the opening ceremony, Tekeyan Cultural Association Central Board VicePresident Edmond Azadian, (second from left) as diaspora advisor to the Minister ofCulture, Minister of Culture Hasmik Boghosian (fifth from left) and Mayor of YerevanDaron Markarian, next to Boghosian

Golden Apricot Film Festival in Full Swing

YEREVAN — The winners of thisyear’s AGBU-sponsored RepublicanInterschool Chess Tournament havebeen announced, marking an end tothe annual eight month-long competi-tion that attracts thousands of talent-ed youth across Armenia, Artsakh andthe Armenian schools in Javakhk,Georgia.The winning schools, Vanadzor

School # 5, Gumri School #3 andYerevan School #55, which placed infirst through third place respectively,progressed through four challenging

rounds before receiving their titles.The first phase is held within schools;in the second phase, schools from thesame community compete; throughthe third phase, winners of differentcommunities from the same regionparticipate, and, lastly, the finalistsarrive at the regional level. This year,the number of student participants,whose ages range from 6 to 17, totaled

more than 5,000.The tournament’swidespread populari-ty indicates the stu-dents’ commitmentto, and passion for,the game, whichInessa Margaryan,the AGBU ArmenianRe p r e s e n t a t i o nSpecial ProjectsCoordinator whocoordinated thematches, witnessedfirsthand, and said,“watching the pupilssit across the chess-boards, we couldsense their highlevel of concentra-

tion and focus on the game. Theymoved each piece with intention andcare, and had clearly developed strate-

gic approaches over the course of thetournament. It was rewarding to see somany students from various schoolscome together for the occasion,” not-ing that more than 1,000 schools wererepresented.The awards ceremony, which was

held on May 5, at the Chess Academyof Armenia in Yerevan, will likely bethe first of many such honors for theparticipants. Since it began in 2008,the Interschool Tournament, which isan initiative of the Armenian ChessFederation, under the auspices of theRepublic of Armenia’s Ministry ofEducation and Science, has producedmany players who graduate to theprofessional level and take home pres-tigious awards from Armenia’s YouthChess Championship, the Republic ofArmenia Chess Championship andthe international Vladimir DvorkovichCup in Moscow. For now, the recentwinners of the AGBU-sponsored com-petition will enjoy prizes such aschess sets, chess clocks and projec-tors for their schools, as well as sou-venirs from the Chess Academy andtheir local municipality. Those toolswill keep them engaged while theycontinue to hone their expertise andskills and prepare for the fifth tour-nament set to begin in October.

Students go head to head in Yerevan during the finalrounds of the AGBU-sponsored Interschool ChessTournament, which drew more than 5,000 participants in itsfourth year.

Trophies Presented at Fourth Annual AGBU-Sponsored Interschool Chess Tournament

S A T U R D A Y, J U L Y 2 1 , 2 0 1 2 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R 3

ARMENIA

By Marine Madatyan

YEREVAN (Hetq) — “Armenian Pastoral,” a1973 mural by Armenian artist MinasAvetisyan that was destroyed in the 1988earthquake is being painstakingly restoredunder an agreement signed by the culturalministries of Italy and Armenia.The Italian and Armenian experts restoring

the mural are being led by Fabrizio Iacopini,a lecturer at the Palazzo Spinelli Art andRestoration Institute in Florence and arenowned restorer in his own right.The material used to put the pieces of the

wall mural back together is a mysteriousItalian concoction made by boiling bull bonesuntil the right consistency is achieved.The Armenia student restorers joke and say

it is like khash (a meal made of boiled pig’s orsheep’s feet and other innards).The teams work all day in close proximity

and a lively exchange of ideas and chatter fillsthe work room. It turns out that theArmenian students want to visit Italy to honetheir skills, while the Italians want to remainin Armenia.Italian restorer Philip Morelli tells his

Armenian counterparts that Armenians aregreat hosts and his Italian colleagues chime inthat “Armenia is out of this world” and thatthey love the food and hospitality.For some of the Armenian students select-

ed by the Minas Avetisyan Foundation to takepart in the project, it is their first time actu-ally restoring a damaged artwork, let aloneone that embodies such artistic and culturalsignificance. It is a golden opportunity forthem to contribute to the restoration andgain valuable professional experience.Anahit Galstyan, who studies at the Yerevan

State University’s Faculty of History (Art

Division), says she found out about the com-petition to participate two days after theapplication deadline.“I applied anyway but didn’t think I had any

chance. But I was accepted. I was thrilled,”she says.Hasmik Hakobyan, a student at the Panos

Terlimezyan Art College, says she is soimpressed by the skills of the Italian restorersthat she wants to continue her education inItaly.“I have always been attracted to art restora-

tion but the field sadly has no future inArmenia,” says Hakobyan.Another member of the team that arrived

from Italy is Davit Saribekyan, a student atthe Gevorgyan Seminary in Armenia.Catholicos Karekin II is sponsoring his edu-cation at the Florence Restoration Institutewhere Fabrizio Iacopini is one of his teachers.“In 1966 a flood hit Florence and many

works were damaged and in need of restora-tion. Many schools specializing in mural andfresco art were opened. They differed greatlyfrom those dating back to the 1800s,” saysSaribekyan.The seminary student says that there are

many murals in Armenian needing immediatecare. “Many such iconic works now being keptin churches also need preserving,” Saribekyansays. “You can say that I am studying at thebest such institute in the world. I have cometo realize what we have in Armenia and whathave been our deficiencies. The institute is afabulous place to learn but I will definitelyreturn to Armenia.”

To date, “Birth of Toros Roslin,” “SpinningThread,” “Meeting” and “Next to a Khachkar”are some of Avetisyan’s murals that have beenrestored.

Italian Restorers and Armenian Art Students Team up to Save a Minas Avetisyan Mural

“Armenian Pastoral,” by Minas Avetisyan, is currently kept in the canteen of the former electro-technical plant of Gumri.

Philip Kron Morelli, Italian art restorer

Hasmik Hakobyan, Panos Terlimezyan State College of Fine Arts student

Hayrapetyan Resigns fromParliament FollowingDeath of Beating VictimRESIGNATION, from page 1myself and my family members. I cannot forgivemyself and do not know how to ask forgivenessfrom others,” Hayrapetyan’s statement reads.Hayrapetyan then goes on to ask forgiveness

of those who voted for him in last month’s par-liamentary election since he can no longer jus-tify their expectations. Despite the public anger and related protests

that have been taking place in Yerevan and else-where regarding the beating death of, theauthorities remain silent.There has been no news as of yet regarding

charges. So far, five of the 15 or so individualswho savagely beat Avetyan and his friends havebeen arrested.

Davit Saribekyan, Gevoryan Theological Seminary student

S A T U R D A Y, J U L Y 2 1 , 2 0 1 2 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R4

INTERNATIONAL

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AArrmmeenniiaann PPiillggrriimmss ttooVViissiitt SStt.. TThhaaddddeeuuss

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ffiirrsstt cchhuurrcchh aanndd wwaass ccoonnssttrruucctteedd iinn 6688 AADD bbyy oonneeooff tthhee aappoossttlleess ooff JJeessuuss,, SSaaiinntt TThhaaddddeeuuss,, wwhhoo ttrraavv--eelleedd ttoo AArrmmeenniiaa,, tthheenn ppaarrtt ooff tthhee PPeerrssiiaann EEmmppiirree,,ttoo pprreeaacchh tthhee tteeaacchhiinnggss ooff CChhrriisstt..QQaarraa KKeelliissaa,, wwhhiicchh lliitteerraallllyy mmeeaannss BBllaacckk CChhuurrcchh,,

hhaass bbeeeenn rreeggiisstteerreedd aass tthhee nniinntthh IIrraanniiaann hhiissttoorriiccaall--ccuullttuurraall hheerriittaaggee ssiittee oonn tthhee UUnniitteedd NNaattiioonnssEEdduuccaattiioonnaall SScciieennttiiff iicc aanndd CCuullttuurraall OOrrggaanniizzaattiioonn’’ss((UUNNEESSCCOO)) WWoorrlldd HHeerriittaaggee LLiisstt..

RRuussssiiaa’’ss IInntteerrnneett CCoonnttrroollLLaaww CCoouulldd BBee PPrreecceeddeenntt

FFoorr AArrmmeenniiaaMMOOSSCCOOWW ((AArrmmeenniiaaNNooww)) —— AA bbiillll oonn mmaakkiinnggaammeennddmmeennttss ttoo tthhee llaaww oonn iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn aaddoopptteedd aatttthhee SSttaattee DDuummaa ooff RRuussssiiaa llaasstt wweeeekk wwiillll eennaabbllee tthheelleeggaall lliimmiittaattiioonn ooff IInntteerrnneett ccoonntteenntt..TThhee ssuuppppoorrtteerrss ooff tthhee ddrraafftt aammeennddmmeennttss bbeelliieevvee

tthhaatt iitt wwiillll bbee ppoossssiibbllee ttoo ccoonnttrrooll uunnssaavvoorryy ccoonntteenntt..TThhoossee wwhhoo aarree aaggaaiinnsstt tthhee ddrraafftt bbiillll bbeelliieevvee tthhaatt

iitt wwiillll rreessuulltt iinn cceennssoorrsshhiipp,, bbeeccaauussee tthhee ccoonnttrrooll wwiillllbbee eennffoorrcceedd bbyy ccoommppaanniieess aauutthhoorriizzeedd bbyy tthhee ggoovv--eerrnnmmeenntt..WWeebbssiitteess ssuucchh aass tthhee RRuussssiiaann vveerrssiioonn ooff

WWiikkiippeeddiiaa aanndd LLiiffee JJoouurrnnaall bbllooggggeerrss’’ sseerrvviiccee aarreeaammoonngg tthhee ooppppoonneennttss ooff tthhee bbiillll..TThhee AArrmmeenniiaann IInntteerrnneett SSoocciieettyy NNGGOO iiss aallssoo

aaggaaiinnsstt tthhee ddrraafftt llaaww aanndd hhooppeess tthhaatt AArrmmeenniiaa wwiillllnnoott ccooppyy RRuussssiiaa..““IInn 22000066,, AArrmmeenniiaa aalloonngg wwiitthh 4400 ccoouunnttrriieess,, ssiiggnneedd

tthhee ccoonnvveennttiioonn aaggaaiinnsstt ccyybbeerr ccrriimmeess,, aaccccoorrddiinngg ttoowwhhiicchh nnoo lliimmiittaattiioonn ccaann bbee iimmppoosseedd oonn aa wweebbssiittee wwiitthh--oouutt aa ccoouurrtt ddeecciissiioonn,,”” ssaaiidd GGrriiggoorr SSaagghhyyaann,, ddeeppuuttyycchhaaiirrmmaann ooff IInntteerrnneett SSoocciieettyy NNGGOO,, aaddddiinngg tthhaatt bblloocckk--iinngg aa wweebbssiittee wwiitthhoouutt aa ccoouurrtt ddeecciissiioonn iiss aaggaaiinnssttAArrmmeenniiaa’’ss CCoonnssttiittuuttiioonn,, ttoooo..AAccccoorrddiinngg ttoo SSaagghhyyaann,, rreessttrriiccttiioonnss oovveerr IInntteerrnneett

ccoonntteenntt hhaass bbeeccoommee aa ddaaiillyy iissssuuee aanndd tthhee mmaatttteerr iissbbeeiinngg ddiissccuusssseedd oonn tthhee iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall lleevveell,, aannddssoommee ccoouunnttrriieess eevveenn ssuuggggeesstt ppaassssiinngg tthhee IInntteerrnneettccoonntteenntt ccoonnttrrooll ttoo tthhee IInntteerrnnaattiioonnaallTTeelleeccoommmmuunniiccaattiioonn UUnniioonn ((IITTUU)),, wwhhiicchh iiss ppaarrtt oofftthhee UUnniitteedd NNaattiioonnss ((UUNN))..

International News

YEREVAN — In March, the TekeyanCultural Association (TCA) of London,affiliated with the London charitableorganization, the Tekeyan Trust, revital-ized the TCA mission and activities inpromoting Armenian culture and bridg-ing Armenian Diaspora communitieswith one another and with Armenia.The exhibition of contemporary paint-

ings from Armenia was the first majorcultural event organized by the TCALondon after its rebirth. The two-weekexhibition was held at the Polish Cultural& Social Centre in London, where 45paintings by 25 well-known Armenianartists were displayed to entertain notonly the members of the Armenian com-munity but also hundreds of foreigners.The paintings were by: Armen Agnouni,Rouben Manoukian, Samvel Maroutian,Slavig Baronian, Lyusia Samvelian,Seiran Khatlamadjian, ArmenKhodjoyan, Hrant Tatevossian (Tatoss),Khatchig Haroutunian, Seta Bekarian,Rouben Aroudtchian, Vilig Zakarian, VrejTamazian, Antranig Giligian, AshodTatevossian, Kevork Djavroushian,Edward Vardanian, Hrant Karakhanian,Anatoli Krikorian, Pakrad Krikorian,Hampartsoum Baghdasarian, FelixHagopian, Volotia Matevossian, ArtiomTovmassian and Armen Krikorian.Thirty paintings were fully donated by

Vartan Ouzounian, the president of theTCA London, from his private collec-tion. The paintings were on sale to raisefunds for the TCA activities in the UKwith many forthcoming major culturalprojects.The exhibition was under the aus-

pices of Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian,Primate of the Armenian Church of theUnited Kingdom and Ireland, andKarine Kazinian, ambassador ofArmenia to the UK. The official opening of the exhibition

with more than 150 people present wason May 27. The ceremony started withOuzounian’s brief speech. The presidentwelcomed all the guests and detailedthe exhibition which was the first onewithin the last 15 years. Ouzounian alsothanked all those who contributed

extensively to the success of the event,particularly, the TCA art team, includingNairi Sahakian, an experienced gallerymanager, Edmond Aivazian, a notedArmenian painter based in London,Nerces Yerissian, an architect and artexpert, and Nairi Afrikyan, a youngartist from Armenia currently workingin the UK, a great talent in bringing thepaintings to their best condition for dis-play. Afrikyan received a bachelor’s infine arts (with honors) at Central SaintMartin’s College of Art & Design from2007-2011.The president also mentioned TCA

committee members RosetteOuzounian, Sossi Yerissian, Garen andSevag Arevians for their intensive andconsiderable work in organizing the

event. Through their extensive involve-ment, the exhibition was a great achieve-ment.The opening ceremony continued

with Hovhanessian and then Kazinian,with brief congratulation notes. Theyboth commended the fruitful activities

of the TCA and its devotion to theArmenian nation and emphasized theimportance of the organization in thenational and spiritual life of Armeniancommunities as well as in the prosperi-ty of the British-Armenian Diocese andin the development of the British-Armenian relations.After the speeches the exhibition was

open to guests who also enjoyed areception while viewing the paintings. The exhibition of contemporary paint-

ings from Armenia, a charity project,was a great success, since within thetwo weeks the public was very excitedand reacted very positively by buyingconsiderable number of paintings andcontributing to the further activities ofthe TCA London.

UK Benefactor Ouzounian Donates 30Contemporary Paintings to TCA London

Some of the paintings on display

MONTREAL — Questions of assimila-tion have long dominated the public dis-course within the Armenian Diaspora. Ata recent May 3 panel discussion co-hostedby the AGBU Young Professionals ofMontreal (YP Montreal) and theArmenian National Committee

Professional Network (ANC PN), newanswers were considered by the very lead-ers who will help turn these ideas into areality. The event, titled “What’s Next:Assimilation?” prompted young profes-sionals to strongly consider their rolesand responsibilities in the preservation ofArmenian culture and language. An

emphasis was also placed on the impor-tance of activism among today’s younggeneration to ensure public representa-tion and visibility of the ArmenianDiaspora community. Part lecture and part interactive forum,

the discussion was moderated by Lalai

Manjikian, a PhD candidate at McGillUniversity, and featured speakers ChahéTanachian of the AGBU Alex ManoogianSchool and Apraham Niziblian, formergovernment affairs director of theArmenian National Committee ofAmerica (ANCA). Following their presen-tations, the audience, who filled the seats

of the AGBU Montreal Alex ManoogianCenter, raised important issues concern-ing the challenges now facing theArmenian Diaspora. The question-and-answer portion of the night quicklyturned into a constructive debate on waysyoung Armenian professionals couldwork in solidarity to increase participa-tion in both the public and private sec-tors. YP Montreal Chair Sarine Chitilianand ANC PN Chair Hrag Darakdjian werevery satisfied with the outcome of theevent. Chitilian commented, “It was apleasure to watch and listen to the youngaudience members engage with eachother, and brainstorm how to becomemore active in the community. Manyshared personal anecdotes on the waysthey have successfully assimilated: byembracing the local culture while main-taining their Armenian identity and her-itage; stories that were inspiring to all.”Before opening the floor to the audi-

ence, Tanachian cited facts and figuresthat set Armenian culture and historyapart, notably that the Armenian alpha-bet is one of only 21 alphabets in theworld. Turning to Armenians’ contribu-tions to the arts, he reminded the audi-ence that 2012 marks the 500-yearanniversary of the Armenian printingpress. Niziblian then took the podiumeducating attendees on the significanceof peaceful activism and discussing howeffective advocacy has led to the recogni-tion of the Armenian Genocide by severalnations.To learn more about YP Montreal and

its upcoming events, email yp.montre-al@gmail.com.

YP Montreal Chairwoman Sarine Chitilian (fourth from left) and ANC PN Executivemembers Nora Gunjian and Vana Nazarian (fourth and second from right) whoorganized the “What’s Next: Assimilation?” panel stand with the event’s speakers,Chahé Tanachian of the AGBU Alex Manoogian School, (far left), former governmentaffairs director of the ANC, Apraham Niziblian (fifth from left) and PhD candidateLalai Manjikian (sixth from left) and attendees.

AGBU Young Professionals of Montreal Join Forces with ANCProfessional Network to Tackle Assimilation Issues

5S A T U R D A Y, J U L Y 2 1 , 2 0 1 2 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

Community News

From MichiganTo Armenia

Manoogian School Students Embark on10-Day Educational Journey

DETROIT — This year’s annual trip to Armenia spent touring the country’shistoric sites and taking in its natural beauty will be remembered by studentsof the AGBU Alex & Marie Manoogian School in Michigan as a highlight oftheir high school career. The trip was one of the many initiatives the schooloffers to complement its courses, earning it the title of one of America’s besthigh schools, according to the U.S. News & World Report’s annual ranking,released just last month.The AGBU-organized trip was attended by students in the school’s junior

and senior classes, forming a group of 30 peers who had spent months prepar-ing for the 10-day excursion. Led by principal Dr. Hosep Torossian and teach-ers Anahit Toumajan and Sebouh Avedikian, it was the students themselves,the majority having never before visited the region, who acted as the group’stour guides. Every student had devoted the semester to conducting in-depthresearch on the various people and places that have shaped Armenia’s historyand as they traversed the country, each engaged fellow classmates andimpressed their teachers with their vast knowledge. Avedikian, the head of theschool’s Armenian Department, said, “It was a great pleasure to watch and lis-ten to the students lead us all and narrate the different chapters in Armenia’shistory. They demonstrated a deep understanding of their studies and wereclearly inspired by what they had the opportunity to experience firsthand. Aseducators, we very much enjoyed seeing Armenia through their eyes.”The students’ itinerary was filled from the moment they stepped off the

plane on April 26, and to a midnight dinner party, to the day they made theirway back home, on May 4. On the days in between, students enjoyed a culturalimmersion experience, visiting sites including the St. Gregory the IlluminatorCathedral, the Geghard Monastery, Holy Echmiadzin and Lake Sevan and theAGBU Nork Children’s Center, where they watched performances by its tal-ented students. Prior to the trip home, the students paid tribute to their her-itage by visiting the grave of the creator of the Armenian alphabet, MesrobMashdots.Anticipation for the trip mounted after the students took part in an online

conference and virtual tour with their peers from the AGBU Marie ManoogianInstitute (MMI) in Buenos Aires on April 11. The virtual tour was made pos-sible by the AGBU Armenian Virtual College (AVC), which was launched threeyears ago and has proven to be an invaluable resource for AGBU’s schools,supplementing the material for the course “Armenian Language, History andCulture” — which was a pre-requisite for the Michigan trip. Guided by HasmikKhalapyan, academic director of AVC, and Arpine Tavakalyan, AVC programcoordinator and instructor, both groups of students took a virtual tour of theinside of the Matendaran Institute and some of the thousands of medievalmanuscripts that it houses. Following the tour, the students exchanged ideasand shared their positive experiences using AVC, realizing that despite theirdistance, they had a common interest in their cultural heritage. With the helpof Torossian and MMI teacher Rosita Youssoufian, they also asked each otherquestions in Armenian, English and Spanish, practicing their language skills.The video conference offered a preview of Armenia’s celebrated monuments,not only for the students from the Alex & Marie Manoogian School, but forthe Argentinian students as well, who will embark on their own trip toArmenia later this summer.If the experience their Michigan-based counterparts had is any indication,

they are sure to create memories that will last a lifetime and continue to enrichtheir studies.

TCA Arshag DickranianSchool Honors MorrisSarafian for HisAchievementsLOS ANGELES — Having excelled in his stud-

ies and extra-curricular activities, graduatingstudent Morris Sarafian was honored as the“Student of the Decade” at Tekeyan CulturalAssociation (TCA) Arshag Dickranian School’scommencement ceremony, which took place onJune 23.Valedictorian Sarafian graduated with a GPA

of 4.28 and obtained a score of 2010 in the SATtests this year. Passing the five main AdvancePlacement (AP) courses of English literature andcomposition, art history, US history, environ-mental science and calculus AB, Morris will begranted the AP Scholar with Distinction titlefrom The College Board. With his remarkableachievement, Sarafian has been accepted to theUniversity of California at Los Angeles, theUniversity of California at Berkley, University ofCalifornia at Irvine, University of SouthernCalifornia, Pepperdine and Loyola MarymountUniversity. He will attend UCLA with an $80,000scholarship, majoring in political science.Sarafian was also involved in various compe-

titions. He is a medal holder of the LA CountyScience Fair, an ADS team member winningfirst place in the Franklin Lu Hands-OnCompetition and a member of a water poloteam that has participated in the FloridaInternational Championship, winning first placetwice and being named World Champions forplayers age 16 and under. He has been a mem-ber of the school choir and theatrical programsand became ADS’s Student Council Presidentof the 2010-2011 academic year.He is the son of Mona Saakyan and has two

twin sisters, Ani and Lilly, who attendDickranian School.

ArchbishopGizirian:65 YearsOf ServiceCHELTENHAM, Penn. — More than 200 peo-

ple gathered at Holy Trinity Church here onSunday, June 17, to mark Archbishop YeghisheGizirian’s 65th anniversary of ordination intothe holy priesthood.Gizirian celebrated the Divine Liturgy. A lun-

cheon and program followed the service in thechurch’s Santerian Hall.Messages were read from Karekin II, the

supreme patriarch and catholicos of AllArmenians, and Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Churchof America (Eastern).“In all the aspects of your ministry, you have

always kept your priestly promise to ourHeavenly Father, and shown your love and ded-ication to the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin,”the catholicos wrote. “May our almighty Lordkeep you strong and protect you.”Barsamian expressed his appreciation to

Gizirian for his dedicated service. “The holypriesthood is an unbroken chain linking usback to Christ; and this spiritual truth is clear-ly evident in Archbishop Yeghishe,” the Primatewrote. “His preaching is done with such author-ity; yet his personal example is one of humilityand quiet grace. He is a leader of great innerstrength and conviction; yet his greateststrength is the tender compassion he shows toall — a quality that has made him beloved wher-ever he has served.”Other clergy spoke about the humility and

devotion that Gizirian has brought to his min-istry. The Rev. Karekin Kasparian, pastor of St.Gregory the Enlightener Church of WhitePlains, NY, who studied with Gizirian at theseminary in Antelias, Lebanon, spoke abouttheir close friendship and their ministry in theEastern Diocese.The Rev. Hakob Gevorgyan, pastor of Holy

Trinity Church, said that Gizirian has been amentor to him and to other young priests in theDiocese. “He carries love in his heart, andshares it with everyone he meets,” Gevorgyansaid. “He is a role model and a source of inspi-ration for young seminarians and newly-ordained priests.”Remarks were also made by the Very Rev.

Oshagan Gulgulian, pastor of the nearby St. Sahagand St. Mesrob Church ofWynnewood, Penn., whoreflected on Gizirian’s tireless service.The program included a video highlighting

his path to the priesthood, produced by theDiocese’s Communications Department, as well

see SERVICE, page 8

After hiking and exploring the outdoors, students of the AGBU Alex and MarieManoogian School pause to admire Mount Ararat.

Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian celebrated theDivine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Church on June 17.

Armenian Bar LeaderGaro Ghazarian ElectedVice Chair of GlendaleCivil Service CommissionGLENDALE — Garo Ghazarian is the chairman

of the Board of Governors of the Armenian BarAssociation, which boasts members throughoutthe United States, Canada, Armenia, Europe,South America, Asia and beyond.Just seven months after being unanimously

appointed by the City Council of Glendale tothe City’s Civil Service Commission, Ghazarianwas nominated to the position of vice chair ofthe commission by Commissioner John Gantus,a two-time former chairand a 12-year member ofthe commission. On June27, Ghazarian was unani-mously elected by his fel-low commissioners andassumed his post as vice-chair of the commis-sion. Also on June 27, ArtDevine, the incumbentchair of the commissionwas nominated byGhazarian to serve another term as chair.Devine was also confirmed by a unanimousvote of the commissioners.In addition to his nationwide criminal defense

law practice, Ghazarian is also the dean and aprofessor of law at Peoples College of Law in LosAngeles. Ghazarian has lectured extensively tolaw enforcement agencies and is a former guestinstructor at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va.He is a board member of the Mexican AmericanBar Association - Political Action Committee andserves on its Judicial Evaluations Committee. Healso is a board member of The Armenian Centerfor National and International Studies, aresearch and educational institute which pro-motes the rule of law and civil and human rightsin the Republic of Armenia.

Garo Ghazarian

YOUNG, from page 1After stepping down as chairman, Young

remained on the NAASR Board and maintaineda keen interest in the development of the orga-nization he had led and the field he helped bringinto being. On the occasion of his 90th birthdayin 2007, he stated that the Armenian communi-ty must take pride in the creation and advance-ment of Armenian Studies, “because you areresponsible for it. I was one small cog in thewhole thing. I’d like to be here a hundred yearsfrom now and see all that has transpired.”His successor as NAASR chairman, Nancy R.

Kolligian, remarked that “the Armenian com-munity, not only in this country, but worldwide,will always be indebted to Manoog Young as thedriving force behind the creation of an organi-zation in the US that was essential in order topromote our rich Armenian culture and histo-ry. He and his colleagues worked tirelessly toadvance this virtually non-existent field at theuniversity level and the first chair in ArmenianStudies was established [at Harvard] in 1959, amere four years after the establishment ofNAASR. That achievement would not havebeen possible were it not for the vision and end-less devotion and energy of Manoog S. Young.”Current Chairman Raffi P. Yeghiayan stated,

“Manoog Young guided the development ofArmenian Studies with the highest academicstandards and instigated the establishment of amultitude of endowed chairs at top universi-ties. The Armenian community in the UnitedStates, and indeed worldwide, owes a great debtof gratitude to Manoog for the advancement ofArmenian Studies. The achievements heaccomplished are ongoing and will continue to

flourish, a testimonial to his legacy.”James R. Russell, Mashtots Professor of

Armenian Studies at Harvard since 1992, com-menting on Young’s “long life of extraordinaryand visionary labor in the service of theArmenian people and of human scholarship,”observed that “it is not just that we have him tothank for the very existence of university chairsin Armenian studies in this country. He is apart of American-Armenian history itself, and asit’s now almost a hundred years on from theGenocide and dispersion, the history ofArmenians in this country is a very importantpart of Armenian history.”

Margot Stern Strom, co-founder and execu-tive director of Facing History and Ourselves, ofwhich Young was a longtime Board of Trusteesmember, cited Young’s lasting impact on thatorganization: “He was an unsung hero for meand for Facing History and Ourselves. His deepcommitment to preserving the history and lega-cy of the Armenian Genocide for future genera-tions was inspiring and a critical part of FacingHistory’s work.”Young was born in Boston, in 1917, to

Soghomon and Aghavni Malyemezian Young.Both parents were born in Kharpert, in theOttoman Empire and emigrated to the US priorto the 1915 Armenian Genocide. Young wasraised in Boston’s South End. He received a BSin mathematics and physics from NortheasternUniversity and a MA in history and internation-al relations from Clark University, where hewrote a thesis, titled “Russia and theArmenians, 1700-1923: Growth of RussianInterest in Armenia, its Character and itsRelation to the Straits Question.” He also tookcourses at MIT, Boston University and theLondon School of Economics. During WorldWar II, Young served in the 8th and 9th AirForces in Europe.Young taught physics and applied mechanics

at the University of Massachusetts; taught inter-national relations at Northeastern Universityand history and government at Brookline HighSchool. In the early 1950s, he worked as an edi-torial assistant at the Armenian Mirror-Spectator newspaper. He served as businessmanager and bursar at the Franklin Institute inBoston for more than 27 years.

Affiliations and Many Honors

Young’s many affiliations include the follow-ing: founding member, chairman of the Boardof Directors and honorary life member, NAASR;member, Board of Trustees, Facing History andOurselves National Foundation; HonoraryBoard member, Cambridge-Yerevan Sister CityAssociation; chairman, AGBU ElementarySchool Board, Watertown; chairman, AmericanVeterans Committee Council of Massachusetts;founding chairman, London School ofEconomics Foundation of America; co-chair-man, United Armenian Observance Committeeof Greater Boston for the 55th and 60thAnniversaries of the Armenian Genocide; mem-ber, Armenian Students’ Association ofAmericamember, Society for Armenian Studies.Among the many honors bestowed upon

Young are the St. Sahag and St. MesrobMedal from Catholicos of All ArmeniansVazken I, for outstanding service to theArmenian Community and Leadership inPromoting Armenian Studies (1986) and theArthur H. Dadian Armenian Heritage Awardgiven by the Armenian Students’ Associationin “recognition of his outstanding contribu-tion to the preservation of the rich Armenianheritage.”Funeral services were Tuesday, July 10, at St.

James Armenian Church, Watertown.Expressions of sympathy may be made in hismemory to St. James Armenian Church, 465Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA, 02472, orNAASR, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA,02478.

6 S A T U R D A Y, J U L Y 2 1 , 2 0 1 2 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

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NAASR Founding Chairman Manoog Young Dies

Manoog Young in 1955

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Beatrice (Nargizian)Dulgarian, a speech pathologist and pianist, ofCranston, and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., died onMonday, July 2. She was the wife of the late EarlS. Dulgarian, with whom she was co-founder ofthe College Hill Book Store and vice president ofthe Avon Cinema, both in Providence.Born March 27, 1925, in Brooklyn, NY, she was

the daughter of the late Alfred and Gladys(Memleketian) Nargizian. After beginning a liberalarts program at Brooklyn College (City Universityof New York), she transferred to the University ofSouthern California, where she received her bache-

lor’s degree in speech pathology.She was one of the founders and a charter

member of the Providence chapter of Self-Helpfor Hard of Hearing People. She was a field coor-dinator for aural rehabilitation and a hearing andspeech therapist with the Sargent RehabilitationCenter of Providence. Previously, she was a pro-fessional speech reading instructor and speechtherapist at the New York League for the Hard ofHearing in New York City, an audiologist for Dr.Julius Lempert, the famed otologist who pio-neered the “fenestration” ear operation, and wasaudiologist at the Manhattan Ear, Nose andThroat Hospital, New York City. Since 1974, shetaught a program of lip reading and auditory

training at the Hamilton House, Providence.She was an accomplished classical pianist who

studied in New York and performed as a guestartist in the New York area and Rhode Islanduntil her retirement. She was a state vice presi-dent of the Rhode Island Federation of MusicClubs, a past president of both the Chaminadeand the MacDowell Music Clubs and a member ofthe Chopin Club of Rhode Island. She was schol-arship chairman of the Chaminade Club. Yearsago, her husband had established a scholarship inher name, to benefit talented young musicians.She was a member of the General Federation ofWomen’s Clubs and was a frequent lecturer andguest speaker for civic and church groups. Shewas a member of Meshanticut Park CommunityBaptist Church. She served as churchmoderator,chairman of the Diaconate, chairman of theBoard of Christian Education and was a memberof the Pastoral Relations Committee. She wasactive in community affairs in Rhode Island andan active participant in fund-raising drives for theUnited Way, Rhode Island State Council ofChurches and the Meeting Street School.She was a member of the Sts. Sahag and

Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church, theWomen’s Guild and the Daughters of Vartan,Lodge No. 10 and lectured throughout the stateon Armenian culture.She was a life-long member of the Armenian

General Benevolent Union.She leaves three sons, Robert E. Dulgarian and

his wife Janis of Cumberland, Richard K.Dulgarian of Cranston, Kenneth R. Dulgarian andhis wife Gretchen of Providence, and one daugh-ter, Joyce C. Swedberg, and her husband, Steven,of Danvers, Mass.; four grandchildren, ScottSwedberg, Madison, Morgan and HarrisonDulgarian; her brother Richard Nargizian, and hiswife, Margaret, of Franklin Square, NY and hersister, Jean Nargizian, of North Andover, Mass.The funeral was held on Friday, July 6, in The

First Baptist Church in America, Providence, fol-lowed by interment at Swan Point Cemetery inProvidence.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may

be made to: Hamilton House, 267 Angell St.,Providence, RI 02906.Visit www.nardolillo.com for information and

online condolences.

Beatrice (Nargizian) Dulgarian

Beatrice (Nargizian) Dulgarian

By Dennis Hevesi

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (New YorkTimes) — Edward N. Costikyan, a formeradviser to New York governors and mayorswho as a Democratic Party insurgent in theearly 1960s took over the leadership ofTammany Hall as it rooted out a century ofbossism, died on June 22 at his home here. Hewas 87.His daughter, Emilie, confirmed the death.It was in March 1962, four months after the

ouster of the imperious party boss CarmineG. De Sapio, that Costikyan was electedleader of Tammany Hall — a party organiza-tion tainted since the 1860s by the prodigiouscorruption of Boss William Tweed.After Costikyan’s two years as leader, many

Manhattan Democrats, including Costikyan,said that Tammany Hall was no more. All thatremained, they said, was simply the New YorkCounty Democratic Party.“He was a transitional link from the col-

lapse of Tammany Hall to the modern-dayManhattan party structure,” said Mitchell L.Moss, a professor of urban policy at New YorkUniversity. “It went from warlord to a series ofwould-be bosses.”In 1964, Costikyan resigned from his party

post. But over the next three decades, he wasrepeatedly pulled back into the political fray.Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller, a Republican,

chose him as chairman of a commission thatin 1972 called for the decentralization of NewYork City’s government. In 1986, at theheight of the city’s Parking Violations Bureauscandal — involving a bribery and kickbackscheme that brought down powerfulDemocratic politicians and raised the profileof Rudolph W. Giuliani, then a Republicanprosecutor — Gov. Mario M. Cuomo andMayor Edward I. Koch, both Democrats,

appointed Costikyan to a special panel inves-tigating ways to prevent corruption.In 1994, Guiliani, by then the mayor, asked

Costikyan to draft a plan to eliminate thecity’s central Board of Education and placethe school system under mayoral control — areorganization realized under Mayor MichaelR. Bloomberg.“He was the go-to guy for politicians of both

parties,” Moss said. “Throughout his career,he was a forceful advocate for modernizinggovernment and the decentralization of urbanservices, though he wasn’t always successful.”Edward Nazar Costikyan was born on

September 14, 1924, in Weehawken, NJ. Hisfather, Mihran, an Armenian immigrant fromTurkey, was a rug merchant. Costikyan’smother, Berthe, was a teacher at the HoraceMann School in the Riverdale section of theBronx. Costikyan graduated from that schoolin 1941.In World War II, as an Army first lieutenant,

he saw action on Okinawa, then served as themilitary governor for a small district in Korea.He graduated from Columbia University in1947 and earned his law degree there twoyears later. Within a year he had become lawsecretary to Judge Harold R. Medina of theUnited States District Court in Manhattan.In 1951, he joined the law firm of Paul,

Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison and hebecame a partner in 1960.In 1950, Costikyan married Frances

Holmgren, and the couple moved to East 53rdStreet. He waded into clubhouse politics andin 1955 was elected Democratic leader of theAssembly district in his East Side neighbor-hood, placing him on Tammany Hall’s execu-tive committee.Stirrings of reform were being heard.

Costikyan joined other reformers in 1960 tocirculate a petition calling for De Sapio’souster, saying that his “bossism” — overseeinga strict precinct-based structure with patron-

age based on party loyalty — would give theRepublicans a powerful issue in the next elec-tion. The reformers were supported by MayorRobert F. Wagner, a Democrat.In fall 1961, De Sapio was deposed. On

March 2, 1962, Costikyan was electedTammany leader and began a balancing act oftrying to democratize the party while stilldealing with its old guard. Indeed, reformDemocrats criticized him for being too willingto compromise with the party regulars.Municipal reform remained a concern after

he resigned from his party post and went intoprivate law practice. As chairman ofRockefeller’s 1972 task force on city govern-ment, Costikyan recommended that the citybe carved into 25 to 40 districts, each with itsown “locality mayor” and council administer-ing services like street cleaning, schools andeven police patrols. (Some said the governorcreated the task force because of his rivalrywith Mayor John V. Lindsay, a Republicanturned Democrat who had campaigned as areformer.)Costikyan acknowledged that decentraliza-

tion was no cure-all for inaccessible govern-ment agencies. But political clubs no longerheld sway in the television era, he said, andthat left a vacuum: nothing to mediatebetween neighborhoods and the bureaucra-cies downtown. Criticism of his report,Costikyan said, was based on fear among the“liberal-intellectual middle class” that poorpeople were incapable of self-government.

After his first marriage ended in divorce,Costikyan married Barbara Heine, a freelancewriter, on March 6, 1977. Four days later, heannounced he was running for mayor. Hejoined a Democratic field that would grow toinclude Koch and Bella Abzug; RepresentativeHerman Badillo; Percy Sutton, the Manhattanborough president; Cuomo, then New York’ssecretary of state; and Mayor Abraham D.Beame, who was seeking re-election in theface of rising crime and a worsening economy.Two months later, short of money and sup-

port, he pulled out of the race to become co-chairman of Koch’s campaign. Koch went onto win the mayoral election.The Parking Violations Bureau scandal, in

which officials accepted hidden partnershipsand bribes in exchange for granting contractsto fine-collection agencies, drew Costikyanback into public service as a member of thespecial commission on corruption formed byGovernor Cuomo and Mayor Koch. Its reportcalled for changes in campaign financing,ethics rules, judicial selection and contractingpractices.In spring 1994, Giuliani asked Costikyan to

come up with a plan for replacing the city’sschools chancellor with an education com-missioner. The mayor had engaged in a longfeud with the central board and several chan-cellors. Then, on July 10, 1995, in a sharpescalation of the tension, Giuliani formed acommission — with Costikyan as chairman —to investigate criminal activity in the systemand the effectiveness of the central board inmaintaining school safety. The next day,Schools Chancellor Ramon C. Cortinesresigned.Costikyan’s second marriage also ended in

divorce. In addition to his daughter, he is sur-vived by a son, Gregory; his brother, Andrew,and five grandchildren.Costikyan also made a mark, though a less-

er one, in music. For more than 30 years, upto 80 lawyers, relatives and friends of lawyers— all amateur musicians and singers — wouldgather for the Christmas concert of theOccasional Oratorio and Orchestral Society, agroup founded by Costikyan and a fellowColumbia Law School graduate, William M.Kahn, in 1950.On the conductor’s podium, at not quite

five-foot-five, Costikyan would bob and weaveto the strains of Stravinsky and Handel.During the society’s 1982 concert at the CityBar Association building in Manhattan,Costikyan was heard urging, “OK, cellists andbassists, plenty of schmaltz.”

S A T U R D A Y, J U L Y 2 1 , 2 0 1 2 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R 7

Since its inception in 2001, TCA’s ‘Sponsora Teacher’ program has raised over $518,000and reached out to 4,064 teachers andschool workers in Armenia and Karabagh.

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OBITUARY

Edward N. Costikyan, Adviser to New York Politicians, Dies at 87

Edward N. Costikyan

8 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O RS A T U R D A Y, J U L Y 2 1 , 2 0 1 2

COMMUNITY NEWS

Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian (center), Fr. Hakob Gevorgyan (left) and Fr. Karekin Kasparian (right)with choir members and altar servers following services at Holy Trinity Church on June 17.

SERVICE, from page 5as a musical performance and poetry recita-tions. Antranig Garibian served as the master ofceremonies.In his remarks, Gizirian shared memories

about his ministry and about the people whohave inspired him. He also spoke about theimportance of carrying forward the mission ofthe Armenian Church and keeping alive itsancient traditions for new generations of faith-ful.“Despite all the disappointing events of our

time, we Christians strongly believe that thereis an everlasting source of strength and hope inthis divine institution that we call the Church,”he said. “The basis of everything is the love ofGod, and the Armenian Church was establishedon that divine love.”Also attending the program were guests from

the Armenian Martyrs Congregational Churchand the Armenian Sisters’ Academy.A native of Damascus, Syria, Gizirian studied

at the Seminary of the Catholicosate of Ciliciain Antelias, Lebanon. He was ordained a celi-bate priest in 1947 by the late Bishop TerenigPoladian.

He came to the United States in 1951, wherehe served as the pastor of the Holy CrossChurch of New York City; St. John the BaptistChurch of Miami, Fla.; Holy Mother of GodChurch of Newark, NJ; the Holy Saviour Churchof Worcester, Mass.; St. John the Baptist Churchof Detroit; Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church ofWynnewood, Penn. and Holy Trinity Church ofCambridge, Mass.In 1982, Gizirian was ordained a bishop in

the Cathedral of Holy Echmiadzin by Vasken I,the late Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos ofAll Armenians. In March of that year he beganserving as Primate and Pontifical Legate of theArmenian Church of England. In 1993, he waselevated to the rank of archbishop.After 20 years of service in the United

Kingdom, he retired and returned to the UnitedStates, where he divides his time between visit-ing parishes, representing the Diocese at officialfunctions and serving as the spiritual father ofSt. Nersess Armenian Seminary in NewRochelle, NY.For a video on Gizirian’s ministry, visit the

Diocese’s website at www.armenianchurch-ed.net.

Archbishop Gizirian: 65 Years Of Service

Papken and Anahid Megerian Mark50th Wedding Anniversary in ArmeniaECHMIADZIN and PHILADELPHIA — Papken and Anahid Megerian of

Philadelphia marked their 50th wedding anniversary on June 28 in Holy Echmiadzin,during a ceremony officiated by Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II. Present forthe celebration were the couple’s three children and their spouses, Garo (andAnnette), Aram (and Carla) and Tanya (and Nerces) and their grandchildren, as wellas extended family members. In addition to family, present were Archbishop KhajagBarsamian, Primate, of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern),Very Rev. Oshagan Gulgulian, pastor of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church inWynnewood, Penn., as well as Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, WesternDiocese of America, and Archbishop Vicken Aykazian.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The Friends of HolyTrinity 1000 Club of the Holy TrinityArmenian Church will host an “All AmericanBarbecue” on Thursday, July 26, in theCharles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall ofthe church complex at 145 Brattle St., begin-ning at 6:30 p.m., followed by their monthlydrawing at 8 p.m., with a chance to win$1,000.The 1000 Club, established in 1976, holds

a monthly drawing on the last Thursday ofeach month, awarding $2,000 in cash prizes.

“One-time” numbers will be sold the night ofthe dinner at $5 each.Armen Skenderian, co-chair of the 1000

Club, said, “Everyone is welcome. For only$5.99, you’ll enjoy a hot dog, hamburger,beans, coleslaw and watermelon dinner. Ifyou have a 1000 Club number or buy onethat night, you’ll have a chance to win$1,000.”Dinner tickets will be on sale at the door.

For more information, contact the churchoffice at office@htaac.org.

Friends of Holy Trinity 1000 Club to Host Barbecue

ASBURY, N.J. — Sitting just north of the SeventhAvenue Beach in Asbury Park, a small group of NewYork-based Armenians began plotting the return of anArmenian Kef scene in July 2011. The lead organizer,Robin Barone, spent every summer visiting her auntand uncle who have vacationed in the area since the1960s until present day.It has been nearly 40 years since Armenians held an

event in Asbury Park. But for Armenians on the EastCoast in the 1950s and ’60s, Asbury Park was the placeto come together on summer weekends. Days werespent on the beach and in the water, and at night every-one would gather at places called the Hye Hotel, theVan Hotel, the Sunset Lounge and the Hye-Da-Way kefroom.Initially, Barone set out to organize a simple beach

party of 50 people around Memorial Day Weekend. Sheintended to invite friends between New York City andPhiladelphia-Armenians living off the New JerseyTurnpike. However, the immediate response that shereceived was overwhelming. She started to receiveemails and phone calls that all contained the same mes-sage, “I was thinking about trying something like this”or “I was wishing that someone would start somethinglike this?”It was then that she decided to reach out to all the

Armenian non-profit organizations and churches in NewYork, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Sister organizationsof the Armenian network and Armenian General

Benevolent Union (AGBU) Young Professionals fromBoston and Washington, DC reached out to her too.Soon Barone began to connect with other friendswhose loved ones had spent their summers in Asbury.By mid June, “Return to Asbury” Armenian Kef

Weekend was scheduled for August 10-12, 2012. Inshort order, an eager and active committee was in place,the hotel was booked, two bands committed to perform,a website was opened, and ticket sales came rolling in.The location of the main event on Saturday, August 11,is the Berkeley Hotel where many Armenian StudentAssociation (ASA) dances had been held in the past. Theweekend is complemented and supported by the recentrebirth of Asbury Park’s waterfront itself. With packageas well as à la carte tickets available, Armenian familiescan pick and choose to participate in all the activitiesoffered that weekend, or for instance, meet at theSeventh Avenue Beach in Asbury Park on Saturday, jointhe tavloo tournament run by the Philadelphia Chapterof the Knights of Vartan.With “Return to Asbury,” this group of enthusiastic

young Armenians hopes to provide a forum for youngArmenian musicians as well as an opportunity forArmenians to socialize in a casual and summer settingat the beach. Currently, the two bands scheduled, theArtsakh Band and the Michael Gostanian Ensemble,comprise an exceptional roster of young Armenianmusicians from New York to Philadelphia.Last week, the event received its first major sponsor-

ship donation from the Fereshtian family ofPhiladelphia. The couple, Harry and Seran, met at theSeventh Avenue Beach in Asbury Park around 1950.Harry Fereshetian was a member of ASA and activeorganizer of events at their chance encounter.Additionally the event is a fundraiser for the following

Armenian summer camps: AGBU Camp Nubar, SaintVartan and Camp Haiastan. Barone, an alumni of CampNubar and Saint Vartan, explains, “I met some of myclosest Armenian friends at camp during the summer.Those experiences were integral in making me proud ofmy heritage and establishing lifelong friendships.”The event is coming together thanks to the sponsor-

ship of the ASA who were the initial organizers of KEFevents in Asbury Park. The event is supported by a con-sortium of Armenian nonprofits that include: AGBUYPGNY, AGBU YP Philadelphia, AGBU YP Boston,Armenian Network New York, Armenian Network DC,Society for Orphaned Relief (SOAR), Knights of VartanPhiladelphia, Armenian Church Youth Organization ofAmerica (ACYOA) Philadelphia and Armenian YouthFederation. There is an extensive committee of volun-teers from Boston to Washington DC assisting in theplanning and marketing of this epic event as well.During the weekend, the committee hopes to inter-

view people who remember the “glory” days of Asburyand create a short film to document the past. They areactively looking for Armenians to submit photographsand stories to returntoasbury@gmail.com.To learn more go to www.returntoasbury.eventbrite.com

and www.facebook.com/returntoasbury.To share a story or photographs from the past, submit

them to returntoasbury@gmail.com.

Return to Asbury - Bringing KEF Back to the BeachBy Robin Barone and Kim Yacoubian

9S A T U R D A Y, J U L Y 2 1 , 2 0 1 2 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

COMMUNITY NEWS

CONVOCATION, from page 1the guests of honor attending were ArchbishopKhajag Barsamian, Primate of the ArmenianDiocese (Eastern), who gave the invocation andthe closing prayer, Armenia’s Ambassador tothe United Nations Garen and his wife, NanaNazarian, honoree Dr. Taner Akçam, and JamesSeref Holle, representing honoree RagipZarakolou.During the event, scholarships were

announced for six students, with recipient LoriSanag accepting hers in person. Avak DirouhieAgnes B. Sahagian who was introduced bySister Christina Gazarov spoke about the many

dedicated projects of the organization, includ-ing the funding of the Armenian school inJerusalem.Avak Sbarabed Dr. Dennis Papazian who

introduced and made the presentation toAkçam, declared, “the awards to Dr. Akçam andMr. Zarakolou, two acclaimed humanitariansrecognize the fact that 100 years after the

Armenian Genocide, Turkey is not monolithic,but rather that there are distinct signs ofchange and hope for the future.”Zarakolou, who grew up with members of the

Greek and Armenian minorities in Turkey, andhas been imprisoned in Turkey several times forhis courageous human rights and publishingactivities especially in regards to the ArmenianGenocide, was not present for this honor. He isawaiting trial in Turkey for yet anothertrumped up charge by the Turkish government.He was represented by his stepson Seref Hollewho accepted the award on his behalf.Akçam, who has also written extensively on

the Armenian Genocide, escaped a 10-yearprison sentence in Turkey as a leftist studentand received political asylum in Germany wherehe eventually received a doctorate. With a rec-ommendation from his mentor, Genocide schol-ar Dr. Vahakn Dadrian, he was brought to theUS in 1999 by Papazian, then director of theArmenian Research Center (supported by the

Knights of Vartan) at the University ofMichigan. He delved into research, took on var-ious posts, and is now the chairman of theArmenian Genocide Studies program at ClarkUniversity in Worcester, Mass.In his powerful address, Akçam spoke about

the “long road.” He urged the audience to thinkback to 20 to 30 years ago, and “what we Turksand Armenians used to think of each other. Foryou, a Turk was some who murdered yourancestors, who represented the murderers, andsupported the policy of denial that the Turkishgovernment promotes today. And for the Turks,Armenians were the stereotyped figures ofAnkara’s propaganda, the ‘traitors’ and ‘back-stabbers’ who plotted against the Ottomanregime and murdered our innocent diplomats.”Both groups have been burdened with these

concepts, unable to accept each other as ahuman being, he continued. “For a long time,we viewed each other through prisms, and prej-udices. Now we are breaching the barricades,dismantling the walls brick by brick, but thereare many reasons that hinder the two commu-nities from reconciling completely.” Armenians,he said still live in this tunnel as victims ofGenocide “which started in 1915 and still con-tinues because of the denial. For you the pastIS present and occupies today. We, most of theTurkish people, as descendants of the perpetra-tors, have no sense of history whatsoever.”One side is frozen in the “tunnel of history”

and the other side is completely unaware of itsexistence, Akçam said, adding, “this is what weneed to get past, and this is what this award sig-nifies for me — that the two sides are comingcloser and we are in the process of creatingsomething new — a new cultural space, a newlanguage and a new discourse. In this newspace and time, the meaning of Turks andArmenians has a different meaning — we claimand reclaim your destroyed and our stolen pastand merge it with the present in a different way,thus building a beautiful future.”Quoting the assassinated journalist Hrant

Dink — a close friend — who stated, “I am aTurk, I am a very good Turk,” Akçam declaredboth in Turkish and English to lengthyapplause, “I am an Armenian; I am a good

Armenian.”He added, “This is how we will “keep the

legacy of the Armenian Genocide alive. TheArmenian Genocide was a crime in human his-tory, and whoever cannot condemn it has nomoral right to denounce such crimes occurringtoday. Together we have to work and do what-ever is necessary to prevent and increase theawareness against genocide and mass crimes.We have to fight for a better future not only forTurks or Armenians, but for all of humanity.”The evening had begun with the singing of

the American, Armenian and Canadian nationalanthems by St. Vartan Cathedral choir soloistHasmik Meikhanedjian. To the delight of theaudience, 14-year-old gifted pianist Arthur Ipekplayed selections from Khachaturian, as well asa medley of well-known Armenian composi-tions. All attendees received a complimentarybook by Akçam on the Armenian Genocide,titled, The Young Turks’ Crime AgainstHumanity, made available through Argentine-Armenian benefactor Eduardo Eurnekian,chairman of the International RaoulWallenberg Foundation.

AKÇAM, from page 1Changes in Turkish society allowed Akçam

to become more open on political issues andbecome more of a public intellectual. Theassassination of Hrant Dink was one of themain causes of the changes in Turkey. Akçamsaid, “Until Hrant’s assassination we were in adefensive position. They, the government andDeep State (generals and bureaucrats inAnkara) were attacking us. They were huntingus. They were dragging us from courtroom tocourtroom. We were psychologically theunderdogs. After the assassination the psycho-logical attitude of society shifted. I would saythere is a shift in the mentality today, and wehave the upper hand. The state’s position didnot change, but how we talk on ArmenianGenocide has altered. Talking about theArmenian Genocide in Turkey today is notsomething for which others would attack youas a traitor.” In particular, Akçam noted thatprogressive and leftist organizations whichwere previously ignorant on the ArmenianGenocide now have made this issue part oftheir platforms, and he feels their supportstrongly.While the development of civil society in

Turkey, which is supportive of Akçam and oth-ers who work on the Armenian Genocide andvarious human rights issues is a big change,Akçam cautioned, “We should also not exag-gerate this, as it is still limited. It is in particu-lar localized only in Ankara and Istanbul.”His relationship with Turks in the United

States remains complicated due to what heperceives as a schism in this community. Thereis an older group of Turks in the US, which isprimarily upper middle class. Akçam said, “Wecall them the white Turks. They are national-ists, Kemalists and very anti-Armenian. They

are basically state bureaucrats. These kinds ofTurks, belonging to the ATAA [Assembly ofTurkish American Associations] and othergroups are the ones who organized the hatecampaigns against me.” Akçam felt that theycame to the US with a positive identity asTurks and the shock of learning about theArmenian Genocide for the first time led themto become initially defensive in terms of theiridentity, but then aggressive againstArmenians. They became utterly anti-Armenian. This is a part of their identity now.Akçam likes to call the second group of

Turks in the US the “normal Turks, peoplewho came from Turkey as simple workers orwith their own financial means to study orwork.” Most of these people are more religiousthan the largely secularist first group, andmany are connected to the Fethullah Gülenmovement. This group is to a degree in conflictwith the first group. The Gülen movement,lately in the news because of some controver-sy about its schools in the US, is trying tomake contact with Armenians in certain partsof this country. In Turkey, some of its repre-sentatives participate in the activities of HrantDink Foundation, and one public figure of themovement publicly apologized for the eventsof 1915, though without using the word geno-cide (which is still very common in Turkey).Akçam thinks that this movement “has

begun to understand the connection betweenErgenekon and the Armenian Genocide.Ergenekon, which is responsible for HrantDink’s assassination and other political assas-sinations in Turkey, was also the archenemy ofGülen. … In the process of fighting againstErgenekon for liberty and democracy, theGülen movement realized that there is a strongconnection between past and present, between

the crimes committed by the Committee ofUnion and Progress and the policy of terror ofErgenekon today.”In the US, they want to have good peaceful

relations with Armenians as with all otherparts of American society, not as a movement“from Turkey” but as a part of American soci-ety. Secondly, Akçam feels, “they want to learn.They want to deal with this problem. They maynot agree [with what they hear], but I thinkthis is what we call dialogue.”Meanwhile, the Turkish government, Akçam

feels, might be preparing “something” for the100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocidein 2015. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglugives some interesting hints in his speeches, hesaid, suggesting one possibility is publiclyannouncing that Diaspora Armenians canreceive Turkish citizenship.On the one hand, Akçam said, “I don’t think

that the Turkish government has a compre-hensive plan, idea or strategy of how to dealwith 1915.” Nevertheless, there has been achange in policies concerning the ArmenianGenocide.He explained, “This has something to do

with the character of the AKP [the Justice andDevelopment Party in power in Turkey]. AKPis a categorically different elite and politicalpower than Ergenekon and the militarybureaucracy. It felt persecuted by the militarybureaucracy. Originally a religious group, it ismore open to religious issues. As a result ofIslamic values, it cannot shut down churchesor be aggressive against Christian demandsbecause of the tolerance understanding ofIslam.” This is one explanation for why it is ren-ovating some Armenian churches or returningthem to Armenians. Akçam also feels “it isusing all these issues as part of the bargaining

with the military bureaucracy.”Part of the problem with the government is,

Akçam said, that Turkey, like some LatinAmerican countries, is in a transitional periodbetween an authoritarian state and a democ-racy. He thought “it is stuck now because thegoverning party thinks that it controls every-thing. It does not need to push democratiza-tion anymore.”One more factor that makes Akçam pes-

simistic is Azerbaijan’s influence on Turkey.He said, “Turkey’s government consists of verypragmatic individuals. They are invested inAzerbaijan, with pipelines and other big invest-ments, and they don’t give a damn for moralissues. Azerbaijan can easily buy Turkey in itsown fight against Armenians, and this is whatwe experienced with the Protocols. It wasAzerbaijan that killed the Protocols.”The Azerbaijani factor will also help Turkey

use Karabagh and Khojaly in a campaign of“your genocide, our genocide.” Akçam fears aradicalization of such actions, including anattempt to mobilize Turkish and Azerbaijanidiasporas against the Armenians until 2015.Akçam spoke about the state of the field of

Armenian Genocide studies. His main problemwas “the disinterest in the Armenian commu-nity. We need more students, and we needfinancial support for graduate programs.”The prolific Akçam is working at present on

a new project dealing with the confiscation ofArmenian properties during the Genocide. Hesaid, “I’m trying to read the existing laws andregulations as a historian, not as a legal schol-ar. I try to make the argument that legally,according to the Turkish judicial system,Armenians’ rights to their properties havenever been categorically denied, so that theycan claim them back.”

Taner Akçam on Turkish-Armenian Relations and the Armenian Genocide

Knights Honor Taner Akçam, Ragip Zarakolu at New York Convocation

Prof. Dennis Papazian with James Seref Holle,represetnting his step-father, Ragip Zarakolu

From left, Prof. Dennis Papazian, Prof. Mary Papazian, Prof. Taner Akçam and Archbishop KhajagBarsamian

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Arts & LivingS A T U R D A Y, J U L Y 2 1 , 2 0 1 2

Opera Stars toHelp CelebrateDer-Hovanessian’s25th Book ofPoetry

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Two Armenianopera stars, Victoria Avetisyan andYeghishe Manucharyan, will joinCambridge poet Diana Der-Hovanessianon July 22 at 4 p.m. at the LongfellowNational Historic Site, 105 Brattle St.,to celebrate the publication of Der-Hovanessian’s 25th book of poetry,Armenian Poetry of Our Time, fromthe Press at California State University.

Many of the poems will be sung andthen read in English translation by thetranslator and several poets from NewEngland Poetry Club.

Reviewing her first volume of transla-tions in 1980, The London TimesLiterary Supplement called Der-Hovanessian “a brilliant poet who hasopened up the book of her people to theEnglish speaking world.” She has goneon to translate 13 other books ofArmenian poetry including The OtherVoice, poems by Armenian women, aswell as volumes by Yeghishe Charents,Sayat Nova, Gevorg Emin, Vahan Tekeyanand Vahan Derian.

For her own poetry she has won thePaterson Prize, plus awards fromAmerican Scholar, Prairie Schooner,NEA, Poetry Society of America and fromC o l u m b i aUn i v e r s i t yboth ArmandErpf Awardand theAnahid prize.During thepo s t - e a r t h -quake years,she andM i c h a e lKe r mo y a n ,singer-actor,and laterV a h a nKhanzadian,tenor, touredmany universi-ties with a musical play written by Der-Hovanessian, “The Secret Of Survival,”for earthquake relief. This last year, twonew books appeared, Now I See It andDancing at the Monastery, from SheepMeadow Press.

Singing many of the poems will be twoof the most sought after soloists in thiscountry, tenor Manucharyan and mezzosoprano Avetisyan who won the YoungArtist Award at her Kennedy Centerdebut. Both artists were born in Yerevan,Armenia. Avetisyan graduated with amaster’s degree in vocal performancefrom Komitas State University and beganher career at the National Opera.

She made her American debut with theBoston Lyric Opera where she appearsfrequently. Manucharyan made his debutat Carnegie Hall followed by joining theMetropolitan Opera Company. NewsDayhas praised the “purity, power and flexi-bility of his voice.” He graduated fromthe Tchaikovsky Central Music Schooland Komitas State Conservatory ofMusic.

The Friends of Longfellow and NewEngland Poetry Club are making the pro-gram possible. It is free and open to thepublic.

The July 22 reading and concert is freeand will be followed by a book signing.

ArmeniansHave GotTalentBy Charles K. Der Kazarian

WORCESTER, Mass. — Armenians have gottalent — and how. Any doubts about this weredispelled by the parishioners of the ArmenianChurch Of Our Saviour with their talent show,titled “Armenians Got Talent!” Presented in thechurch’s Cultural Center on Saturday, June 2,performers of all ages got to strut their stuff ina wide variety of musical acts with singing,dancing, poetry readings and solo, duo andgroup instrumental performances.

Parish Council Chairman Ed Atamian wel-comed the crowd of 225 to the special programdesigned to showcase Armenian artistic andcultural talents. But, as the Armenian traditiondictates, food is the first order of business: theMen’s Club prepared a chicken dinner (withdesserts by the Women’s Guild and SeniorAvaks), which was served by the ArmenianChurch Youth Organization of America(ACYOA) Juniors with table decorations by theSunday School. During the meal, entertain-ment was provided by the trio of GabeKazarian, Stephen Kheboian and Luis Pizzaro,who performed rock selections by Iron Maidenand Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Talent Coordinator Linda Bullock was theemcee for the evening and kept the flow of theacts moving at a crisp pace. The show got off toa good start with a rendition by the Hot Babes(Mary Atamian, Ani Kapur, Margo Masmanian,Betty Orsi) of Let Me Entertain You. They setthe cheerful, light-hearted and accomplishedtone for the entire program.

Solo instrumental performances included thefollowing: Andrew DeMauro (cello); ElizabethDeMauro and Lily Balkin (violin); Ryan Smith(guitar); Emily Habib (viola); Daniel Bullock,

Andrew DeMauro, Elizabeth DeMauro, ArsenGulbankian, Lori Manoukian, David Sepplinand Stephen Shamgochian (piano) andMatthew Sivalzian (guitar). Duos were Marti DuLac (flute) and Linda Bullock (violin), andAnthony and Eric Migridichian (saxophone).Group instrumental was the Yalanche StringEnsemble (Daniel Bullock, Jeremy Bullock,Linda Bullock and Alexandra Sivazlian) playingThine Be The Glory.

see TALENT, page 13

A Night of Art,Food and WineWith Artist YurozLOS ANGELES — The artist Yuroz opened his studio doors to the Armenian

Professional Society (APS) earlier this summer. Guests indulged in food and wine,catered by Ladybugz, while taking a private tour with Yuroz through his art gallery.As he walked the guests through his gallery and studio, he showed them the grandUnited Nations Mural and gave a detailed description for his process in the devel-opment of this piece.

A slide show presentation byYuroz followed, which reviewed hispieces for Dubai, Guatemala and theVatican.

Yuroz became internationally rec-ognized through his United NationsMurals depicting the plight ofrefugees, “Respect for Refugees,”and his mural. His piece, “HumanRights,” has been shown worldwidecreating awareness and teachingpeople about the continued fightfor human rights.

Yuroz became part of a very elitegroup of artists spanning the last 800 years to be commissioned by the pope andthe Vatican to create a painting for Saint Arcangelo Tadini, Italian priest and

see YUROZ, page 11

From left, Angelo Ghailian (APS), Hasmik Agemian (silent auction winner) and Yuroz

Eric and Anthony Migridichian, the “dueling”saxophonists

APS Executive Board with Yuroz, from left, Ani Petrossian, Lily Kazarians, AngeloGhailian, Yuroz, Seta Khajarian and Taline Hanna

Yuroz was invited to paint portrait of a saint,newly-canonized by Pope Benedict XVI

Diana Der-Hovanessian

By Tom Vartabedian

WATERTOWN — Given a choice between lyingon a hammock in the Caribbean or categorizingphotographs for Project SAVE, the choice wouldbe an easy one for John Kebadjian.

Give him a cubicle inside an overstuffed office— doing what he enjoys best — and he is perfect-ly content with life.

Kebadjian doesn’t consider himself the “ulti-mate” volunteer but how else would youdescribe a 70-year-old who spends five days aweek at 65 Main St., working a myriad of jobsincluding that of office manager?

He documents historic pictures, files themaccordingly, keeps the donor list updated, han-dles the bookkeeping and supervises other vol-unteers like himself.

“We don’t have another organization like thisanywhere in the world,” he says of Project SAVE.“The history of our ancestors is being preservedand what better way is there to do this thanthrough pictures. We’re a link to the outsideworld.”

Founded by Ruth Thomasian in 1975, ProjectSAVE Archives’ extensive and diverse collectionof more than 35,000 programs and growinglibrary of oral history audio tapes depict allaspects of Armenian life in the homeland andDiaspora dating back to the 1860s.

As the premiere archive of Armenian pho-tographs in the United States, its mission is tocollect, document, preserve and present the his-toric and modern photographic record ofArmenians and their rich heritage. The 26 calen-dars which have emerged forth are another tes-tament to success.

“Our purpose is to make our resources avail-able and increase our outreach to the academiccommunities, general public and to the greaterArmenian community,” said Thomasian. “Wewouldn’t exist today were it not for the many vol-unteers and donors who have come to our side.

If I had to pay for each of these ser-vices, we would not have survivedthis long.”

According to Thomasian, volun-teers do everything from hands-onwork to office cleaning, graphicdesign and technology.

“We accomplish so much with sovery little,” she notes. “People bringtheir own skills to us and we utilizethem. It benefits both sides.”

Project SAVE honored its staffand volunteers during an apprecia-tion luncheon June 20 at theCoolidge School Apartments.

Among the highlights was a spe-cial award to Arlington High seniorAnahis Kechejian for her outstand-ing creativity and communicationskills in designing and implementing“Stand Up For Your Survivor” pre-sented April 20 at the MassachusettsState House GenocideCommemoration.

The 17-year-old was accompanied by her momLinda and brother Antranig.

“I hope to inspire Armenians of my generationto volunteer their time for worthy organizationslike Project SAVE,” said Anahis Kechejian.“There’s nothing more rewarding than beingable to contribute to the Armenian community.”

She will be lecturing at Camp Haiastan inFranklin, Mass. this summer to generate addedinterest in her survivor project. In her initialattempt, 50 people took part by holding upposters of their loved ones. The results were grat-ifying and emotional from the near-capacitycrowd which included four survivors.

Not only was Kebadjian among the volunteerhonorees, he took it upon himself to host the lun-cheon. His association with Thomasian datesback nearly four decades.

“I met her on the street one day and she askedme to help her with some bookkeeping,”Kebadjian recalled. “It’s given my retirement

years a new purpose. I started once a week andsaw the work needed so I expanded my role.”

Kebadjian spent 50 years as a diamond-cutterin the family jewelry business located in down-town Boston. He retired three years ago.

Hasmig Esserian has spent the past 11 yearsvolunteering some 2,800 hours as a translator.She started with captions and extended herselfto articles on the Genocide. She was born inAlexandria, Egypt, spent 27 years living inArmenia before immigrating to Watertown in1975 — the year Project SAVE was conceived.

Being fluent in both dialects (Eastern andWestern) has been a valuable commodity for thearchival center. She started the year after herhusband passed away and it’s helped to fill a voidin her life.

“Ruth kept after me to devote my time,” saidEsserian. “I learn something new each day I’mhere. The more I read, the more I translate. It’svery stimulating. I’d hate to think what wouldhappen to all these photographs if they weren’tbeing properly preserved.”

In her seven years and 1,050 hours as a vol-unteer, Beatrice Changelian has served as anoffice assistant, performing a variety of adminis-

trative and archival tasks.Sarah Murray has spent five years as a volun-

teer, logging some 500 hours as an archival assis-tant before, during and after her degree work inlibrary and information science at SimmonsCollege.

Other volunteers singled out were: TaigaLorena, archives assistant; Marlin Keshishian, cal-endar mailing specialist; Jean O’Kuckan, photog-rapher, and Ani Chilingirian, high school com-munity service.

Two staffers were also paid tribute for theirenthusiasm and pride: Suzanne Adams, for herfive years as an archivist and development asso-ciate, and Aram Sarkissian, for his 11 years as anarchival assistant, helping to keep photographsand documents organized and accessible.

The vision becomes obvious and immediate:more resources and an expanded operationalbase.

“In order to achieve our purpose, we need full-time professional staff operating in a larger officespace that meets archival standards for tempera-ture and humidity control,” Thomasian said. “Weneed an endowment that will ensure this profes-sional care for our treasured collections.”

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Yuroz makes a presentation.

YUROZ, from page 10founder of the Congregation of the WorkerSisters of the Holy House of Nazareth, who wascanonized. Following the canonization of Fr.Arcangelo Tadini, authorities in Botticino Sera,Italy, his former home, decided to name thechurch in Botticino after him. A large paintingdedicated to commemorating Tadini’s life isplanned. Yuroz, who has become known as arespected artist of the people by the Vaticanand is well known for his style of Cubism, hasofficially been invited to paint the image. InSeptember 2009, Yuroz traveled to Italy andmet Vatican and Botticino officials to discussthe details. His painting, “Light ofCompassion,” currently hangs in the church in

Botticino.As the presentation came to an end, guests

sat in amazement of the mastery of such anaccomplished artist.

A raffle was drawn, and the two winners wereinvited to have shirts hand painted by Yurozhimself.

Yuroz donated two paintings to the APS fora silent auction benefiting the group.

APS is an independent, non-partisan organi-zation founded in 1958 to promote fellowshipamong Armenian professionals. Additionalinformation about the APS and its upcomingevents is available at www.apsla.org. For infor-mation, email apsla@apsla.org, or write to: APS,P.O. Box 10306, Glendale, CA 91209.

Night of Art, Food and Wine with Yuroz

Project SAVE honored its staff and volunteers at a luncheon June 20 in Watertown. From left are, John Kebadjian,Sarah Murray, Suzanne Adams, Tom Vartabedian (board member), Anahis Kechejian, Ruth Thomasian (execu-tive director), Beatrice Changelian, Hasmig Esserian and Aram Sarkissian.

Project SAVE Honors its Volunteers and Staff

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By Daphne AbeelSpecial to Mirror-Spectator

KKaarrsshh:: BBeeyyoonndd tthhee CCaammeerraa:: SSeelleecctteedd wwiitthhaann IInnttrroodduuccttiioonn aanndd CCoommmmeennttaarryy

By David Travis. David R. Godine. 2012. 162pp. ISBN 978-156792-438-1

Last year, photographer Yousuf Karsh’s repu-tation in the Boston area received a specialboost when his widow, Estrelita, made a gift of27 of his best-known images to the ArmenianLibrary and Museum of America (ALMA) inWatertown. The images, which are now part ofALMA’s permanent collection, ensure thatKarsh will have a lasting presence in one of theArmenian community’s more important institu-tions.

Now, David R. Godine Publishers, known forits high production values, has, again with thesupport and encouragement of Estrelita Karsh,assembled a collection of nearly 70 images,accompanied with a dual text: commentary byKarsh himself on his subjects, and additionalinterpretation and commentary by DavidTravis, the founder of the Department ofPhotography at the Art Institute of Chicago.

The comments by Karsh have been extractedfrom a series of interviews, which were con-ducted in 1988 by Jerry Fiedler, Karsh’s longtime studio assistant, who sat down with themaster and taped many hours of reminiscencesand recollections regarding his subjects and theconditions in which he made his pictures.

An introduction reviews the essentials ofKarsh’s biography, his escape from theGenocide to Aleppo as a young boy, fromwhence he was sent as a teenager to live withhis uncle, George Nakash, a photographer whohad a successful studio in Sherbrooke, in theprovince of Quebec, Canada. Karsh attendedschool there, but he also swiftly picked up thetools of the photographer’s trade by working ashis uncle’s assistant.

Nakash soon recognized his nephew’s abili-ties and arranged for him to travel to Boston toapprentice with yet another Armenian photog-rapher, Joseph H. Garo. In 1930, he returned to

Canada and set up his own studio.A significant aspect of his training and an

experience, which led to the distinctive Karsh“look” was his work at the Ottawa DramaLeague. It was there that he learned aboutstage lighting and the use of tungsten lamps,which he would use later to great effect indeveloping the deep blacks and dramatic high-lights that would become the signature of hisphotographic work.

It should be added that in addition to pursu-ing what would become a highly-successfulcareer, Karsh did not forget his family back inSyria and eventually succeeded in bringingthem all to Canada, where they thrived, one ofhis brothers becoming a medical doctor.

Karsh, early on, encouraged by his uncle, alsolearned to make use of his personal connec-tions, and it was his acquaintance with theCanadian Prime Minister, William LyonMackenzie King, that led to the capturing of theiconic portrait of Winston Churchill, widelyaccepted as the most famous portrait evertaken. According to legend, Karsh, who hadonly a few minutes with the great man, removedthe cigar from Churchill’s fingers, therebyarousing the faintly belligerent and piercinglook he managed to capture so memorably oncamera.

The collection of images in the book presentsmuch of Karsh’s best-known work, includingthe Churchill portrait, which graces the cover.We once again gaze at his portrayals of ErnestHemingway, Albert Schweitzer, EdwardSteichen, Audrey Hepburn, Georgia O’Keeffe,Pablo Picasso, Queen Elizabeth, Grace Kelly,Aaron Copland. And many of these are familiar,but there are also portraits of some who areless known, such as the physician, ThomasCullen, and a charming shot of a youngArmenian boy, Stephen Moomian, taken in1979, which may have reminded Karsh of him-self when he was that age.

The commentaries, while interesting, are notalways especially revealing, although they con-tain some surprises. The playwright GeorgeBernard Shaw, known for his astringent wit andobservations, had the temerity to say to Karsh,when he learned that he was Armenian, “Oh,wonderful. I have many friends among the

Armenians. But you know, the only way to keepthem healthy and strong is to exterminate themonce in a while.” Karsh, ever the diplomat evenin the face of this shocking comment, conclud-ed that he did not take offence. “There was nomenace in it,” he is recorded as saying.

Karsh, who had considerable skills forputting his subjects at ease, never commentednegatively about them, and clearly went to con-siderable lengths to put them at ease and tophotograph them in settings that enhancedtheir stature and persona.

One exception was the novelist, VladimirNabokov. Karsh’s portrait of him, reveals thewriter, not quite in full face, staring quizzicallyat the camera and holding up a small drawingof a butterfly. (Nabokov was a famously enthu-siastic lepidopterist.) About him, Karsh says,“Nabokov is a brilliant writer and prolific writ-er. As a human being, he left much to bedesired. He is among the least attractive men Ihave ever photographed. His manners, histhinking, his arrogance, his false behavior [wereobjectionable to me].” One has to wonder what

the dazzling, Russian satirist might have said toKarsh to arouse such an unusual and criticalreaction.

Some of Karsh’s most notable portraits weretaken in profile and a number of them appearhere, including the images of Grace Kelly,Audrey Hepburn, Georgia O’Keefe and FrancoisMauriac. He also photographed some veryfamous couples, including John and JacquelineKennedy, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor,Queen Elizabeth and her consort, Prince Philip.He was capable of taking some great risks withhis composition, his photograph of the cellistPablo Casals being one of them. He pho-tographs Casals from the back, dramatically lit,sitting alone on a stage, playing his cello.

While the Travis commentaries are alwaysadmiring, they do not, in every case, necessari-ly add to the appreciation of a particular photo,but in some instances, he does add informationthat causes the viewer to absorb the image in anew way. The portrait of Ernest Hemingway,which was taken at the writer’s retreat in Cuba,shows Hemingway, dressed peculiarly, for theclimate, in a heavy, wool turtle necked sweater.Travis provides the information thatHemingway was, at the time, in great pain, fromsome back injury. Perhaps, the heavy sweaterprovided him with a sense of protection.

Only a very few of Karsh’s subjects are stillalive. The last portrait in the book is of thegreat South African leader Nelson Mandela andwas taken in 1990. Karsh died in Boston in2002.

Godine has gone to considerable lengths tohonor Karsh’s concern for printing and repro-duction. The book has been printed inSwitzerland at Jean Genoud SA, Karsh’sfavorite printer. The paper, tatami natural paperon an acid free sheet, supports the lush blackand white tones that characterize the photog-rapher’s work. There are critics who can, per-haps, dismiss aspects of Karsh’s work as for-mulaic, and it is true that he found an aesthet-ic and technical strategy that worked for himover and over again. But when a viewer comesacross an image and identifies it immediately asKarsh, we know that he has made his mark asan artist and a photographer. This volumeattests to his lasting influence.

New Book Explores Karsh’s Relationships with His Subjects

Novel about Armenian Genocide to Be Presented By Chris Bohjalian at ALMA on July 26

WATERTOWN, Mass. — Bestselling author ChrisBohjalian will discuss his eagerly-awaited 15th book,The Sandcastle Girls, an epic novel set against thebackdrop of the Armenian Genocide, on the evening ofThursday, July 26, at the Armenian Library andMuseum of America (ALMA).

Most of Bohjalian’s book take place in his native NewEngland, but his latest, described as a sweeping histor-

ical love story steeped in the author’sArmenian heritage, is set in Syria andNew York. The Sandcastle Girls is theauthor’s most personal novel to date.

Bohjalian’s book talk and reception is sponsoredjointly by ALMA, the National Association for ArmenianStudies and Research (NAASR) and the ArmenianGeneral Benevolent Union Young Professionals (AGBUYP) of Boston. The event takes place at the beginningof a nationwide book tour that will take the authoracross the country, from Los Angeles and SanFrancisco to New England, New Jersey, and to CapitolHill, where he will meet with Congressional leaders dur-ing the day and have a book signing at the RayburnHouse Office Building in the evening of August 1.

Perhaps known best for his novel Midwives, a num-ber-one New York Times bestseller and a selection ofOprah’s Book Club, Bohjalian has won a number ofwriting awards and his work has been translated intomore than 25 languages and has appeared in a varietyof magazines. Three novels have become movies.Bohjalian has said that he has contemplated his latest

novel since 1992, when he first “tried to make sense ofthe Armenian Genocide: a slaughter that most of theworld knows next to nothing about.” Unsatisfied withthis first attempt, he placed the draft aside and vowedthat it would never see the light of day.

The narrative in his only other book not set in NewEngland, Skeletons at the Feast, takes place in Polandand Germany during the last six months of the SecondWorld War and deals in part with a fictional family’scomplicity in the Holocaust. As he toured on behalf ofthe book in 2008 and 2009, readers would ask himwhen he was going to write about the ArmenianGenocide.

The son of an Armenian father and a Swedish moth-er, Bohjalian says that three of his four Armenian great-grandparents died in the Genocide and First World War.As he tried again, this time successfully, to write a novelabout the Armenian Genocide, he dug deeper into hisfamily’s own personal diaspora. The fictional charactersin The Sandcastle Girls are not his grandparents orgreat-grandparents, he says, “but the novel would notexist without their courage and charisma.”

The talk and reception will take place in ALMA’sThird Floor Gallery beginning at 7.30 p.m. The museumwill be open on that day from 12 noon to 8 p.m. forthose who may wish to visit the galleries or to view twocurrent exhibits commemorating this year’s 500thanniversary of the first Armenian printed book.

The Armenian Library and Museum of America islocated at 65 Main St.

Books

By Tom Vartabedian

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — What does ittake to win a $25,000 Kresge Artist FellowshipAward for musical excellence?

For Ara Topouzian, it is the support he hasreceived from his parents, Armenag and Norma,both of whom have dedicated their efforts to theadvancement of the Armenian community, bothhere and abroad.

“I was always encouraged by my parents tostrive for more and owe so much to them,” saidthe kanun virtuoso and noted recording artist.“Musically, I have many mentors and role mod-els. I got my start in Armenian music as a childsitting with the Voskikian band at the oldAtlantic City kef weekends. I am truly honoredby this award.”

Topouzian was among two-dozen MetroDetroit literary and performing artists to receivethis award. Each of the 24 fellowships includedan unrestricted prize of $25,000 rewarding cre-ative vision and commitment to excellence with-in a wide range of artistic disciplines.

Topouzian was selected for his accomplish-ments as a world music artist, specializing in thekanun — an instrument he has played fordecades. He was part of a 19-piece world musicgroup that premiered to a sold-out audience atthe Detroit Orchestra Hall.

He enjoys sharing his heritage and talentteaching workshops for both children and adultsdemonstrating various Armenian and MiddleEastern instruments as well as folk music.

The money will be used to advance his careerand promote world music to wider audiences. Aquestion-and-answer session with the artist fol-lows:

TToomm VVaarrttaabbeeddiiaann:: Relate a couple highlightsof your career.

AArraa TTooppoouuzziiaann:: In 1995, I was commissionedby the Armenian Relief Society to produce analbum, which benefited a pre-natal clinic locatedamidst Armenian’s earthquake devastation. Thealbum, “For the Children of Armenia,” raisedover $20,000 for that clinic in memory of mylate mother. In 2002, I produced another albumthat was dedicated to the thousands of childrensaved by the Nork Marash Medical Center inYerevan.

TTVV:: What exactly is the kanun?AATT:: It’s one of the most important traditional

instruments used in Armenian and MiddleEastern music. The instrument is the granddad-dy of the piano — 75 strings tuned in three-string unison.

TTVV:: Tell us about outside work, family andpersonal life.

AATT:: By day, I work as an economic develop-ment director for the City of Novi, one of thebiggest and more growing cities in OaklandCounty, Mich. I’m married to Della CassiaTopouzian and we have two children, AlineNorma, 3, and Alexan Peter, 11 months.

TTVV:: What can you tell us about you that maysurprise others?

AATT:: A lot of non-Armenians do not know

about my musical background. I once performedfor over 1,800 patrons at Detroit Orchestra Hall.At a reception which followed, people I interactwith at my day job came up to me in utter shock.They were there for the concert and had no ideathat would be me on stage. I’ve been playingArmenian music for 25 years.

TTVV:: What is the impact of Armenian musicupon our society?

AATT:: The younger generation isn’t as interest-ed as my generation and that troubles me. I feelthat as musicians, we have an obligation toteach and preserve our music so that it contin-ues to live. Music is part of our rich history andtells an important story. We should never forget‘our’ story.

TTVV:: What is your favorite recording?AATT:: I have a record label — American

Recording productions — which I founded in1991. To date, I have recorded 30 albums.Among my favorites is “Whispers of Ellis Island”which features Joe Zeytoonian on oud. This wasdedicated to the millions of Armenians whoarrived in America through Ellis Island. Anotheris Eastern Winds, featuring a number of localnon-Armenian musicians performing MiddleEastern music. Both have been very popular.

TTVV:: What does this award mean to you?AATT:: Very humbling. The Kresge Artist

Fellowship is a prestigious honor that I don’ttake lightly. It isn’t just about the money. TheFellowship will allow me to show an even wideraudience my capabilities as a musician and givesme the motivation to learn more music with dif-ferent genres. I plan to utilize the money in waysthat will help advance my career as a musicianwhile promoting world music to wider audiences.

TTVV:: How did you qualify to receive this? Wereyou nominated?

AATT:: I applied for it as you would a grant. Itwas a very competitive process with over 450applicants. I was judged by a panel of profes-sionals within the music and performing arts

industry. They reviewed my music, watched con-cert videos, and ultimately made their decision.

TTVV:: What impact does this make in the worldof Armenian-American music?

AATT:: A huge impression. It gives us the recog-nition within the non-Armenian sector that wedeserve. Hopefully, it will also show otherArmenian-American musicians that our talentsare not just limited to picnics, dances and wed-dings. The joke to some is that we are all “picnicband musicians” and I don’t agree with that.Many of us are exceptionally talented musicians.I look at others like Ara Dinkjian and MalBarsamian. We’ve successfully branched out toplay with a variety of musicians and genres.More of us can be doing this.

TTVV:: What projects do you have in the firenow?

AATT:: I perform quite a bit in Michigan. Withtwo small children, it’s hard to execute projects.I recently completed original music for anupcoming Armenian documentary with MarkGavoor, another good musician friend.

TTVV:: Who is your role model?AATT:: I have several. Aside from my parents,

there are others like Mark Gavoor and JackChalikian, a kanun player associated with theKef Time Band. Jack took the time to give memini-lessons at Kef Time Hartford. I won’t forgetthat. I’ve had the good fortune to play with avariety of musicians over the years and learnedsomething special from each of them.

TTVV:: How do you feel about commemoratingthe 100th anniversary of the ArmenianGenocide?

AATT:: We have an obligation to commemorate itto the outside world. Whenever I talk about mymusic, I always mention the Genocide. It has animpact upon the musicians and what we play.I’ve always felt our annual commemorationswere being directed toward the wrong audience.We should be educating non-Armenians. Thenumber of misinformed people I speak to aboutthe Genocide is staggering. We have an oppor-tunity to commemorate an event to a nationthat may never have heard about the ArmenianGenocide.

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ARTS & LIVING

AAUUGGUUSSTT 1100--1122 —— RReettuurrnn ttoo AAssbbuurryy,, AArrmmeenniiaann KKeeff WWeeeekkeenndd aatttthhee BBeeaacchh.. For tickets and information, visit returntoas-bury.eventbrite.com. The event is sponsored by the ASA.

OOCCTTOOBBEERR 55 —— SSaavvee tthhee ddaattee.. His Eminence Archbishop KhajagBarsamian, Primate, Diocese of Armenian Church, invites everyone toattend a tribute banquet in honor of Hrant Gulian. Details to follow.

OOCCTTOOBBEERR 2211 —— TThhee AArrmmeenniiaann AAmmeerriiccaann SSuuppppoorr tt aanndd EEdduuccaattiioonnaallCCeenntteerr,, tthhee HHyyee DDoooonn,, cceelleebbrraatteess iittss 3355tthh aannnniivveerrssaarryy.. BergenCounty Academies, 200 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack, with the par-ticipation of Akh’Tamar Dance Ensemble of the Hye Doon, ArevArmenian Folk Ensemble of Hamazkayin of Boston and other talent-ed guest performers.

OOCCTTOOBBEERR 2288 —— SSaavvee tthhee ddaattee.. TThhee AArrmmeenniiaann AAmmeerriiccaann SSuuppppoorr ttaanndd EEdduuccaattiioonnaall CCeenntteerr,, HHyyee DDoooonn,, cceelleebbrraatteess iittss 3355tthh aannnniivveerr--ssaarryy.. Felician College, Lodi. With the participation of Akh’tamarDance Ensemble and other talented guest performances. Details tofollow.

NNOOVVEEMMBBEERR 1177--1188 —— MMuussiiccaall tthheeaatteerr pprreesseennttaattiioonn bbyy TTCCAA MMhheerrMMeeggeerrddcchhiiaann TThheeaattrriiccaall GGrroouupp,, YYeerrvvaanntt OOddiiaann’’ss ““LLoovvee aannddLLaauugghhtteerr”” (Ser yev Dzidzagh), directed by Krikor Satamian, withmore than 20 actors participating. Dwight Englewood High School,Englewood Cliffs, 8 p.m., Saturday and 4 p.m., Sunday. $25, $35,$50. For tickets, call Marie Zokian or Noushig Atamian.

NNOOVVEEMMBBEERR 1188 —— TTCCAA MMhheerr MMeeggeerrddcchhiiaann TThheeaattrriiccaall GGrroouupp CCaassttPPaarr ttyy aanndd ttrriibbuuttee ttoo KKaarrnniigg NNeerrcceessssiiaann oonn tthhee ooccccaassiioonn ooff tthhee1155tthh aannnniivveerrssaarryy ooff tthhee ggrroouupp.. Special program and dinner, withArchbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese ofthe Armenian Church, presiding. St. Thomas Armenian Church,Tenafly. Donation, $30. For tickets, call Marie Zokian or NoushigAtamian.

SSEEPPTTEEMMBBEERR 2299 —— SSaavvee tthhee ddaattee.. AArrmmeenniiaa FFuunndd 2200tthh AAnnnniivveerrssaarryyGGaallaa,, 7 p.m. at Gotham Hall in New York City.

CC AA L E N D A RL E N D A R

On October 5, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,Primate, Diocese of Armenian Church inviteseveryone to attend a tribute dinner for HrantGulian, pictured above, in New Jersey.

NEW JERSEY

NEW YORKEntertainment Fridaysand Saturdays

Armenians HaveGot TalentTALENT, from page 10

Delightful and moving vocals came fromDu Lac (Someone To Watch Over Me),Rachel Mazur (Hallelujah!), Nikki Penbeyan(Edelweiss) accompanied by Bullock on vio-lin and Brenda Sicard (Mozart’s Lullaby).Seta Migridichian danced to Sweet GeorgiaBrown and the Little Cats Dancers (LilyBialkin, Alissa Der Kazarian, Emilee DerKazarian, Julie Elbe, Sophia Elbe and SarahPercifull) wowed the audience with LasGatitas. Ani Sepplin, Takouhie and daughter,Maral Taoukdjian, beautifully read poetry inArmenian and English. The last listing in theprogram booklet consisted of two songs bythe Armenian Chorus (Ambee Dageetz andGenatz Yerk).

To everyone’s surprise, a “mock” protestfrom Barry Bilzerian in the audience interrupt-ed concluding comments by the emcee. Heasked, “Why are the ‘men’ not performing?”This led to an “impromptu” dance performanceby five “male dancers” (Ed Atamian, BarryBilzerian, Peter Der Kazarian, Robert Elbe andAmar Kapur) to the Village People’s MachoMan, which brought down the house.

Rev. Aved Terzian, pastor of the ArmenianChurch Of Our Saviour, in his closing remarks,thanked everyone for their participation andsupport. He then went to each performer onstage and had them give their names, the finalone being Mary Atamian who simply identifiedherself as “Ed’s mother” which brought thebiggest laugh of the night.

Kanun Virtuoso Topouzian Nabs Music Prize

14 S A T U R D A Y, J U L Y 2 1 , 2 0 1 2 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

COMMENTARY

By Edmond Y. Azadian

While the Cold War is intensifying over the Syrian crisis, pittingagain the old warriors against each other, an internal crisis isbrewing in Armenia with broad ramifications; this time the oli-garchy is on the defensive, mind you, not yet on the run.

In order to put the crisis in perspective a background flashbackis warranted here.

Since Armenia emerged as an independent country, it claimedto have adopted the system of market economy, replacing theSoviet-style command economy. But it turned out that only theworst traits of capitalism were adopted and practiced giving riseto a sharp divide between the rich and the poor. A caste of oli-garchs evolved, making its own rules of conduct and placing itselfover the law and the constitution.

Each oligarch has a fleet of luxury cars driven by a band ofbodyguards to follow the movements of their boss, always readyto take the law into their hands, at the nod of their bosses. Theircars have special license plates to intimidate and threaten trafficpolice, who remain mindful of job security and leave alone the oli-garchs and their mafia-type bodyguards to violate all laws withimpunity.

At times these oligarchs have killed or driven away foreigninvestors who inadvertently have violated their business turf.Therefore it is self-evident why Diaspora Armenians or other for-eign investors stay away from meddling into the affairs of theseoligarchs who have instituted a chokehold over Armenia’s econo-my. To buy impunity from any prosecution, these oligarchs arekeen to be elected as parliament members.

A journalist once asked sarcastically why these oligarchs needso much protection. They must have hurt somebody that they arescared for their lives.

Indeed, the bodyguards of these oligarchs have beaten to deathmany citizens without any consequences. A much-highlighted casewas the killing of a man named Vartan Vartanian by the then-President Robert Kocharian’s bodyguards at the Aragast Café.

The oligarchs practice the “Wild West” model of politics. Lastyear, the newly-elected mayor of Yerevan, Gagik Beglarian, beatone of President Serge Sargisian’s protocol staff members whohad refused to bend the protocol rules to accommodate the whimsof the mayor’s wife. Beglarian was asked to resign but before ayear elapsed he was awarded with a ministerial office, renderingthe government into a revolving door.

Of course the opposition media uses all these incidents to crit-icize the government to no avail. But a recent incident proved tobe the straw that broke the camel’s back. On June 17, the body-guards of powerful oligarch Ruben Hairabetian (nicknamedNemetz Rubo) decided “to teach a lesson” to a group of visitorsto the Harsnakar hotel and resort in the suburbs of Yerevan. Theresort is owned by Mr. Hairabetian. (Incidentally, all these oli-garchs have nicknames like Nemetz Rubo, Lfik Samo, Dody Gago,etc. and they don’t resent the nomenclature; they rather carry

them as badges of honor.) The bodyguards, allegedly under ordersfrom their boss, gave a beating to the visiting group, killing one,army surgeon Vahe Avedian.

The incident touched off intense public outrage which hit thepolitical scene like an avalanche.

Last May, Mr. Hairabetian was elected a member of the parlia-ment on the ruling Republican Party ticket. He is also the headof the Armenian Football Federation.

To calm public outrage, the president met with Hairabetian,who, upon leaving the presidential palace, issued an apology andresigned from the parliament. Despite those steps, vigils are con-tinuing at the site of the crime and the public is demanding moreretribution. Hairabetian is being asked to quit his position at theFootball Federation while some maximalists are even asking thegovernment to confiscate Mr. Hairabetian’s assets and throw himin jail.

This time around, the public has had enough of such unruly con-duct, which had been continuing over the years with impunity.

Of course, this incident also became a God-sent golden oppor-tunity for the opposition to use against the ruling RepublicanParty. The incident became a cause celebre for the entire spec-trum of the opposition parties. At this point, four political partieshave rallied around the case, asking Hovik Abrahamian, theSpeaker of the Parliament, to hold a special session to discuss theissue and take action.

Forty-four members of the parliament need to sign the petition,in order for the speaker to call a special session. At this writingthe opposition had not garnered that number yet.

But a very important picture has evolved in the process: theopposition parties thus far had acted in disparate courses, but thistime around, they have found a case which warrants their coop-eration. Until recently, the Armenian National Congress and theArmenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) were mortal enemies.Gagik Zaroukian’s Prosperous Armenian Party was a coalitionpartner with the president’s Republican Party until the parlia-mentary elections of last May. At this time, they seem to have part-ed ways. All the above opposition parties plus the Heritage Partyhave signed the petition requesting the special session.

The news media is continuing to give extensive coverage to theissue indicating that public anger will not quiet down any timesoon.

Meanwhile, some voices from the Republican quarters havebeen asking not to politicize the issue since the law enforcementauthorities and the courts have taken up the issue. One suchvoice was the Republican member of the parliament ArtashesGeghamian. But voices of defense are far and few since no onewishes to take the risk of countering public anger, which hasbecome a cumulative force reflecting anger not just at this inci-dent but the group’s modus operandi.

This time around it seems that public outrage has struck a bal-ance in the legal system to tame a self-appointed caste and makeit accountable to the court.

For the first time, the oligarchs are on the defensive but not yeton the run.

Established 1932

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EDITOR

Alin K. Gregorian

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Aram ArkunART DIRECTOR

Marc Mgrditchian

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SENIOREDITORIAL COLUMNIST:Edmond Azadian

CONTRIBUTORS:Florence Avakian, Elizabeth Aprahamian,Daphne Abeel, Dr. HaroutiuneArzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Prof.Vahakn N. Dadrian, Diana DerHovanessian, Philip Ketchian, KevorkKeushkerian, Sonia Kailian-Placido,Harut Sassounian, Mary Terzian, HagopVartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian

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Armenia - Hagop AvedikianBoston - Nancy KalajianPhiladelphia - Lisa Manookian

Contributing Photographers:Jacob Demirdjian, Harry Koundakjian, JirairHovsepian

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Mirror-Spectator

Oligarchy on the DefensiveCOMMENTARY

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JerusalemBy Nubar Dorian

“One does not choose one’s subject, onesubmits to it.” - Gustave Flaubert

Jews, Christians and Muslims all across theuniverse consider Jerusalem the most histor-ical, meaningful, significant city in the world.Very few, including Armenians, know thatsome 1,000 acres of the most valuable parcelof land belongs to Armenians, just a littlelarger than the land owned by Greek andCatholic communities. All three considertheir share inviolate, God-ordained and price-less.

Now that the Armenian Patriarch, HisBeatitude Torkom Manougian, is seriously illand unable to function, the situation remainsmost critical. Most urgent and most fatefully,it is tragic if not incomprehensive to note thecomplete silence of Armenians, the press,newscasts. No community interest, nodebates, no discussions. It is simply left tothe pleasure and whim of some three-dozenclergy to determine the future of theJerusalem Patriarchate. What irony. To leavethe fate, the symbolism, the treasure, ourmost precious heritage and proud possession

is pure folly, if not insanity, in following thedictates of a constitution written decadesago giving full power to the brotherhood,excluding all lay voices, lay input, lay experi-ences and lay participation.

Just take a minute and view the situation.The Primate of the smallest diocese ofArmenians was elected by both lay and cler-gy combined. All future plans, future actionsare debated, discussed and voted upon. Longago, there was lack of transportation, lack offunds, lack of education and by-laws and theconstitution had to be written accordingly.The Jerusalem Patriachate was to preparethe clergy and attend to the needs of theArmenian community’s religious needs. Allthat has been drastically changed except forthe same old, same old constitution.

Even a cursory review will convince anyinterested soul that the JerusalemPatriarchate has faced problem after prob-lem. Fight for power and prestige among thebrotherhood members have been constant.The fate of our Jerusalem — conferred byChristians — including many Armenians — isfar more than the fate and importance of ourHoly Echmiadzin. To assume that theJerusalem Patriarch is a monastic order,means only that we have simply abandonedthis holy God-ordained gift of God.

For the longest time, the JerusalemPatriarchate stood for piety and principle.Piety will remain unchanged forever.Principle however should have some “sacred

cows” unchanged. But others need change ina changing world. The need for lay participa-tion in Jerusalem affairs has become a“must” and that includes election of patri-archs as well.

One change could be the election of a co-adjutor now and appoint a committee con-sisting of clergy and lay to carefully study theold constitution and have a single delegatefrom every Armenian diocese in the world.To form an assembly to elect a patriarch andattend annual or by-annual convention toplan “future” Jerusalem for all Armenians.

These lay delegates would then present a“Jerusalem” item on their assemblies and allArmenians worldwide will be included inbeing more familiar and more interested inJerusalem.

We all know that Jerusalem is unique in itshistorical, traditional, symbolic way andextremely important to all Jews, Christiansand Muslims. God has destined us to own aparcel of the most valued soil on earth. It istherefore wrong and contrary to allArmenian interested to let a handful ofbrotherhood members have all the right todirect the present and future of this mostprecious gift for all Armenians on Earth.

May the light of God’s pure sun and graceinspire the members of the Brotherhood, tonot only accept, but demand change as well.

(Nubar Dorian has served as a Diocesandelegate for Holy Cross Church, NJ.)

To the Editor:For those of us who are on the front lines

defending our heritage and culture, it isessential that we are aware and conscious ofwhat is happening on the borders of Armeniaand Nagorno Karabagh, as well as the horrif-ic civil war in Syria today.

Recently, during my May/June trip toArmenia, there were confirmed reports ofAzeri military who had sneaked across theChinari village border at night, and at ran-

dom viciously killed three Armenian militarymen who were driving home. A short timelater, Azeris pepper sprayed the local kinder-garten walls and nearby homes with bullets.Intermittent sniper attacks at random duringthe day and nighttime in these northeasternborder villages of Armenia are fiendishly cal-culated to frighten families to abandon theirhomes. Because of Azeri snipers and landmines, farmers can work only 30 percent oftheir lands leading to severe hardships on

their families.On June 4, a disturbing video appeared on

You Tube, titled “ Assyrian TV network, AnArab Spring...Muslims Behead Christian ManWhile Reciting Anti-Christian IslamicPrayers.” His only crime was that he chose tobecome a Christian. The video clearly showsa young man, who even under the threat of aknife at his neck, did not renounce hisChristian belief. (If you have a weak stomachdo not watch this documentary film, whichcontains graphic scenes.)

It is essential that we fully understand thatthe horrors depicted above and similar atroc-ities experienced by our people in 1915-1923,

are still present today in the fiber and soul ofsome irrational fanatics, their thinking andpractices.

We must all be vigilant and wise in takingnecessary actions to assure that we protectand where possible, advance sane

Christian and universal humanitarianthinking that allows and promotes religioustolerance.

At the same time, let us never forget themany good Muslim people and countries inthe Middle East, like Lebanon, Syria, Egypt,Iraq, Iran and Palestine who opened theirborders, welcomed, sheltered and protecteddestitute Armenians and others during thebitter genocide years.

Let us not feel guilty or defenseless inspeaking out against radical extremists benton destruction. Let us speak out againstgrave, immoral and violent actions whereverthey may be. Let us speak out on issuesbased on religious beliefs, issues, which arecritical to the survival of our fledglingArmenian nation and the world at large. Now,more than ever, we must advance throughour words and actions a platform of specificinitiatives and programs to confront theimmoral, uncivilized, brutal thinking thatunderlies atrocities.

We can network, form alliances withChristian, Jewish, Muslim, other religious andnon-sectarian groups and humanitarian orga-nizations to raise world public awareness todefend and protect our people, and to helpbring peace to our troubled planet.

— Eva Medzorian Winchester, Mass.

To the Editor:When I say park, I don’t mean Fenway — I

mean the Armenian Heritage Park on theRose Kennedy Greenway. The park is spec-tacularly situated at the cross walk betweenFaneuil Hall Marketplace and ChristopherColumbus Park and the North End. Walk thelabyrinth, splash in the fountain, talk aboutand explain the significance of the dodecahe-dron sculpture and beautiful reflecting pooland read together the inscription: “Bostonand the Commonwealth of Massachusettshave offered hope and refuge for immigrantsseeking to begin new lives.”

The park is a gift to the people of theCommonwealth and the City of Boston fromthe Armenian-American community ofMassachusetts. This sculpture is offered inhonor of the one-and-one-half million victimsof the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923. Mayit stand in remembrance of all genocides thathave followed, and celebrate the diversity ofthe communities that have re-formed in thesafety of these shores.”

Regardless of your ethnic background, talkto your grandchildren about this beautifulgift from the Armenian people to the City ofBoston and your own experiences. Take theopportunity to discuss their immigrantgrandparents or great grandparents who fledto the United Stated and to Massachusettswhich promised a new life and opportunity,as it did for immigrants of all nationalities.

We recently took just such a field trip with our

grandchildren Marianna and Damian Lilla. Theyloved the entire experience. They also met one ofthe supervisors from Barletta Construction whobuilt the park and who explained the workingsof the pumps, pools, anemometers, which con-trol the fountain height, and had them view themechanical equipment vault. They met a Bostonresident, Debra Nashita, who was anxious to joinour mini tour and wanted know more about thepark which has now become the destination ofher early morning walks from Beacon Hill. Mywife, Mary Ann and I felt like docents, explainingto Bostonians and tourists the significance of thepark, its features and the effort behind its con-struction. (An automated system to provide thisinformation is in the works.)

If you do nothing else this summer, visit

the park, and then return for a second timeto view it in the evening when it is fully illu-minated. Both experiences will be highlightsof your summer! You can cap off your visitwith a ride on the carousel nearby and thena walk into Faneuil Hall Marketplace wherethere are plenty of street performers enter-taining children of all ages.

Come back throughout the year to this“pocket park” and spend some time reflect-ing on its accomplishment and the truemeaning of this gift to the City. For moreinformation or to make a donation, seewww.armenianheritagepark.org.

— Edward A. KazanjianBelmont, Mass.

S A T U R D A Y, J U L Y 2 1 , 2 0 1 2 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R 15

COMMENTARY

Turkey Shows Interest inArmenian Demand for Access toTrabzon Port

In a recent column, I reported that Turkey’s ForeignMinister Ahmet Davutoglu had indicated an interest inmeeting with “diasporan leaders” to discuss Armeniandemands emanating from the Genocide of 1915.

In response, I suggested that before Armenians considermeeting Davutoglu, he must prove his sincerity by makingeight preliminary concessions, one of which is providingthe Republic of Armenia special commercial access to theTurkish port of Trabzon.

Last week, the Turkish website Gunebakis and othermedia outlets reported the positive reaction of MuzafferErmish, general manager of the Trabzon Port: “In a recentarticle, Harut Sassounian, editor-in-chief of the CaliforniaCourier newspaper, pointed out that Turkish authoritieswere actively pursuing the start of a dialog with theArmenian Diaspora, and further contended that they wereengaged in a series of meetings ahead of 2015, the 100thanniversary of the deportation. Sassounian, who advisedthe diaspora not to make conflicting demands from

Turkish authorities, listed the demands that a unitedArmenian delegation could make, including the demandthat ‘Armenia be given special commercial access to thePort of Trabzon.’” Gunebakis confirmed that “Trabzon hasgiven a green light to that request.”

However, the general manager observed: “should theTurkish government provide us with the necessary permis-sion, we are ready. Armenia can easily import and exportthrough this location. The $7.5-billion trade volume ofArmenia would be an amazing event for Trabzon.” TheGunebakis article, headlined “Armenia’s Eyes are on thePort of Trabzon,” indicated that most of Armenia’s importsand exports currently pass through the Georgian Port ofPoti

Ermish indicated the benefits of using Trabzon insteadof Poti. He pointed out that the distance from Trabzon toYerevan is 430 kilometers (270 miles). “While the Port ofPoti provides the advantage of a railroad link, there is a sig-nificant delay in shipments. On the other hand, there is aconvenient highway between Trabzon and Yerevan, whichis available at all hours of the day. From the Port ofTrabzon to Alican [Armenia’s Margara border crossingpoint] is 400 kilometers, and from there to Yerevan the dis-tance is only 30 kilometers…. Any vehicle that departs fromour location will be in Armenia within six-seven hours,which is an unbelievable advantage for that country,”Ermish stated.

The general manager stressed that “Trabzon’s Portcapacity is capable of accommodating new projects,” andthat “we have increased the capacity of the Port from 3.9to 10-million tons. We are only utilizing 25 percent of theport’s capacity. We are prepared for any commercial oppor-tunity that might present itself regarding Armenia.”

One can draw several conclusions from Port Manager

Ermish’s swift and positive reaction:• This deal is in the mutual interest of both Armenia and

Turkey. Trabzon would utilize its port capacity more fully,while Armenia would save on cargo handling fees, paylower freight rates, and gain an alternate land access to theoutside world.

• The general manager would not have made a publicannouncement on the sensitive topic of cooperation withArmenia, unless he had advance clearance from Ankara. Itis possible that the Turkish government is using Ermish’spositive statements as a trial balloon to gauge the degreeof support or opposition to such a move. While there hasbeen no negative reaction from anti-Armenian nationalistcircles in Turkey and Azerbaijan, Armenian merchants havewelcomed the Turkish gesture.

• Since the Trabzon Port’s manager has announced thatArmenian cargo can directly cross the currently closedArmenian-Turkish border rather than being reroutedthrough Georgia, even a limited opening of the border forcargo shipments would eliminate the need for the highlycontroversial Armenian-Turkish protocols, once and for all.

Finally, a truly sincere gesture of reconciliation by Turkeywould be acknowledging that Trabzon was a major centerof extermination during the Armenian Genocide. A monu-ment should be erected in Trabzon Port in memory ofthousands of Armenian women and children who wereplaced in boats and cruelly dumped to drown in the BlackSea.

It should be clear that neither giving Armenia specialaccess to the Trabzon Port nor the erection of a monumentcould be considered restitution for the Genocide. These aresimply steps Turkish officials must take to prove their goodfaith before Armenians can sit with them at the negotiatingtable.

My TurnBy Harut Sassounian

LETTERS

The Armenian Mirror-Spectator welcomes articles, commentariesand community news from our readers. In order to assure the accurateand timely publication of articles submitted, please note the followingpolicies:— All articles submitted should be typed, double (or triple) spaced andprinted in a type size large enough to be clearly legible (10 point orlarger). Submissions that do not conform to these specifications will beassigned lowest priority.— Articles sent by fax are acceptable, and e-mail submissions areencouraged.— All submissions should include the name of a contact person and a

daytime telephone number.— Deadline for submission of all articles and advertising is noon on theMonday of the week of publication.— Photos will be published without charge at the discretion of the edi-tors and art director. Photos will be returned only if a self-addressedand stamped envelope is included.— The M-S will publish only one article about an upcoming organiza-tional event. For major special events, exceptions may be made only byspecial arrangement with the editors.— Telephone numbers, ticket prices and other details (at the discretionof the editors) will not be included in press releases.

Notice to Contributors

Take Your Grandchildren to the ‘Park’

Violence and Atrocities Must Stop

S A T U R D A Y, J U L Y 2 1 , 2 0 1 2 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R16