GLENDALE, Calif.—Arpa Foundation for Film, Music, and Art (AFFMA) kicked off its 20th anniversary celebrations with a fabulous mixer held at Phoenicia Restaurant in Glendale on June 22. The event brought together over 100 influencers, entertainers, and supporters of AFFMA and the arts.

A scene from the mixer

This year’s mixer provided a platform for local artists, photographers, jewelry designers, and artisans. Proceeds from the exhibited pieces went toward AFFMA’s special fund in support of up and coming filmmakers. Featured artists included Helga Sarkis, Yercan Telli, Adrian Dilanian, and Don Hannah. Among the evening’s special guests were Ken Davitian and Alejandro Siranosian.

(L to R) Lisa Boyadjian, Ken Davitian, and Haig Boyadjian

AFFMA is gearing up for its 20th Annual Arpa International Film Festival being held at the landmark Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood from November 3-5. The weekend spectacular will also feature a special gala evening at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in celebration of AFFMA’s invaluable achievements over the past two decades. Arpa International Festival is one of the longest running independent film festivals in Los Angeles, solidifying its place in Hollywood as one of the leading outlets for international cinema.

(L to R) Kristina Nicols and Ken Davitian

This year’s 20th anniversary screenings will continue to explore socially relevant themes such as diaspora, war, genocide, dual identity, exile and multiculturalism. The diverse tapestry of inspiring films to be featured from around the world, will continue to focus on further developing cultural understanding and global empathy, while inspiring our local and worldwide community to connect and advance progressive cinematic art.

Since its inception in 1995, AFFMA has supported a spectrum of artists including writers, photographers, filmmakers, dancers, designers, actors, and musicians. Throughout the years, AFFMA’s networking events, concerts, art exhibits, book signings, fashion shows, talent shows, musical performances, lectures, forums, comedy nights, special screenings, private premiers, and most significantly its signature event, the Arpa International Film Festival, have provided artists with a solid platform to showcase their work.

(L to R) Sonia Keshishian, Sylvia Minassian, and Maral Kazazian

Last year’s festival award recipients included French actor Dominique Pinon (Lifetime Achievement Award), singer/poet/songwriter/artist/composer/activist Serj Tankian (Career Achievement Award), award-winning director Albert Kodagolian (Breakthrough Artist Award), and Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Bared Maronian (Armin T. Wegner Humanitarian Award).

(L to R) Alejandro Siranosian, Sonia Keshishian, Saro Chalian, Ari Chalian, and Maral Kazazian

Calls for films for this year’s festival have been announced and details can be found at www.arpafilmfestival.com. An exciting lineup of films, as well as awardees will be announced soon. Please contact Haig Boyadjian at haig@arpafilmfestival.com to learn about sponsorship opportunities for the 20th Annual Arpa International Film Festival, as well other ways to get involved.

AFFMA is a non-profit 501 (3) (c) organization. To date, AFFMA has awarded over 150 individuals with grants in support of their creative endeavors. Through its Arpa International Film Festival, AFFMA has recognized industry legends, with Lifetime Achievement, Career Achievement, Humanitarian and Breakthrough Artist Awards. Arpa International Film Festival takes great pride in working toward recognizing the diverse tapestry of international talent and presenting it to an appreciative audience. AFFMA places a strong emphasis on filmmakers’ unique artistic vision, cultural diversity, and social understanding.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—The new literary journal Pangyrus includes several pieces by the Armenian feminist writer Zabel Yessayan in its recently released third issue.

Zabel Yessayan

Originally published in 2015 as an online journal, Pangyrus appears in this third issue in hard copy as well as online.

The Yessayan pieces consist of a chapter titled “My Home,” from the Istanbul-born Armenian writer’s memoir, The Gardens of Silihdar; a few pages from the author’s eyewitness account of the aftermath of the 1909 Adana massacres, In the Ruins; and the chilling mystery story “The Man,” published in the collection titled My Soul in Exile and Other Writings.

The Yessayan material is reprinted from the three books of Yessayan’s writings translated into English and published by the Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA) as part of its series titled Treasury of Armenian Women’s Literature.

The Yessayan section of Pangyrus is preceded by a two-page description of Zabel Yessayan’s life and literary significance and is accompanied by several photographs.

Almost forgotten until recently, Yessayan (1878-1943) was a leading figure in the literary renaissance that took place in Western Armenia in the late 19^th and early 20^th century. After receiving her primary education at the Holy Cross School in Istanbul, Yessayan became one of the first Ottoman women to study abroad when she went to Paris and enrolled in the Sorbonne. Her articles, essays, and books quickly established her reputation as a leading writer associated with progressive circles in Paris and in Istanbul.

Yessayan’s life reflected the tumultuous events that accompanied the fall of the Ottoman Empire, World War I, and its aftermath The only woman on the list of Armenian intellectuals arrested and exiled in April 1915, she went into hiding and managed to escape to Bulgaria and, later, to the Caucasus, where she devoted herself to interviewing Armenian Genocide survivors and providing information to European (especially French) journalists about the condition of the Armenian.

Pangyrus Editor Greg Harris, center, at Porter Square Books in Cambridge with, from left, AIWA Editor Joy Renjilian-Burgy, Pangyrus Print Book Editor Ahna Wayne Aposhian, and AIWA Editors Judy A. Saryan and Danila Terpanjian at the June 5 reading from Pangyrus Three.

Later Yessayan moved to Armenia, where she taught French literature at Yerevan State University and continued her writing. But soon she became a victim of the anti-intellectual policies of the Stalinist Armenian government, was arrested, and died in prison under unknown circumstances.

Editing and publication of the English-language translations of Zabel Yessayan’s works is carried on by AIWA’s Publications Committee, consisting of Judy Saryan, Barbara Merguerian Daniela Terpanjian, and Joy Renjilian-Burgy, Support was provided by the Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fund and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. Publication is part of AIWA’s mission to gather and distribute information about the history and current status of Armenian women.

Pangyrus is produced by a Boston-based group of writers, editors, and professionals who came together with a new vision to foster a community of creative individuals and organizations dedicated to art, ideas, and making culture thrive. Its aim is to publish well-crafted, thought-provoking writing and multimedia storytelling in every genre, including short stories, investigative reporting, reviews, essay and memoirs, flash fiction, poetry, journalism, short documentary film, and visual arts.

Editor of Pangyrus is Greg Harris, who has taught writing at Harvard since 2003, and the staff includes Fiction Editor Anne Bernays, Poetry Editor Cheryl Clark Vermeulen, Comics Editor Dan Mazur, Managing Editor of the Print Edition Ahna Wayne Aposhian, and several others.

Further information is available from www.pangyrus.com and info@aiwainternational.org.

Yesterday, I was talking to a friend when a question posed prompted this topic of discussion.   I’d been stuck, with no good ideas for this week’s piece, so I owe a debt of gratitude for this question.

The entry for the word Spyurk (diaspora) in an Armenian dictionary published in Constantinople in 1910

Especially since I’ve put out two pieces about language in recent weeks, let’s start with that aspect of the diaspora’s life.  Clearly, Armenian speaking in the diaspora is getting hammered.  Everywhere, the number of speakers and the quality of Armenian spoken is declining.  Fortunately, some serious efforts to counter this are afoot (among them from the Gulbenkian Foundation).  Also, the issue seems to be getting more attention and discussion lately, an important sign that people are concerned and willing to approach the matter maturely and conscientiously.  While there are traces of the “if you don’t speak Armenian, you’re not Armenian” mindset still around, I think they have been tempered by realities of the diaspora and modern communications.  If we can figure this one out, Armenians worldwide will be in great shape.  But, at a minimum, I think that what Vahe Oshagan said to us in a class, more than a third of a century ago, must serve as a baseline—anyone aspiring to leadership in our communities and nation must be able to communicate in Armenian (and realistically, at least one other language).

We speak freely and loosely of the diaspora.  Yet, according to many experts, it is more accurate to refer to many Diasporas.  I have a problem with this.  While it may be a technically, sociologically, academically more correct, it begs the question, “What do we want?”  Do we want to be many, different diasporas or do we want to be one?

What does all this mean anyway, in the context of having only about 20% of our homeland reasonably freely accessible to us.  Do we want to legitimize, deepen, and perpetuate the differences imposed on us by host country realities?  Do we want to strive for some semblance of national unity while scattered internationally?  Lots of questions, insufficient discussion, and very few answers—at least as of now—make this matter, diasporan identity, a sore spot.

Culture is of course another grave concern—art, church (unfortunately this too must be included since it has become the repository for many things Armenian that predate its existence), dance, film, folk tales, food, history, legends, literature (in Armenian and in other languages), local village lore, medicine-old remedies, metalwork (gold, silver, and other metals), music, mythology, numismatics, philately, photography, poetry, Sasoontzee Tavit (our epic), theater, stories, traditions and values (particularly those that are specific to us rather than Christian or village-life based), yerazahan (our dream interpreting book).

We have always said we have to “maintain” or “preserve” these.  That’s a tough one.  With few exceptions, these components of culture are all fluid and evolving.  So, trying to keep them frozen is likely to fail.  Our approach should be one of allowing them to develop.  In fact, we should insist on that mindset so that obsolescence will not sheer them from us over time.  Fortunately, it seems to me “development/evolution” approach is gaining ever more acceptance.

But why bother?  That’s really the more fundamental question.

In a diasporan context, it’s all about motivation.  Why should any human, who happens to be Armenian, bother with any of this while living in… pick any country other than Armenia?  That person really needs a good reason.  And that’s where inspiration and Armenian spirit come in.

But again, why would Armenian spirit arise in anyone?  For me the answer is simple—it comes from the innate human desire for justice.  Is there any doubt that Armenians have a massive project of reestablishing justice?  Once someone is plugged in to this multi-generational challenge of recognition, reparations, and return of the lands, then, it’s a small step to recognizing that success in reestablishing justice for Armenians entails enlivening, relishing, and thriving in all the items listed above.

So where the diaspora goes will be determined by our collective desires, will, and most importantly, activation of Armenian spirit.  Get out there and inspire your compatriots!

By Harout Manougian
Harvard Kennedy School – Class of 2019
2017ANCA Leo Sarkisian Intern

The motto on the coat of arms of the City of Toronto reads “Diversity Our Strength.”  Having grown up in that multicultural city, I always considered it a privilege to be surrounded by students, professors, and coworkers with experiences that spanned the globe.  They taught me the basics of different languages, history that was not included in the Canadian curriculum, and new perspectives from which to view current events.

The ANCA’s Aram Hamparian and Tereza Yerimyan with the 2017 Leo Sarkisian Internship and Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program team at a Carnegie Endowment for Peace event with former U.S. Ambassadors to Armenia John Evans and John Ordway, as well as, former Armenian Ambassador to the U.S. Ruben Shugarian.

After spending a week at the Armenian National Committee of America’s (ANCA) Washington, D.C. office, my city’s motto rings truer than ever.  The Armenian-American community itself is a truly diverse collective.  We have members whose families arrived in North America a century ago and also many who themselves were born overseas.  We have community members who can speak different languages and different dialects.  Armenian-Americans live across the 50 states and have taken on many different career paths.  Some are Democrats, some are Republicans, and some are not bound to any one party.

In the microcosm of the ANCA Leo Sarkisian Internship, that diversity remains well-represented.  We are the largest group of interns in the program’s history, hailing from Northern and Southern California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Virginia, and even Montreal and Toronto.  Each one of us brings our own unique set of skills and experience to the national office from public relations and communications to data systems and business analytics.  Many of us have been to Armenia, Artsakh, and Javakhk, and some have yet to embark on those adventures.

With such an amazing group of people, coached by our veteran staff members, we have the perfect environment to learn and grow in our personal development and make a meaningful contribution to advancing the Armenian Cause on Capitol Hill.

The ANCA is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots organization. One reason for that is its recognition of diversity as a major strength.

2017 Interns Learn Grassroots Advocacy, Advance Policy Priorities, Make Connections in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON—Hailing from California to Massachusetts, Michigan and Montreal, they have all gathered in Washington, D.C. for a singular purpose—to hone their leadership in advancing Armenian American policy priorities. The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Leo Sarkisian Internship (LSI) and Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program (CGP) have welcomed their largest group of summer fellows for this unique boot camp for the Armenian Cause, with additional participants arriving in the upcoming weeks.

Hailing from California to Massachusetts, Michigan and Montreal, they have all gathered in Washington, D.C. for a singular purpose—to hone their leadership in advancing Armenian American policy priorities.

“The ANCA is fortunate, once again, to have an incredible crew of energetic and committed students from top universities devoting their summer to expanding their leadership and community organizing skills to advance our collective cause,” said Tereza Yerimyan, ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program Director, who manages both programs.  “During eight weeks of intensive training, they’ll get first hand insight into how our federal government works and how best to empower locally to shape policies nationally.”

The Leo Sarkisian Internship and Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program team with the ANCA’s Aram Hamparian and Tereza Yerimyan.

ANCA LSI and CGP participants went through a rigorous application process with acceptance based on academic excellence as well as a strong track-record of community involvement and student leadership.  Fellows engage in a wide range of research projects tailored to their areas of interest while increasing their political understanding through Congressional meetings, think tank talks, and  bi-weekly lectures by members of the diplomatic community and public policy experts.  Summer interns in need of housing stay at The Aramian House, located in Washington DC’s historic Dupont Circle neighborhood, just a short walk from the ANCA headquarters.

The Leo Sarkisian Internship and Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program team at the annual ANC Richmond picnic.

The 2017 Leo Sarkisian interns include Shant Eulmessekian, Shushan Gabrielyan, Hagop Housbian, Harout Manougian, Taleen Simonian, Mari Tikoyan, and Leonardo Torosian.  They are joined by CGP fellows Anna Avannesyan, Gregor Bayburtian, Monique Bolsajian, Stephen Boursalian, Garen Kosoyan, Marie Papazian, and Noor Varjabedian, with additional interns arriving throughout the summer.

Each intern is motivated and eager to do their part in furthering the Armenian Cause while utilizing the resources and opportunities provided by the ANCA and the city of Washington, D.C., while truly living out the motto of the ANCA: “Educate, Motivate, Activate.”

ANCA National Chair Raffi Hamparian, ANCA-WR Chair Nora Hovsepian, ANCA-ER Chair Steve Mesrobian, ANCA National Board Member Aida Dimejian discuss the broader ANCA agenda advocacy agenda with the Leo Sarkisian Internship and Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program team.

Established in 1986 and named in memory of the late ANCA Eastern U.S. community leader who spearheaded grassroots activism to advance the Armenian Cause for more than four decades, the ANCA Leo Sarkisian Internship program now has hundreds of alumni across the world, spreading the message of truth and justice for the Armenian Genocide, freedom for Artsakh, and a secure, prosperous, and democratic Armenian homeland.

Artsakh Human Rights Defender Ruben Melikyan discusses the ongoing Azerbaijani attacks on Artsakh and the war crimes committed during the April, 2016, 4-day war with the ANCA’s Leo Sarkisian Internship and Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program team.

Launched in 2003, the ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program helps secure permanent employment and professional internships in Washington, DC for young Armenian American professionals and students. Through the years, the ANCA has developed many relationships in and around Capitol Hill and identified a wide range of opportunities in the Washington, DC area.  The CGP utilizes these resources and contacts to help candidates identify and secure jobs that fit their interests and needs.

Photos from the 2017 LSI and CGP internships will be posted to the ANCA Facebook Page at:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/ancagrassroots/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10154893462981859


Meet the 2017 ANCA Leo Sarkisian Interns:

Shant Eulmessekian

Shant Eulmessekian is a freshman at Glendale Community College (GCC), who will be applying to the University of California Los Angeles in the fall of 2017. In addition to serving as Senator of Activities in student government, he was recently announced as President of the Honors Program at GCC.

“The Leo Sarkisian Internship will allow me to solidify my political interests while giving me the opportunity to work with dedicated, motivated, and talented individuals,” said Eulmessekian. “Living in the nation’s capital, and working 10 minutes away from the White House—I look forward to exploring all that this great city has to offer.”

Shushan Gabrielyan

Shushan Gabrielyan was born in Yerevan, Armenia and moved to the United States with her family at the age of 5. In the fall, she will be studying philosophy at the University of California, Berkeley. She has been involved in the ANCA for many years, including an internship in the local ANCA-Glendale chapter. Recently, she concluded an internship with Congressman Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.). She is deeply passionate about social progress, specifically relating to gender inequality in Armenia.

“I am thrilled to be spending the summer with other students from across North America, learning about the mission and vision of the ANCA, advocating for the Armenian Cause, and building relationships that will last for a lifetime,” explained Gabrielyan. “I hope to return home inspired and emboldened, ready to share with my community what I have learned this summer.”

Hagop Housbian

Hagop Housbian is a senior at the University of La Verne majoring in International Studies and minoring in Psychology. He has been an active member at the La Verne Model United Nations club, having served as an Executive board member for two consecutive years. Last year, Hagop was among a handful of his peers in founding and initiating the ULV Armenian Club. Since then, he has worked with his fellow Armenian peers in hosting several on-campus events on genocide recognition, cultural education, and traditional showcasing – an initiative that he considers as a regional grassroots movement inspired by the ANCA.

“My aim for these next eight weeks is to learn and accumulate the tools and strategies necessary for the push toward the common struggle in the name of righteousness and freedom. Bearing cognizance that I am among the future leaders of the Armenian Cause, surrounding myself with my fellow peers with the same vision is a true emblem of shared responsibility toward the greater good of our community,” noted Housbian. “I believe the ANCA Leo Sarkisian Internship will prove to be the prevailing impetus in galvanizing the shared Armenian Dream at the behest of the Hai Tahd.”

Harout Manougian

Harout Manougian will be starting a Master of Public Administration at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government this fall, focusing on electoral design and administration.  He has served on the Armenian Students’ Association at the University of Waterloo in Canada, as well as the Central Executive of the Armenian Youth Federation of Canada.  In 2012, he was elected as one of 22 Trustees at the Toronto District School Board. More recently, he was a board member with the Ranked Ballot Initiative of Toronto.

“The work that the ANCA accomplishes is unmatched,” stated Manougian.  “It’s an honor for me to be spending the summer with such a talented, dedicated team.”

Taleen Simonian

Taleen Simonian is a rising junior at Boston University majoring in Public Relations and minoring in Political Science. She is an active member of the Boston University Armenian Students Association and the Providence “Varantian” AYF chapter.  She also serves on the AYF Eastern Region Public Relations Committee.

“I am extremely excited to work with the ANCA this summer as a Leo Sarkisian Intern. Not only will this opportunity challenge me, it will allow me to impact causes I am passionate about,” explained Simonian. I cannot wait to immerse myself in meaningful projects that will give me a first-hand look at the foundations of politics.”

Mari Tikoyan

Mari Tikoyan is a rising senior at the University of Maryland-College Park. She is studying public health science and hopes to attend law school after graduation. Her interests lie in health education, advocacy, health equity, and human rights. At university, she is a Peer Health Educator and a mentor for College Mentor for Kids. In addition, Mari has been heavily involved with the Washington DC AYF chapter for the past 11 years, holding several leadership positions. Regionally, Mari has served on the AYF Central Javakhk Committee and the Central Junior Committee.

“I am excited to spend my summer as a Leo Sarkisian intern,” said Tikoyan. “I have heard wonderful things about this program and all the opportunities it provides. I always grew up with the ANCA in my backyard, but I am excited to finally see how it operates and how I can help my community from the tools I learn this summer.”

Leonardo Torosian

Leonardo Torosian was born in Córdoba, Argentina and moved to Canada at an early age with his family. He studies Political Science and Philosophy in Montreal, at the McGill University. He is also an active member in the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) and Co-President of the McGill Armenian Students’ Association. Very interested in local politics, he is the President of one of Montreal’s 19 boroughs’ Youth Councils. He is also part of the Youth Council of Montreal and the Québec Youth Parliament.

“I am enormously proud of being a Leo Sarkissian intern,” said Torosian. “I hope these two months will be a hands-on experience where I will be able to learn and serve my community. My philosophy is that knowing is not enough, we must apply. I am honored to work for an organization that shares my deepest values.”

Meet the 2017 ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program Summer Fellows:

Anna Avanesyan

Anna Avanesyan is a student at Sidwell Friends School in Washington DC, where she is in the 11th grade. She enjoys playing tennis and theatre, and greatly looks forward to working with the ANCA this summer to further connect with and learn about her Armenian heritage. Avanesyan believes that the best way to become in touch with one’s roots is to “educate oneself on the affairs of the state, and advocate for the well being of the people,” leading to a stronger connection, and sense of affinity to create a deeper understanding of the people and culture which one stems from.”

Gregor Bayburtian

Gregor Bayburtian is a rising Senior at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, MD  interested in political science and languages.  Gregor participated in the Arakadz Summer Camp with the Fund for Armenian Relief, where he was Director of Sports for Syrian Armenian Children at the Camp.

“The ANCA program is a rare opportunity which will allow me to prepare for my future career while simultaneously maintaining a strong connection with my roots,” explained Bayburtian.

Monique Bolsajian

Monique Bolsajian is a rising junior at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she is currently double majoring in Global Studies and English. She is a member of the UCSB ASA and participates in their genocide awareness events, and is also active in Homenetmen Massis Chapter’s scouting program through their venturing crew. Monique also works in UCSB’s Residential and Community Living department where she plans community development programs for undergraduates in campus housing.

“I’ve always wanted to participate firsthand in the work that the ANCA does for the Armenian-American community, and to do that in the nation’s capital is an incredible opportunity,” said Bolsajian. “I am looking forward to learning about the ways the ANCA works with the federal government, and I know that the Capital Gateway Program will provide me with the skills I need to continue this work in the future.”

Stephen Boursalian

Stephen Boursalian born in Springfield, Va. and is currently a senior studying Management Information Systems at Oakland University.  Boursalian produces two podcasts — AutoLink and Detroit / International – interviewing members of the automotive community as well as Detroit-area artists of all media.

“I want to give back to a community that has given me so much over the years in one of the best ways I can,” said Boursalian. “I’m looking forward to applying the skills I’ve developed in my time, and I’m glad the ANCA will help me develop as a professional.” He also noted, “I’m excited to experience the dynamic of NGOs and governmental organizations at large.”

Garen Kosoyan

Garen Kosoyan is a rising junior at Pepperdine University majoring in Political Science and Economics. He will be serving as Vice President of the Armenian Student Association of Pepperdine University beginning this fall. Through the CGP, Garen is interning for the Armenian Legal Center for Justice and Human Rights (ALC).

“Working with the ALC’s Kate Nahapetian has been an amazing opportunity,” said Kosoyan. “Through my various research projects, I‘ve been able to explore the richness of Armenian culture and heritage as well as participate in the legal fight for justice of the Armenian Genocide.”

Marie Papazian

Marie Papazian is a rising college freshman from San Jose, California. She recently graduated from Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Connecticut, and will be attending Barnard College of Columbia University this coming fall. She is hoping to study both Human Rights and Creative Writing during her undergraduate years. She was the public relations officer of her school’s gender equality club and hopes to further understand how to alleviate gender inequalities in Armenia.

“Given my interest in Public Policy, coupled with my hope to become a strong advocate for Armenian issues, I am incredibly excited about the opportunity that the ANCA has granted me,” said Papazian. “I am most excited to make contacts with our Armenian allies in Washington, as well as to learn more about ways in which I can become a strong activist in my own region. One day, I hope to return to D.C. to continue our work.”

Noor Varjabedian

Noor Varjabedian is a rising senior at the University of Mary Washington (UMW) in Fredericksburg, Virginia. She is working towards her Bachelor’s Degree in marketing with a minor in sports management. Last summer, she participated in AYF Youth Corps Program in Armenia and Artsakh, where she worked with Armenian youth in Proshyan, Gyumri and Askeran.  She plays field hockey at UMW and enjoys traveling whenever possible.

“I am extremely excited to be participating in ANCA’s Capital Gateway Program and am eager to learn more about the importance and impact ANCA has on the Armenian-American community,” said Varjabedian. “I hope my time interning in D.C. will be an impactful one.”

WASHINGTON—Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) national and regional leaders explored opportunities for broader U.S.-Armenia cooperation, expanded foreign assistance, checks on Azerbaijani aggression, and justice for the Armenian Genocide during a week of policy-level consultations with the White House, State Department, and Members of Congress.

ANCA national and regional leaders explored opportunities for broader U.S.-Armenia cooperation, expanded foreign assistance, checks on Azerbaijani aggression, and justice for the Armenian Genocide during a week of policy-level consultations with the White House, State Department, and Members of Congress.

ANCA National Chairman Raffi Hamparian led the delegation, which included ANCA Eastern Region (ANC-ER) Chair Steve Mesrobian, ANCA Western Region (AMCA-WR) Chair Nora Hovsepian, Esq. and national board member Aida Dimejian. They were joined by ANCA staff, including Government Affairs Director Raffi Karakashian, Esq.

A special focus was placed on ANCA priorities in the Fiscal Year 2018 Foreign Aid bill, including increased aid to Artsakh for HALO Trust de-mining and healthcare services provided by the Lady Cox Rehabilitation Center.  Also among the ANCA’s top aid priorities are maintaining U.S. economic aid to Armenia and expanding U.S. support for Armenia as a safe haven for Middle East refugees.  The President’s proposed FY 2018 budget included extremely sharp proposed reductions to all aid programs, including those for Armenia.  Parallel to the ANCA’s assistance advocacy, the delegation pressed for key provisions of Armenia’s aid-to-trade transition, including a Double Tax Treaty and direct commercial and cargo flights between Los Angeles and Yerevan.

Among topics of discussion were the May 16th beating of peaceful protesters in Washington D.C., by President Erdogan’s security forces and the need for a fundamental re-evaluation of U.S.-Turkey relations, including its policies regarding justice for the Armenian Genocide and the ongoing occupation of Cyprus.

“On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of Americans of Armenian heritage east of the Mississippi River, we welcomed this most recent opportunity to build on our grassroots base and our Washington advocacy to ensure that our community’s voice is heard and that our priorities are advanced in our nation’s capital,” said ANCA National Board Member and ANCA-ER Chair Steve Mesrobian.  “Our Eastern U.S. community is truly blessed with both great diversity and rock-solid resolve on our shared national aspirations for our homeland and heritage.”

“I was pleased to join with Aida Dimejian from our national board in representing Armenian Americans from California and across the Western United States in once again personally conveying the depth and scope of our community’s concerns in support of Armenia, in defense of Artsakh, and in pursuit of our Western Armenian homeland,” noted ANCA WR Chair Nora Hovsepian.  “Our community across America stands shoulder to shoulder with the brave soldiers who stand guard on the frontiers of Armenian freedom, working in the civic arena here in the United States for the same universal liberties, security, and freedom that these brave souls protect on the field of battle.”

At the State Department, the ANCA held policy meetings with officials responsible for a range of regional areas and issues, including senior Trump Administration appointee Pam Pryor.  Within the Europe and Eurasia Bureau, meetings were held with Acting Assistant Secretary John Heffern, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Bridget Brink, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Mark Libby, Director of the State Department Office of Caucasus Affairs and Regional Conflicts Natasha Franceschi, and the U.S. Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ambassador Richard Hoagland.  At the White House, ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian took part in a meeting with National Security Council officials, lead by Admiral Garry Hall, a Trump Administration appointee who serves as Senior Director for International Organizations and Alliances.  A separate meeting was held with the U.S. Department of Commerce regarding the growth of U.S.-Armenia bilateral economic cooperation.

ANCA-WR Chair Nora Hovsepian, Esq., ANCA-ER Chair Steve Mesrobian, ANCA National Board member Aida Dimejian and ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian at the State Department following discussions with Acting Assistant Secretary John Heffern and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Bridget Brink.

On Capitol Hill, the ANCA leadership spoke with several dozen Members of Congress and key staff, including Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), senior Committee member Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Rep. Ed Royce (R-Calif.), House Select Committee on Intelligence Ranking Democrat Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.), U.S. Helsinki Commission Co-Chair Chris Smith (R-N.J.), Ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), Nevada Congresswoman Dina Titus (D), Rhode Island’s Jim Langevin (D), Texas Republican Ted Poe, Central California’s Jeff Denham (R) as well as Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs David Valadao (R-Calif.) and Jackie Speier (D-Calif.).  Rep. Valadao, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, has been an outspoken advocate for expanded U.S. assistance for Artsakh.

ANCA Chair Raffi Hamparian discussing Republic of Artsakh security concerns with Nevada Congresswoman Dina Titus (D).

Extensive consultations were also held with key staff from the offices of Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Democrat Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Senators Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Marco Rubio (R-FL), House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe Chairman Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.), and House Appropriations Committee members Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) and Jeff Fortenberry (R-Nebr.).

ANCA Chair Raffi Hamparian, National Board member Aida Dimejian and ANCA-WR Chair Nora Hovsepian discussing efforts to expand US aid to Artsakh and Armenia with House Appropriations Committee member David Valadao (R-Calif.).

ANCA leaders held a meeting with the senior leadership and staff of In Defense of Christians, led by President Toufic Baaklini, to discuss expanding legislative and other efforts to address the ongoing violence against Christian and other minority communities in the Middle East as well as passage of the Armenian Genocide Prevention Resolution (H.Res.220). The ANCA joined with IDC in co-hosting their 2016 convention, which brought together hundreds of citizen advocates from across the U.S. in support of a broad range of issues, including the protection of Christian communities in the Middle East and U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide.

ANCA-ER Chair Steve Mesrobian discussing the recent Erdogan-ordered attacks against peaceful protesters in Washington DC with US Helsinki Commission Co-Chair Chris Smith (R-N.J.).

Discussions also held with San Jose State University President Dr. Mary Papazian regarding education policy and opportunities for future cooperation.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee member Ed Markey (D-Mass.) with ANCA-ER Chair Steve Mesrobian and ANCA Government Affairs Director Raffi Karakashian, Esq.

During consultations with Armenian Ambassador to the United States Grigor Hovhannisian and Artsakh Permanent Representative to the U.S. Robert Avetisyan, ANCA leader discussed expanding U.S. ties with both republics.

Hey Canada,

Even though it’s been a while since I’ve left, I have not forgotten about you or how good you’ve been to me…

‘Even though it’s been a while since I left, I have not forgotten about you or how good you’ve been to me…’

Every time I tell people here that I hail from your shores, you end up being the butt of all the jokes.

From our love of poutine and maple syrup, to the way we say “sorry” and overuse “eh?”… I’ll admit—Canada and Canadians are an easy target.

All jokes aside though, as I begin to reflect on your 150^th birthday, I realize there are many reasons to be thankful for you…

Thank you for welcoming my people with open arms during our most vulnerable of times. Thank you for allowing 110 orphaned boys of the Armenian Genocide to come to Georgetown, Ontario, in what became known as “Canada’s Noble Experiment”—your first humanitarian act on an international scale. Thank you for bringing over an additional 40 orphaned Armenian girls and for making the story of the Georgetown Boys and Girls an integral part of your evolution into a country known worldwide as a humanitarian and peace-keeping leader.

Thank you for being a nation that accepts people from all over the world and from all walks of life with open arms, where they are able to practice all aspects of their culture freely and openly. Thank you for allowing my community to thrive and to flourish over the past century. Thank you for allowing us to build our community centers, schools, churches, and organizations, which have produced generations that speak our language and uphold our people’s customs and traditions.

Thank you for giving the world Atom and Arsinée, Raffi and his banana phone, Karsh, Bayrakdarian, and so many other countless national treasures of Armenian heritage.

Thank you for recognizing the plight of my people—for courageously acknowledging the Armenian Genocide despite much pressure not to do so. And thank you for unyieldingly reaffirming your commitment to human rights and justice year after year.

Thank you for acknowledging that your own history has had dark moments and for being a moral example to the rest of the world by apologizing for them. Thank you for looking back at the Chinese head tax; the internment of Ukrainian, Japanese, and Italian Canadians during the WWI and WWII; the turning away of boats of Jewish, Punjabi, and other refugees; your history of slavery; and the longtime government policy of taking aboriginal children away from their families and cultures, in regret and shame. Thank you for proving that admitting past wrongs is not only the right thing to do, but is the only way to be true to yourself.

Thank you for allowing your people to protest peacefully and to stand for something they believe in—a fundamental freedom guaranteed in your Charter.

Thank you for your recent, warm welcoming of Syrian refugees—yet another honorable example to the rest of the world. Thank you for continuing your international humanitarian tradition, which began over a century ago, and for offering and providing refuge not only to the people of Syria, but to all people in dire straits.

And finally, thank you for passionately defending the rights of all your citizens, regardless of race, cultural heritage, ethnicity, religion, ancestry, place of origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Thank you for truly regarding diversity as a national asset and for ensuring that a multicultural, integrated, and inclusive citizenship will be every Canadian’s inheritance.

I may be not be there physically, but you’re always in my heart.

Here’s to you, Canada… 150 has never looked so good!

– Rupen Janbazian,
Watertown, Mass. 

WATERTOWN, Mass.—The Armenian Cultural and Educational Center (ACEC) recently announced the launch of its summer jazz concert series, “Jazz in the Courtyard.”

The series of three events held on alternating Fridays in July and August, will bring acclaimed, modern interpretations of jazz to the center’s outdoor courtyard space in Watertown.

The series of three events, which is co-sponsored by the Boston chapter of the Hamazkayin Educational and Cultural Society and held on alternating Fridays in July and August, will bring acclaimed, modern interpretations of jazz to the center’s outdoor courtyard space in Watertown.

The first concert of the series, to be held on July 21, features The Yulia Musayelyan Quartet. The group’s leader, originally from Moscow, is a versatile multi-genre performer. A graduate of the Manhattan School of Music as well as New York University, Musayelyan is also a recipient of the National Foundation for the Advancement in the Arts Award. She leads her jazz quartet and Macayú Trio, and performs regularly with MOZIK, Fernando Huergo Quintet, and Marta Gomez, among others. Her chamber compositions have been premiered at Symphony Space in New York City and featured in the 2006 film Natalie Bonn.

Musayelyan’s compositions combine modern jazz harmonies and improvisation with folkloric styles from Argentina, Armenia, Russia, and Brazil. The result is a colorful and distinct sound that seeks to bridge distant traditions. Yulia has toured the U.S., United Kingdom, Europe, and Central and South America with various musical projects. Read more about her projects at http://yuliamusayelyan.com.

The second concert, to be held on Aug. 4, will feature the critically acclaimed folk-jazz ensemble MUSANER. Led by composer and pianist Ara Sarkissian, MUSANER has performed widely at top venues in Boston, New York, Italy, and Switzerland. The New York Music Daily referred to their last recording “Once Upon a Time” as “one of the most picturesque, intensely vivid albums of the year,” while Boston’s own WBUR referred to their sound as “something that bridges east and west, that’s both familiar and exotic, delicate and powerfully high energy,” More information on MUSANER is available at http://musaner.com. The ensemble will appear in its five-person lineup for an evening that promises to be memorable.

The third concert, to be hold on Aug. 18, will feature the young guitarist Shahan Nercessian and his new trio, SMB-3. This latest project of Shahan’s is a jazz trio with subtle Armenian folk undertones. The group is comprised of musicians who met while studying jazz at Tufts University and who have played extensively in the Boston area in various different musical settings.

The band plays original compositions drawing influences from jazz, rock, world music and beyond. They will be releasing their first full-length album, “Echoes from a Distant Past,” in the summer of 2017.

All three concerts will be held in the outdoor courtyard at the ACEC, located at 47 Nichols Ave., Watertown. In case of rain, the event will be held indoors.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at http://hamazkayinboston.org or by calling 617-926- 6067.

There will be refreshments, drinks, and snacks available for purchase.

Backs Resolution Calling for Turkish Acknowledgement of Armenian Genocide

WASHINGTON—Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.), a decades-long outspoken advocate of justice for the Armenian Genocide, has cosponsored bipartisan Senate legislation condemning that crime and calling for an end to international complicity in the Turkish government’s denial, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

‘All countries should recognize the horrific genocide that occurred 102 years ago to the Armenian people,’ said Senator Schumer. (Photo: ANCA)

“All countries should recognize the horrific genocide that occurred 102 years ago to the Armenian people,” said Senator Schumer. “It is my sacred duty to speak out against the terrors of the past and against those who cannot speak of it themselves and that’s why I am a proud co-sponsor of this Senate resolution. I stand with the worldwide Armenian community in labeling the atrocities against the Armenian people as genocide.”

S.Res.136 was introduced by Senator Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) with the bipartisan support of Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Tom Udall (D-NM) earlier this year on April 24th, the international day of commemoration of the Ottoman Turkish Government’s murder of over 1.5 million Armenians from 1915-1923.  The resolution calls on the President to “work toward an equitable, constructive, stable, and durable Armenian-Turkish relationship that includes the full acknowledgment by the Government of the Republic of Turkey of the facts about the Armenian Genocide.” It goes on to urge that “the foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to human rights, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, and genocide documented in the United States record relating to the Armenian Genocide.”

Other cosponsors of the measure include Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.),  Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

“Since before he joined Congress, during his tenure representing Brooklyn as a U.S. Representative, while a rank and file Senator from New York, and now as Minority Leader of the world’s greatest deliberative body, Chuck Schumer has remained true to his principles – consistently commemorating the Armenian Genocide, relentlessly seeking official American remembrance of this atrocity, and openly challenging Turkey’s efforts to obstruct justice for this crime,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.  “We join with friends of Armenia and anti-genocide advocates from across New York and around America in thanking Senator Schumer for his support, and in encouraging the Senate leadership to move this measure to a vote.”

Each year, Senator Schumer joins with Armenian Americans from across the East Coast in commemorating the Armenian Genocide at a rally in Times Square.  His remarks at the April 23, 2017, event, videotaped by Parev-TV,  are available on the ANCA Facebook page and below.

Travelers to Armenia visit our beautiful churches, fortresses, archaeological sites, and scenic vistas in Armenia’s mountains and valleys. But other venues can bring visitors closer to Armenian life and traditions. These are the numerous village celebrations, commemorations, and festivals of both religious and secular origin.

Unseen Armenia: Armenia’s Festivals (Photos: Hovsep Daghdigian)

Some of these include…

The Berd Berry and Honey Festival

(Photo: Hovsep Daghdigian)

The city of Berd is in mountainous Tavush province, northeast Armenia, the center of a region called Shamshadin—an Arabic name which retains popular usage. Many of the villages to the east of Berd are perilously close to the border with Azerbaijan.

(Photo: Hovsep Daghdigian)

A church service at Berd’s Surb Hovhannes Church (consecrated 2014) was officiated by Der Aram Mirzoyan from Berd, and Der Dajad Davidian, the former pastor of St. James Church in Watertown, Mass. The badarak was mostly attended by women and children with few young or middle-aged men present. The choir was magnificent, with solo parts of the Mass sung by an immensely talented 14-year old young lady. Part way though the badarak, there was the shuffle of feet outside the church. In came soldiers, dressed in their fatigues, apparently done with their shift of securing the nearby border. Immediately, many of the children present went to be with the soldiers who were perhaps their fathers or older brothers.

(Photo: Hovsep Daghdigian)

At a large field on the edge of town, booths were set up offering local handicrafts and foods. By the time I completed my visits to the booths, trying to decide which delicacies to select for my lunch, I was full from all the free samples I was offered! I did actually buy some food as well, and also bought a number of jars of local honey for ourselves and friends back in the U.S. The festival included Armenian music, with young people dancing. Der Aram and Der Dajad together blessed our soldiers who gathered in a group. There was a dance dedicated to our soldiers as well.

This was not part of the festival, but Der Aram accompanied us to a visit to a nearby military compound. At the compound’s entrance, two armed sentries looked inside our car. When they saw Der Aram, both sentries snapped to attention, saluted, and opened the gate. Such is the respect Der Aram has earned. During a brief talk with the local commander I asked, “What message do you have for the diaspora?” “Tell them that we are not fighting for this or that political party. This is our land. We will fight to defend it,” he said.

(Photo: Hovsep Daghdigian)

The Dolma Festival

Since 2011, the Dolma Festival has been held in various sites around Armenia. In 2013, my wife and I attended the festival at the Sardarabad Museum and Memorial, the site of the victorious battle which, together with the victories at Bash Aparan and Karakilise, saved Armenia from extinction in 1918.

Master chefs from around Armenia produced some of the most amazing Armenian dishes I’ve ever tasted. There were dolmas stuffed with fish, and dolmas wrapped with the grape leaves still attached to lengths of vine—as if the dolma itself was growing on the vine. Present were then U.S. Ambassador John Heffern, wandering from booth to booth with his wife, chatting with the chefs and enjoying the food. There were dance groups from local schools, and live Armenian music featuring a group of bagpipe players (parkapzuk). I believe this instrument was more popular in medieval times, but it seems to be making a slight comeback.

(Photo: Hovsep Daghdigian)

(Photo: Hovsep Daghdigian)

(Photo: Hovsep Daghdigian)

Vardavar–Christian Feast of Transfiguration

It’s hard to miss Vardavar since just about wherever you are, someone is likely to drench you with water, and it’s all perfectly acceptable on this day. This once pagan festival was transformed into a Christian feast, but it retains some of its pre-Christian tradition.

(Photo: Hovsep Daghdigian)

Getting doused is not bad, as Vardavar is usually in July; it’s usually hot, and you may welcome a drenching as long as your camera stays dry. But to get a flavor of the pagan aspects, it’s best to visit the Garni temple. There, pagan priests offer their blessings to bread, apricots, flowers, and especially water, all of which are important to life and are distributed to attendees. There is, of course, Armenian music and dancing, and a spectacular view of the Garni temple and the valley below.

(Photo: Hovsep Daghdigian)

(Photo: Hovsep Daghdigian)

Navasard

Navasard is the start of the ancient Armenian New Year, which is on Aug. 11. This commemorates the date that Hayk and his comrades, escaping the tyrant Bell’s tyranny, fled north to the Armenian highlands. As Bell approached, Hayk’s powerful arms let fly an arrow which passed through Bell, killing him instantly. Hayk established himself and his family in Armenia, in what Armenians call Hayots Tsor. Hayk’s descendants, Armenians, are called Haykazunk. This, according to Armenian tradition, was in 2492 B.C.

Again, for a pagan celebration of this pre-Christian holiday, visit Garni. Alternatively, there is usually a ceremony at the statue of Hayk on the highway in the Nor Nork district of Yerevan. A taxi driver can easily take you there.

The Raspberry (Aznavamori) Festival

(Photo: Hovsep Daghdigian)

The 2016 Raspberry Festival took place in Ashotavan, near Sisian in Syunik province. There were many craft and food booths from the various villages in the region, as well as booths set up by a number of NGOs operating in Armenia. Authentic Armenian music was provided by musicians playing traditional instruments such as the kamancha, kanoon, duduk, and zurna, with dance groups comprised of dancers of various ages from young children to young adults. Besides the music, there was the performance of a tightrope walker, a traditional Armenian art form, in which the performer on his tightrope seemed to levitate above the mountains of Syunik on the horizon.

(Photo: Hovsep Daghdigian)

The Sheep Shearing Festival

In June 2017, the village of Khot hosted a “Sheep Searing Festival.” Khot, in Syunik province, is not far from Sisian and is next to Shinuhayr, the departure point for the aerial tramway ride to the Tatev Monastery. Various village crafts were demonstrated; foods such as pickles, preserves, and pastries were for sale. For those who wanted to get out of the sun for a spell, there was a restaurant at one end of the field. Music, both Armenian and non-Armenian, was provided with many of the young people dancing.

(Photo: Hovsep Daghdigian)

The highlight of the festival, however, was the sheep shearing contest. Representatives of various villages competed to see who was best. Criteria for the best sheep shearer was not only time, but the wool had to be completely removed from the sheep, and the sheep must not be injured with cuts or nicks. Attendees from various villages loudly cheered for the shearer from their village. During the hot summer months, sheep will naturally shed their wool if not removed by their keepers.

(Photo: Hovsep Daghdigian)

***

Armenia’s festivals provide a unique opportunity for visitors to interact informally with Armenian culture and traditions. I believe the Armenian Ministries of Culture and Tourism should do more to promote information about such events, including village celebrations, festivals, and cultural performances (Armenian cultural performances, please, not more amateur western noise pollution). This should be done early each year, in time for visitors to plan their trips. Listings should include all events throughout Armenia and Artsakh and not just in or around Yerevan.

How about the two ministries cited above, working with tour agencies, getting on board with this?

YEREVAN (A.W.)— On July 3, Armenian Minister of Education and Science Levon Mkrtchyan of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) provided a report of the country’s education sector at the National Assembly (Parliament) session discussing the country’s upcoming budget.

Levon Mkrtchyan

The Minister noted that attempting to change the education system in the last few years achieved positive results, but that the changes were not sufficient. He added that the quality of education in Armenia and the direction in which it is heading is very worrisome.

“We have 87,000 students that attend our 66 universities,” said Mkrtchyan. “It is very difficult to find another place in the world with a statistic like this, which makes it very concerning… There are also universities that have about 100-400 students in each classroom, which causes the quality of education to suffer,” added Mkrtchyan.

Mkrtchyan said that the licensing process of universities needs to be stricter, in order to increase the quality of education. He suggested that the need to switch to professional accreditation is necessary within the next yea,  in order to have strong and healthy educational institutions committed to their goals.

Mkrtchyan also raised the issue regarding the imbalance in various professions, noting that about 70% of students graduating are pursuing fields in the humanities. He said that if this rate continues, Armenia will no longer be a center of sciences.

“This issue is a serious threat that needs to be solved through educational reforms,” said Mkrtchyan. “For example, with the help of donors, small but high-quality research and science oriented systems could be created.”

During his report, Republican Party (RPA) Parliamentarian Karen Avagyan mentioned the issue of not having the proper textbooks in schools and asked the Minister what steps would be taken to address this.

In response, Mkrtchyan said that there are two possible solutions to the issue: implementing programs at Armenian universities aimed at preparing authors of textbooks and the use of European textbooks in Armenia.

Avagyan also proposed to allocate funds from the budget to fight against universities opened by private companies. Mkrtchyan agreed and added that it is necessary to have stricter licensing for these institutions. He also noted that there are currently criminal cases dealing with the issue.

By Varak Ketsemanian and Raffy Ardhaldjian

Special to the Armenian Weekly

May 28 just passed and Armenians celebrated Republic Day—the holiday that commemorates the day when Armenia became a republic and a reference to the first modern Armenian state of 1918 since the loss of Armenian statehood in 1375.

A demonstrations in Yerevan in the late 1980s (Photo: Ruben Mangasaryan)

This year marked the 99 years of independence for Armenia. While it is a small blip in our long history, it is an important milestone to critically reflect on. It was an attempt at establishing both a physical Armenian statehood and the best government possible at the time.

Since then, also in 2017, Armenia just passed through historic Parliamentary Elections that transitioned the country into a parliamentary democracy enshrined by Armenia’s new constitution. While the elections were at times tainted by instances of vote-buying and interference, technical solutions and procedures to address voting irregularities and fraud seemed to have improved election standards as Armenia limps in its post-Soviet transition. While most diasporan communities were busy campaigning for the movie The Promise, an unprecedented conference took place in Yerevan in April, addressing a political vision that has recently gained momentum in Armenia’s political parlance—namely “Azg-Banak” (A Nation in Arms/Das Volk In Waffen).

Against this backdrop, there seems to be misdirected anger, much confusion, and some apathy within the nation globally as it transitions into its next century of post-genocide collective future and faces the challenges of stable and sustainable statehood.

In this article, the authors aim to address some key questions for Armenian political thought in the 21^st century. What does May 28th evoke in Armenians 26 years after Armenia became an independent country? Is it the century old Turkish-Azeri existential threat as demonstrated in populist nationalism that underlies modern Armenian identity? Is Armenia a failed state? Or does it trigger even deeper issues like Armenia’s transitional struggles from “post-Soviet” to being an “Armenian state” as Armenians face the challenges of statehood?

Both authors matriculated in the Lebanese-Armenian community, where May 28th was always a favorite holiday, as it evoked a sense of hope and rebirth. At the Hamazkayin Palandjian Djemaran Lyceum of Beirut (where both authors went to school), generations of Armenian public intellectuals were educated, including Dr. Vartan Grigorian (President of the Carnegie Foundation). Statues of previous principals Levon Shant (Vice Chairperson of the Parliament of the First Republic) and Simon Vratsian (the last Prime Minister of the First Republic of Armenia) were constant reminders of hope for diasporan generations. Intellectual discourse in this “exilic nationalist” context[1] often addressed “Armenian values” as youth interacted with leaders of the First Republic like Garo Sasouni and others.

A 1994 Armenian postage stamp dedicated to the 125th Anniversary of the birth of Levon Shant (1869-1951)—Vice Chairperson of the Parliament of the First Republic

The sense of hope that the founding fathers of the republic were able to achieve stands in contrast in many ways to today’s reality. The future of Armenian attempts at statehood is frankly unclear to many in the diaspora. The Armenian pursuit of nationhood and statehood seems to have followed a thorny path since the 1860s—a path that included genocide, Sovietization, Bolshevik terror in the 1930s, huge losses in World War II, and recently blockade and war with Azerbaijan.

But things worsened for the Armenian republic since 1991, as one third of Armenian’s population left the homeland, mostly as a result of the de-industrialization of the national economy and increasing unemployment rates.  In the various communities of the diaspora, on the other hand, Armenian identity seems to be facing assimilation, and some drift into once familiar ethno-religious identities and communities. A phenomenon, nowadays much accelerated by technology and globalization, turning communities into various local sub-cultures, and away from the Armenian “collective agency” of the post-genocide generation.

It seems that humanity and globalizations are providing more communion to Armenians than the nascent nation state itself and global Armenians seem to be drifting towards local ethnic commitments rather than genuinely multi-local diasporic engagements[2]. Ethnics differ from diasporics in the fact that their perspectives are not “multilocal” and do not link their local identity with their imagined relationships with other Armenians elsewhere as well as the homeland. Armenians also seem to be moving passively into the realm of “individual agency” as more are able to work globally in more places. But is humanity too large and too diverse to provide meaningful communion to the members of the small Armenian nation? Are local ethno-religious communities enough to counter transnational liberalism & multicultural pressures? Are “paper Armenians” without any political attachment (inside and outside Armenia) enough to further develop a nation state after 100 years of statehood?  While it is hard to envision a perfect society, we feel it is appropriate to bring up key questions on Armenian society in the aftermath of Republic Day.

Ideologically speaking, looking at Armenian nationalism of the last quarter century, we feel that by itself, it has mostly been insufficient to create the key objectives of an ideology for a nation-state. Mainly, Armenian nationalism has been unable to:

• Create a sustainable national economy;
• Create proper governance that integrates communities and regions of Armenia outside of Yerevan and the diaspora(s);
• Create a minimal national political culture (a system of common values and Armenian worldviews) and identification for the entire nation, including the diaspora(s);
• More fundamentally, we feel it failed at creating efficient governance that responds to citizen needs. One that learns from others in devising policies and uses data and scenarios in its long term planning and execution.

In a larger context, while the language of the Armenian “transnation”[3] and now the “Global Armenian” (by the likes of Ruben Vardanian among others ) is employed to describe or evoke new identities, in fact there seems to be no substantive collective, national identity that can be the source of mobilization and “collective agency” in the face of crises or a national vision.

We feel that the only real rallying cry came in April 2016 during the four day April War as worldwide Armenians  felt a familiar existential threat for a brief period. The globalization of Armenians today might require reconstructing new principles to motivate the nation’s “best and brightest “within and outside the homeland. It might require multifocal identities linking them to their locality and the homeland, combining transboundary, cross-border culture, politics and democracy, and encompassing a larger segment of Armenians than the ever shrinking two million citizens of Armenian (35% of whom seem to be trapped in post-soviet poverty) or any tiny ethno-religious community of the diasporan sub-cultures.

The authors believe that an alternative to the existing ideological void could be the gradual development of civic forms of Armenian constitutional patriotism as a value system within the nation state and its diasporas.  What does patriotism mean?  According to Ron Paul (a U.S. populist ideologue). “A patriot is an individual who is also willing to stand up against one’s own government if need be when the government is wrong.” In the case of Armenian identity, the attachment to the homeland will need not only be triggered when external threats exist, but also guided with deep common social values that can provide a more cohesive platform for effective and inclusive work. We call it the “Armenian value stack.”

We argue here that Armenian political thought in general should recast itself as a defender to an “Armenian values stack” in the fast changing realities of the 21^st century.  Political scientist Irina Ghaplanyan would call this “meaning creation”[4] which could also signify articulating what the new processes and institutions of nation building development would entail beyond a normative understanding. If the Armenian modern nation is going to revive past its post-Soviet identity  as the primary political vehicle to sustain the trans-nation going forward and differentiate it from the alternatives of migration, then at a minimum better definitions of “meaningful Armenian values and a sense of destiny” need to be articulated by Armenian political thought.

In this context, we feel that these values should contain much more than what’s being omitted from modern Armenian nationalism; these values need to go beyond just ethnic traditions and ritualistic religious norms (yes, our church is ritualistic and not necessarily spiritual) and address relevant economic and social policies that impact Armenian citizens and diasporans the way other small nation states like the Nordic countries, Singapore, and even Dubai have done.

What has been omitted from populist liberal nationalist narrative today is Armenian society’s deep social, structural and institutional issues. These include the crackdown on civil society, Armenian women’s issues, and most importantly financial inequality and the cause of the poor.

The other aspect in today’s Armenia that troubles the authors is Armenia’s neo-liberal elite’s often-ferocious sense of entitlement (including the self-serving diasporan ones) that views Armenia as a personal canvas and experimentation zone. Increasingly, we are seeing “non-inclusive elitist and often exclusive tendencies” in all aspects of societal life ranging from education to culture and business.  It is as if the elite has imposed its own cast system on society between the haves and have-nots.  The haves feel entitled to control politics, business, country governance as well as the attempts at designing/institutionalizing how a future Armenia will look like and operate. And the rest are expected to serve in the Army, perform sideline cheers, act as the help/workers, or be miserably poor.  The authors are less worried about relative differences in economic equality here, and more about fairness articulated through, institutional efficiency and opportunity.

The First Republic of 1918, ruled for a brief period by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) as a “center left party” at the time, was not the monopoly of a single party or societal class in the context of its times. It can be argued that it actually was a progressive bastion in many ways—it had the first ever woman ambassador in the history of modern diplomacy, Diana Abgar. We will not begin to comment on women’s rights in Armenia today, since much has come out in media recently.  We feel we have collectively regressed.

Diana Abgar

Practically speaking, the authors believe that the next Armenian ideological war will not be fought on nationalistic battlefields or even in the hearts and minds of Armenians. It will be fought with cold, hard facts delivering answers to questions like if Armenia’s economy can deliver growth and if impoverished citizens have a chance to rise from poverty based on their merit. Citizens will look at how efficient the allocation of labor and capital in Armenia are, and if the rules of the game are stable enough to encourage growth and a better future for their offspring. Otherwise, they will emigrate. This is a reason for Armenian political minds to make essential services like the education system work better, and not leave it to chance. For instance, children born in the regions outside of Yerevan today will enter the workforce much less prepared than those of the elite in Yerevan.

The Declaration of State Sovereignty of Armenia (1990) which included 12 statements, and which later served as the “basis for the development” for the Armenian Constitution until today, does not seem to reflect the “Armenian value stack.”  Outside of the nation state, we feel that most trans-state Armenian institutions, including the church and others, are not in sync with the times and failing to sustain the “feeling of communion” and common bonds between the nation as a whole and the homeland.

A man sits outside a lean-to he calls home outside of Yerevan. (Photo: Tom Vartabedian)

A girl holds her cat in an impoverished part of Dilijan (Photo: Raffy Ardh

In such an environment, narrow Armenian nationalist political ideology merely based on ethno-religious identities of a small nation that wants sovereignty and self-governance, is becoming increasingly ineffective in the complex dynamics of the 21st century.  In the post-Cold War era, Armenians dreamed of a “new world order,” in which the spread of democracy and work ethic would automatically bring about a free, independent, and prosperous Armenia. That dream seems to be over, and a long road towards much needed development lies ahead if Armenians want to face up to the challenges of statehood.

In 2017, the Republic of Armenia officially shifted into a parliamentary democracy like most European countries. Yet the political spectrum (along the left–right axis) in Armenian life leaves much to be desired for and has room for further development.  For instance, despite the presence of the ARF in the government, the party’s left wing ideology has hardly been felt in Armenia in the last 25 years. Calls for social justice by the ARF have not been backed by redistributive social and economic policy action. A recent a study commissioned by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung shows most Armenian youth are firmly on the socialist end of the spectrum.[5]  Similarly, other key issues, such as feminist and green ideologies, have not yet found their proper place in the Armenian left–right political spectrum

While Armenians throughout the world get ready to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Republic next year, a lot remains to be done to be true to the spirit of the founding fathers of the 1918 Republic beyond the usual commemorative efforts and statue erecting ceremonies. Just like Aram Manoukian, who is widely regarded as the founder of the First Republic of Armenia, “forged an army from disheartened men,”[6] today’s challenges in Armenia require similar political will and resourceful minds.

The coat of arms of the First Republic of Armenia

We would like to end with a quote from a blog post of the late Allen Yekikian. “Years ago amid the chaos of the First World War and the turmoil of genocide, a small but resilient people drew on their legendary past for strength as they made their last stand for freedom at the gates of Sardarabad. At stake was their very survival.”[7]

Today almost a century later, at stake is the survival of the very Armenian state. This time its security is not only threatened by the Turkish-Azeri axis (and Russian geopolitics)—it is also threatened by the vacuum in Armenian political values and the lack of an Armenian worldview that connects Armenian identity with the state as we continue facing the challenges of statehood. Reversing these trends will require nothing less than a moral renaissance in Armenian life. Armenians need to develop a passion for righteous discontent with the status quo if a collective state is of any importance.

Two-hundred thousand years ago, humans originated in Africa and expanded through migration and evolution into the Armenian plateau and beyond.  That evolution is still constantly at work as global migration and adaption figures show.  The amount of information that comes into our brains today in one day exceeds what the average Armenian experienced throughout the 19^th and early 20^th centuries.  It seems that the path forward in statehood will require that Armenians refine a clear, differentiated positioning to give their nation state an advantage in attracting investment, business and tourism, and in building markets for its exports. Most importantly, it will require Armenians to further define the principles of “the Armenian dream” so that the Armenian identity provides “meaningful communion” in the context of a challenged nation state when many alternatives exist. For instance, the Nordic countries with a population of only 26 million provide a strong example of a collective “value stack” that has been evolving and adapting to modern life.  Many that choose to live there do so partly because they like the “Scandinavian Dream.”

Liberal or populist nationalism cannot simply be the answer to Armenia’s statehood challenges. There is the urgent need to dig deeper in the midst of the intellectual crisis as Armenian ethno-national identity continues to adapt and evolve. “Mer Hayrenik,” the national anthem of the Republic of Armenia in 1918, was re-adopted as the anthem of the newly-independent state in 1991. Today, it is practically an element of civic education in Armenia and the diasporas.  For it to provide meaningful communion to the Armenian trans-nation for generations to come, it will need to continue to evoke a deep sense of patriotism and devotion to not only a geography and an ancient culture, but increasingly to novel civic values of a modern and efficient Armenian society.

***

This is the first article in a series dedicated to the 100th Anniversary of Armenian statehood.

Varak Ketsemanian is a frequent contributor to Aztag Daily, Asbarez and Armenian Weekly. He is currently a PhD student at Department of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University

Raffy Ardhaldjian is a finance/technology professional and diasporan Armenian political thinker with an engaged history in social entrepreneurship in Armenia since independence. He holds graduate degrees from the Fletcher School of law and diplomacy and the University Of Chicago Booth School Of Business.

Notes 

[1] Tölölyan, Khachig. “From exilic nationalism to diasporic transnationalism”. The Call of the Homeland: Diaspora Nationalisms, Past and Present, co-edited by Allon Gal, Athena Leoussi, and Anthony Smith, Brill (The Netherlands, 2011).

[2] Tölölyan, Khachig. “Rethinking Diasporas,” Diaspora: a journal of transnational studies, Volume 5, Number 1. pp. 16-7.

[3] Tölölyan, Khachig. ”Elites and Institutions in the Armenian Transnation,” Diaspora: a journal of transnational studies, Volume 9, Number 1. pp. 1-16.

[4] Ghaplanyan, Irina. personal communication, (Feb 1, 2017).

[5] “Independence Generation Youth Study 2016 – Armenia”. Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (Yerevan, 2016)

[6] Tsarukyan, Andranik. “Tught Ar Yerevan” (“Letter to Yerevan”) 6^th ed. Hairenik (Boston, 1954). pp. 22-23.

[7] Excerpt from the blog May 28: At stake was the survival of a nation (May 28 2008)

VIENNA, Austria — On June 30, Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said that he may meet with his Azerbaijani counterpart in the coming weeks to discuss the Artsakh conflict.

Edward Nalbandian (Photo: Reuters)

According to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), an OSCE Informal Ministerial Meeting is expected to take place on July 11 in Mauerbach, Austria. Fifty-seven OSCE participating states, including Armenia and Azerbaijan, the President and General Secretary of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs of the United Nations, have been invited by the Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs Sebastian Kurz.

The purpose of the meeting is to provide a framework for informal exchanges between different participating states in order to find solutions to the challenges that currently threaten Europe’s security. It is believed that Nalbandian and his Azerbaijani counterpart will meet during Meeting.

The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs traveled to Vienna on July 3 to brief members of the Minsk Group.

Chaké Der Melkonian-Minassian

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of ungerouhi Chaké Der Melkonian-Minassian, a veteran Armenian Relief Society (ARS) member of our Canadian region. The loss of ungerouhi Minasian leaves behind the painful reality of an irreplaceable presence.

Beyond doubt, her decades-long achievements in the realms of organizational, educational, and inspiring literary work shall always be remembered for their intellectual excellence and integrity. Even at her advanced age, her ever imposing and caring presence in our ranks enhanced or confidence in our humanitarian mission, and shall continue to inspire coming generations of Homuhis.

On this mournful occasion, the ARS Central Executive Board and the Central Office staff convey their heartfelt condolences to her family, relatives, countless friends in the community and in academia, and particularly the Regional Executive and membership of ARS of Canada. May her spirit and example guide us in all our future endeavors.

The Armenian Relief Society Central Executive Board

Mark Alashaian

Mark Alashaian, 52, of Emerson, on July 1. He was born in New York City and was a recruiter for Star Point Solutions.

Beloved husband of Nicole (née Stepanian). Devoted father of Armen and Shant. Cherished son of Rosemary (née Merjanian) and the late Avedis Alashaian. Dear brother of Richard Alashaian and Avedis Alashaian. Brother-in-law of Vana Alashaian and Meganoush Alashaian.

Family will receive their friends July 5 at 5-9 p.m. at Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church at 461 Bergen Boulevard in Ridgefield, N.J. All are asked to assemble July 6 10:30 a.m. for his religious service. Burial following in George Washington Memorial Park. For condolences, directions, or information call (201) 944-0100 or visit www.frankpatti.com.

***

Condolences

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Eastern United States Central Committee;
The ARF New Jersey Dro gomideyutiun;
The Homenetmen Eastern U.S. Regional Executive;
The Armenian Youth Federation-Youth Organization of the ARF (AYF-YOARF) Eastern U.S. Central Executive;
The Homenetmen New Jersey chapter;
The AYF-YOARF New Jersey “Arsen” chapter;
And the Camp Haiastan of the AYF Inc. Board of Directors and staff, mourn the death of longtime community member and leader, unger Mark Alashaian, and extend their deepest condolences to the Alashaian family and their loved ones.

GLENDALE, Calif.—An evening of celebration and joy marked the 75^th anniversary of the Armenian Evangelical Secondary School of Anjar, Lebanon, and the birthday of German missionary, Schwester (Sister) Hanna, who dedicated her life to help build and sustain this institution.

Sister Hanna with Vartan Kazanjian and Baghdo Kasparian

Over 350 alumni, former teachers and pastors of the school, as well as community supporters gathered at a banquet on June 23, in Glendale, to celebrate this milestone in the life of the school and pay tribute to Schwester Hanna.

The Armenian Evangelical Secondary School with its boarding school has distinguished itself as a life-altering institution for many young Armenian children in the Middle East. In fact, the boarding school became home for over 40 Armenian students who came from Camp Armen Orphanage in Tuzla, Istanbul, through the efforts of Hrant Guzelian. Through its open doors, Armenian students from Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Kuwait, Bulgaria, Iran, Iraq, India, Sudan, and Armenia received quality instruction, Christ-centered teaching, and nurturing care.

Banquet Committee Members with Sister Hanna

Schwester Hanna Christenn, a young German missionary, joined Schwester Hedvig Aenishanslin, Schwester Hanna Nishke, and Schwester Marie Rock in 1959 in the mission field of the Bekka Valley where they ministered to the displaced Armenians of Musa Ler, after the Armenian Genocide. These missionaries were sent by the Hilfsbund Foundation, which had been ministering among the Armenian people since 1896 starting from historic Armenia, and later in Greece, Bulgaria, Syria, and Lebanon. Schwester Hanna, who speaks fluent Armenian, embraced the Armenians, saying, “I am German by birth, but my soul has become Armenian. You are my people and I am yours in Christ.” Responsible for the well-being of the young children in the boarding school, she soon became known as “Mama Hanna” to them. Taking on the role of mother, she met their emotional, physical and spiritual needs. Her selfless, dedicated service prompted many of her former students to travel across the globe, some as far away as Australia, to pay tribute to her.

In addition to the dedicated service of the missionaries at the school, teachers and principals played a vital role in educating and shaping the lives of young children entrusted to their care. Honored were over 20 teachers who served within the walls of this institution and who impacted the lives of countless students. Heartwarming scenes of former students and teachers reuniting, sharing fond memories of their years at the school, were played out throughout the evening. Several decades have passed but the love felt and the joy seen on the faces of former teachers and students, thrilled to be reunited, created a banquet hall exploding with energy and excitement.

Special recognition was given to the pastors who faithfully served the Armenian Evangelical Church of Anjar. Those present, in chronological order of service, were Rev. Hovhannes Melkonian, Rev. Hovhannes Sarmazian, and Rev. Nerses Balabanian. Also acknowledged were ministered who are no longer with us: Rev. Aram Hadidian, Rev. Mardiros Marganian, Rev. Bernard Guekguezian, Rev. Manasseh Shnorhokian, and Rev. Hagop Janbazian. Unable to attend were the two most recent pastors—Rev. Raffi Messerlian and the current pastor, Rev. Hagop Akbasharian.

The honored Ministers

On the occasion of the Armenian Evangelical Secondary School Diamond Anniversary, Rev. and Mrs. Hovhannes and Jeanette Melkonian made a generous donation of $50,000 to the school. Early in their ministry, Rev. and Mrs. Melkonian served in this mission field with the four German and Swiss Missionary Sisters, Rev. Melkonian as the pastor of the church and principal of the school, and Mrs. Melkonian as a teacher at the school. Acknowledging the vital contribution of this institution to the Armenian community, Rev. and Mrs. Melkonian lovingly gifted to this institution so that the Lord’s work may continue. “We love the school and church, and we love our former students and colleagues. We have many beautiful memories of our years in Anjar, where we experienced the joy of serving the Lord. We were blessed during our time there, and we want to be a blessing,” the Melkonians stated. An emotional moment for Rev. and Mrs. Melkonian occurred when Levon Filian, who was a former student of Rev. Melkonian, acknowledged them for their gracious gift.

A rich cultural program was planned for the evening. Former students, Arpy Aintablian and Vartan Kazanjian graced the audience with their beautiful singing of “Bari Aragil” and “Edelweiss.” In keeping with the Boarding School tradition, Rev. Nerses Balabanian led the audience in the singing of a hymn. On behalf of the AMAA, congratulatory words were delivered by Dr. Nazareth Darakjian, Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) president. A slideshow was prepared by Sevan Balabanian, documenting the history of the school. Finally, the traditional Anjarsti davoul – zurna accompaniment commenced an evening of kef which lasted until the early morning hours.

The Melkonian Family with Levon Filian and Nancy Bederian

The banquet committee, spearheaded and inspired by the leadership and vision of Levon Filian, was comprised of Hagop Avedikian, Nancy Bederian, Pauline Ishkhanian, Raffi Kaldjian, Bagho Kasparian, Vartan Kazanjian, and Doris Melkonian. Their hard work in planning and executing this event was evident as alumni and guests enjoyed a historic, unique evening, reflecting the Armenian and Christian heritage in which the students were nourished. Levon Filian reflected, “The banquet was a testimony of the seeds planted in Christian love bearing fruit in the lives of the next generation.” Indeed, it was an event to be remembered.

Azerbaijani Military Post Damaged, Servicemen Killed in Response to Heavy Shelling of Armenian Positions

STEPANAKERT, Artsakh (A.W.)—In the evening of July 4, the Artsakh Ministry of Defense announced that Artsakh Defense Army forces had responded to Azerbaijan’s shelling of Armenian positions earlier in the evening. According to a statement issued by the Artsakh Ministry of Defense, the Azerbaijani side suffered human losses and a military post in the Azerbaijani village of Alghanlu was damaged.

Artsakh Armed Forces (Photo: Artsakh Defense Ministry)

Earlier in the evening, the Artsakh Defense Ministry announced that the Azerbaijani side had violated the ceasefire along the Artsakh-Azerbaijan Line of Contact (LoC) using TR-107 rocket launchers. In the statement, the Ministry also called for the attention of relevant international bodies regarding the incident and warned Azerbaijani forces that the response would be disproportionate.

Shortly after the incident, Azerbaijani media outlets reported that three Artsakh servicemen had been killed. The Artsakh Defense Ministry released a statement on July 5 refuting the Azerbaijani claim. “Unlike the Azerbaijani side, the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Artsakh is committed to transparency and it regularly provides information on the incidents taking place, whereas disinformation by the adversary is directed exclusively to a domestic audience,” a part of the statement read.

In the morning of July 5, the Artsakh Defense Ministry published a video showing Azerbaijan’s use of the TR-107 rocket launcher. According to the time schedule fixed on the screen, the Armenian side began firing at 8:31 p.m. on July 4, after several fire-strikes by Azerbaijani forces.

The Ministry also released an audio recording of a conversation between members of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, which they said proves the retaliatory fire targeted the Azerbaijani position. “Azerbaijan habitually deploys its posts inside settlements, turning civilians into human shields,” read a part of the statement, which was released along with the recording.

On July 5, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Tigran Balayan said in a tweet that in order to prevent further Azerbaijani provocations and losses, Baku must agree to implement the Vienna and St. Petersburg agreements. “To continue provocations on the LoC, Azerbaijan’s [President] is blocking the establishment of investigation mechanism of incidents,” Balayan also tweeted.

In his annual congratulatory message to the President of the United States on U.S. Independence Day, Armenian Presdient Serge Sarkisian stressed that the active engagement of the U.S. will contribute to a lasting resolution of the Artsakh conflict. “…I cannot understate the importance of the contribution by the United States, as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, to promoting peace in the southern Caucasus. I am convinced that the active engagement of the United States, alongside with the other co-chair countries—Russia and France—would contribute to the desirable outcome—a peaceful and lasting resolution to the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict,” read a part of his message.

Sarkisian Says Active Engagement of the U.S. Will Contribute to the Peaceful and Lasting Resolution to the Artsakh Conflict

YEREVAN—Armenian President Serge Sarksian visited the United States Embassy in Armenia on July 4— U.S. Independence Day. The President of Armenia congratulated U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills, the embassy staff, and the people of the U.S., wishing them prosperity and continued development.

Armenian President Serge Sarksian visited the United States Embassy in Armenia on July 4— U.S. Independence Day. (Photo: Press Office of the President of Armenia)

During his visit, Sarksian and Mills planted an apricot tree in the yard of the U.S. Embassy. Mills thanked the President for the visit and congratulations, noting that he was pleased and proud to plant that beautiful apricot tree at the U.S. Embassy, which commemorates the 241^st anniversary of American independence and the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Armenia and the U.S.

“The United States greatly values its long partnership and sincere friendship with the Republic of Armenia, and together we have forged strong diplomatic, development, military, commercial, and people-to-people ties over the past 25 years. As we look to the future, we hope our relationship will grow even stronger, and we are especially keen to further deepen our trade and investment ties, to the benefit of both our countries,” Ambassador Mills said.

A scene from the tree planting (Photo: Press Office of the President of Armenia)

In turn, the President of Armenia praised the close cooperation with the U.S. and the level of bilateral interstate relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations and underlined that in this rapidly changing and challenging world, Armenia considers it important to continue the dialogue with the United States in all areas of mutual interest.

The two touched upon the deepening of trade and economic relations, discussing the existing potential, the work done so far, and the prospect of development.

(L to R) Ambassador Richard Mills and President Serge Sarkisian (Photo: Press Office of the President of Armenia)

During the meeting, President Sarkisian thanked the U.S. for the assistance provided to Armenia, including the support shown in organizing parliamentary elections in April. On the occasion of U.S. Independence Day, the Sarkisian also sent a congratulatory message to U.S. President Donald Trump.

The letter is available below in its entirety.

***

2017 marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Armenia and the United States. Today we can unmistakably state that in the past quarter of a century, together we succeeded in building a close and strong partnership between our nations, anchored in mutual respect and trust. I note with joy that our political dialogue is dynamic and helps to broaden the mutually beneficial cooperation, notably in trade and economy.

The Armenian-American community undoubtedly plays an important role in strengthening the U.S.-Armenian relations.

I greatly value the decade-long support of the United States towards the economic development, comprehensive reforms, the enhancement of democratic institutions and civil society, all designed to strengthen Armenia’s statehood.

Also, I cannot understate the importance of the contribution by the U.S., as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, to promoting peace in the southern Caucasus. I am convinced that the active engagement of the United States, alongside with the other co-chair countries—Russia and France—would contribute to the desirable outcome – a peaceful and lasting resolution to the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict.

Dear Mr. President,

Let me once again congratulate you on the U.S. National Day and express hope that through concerted efforts our two nations would be able to enrich the agenda of Armenian-American relations with new mutually beneficial initiatives and projects.

2017 Armenian Youth Federation Senior Olympic Games, Hosted by the AYF-YOARF Racine “Armen Garo” Chapter, to Take Place in Downtown Milwaukee

The supreme aim (mission) of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) is to aid the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) in the establishment of a united, free, and independent Armenia on the historical territories of the Armenian homeland.  The AYF could not accomplish their mission without financial support and the AYF Olympics provides 40% of that support through the souvenir ad book and the weekend dances.  And you can’t have dances without the bands!

This year’s Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Olympic Games are here in Downtown Milwaukee and hosted once again by the AYF-YOARF Racine “Armen Garo” chapter, Aug. 31-Sept 4.

The weekend dances kick off Friday evening at 8 p.m. with the joint Alumni Reception and AYF Dance featuring Chicago’s own Hye Vibes. The Hye Vibes were founded in 2004 by original members John Paklaian on dumbeg and vocals and AYF Boston “Siamanto” alum John Harotian on clarinet.  Harotian named the band to reflect both the heritage and cool style of play of this group. AYF Detroit “Kopernik Tandourjian” alum Mark Gavoor on oud and vocals and Kraig Kuchukian on keyboards make up the rest of the band. The Hye Vibes perform mostly in the Chicago area and Southeastern Wisconsin. The Hye Vibes will be joined for this evening by Stepan Fronjian on kanun and vocals. Fronjian is a pillar in the St. Hagop Armenian Church community in Racine and an accomplished musician on a variety of instruments.  Fronjian was a member of the famous Five Fingers Band that played Armenian, continental, and rock music in Beirut during the 1970s.

Following in the footsteps of former AYF bands such as Masis, Michael Gostanian, and Aravod Ensembles is the reigning AYF band, Yerakouyn, who take over from the Hye Vibes at 12 midnight.  Brothers Shant and Raffi Massoyan from New Jersey have been friends with Raffi Rachdouni from Providence going back to their days as campers at Camp Haiastan.  However, it was not until the 2010 AYF Senior Seminar that the brothers realized that Raffi Rachdouni was also a musician and using a dumbeg, mini electric guitar, and keyboard, they had their first jam session.  The magic was immediate!  The trio combines ancient, authentic Armenian instruments with beloved songs and modern technologies to help broadcast sounds that might otherwise be forgotten.  Yerakouyn has played in Rhode Island, Detroit, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York, and Canada, and they are thrilled to play in Wisconsin for the first time.

The Saturday Night Spectacular starts at 9 p.m. featuring the amazing Kevork Artinian and Friends.  Anyone who was in New Jersey at last year’s AYF Olympics knows how spectacular Kevork Artinian and Friends are, as they blew the roof off the ballroom Saturday night and came back late Sunday night for an encore.  Although he has been singing for 15+ years throughout North America, including the ACAA Heritage Cruise, and the world, Kevork Artinian has become spectacular on the Saturday night of the AYF OIympics.  Originally from Lebanon and growing up in Montreal, love brought Kevork to Philadelphia to get married and, as fate would have it, meet drummer Jim Kzirian.  Kevork continues to work with one of the most amazing keyboardists, maestro George Tebrejian.  The three were later joined by Yerakouyn member Raffi Massoyan on saz and percussion and the legendary Steve Vosbikian on clarinet to create the unique ensemble that amazes audiences wherever they go.

The Saturday Night Spectacular continues after 2 a.m. with local DJ Angel Eyes.  Nationally and Internationally known for helping to coordinate the unofficial House Music meet up spot at the annual Winter Music Conference in Miami, DJ Angel Eyes’ niche is the Deep/Tech/Vocal side of House Music.  Her goal as a DJ is to play sets no matter what genre and she loves throwing down some DNB.  On this spectacular night, DJ Angel Eyes will mix in current radio hits to her House style.

The Sunday Night Grand Ball starts at 9 p.m. and featuring a new set of All Stars from Philadelphia led by vocalist Michael Gostanian.  Michael Gostanian and the Philadelphia All Stars includes some of this generation’s greatest musicians, coming together from various groups that have been entertaining audiences for 20+ years.  The band features…

…Michael Gostanian on vocals from New York

…Aram Hovagimian on keyboard and Jim Kzirian on dumbeg from Philadelphia’s Aravod Ensemble and Artzakh Band

…Antranig Kzirian on oud from the Aravod Ensemble and the Los Angeles rock band Viza

…David Hoplamazian on violin from the Michael Gostanian Ensemble and Philly Kef Band

…Christopher Vosbikian on dumbeg also from the Michael Gostanian Ensemble and third generation musician from The Fabulous Vosbikian Band

… Steve Vosbikian, Jr on clarinet from the Artzakh Band and also third generation musician from The Fabulous Vosbikian Band.

The Sunday Night Grand Ball continues after 2 a.m. with the return of DJ Angel Eyes.  On this final night, DJ Angel Eyes will debut mixing Armenian music into her House style for a once in a lifetime music experience.

The Sunday Night Grand Ball will be a special night of premiere performances and a night that you will not want to miss!

For more information, stay tuned to this column or go to www.ayfolympics.org, https://www.facebook.com/AYFOlympics/ or https://twitter.com/ayfolympics.

“Oor eh? Hos eh!”

On July 1, the flags at AYF Camp Haiastan flew at half-mast. The passing of unger Mark Alashaian was felt not just here at Camp, but across the entire diaspora. We not only lost a legendary unger, but a father, an uncle, and most importantly, an inspiration.

The AYF Camp Haiastan flags flying half-mast in honor of unger Mark

All of us here at Camp Haiastan are young with long, full lives ahead of us. This is a time to grieve, but also a time to learn. To learn from Unger Mark’s life and make him proud by honoring his beliefs and ideals. We can uphold and teach the values of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) and Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF). We can continue his work as members of these organizations. We can make his legacy proud.

We, as the Armenian people, have survived for millennia. We’ve persevered through the loss of millions, but that does not discount the loss of one. We can continue surviving, we can continue our struggle, all while thriving in the process. Let us honor unger Mark by continuing his work, and in the words of unger Mal Varadian, “make it better than it was.”

Unger Daron Pogharian
Camp Haiastan Staff, Summer 2017