ADL US and CanadaDistrict CommitteeCongratulates President

By David M. Herszenhorn

YEREVAN (New York Times andArmenpress) — President Serge Sargisianeasily won re-election to a second five-yearterm, according to preliminary returnsreleased on Tuesday by the CentralElection Commission.The returns showed Sargisian with about

59 percent of the vote, enough to win thepresidency outright and avoid a runoff. Theformer foreign minister, Raffi Hovanessian,was a distant second with about 37 percent,the returns showed.Armenians went to the polls on Monday

with Sargisian heavily favored to win andmaintain stability in a country that hasbecome an increasingly important, ifuneasy, United States ally in monitoringIran’s nuclear ambitions.A veteran politician, Sargisian, 58, is gen-

erally viewed as having presided over mod-est economic improvements in recent years,even as the country has struggled becauseof closed borders with Turkey and

Azerbaijan, its enemy in acontinuing war over the dis-puted territory of Nagorno-Karabagh.But while Sargisian’s vic-

tory has been predicted formonths, there have beensome unexpected develop-ments in the campaign. Onechallenger, AndreasGhukasian, a political com-mentator who manages aradio station in the capital,Yerevan, has been on ahunger strike, demandingthat the incumbent beremoved from the ballot.Another challenger,

Paruyr A. Hayrikyan, wasshot in the shoulder in lateJanuary in what the author-ities described as an assassi-nation attempt, althoughthere was no known motive.He is a former Soviet dissi-dent who promotedArmenian independence andhas run unsuccessfully forpresident several times.Hayrikyan briefly considered invoking a

constitutional provision to delay the elec-tion for two weeks as a result of his injury,but he ultimately decided to allow the bal-

loting to proceed.Sargisian’s second term will be watched

closely for any sign of progress in resolvingthe war with Azerbaijan and for any indica-tion that Armenia would reduce support foreconomic sanctions against Iran, as theymake life more difficult in both countries.The conflict over Nagorno-Karabagh

continues at a low simmer with periodicsee ELECTION, page 2

OSCE ParliamentaryAssembly President

Visits GenocideMemorial

YEREVAN (Armenpress) — President of theOrganization for Security and Cooperation inEurope (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly RiccardoMigliori visited the Tsitsernakaberd memorial onFebruary 19, to pay tribute to the memory ofArmenian Genocide victims.Migliori laid a wreath at the memorial and

observed a moment of silence for the memory of1.5 million victims. He also visited the ArmenianGenocide Institute-Museum, becoming acquaintedwith the historical documents of the ArmenianGenocide. Migliori also planted a tree in theMemory Alley.Migliori said “The goal of our visit is to get

acquainted and understand what really happenedin 1915. Many countries are not aware of [the]Armenian Genocide and time is needed in order[for] all [to] recognize Armenian Genocide.”Italy, from where Migliori hails, officially recog-

nized the Armenian Genocide in 2000.

Azeri Novel ShowcasesCourage

YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Mass persecutions initi-ated by Azerbaijani authorities against Azerbaijaniwriter Akram Aylisli are aimed at politicizing litera-ture, said the president of the Writers’ Union inArmenia, Levon Ananyan. Stone Dreams, a novelon the massacre of the Armenians in Azerbaijan,has become the subject of Azeri criticism.“The country and environment the author is liv-

ing and working in is too unfavorable for creating[such] literature pieces,” said Ananyan. He addedthat Aylisli managed to express two decades ofanguish in one book.“Stone Dreams is a call targeted to humanity, tol-

erance and harmony. What happened is a challengeagainst the regional and balanced development ofthe world,” said Ananyan.

Kerry to Begin Tour ofEurope, Asia

YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Secretary of State JohnKerry will travel to four European countries as wellas Turkey, Egypt and the Gulf February 24 toMarch 6, on his first trip as the top US diplomat,the State Department said on Tuesday.Kerry will visit London, Berlin, Paris and Rome,

where he will attend a gathering of foreign minis-ters to discuss the civil war in Syria, and then moveon to Ankara, Cairo, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Doha,State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nulandtold reporters at her daily briefing.Kerry was sworn in as secretary of state on

February 1, replacing Hillary Clinton.

INDEXArts and Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Armenia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Community News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Mirror- SpectatorMirror- SpectatorTHE ARMENIAN

Volume LXXXIII , NO. 32, Issue 4277

FEBRUARY 23 , 2013

$ 2.00

ImpulsiveBuy

Page 10

INSIDE

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

NEWS IN BRIEF

Dr. Arshavir Gundjian addressed the gathering sponsored by theArmenian Democratic Liberal Party in Montreal, in support ofPresident Serge Sargisian. See story and photos on page 7.

Ninth Anniversary ofGurgen Margaryan’sMurder CommemoratedYEREVAN (PanARMENIAN.Net) —

February 19 marked the ninth anniversaryof the killing of Armenian armed forcesmember, Lt. Gurgen Margaryan.Margar yan,

26, was hackedto death, whileasleep, by a fel-low Azerbaijaniparticipant, Lt.Ramil Safarov,in Budapestwhile the twowere enrolled ina three-monthEng l i s h - l a n -guage coursewithin theframework of NATO-sponsored Partnershipfor Peace program.On April 13, 2006, Budapest District

Court sentenced Safarov to life in prison formurdering Margaryan. On February 22,2007, the court rejected the Azerbaijanimilitary officer’s appeal against the verdict,precluding the possibility of pardon for 30years.By a decree of then-President of Armenia,

Robert Kocharian, Margaryan was awardedwith a posthumous Medal for Courage onFebruary 19, 2005.In 2012, Safarov was extradited to

Azerbaijan, where he was supposed toserve out his sentence, but was instead par-doned by Azerbaijani President IlhamAliyev and treated as a conquering hero.

see MARGARYAN, page 16

Lt. Gurgen Margaryan

President Serge Sargisian casts his ballot on Tuesday. (NewYork Times photo)

Sargisian Wins Re-Election

By Siranuysh Gevorgyan

YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow) — RaffiHovannisian, the official runner-up in theFebruary 18 presidential election, gath-ered his supporters in Yerevan’s centralLiberty Square late Tuesday afternoon todeclare himself the rightful winner of theelection, suggesting that the officiallydeclared president-elect, Serge Sargisian,should concede defeat.

see HOVANNISIAN, page 2Raffi Hovannisian

Hovannisian Tells Sargisian toConcede to ‘People’s Victory’

FFiillmm FFeessttiivvaall oonn‘‘CCoonnff lliicctt aannddRReeccoonncciilliiaattiioonn’’

YYEERREEVVAANN ((AArrmmiinnffoo)) —— AAnn iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ff iillmm ffeessttii--vvaall,, ttiittlleedd ““CCoonnfflliicctt aanndd RReeccoonncciilliiaattiioonn iinn tthheeCCeennttrraall--EEaasstteerrnn EEuurrooppeeaann CCiinneemmaa”” ooppeenneedd tthhiisswweeeekk iinn YYeerreevvaann.. TThhee ffiillmm ““TThhrreeee SSttoorriieess ooffGGaalliicciiaa”” ooppeenneedd tthhee ffeessttiivvaall aatt tthhee BBlluuee HHaallll ooff tthheeMMoossccooww CCiinneemmaa..

NNaattiioonnaall AAsssseemmbbllyySSppeeaakkeerr ttoo VViissiitt LLaattvviiaa

AAnndd EEssttoonniiaa YYEERREEVVAANN ((AArrmmeennpprreessss)) —— EEdduuaarrdd SShhaarrmmaazzaannoovv,,vviiccee pprreessiiddeenntt ooff tthhee NNaattiioonnaall AAsssseemmbbllyy aanndd hheeaadd oofftthhee AArrmmeenniiaa--EEssttoonniiaa PPaarrlliiaammeennttaarryy FFrriieennddsshhiippGGrroouupp,, mmeett wwiitthh PPrriiiitt TTuurrkk,, aammbbaassssaaddoorr ooff EEssttoonniiaattoo AArrmmeenniiaa oonn FFeebbrruuaarryy 1155..WWeellccoommiinngg tthhee aammbbaassssaaddoorr,, SShhaarrmmaazzaannoovv

eexxpprreesssseedd ssaattiissffaaccttiioonn tthhaatt AArrmmeenniiaann--EEssttoonniiaann rreellaa--ttiioonnss aarree ggooiinngg oonn ppoossiittiivveellyy.. HHee iinnffoorrmmeedd hhiimm tthhaattiinn tthhee NNaattiioonnaall AAsssseemmbbllyy aann AArrmmeenniiaann--EEssttoonniiaannFFrriieennddsshhiipp GGrroouupp hhaass bbeeeenn ffoorrmmeedd.. AAtt tthhee ssaammeettiimmee hhee nnootteedd tthhaatt hhee hhaass iinnvviitteedd hhiiss EEssttoonniiaann ccooll--lleeaagguueess ttoo vviissiitt AArrmmeenniiaa aanndd jjooiinnttllyy ddiissccuussss tthhee ppeerr--ssppeeccttiivveess ooff ccooooppeerraattiioonn ooff tthhee ttwwoo ppaarrlliiaammeennttss.. HHeeaallssoo rreeppoorrtteedd tthhaatt tthhee hheeaadd ooff tthhee nnaattiioonnaall aasssseemm--bbllyy,, HHoovviikk AAbbrraahhaammyyaann,, wwiillll vviissiitt LLaattvviiaa aannddEEssttoonniiaa iinn tthhee nneeaarr ffuuttuurree..TTuurrkk nnootteedd tthhaatt dduurriinngg mmeeeettiinnggss wwiitthh tthhee pprreessii--

ddeenntt ooff AArrmmeenniiaa aanndd tthhee ffoorreeiiggnn mmiinniisstteerr,, tthhee ddeevveell--ooppmmeenntt ooff ccooooppeerraattiioonn iinn ddiiffffeerreenntt sspphheerreess,, ppaarrttiicc--uullaarrllyy,, tthhee iinntteerr--ppaarrlliiaammeennttaarryy rreellaattiioonnss ooff tthhee ttwwooccoouunnttrriieess wweerree hhiigghhlliigghhtteedd.. HHee pprraaiisseedd AArrmmeenniiaa’’ss eeffffoorrttss ttoowwaarrdd iinntteeggrraattiioonn

iinnttoo tthhee EEuurrooppeeaann UUnniioonn ((EEUU)).. IInn tthhee ccoouurrssee ooff tthhee mmeeeettiinngg iissssuueess ccoonncceerrnniinngg

tthhee AArrmmeenniiaann--TTuurrkkiisshh rreellaattiioonnss aanndd ppeeaacceeffuull sseettttllee--mmeenntt ooff tthhee NNaaggoorrnnoo KKaarraabbaagghh pprroobblleemm wweerree aallssooddiissccuusssseedd.. SShhaarrmmaazzaannoovv pprraaiisseedd tthhee EEssttoonniiaannaauutthhoorriittiieess’’ bbaallaanncceedd ppoossiittiioonn oonn tthhee NNKKRR iissssuueeaanndd ssuuppppoorrttiinngg iittss rreessoolluuttiioonn tthhrroouugghh ppeeaacceeffuullnneeggoottiiaattiioonnss wwiitthhiinn tthhee MMiinnsskk GGrroouupp ffrraammeewwoorrkk..

BBoorrddeerr CCaallmm ddeessppiitteeAAzzeerrii VViioollaattiioonnss aatt

CCoonnttaacctt LLiinnee YYEERREEVVAANN ((PPaannAARRMMEENNIIAANN..NNeett)) —— TThhee ssiittuuaattiioonn aatttthhee KKaarraabbaagghh ((AArrttssaakkhh)) aanndd AAzzeerrbbaaiijjaann ccoonnttaacctt lliinneeaanndd AArrmmeenniiaa--AAzzeerrbbaaiijjaann bboorrddeerr rreemmaaiinnss ccaallmmddeessppiittee iinntteennssiiff iieedd tteennssiioonnss iinn tthhee aarreeaa,, AArrmmeenniiaannDDeeffeennssee MMiinniissttrryy ssppookkeessmmaann ssaaiidd..AArrttssrruunn HHoovvhhaannnniissyyaann ssaaiidd tthhaatt aatt pprreesseenntt,, tthhee

ssiittuuaattiioonn iinn bboorrddeerr vviillllaaggeess ooff TTaavvuusshh pprroovviinnccee ccaannbbee aasssseesssseedd aass nnoorrmmaall..TThhee hheeaadd ooff CChhiinnaarrii vviillllaaggee aaddmmiinniissttrraattiioonn,,

SSaammvveell SSaagghhooyyaann,, aallssoo ssaaiidd nnoo gguunnsshhoottss wweerreehheeaarrdd iinn tthhee vviillllaaggee..

GGhhaazzaanncchhyyaann BBrriinnggssSSeerrbbiiaann ‘‘VViirruuss’’

YYEERREEVVAANN ((AArrmmeennpprreessss)) —— TThhee YYeerreevvaann TThheeaatteerr ffoorrYYoouunngg SSppeeccttaattoorr pprreemmiieerreedd ““TThhee VViirruuss”” oonnFFeebbrruuaarryy 1144.. TThhee aauutthhoorr iiss pprroommiinneenntt mmooddeerrnnSSeerrbbiiaann ppllaayywwrriigghhtt SSiinniissaa KKoovvaacceevviicc.. IInn aa ccoonnvveerrssaattiioonn wwiitthh AArrmmeennpprreessss,, tthhee AArrtt

DDiirreeccttoorr ooff tthhee tthheeaattrree HHaakkoobb GGhhaazzaanncchhyyaann ssttaatteeddtthhaatt hhee bbeeccaammee aaccqquuaaiinntteedd wwiitthh tthhee RRuussssiiaann vveerr--ssiioonn ooff tthhee ppllaayy dduurriinngg hhiiss vviissiitt ttoo UUllyyaannoovvsskk.. HHee nnootteedd:: ““SSeerrbbiiaann tthheeaatteerr eexxppeerrtt DDrraaggaannaa

BBoosskkoovviicc ssuuggggeesstteedd [[II]] rreeaadd tthhee ppllaayy.. II sshhoouulldd ssaayytthhaatt II lliikkeedd tthhee ppllaayy vveerryy mmuucchh.. SSoommee ttiimmee llaatteerr IIhhaadd aann ooppppoorrttuunniittyy ttoo mmeeeett tthhee aauutthhoorr iinn BBeellggrraaddee..AAnndd wwee ccaammee ttoo aann aaggrreeeemmeenntt tthhaatt II [[wwoouulldd]] ssttaaggeehhiiss ppllaayy bbeeggiinnnniinngg [[tthhiiss]] yyeeaarr,, aafftteerr II [[ccaammee]] bbaacckk ttooYYeerreevvaann..””AAmmoonngg ootthheerr tthhiinnggss GGhhaazzaanncchhyyaann nnootteedd tthhaatt tthhee

SSeerrbbiiaann ppllaayywwrriigghhtt ddeemmaannddeedd nnoo rrooyyaallttiieess.. HHee aallssoonnootteedd tthhaatt KKoovvaacceevviicc wwaass pprreesseenntt aatt tthhee YYeerreevvaannpprreemmiieerr..

News From Armenia

S A T U R D A Y, F E B R U A R Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 3 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R2

ARMENIA

ELECTION, from page 1violence along the line of contact,including frequent exchanges of gunfireand occasional casualties. Peace talksled by the Organization for Securityand Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)Minsk Group, which is led by the UnitedStates, Russia and France, have mostlystalled. Armenia has traditionally relied heav-

ily on Iran as an economic partner, butthose ties are now constrained by thesanctions over Iran’s nuclear program.Iran insists its purposes are peaceful,but Western powers accuse Tehran ofseeking the technology to build nuclearweapons and have imposed a broaden-ing array of United States, UnitedNations and European Union sanctions. Armenia has supported the mea-

sures, while continuing to engage insome trade that circumvents them, likeswapping its electricity for natural gasfrom Iran with no money changinghands. “Having Iran as your economic life-

line is not a good position to be in,” saidone senior Western diplomat, whoasked not to be identified to avoid cre-ating any tension with players in theregion. “They have been very, very careful,

very, very good, at some cost toArmenia, to honor international UN, USand EU sanctions against Iran,” thediplomat said. “But it’s increasingly dif-ficult for them to do that.” International election observers have

fanned out across Armenia in recentdays. Initial reports suggested thatSargisian’s party had made some inap-propriate use of government resourcesto promote his candidacy, a commoncriticism of incumbent candidates in for-mer Soviet republics. But observers saythe overall political climate hasimproved, with opposition candidates,

for instance, enjoying better access tocoverage by the news media. Still, Armenia faces a peculiar prob-

lem when it comes to potential electionfraud because of the hundreds of thou-sands of Armenian citizens who liveabroad, including in the United States —one of the largest percentage diasporasin the world given Armenia’s popula-tion of 3.1 million, according to theWorld Bank. With few exceptions, absentee ballot-

ing is not permitted. That means theArmenian election rolls are filled withthe names of people who will notappear in person to vote, creating thepotential for fraudulent use of thosenames. Sargisian faced relatively weak com-

petition after his two strongest poten-tial challengers and their partiesannounced last year that they wouldnot compete — former President LevonTer-Petrosian of the Armenian NationalCongress and Gagik Tsarukyan of theProsperous Armenia Party. Tsarukyanis a wealthy businessman, lawmakerand the head of Armenia’s nationalOlympic committee. Sargisian and his wife, Rita, paused

Monday to speak with reporters aftervoting in Yerevan. “I have voted for thesecurity of our citizens and our fami-lies,” he said, according to aysor.am, anArmenian news site.

Congratulatory Messages

Sargisian received several messagesof congratulations upon winning theelection. Russian Federation PresidentVladimir Putin called Sargisian afterthe official preliminary results of theArmenian presidential elections hadbeen publicized. Putin said he is confident that the

Armenian-Russian strategic partner-ship, cooperation, bilateral relations,

which are growing, will keep developingsteadily.The president of the European

People’s Party (EPP), Wilfried Martens,also congratulated Sargisian.He said, “I warmly congratulate

President Sargisian for his election vic-tory and I look forward to personallycongratulating him at the EnlargedEPP Summit of March 14. Also, I ampleased with the fact that these elec-tions were the country’s best-ever orga-nized and were mostly in line with inter-national standards, as stated by theinternational election observation mis-sions (OSCE, CoE, EP, ODHIR). I amconfident that the country’s democrati-zation process will be further enhancedunder the leadership of PresidentSargisian.”This victory represents clear support

from the citizens for the democraticand economic forward movement, hesaid. Martens also congratulated Heritage

party leader Raffi Hovannisian for run-ning a good campaign and scoring astrong election result.The EPP is the largest and most influ-

ential European-level political party ofthe center-right, which currentlyincludes 74 member-parties from 40countries, the presidents of theEuropean Commission and theEuropean Council, 15 EU and 6 non-EUheads of state and government, 13members of the European Commissionand the largest Group in the EuropeanParliament.Also, in the US, Edmond Y. Azadian

and Papken Megerian, cochairmen ofthe ADL District Committee of US andCanada, congratulated the president.The two said, “In this political climate,we consider Serge Sargisian to be theconscience of Armenian and its besthope for a stable future.”

HOVANNISIAN, from page 1Hovannisian, a 53-year-old US-

born lawyer who leads the opposi-tion Heritage party, gave Sargisianuntil 5 p.m. Wednesday to accept“the people’s victory” and start theprocess of the transition of powerto the people. Otherwise, hewarned, the incumbent needs to beprepared for Hovannisian and hissupporters to take “further steps.”The opposition candidate did not

elaborate on what those stepsmight be.According to the preliminary

results of the Monday ballotannounced by the Central ElectionCommission earlier today PresidentSargisian polled around 59 percentof the vote, while Hovannisiangained close to 37 percent ofArmenian voters. Hovannisian,however, stated on Tuesday thatthe election was rigged with “wide-spread fraud” and that he was thereal “elected president.”“It is clear to everyone that the

Armenian people gained an 80 to20 victory yesterday, it has cele-brated and will make a reality ournational civil victory. No one willtake this victory from our con-science, voice and our constitution-al right. It belongs not to Raffi orSerge, or others, but it belongs tothe Armenians, to all of our citi-zens, and let no one, whatever hisname or position is, dare take this

right away from our people,” saidHovannisian.“Close to midnight yesterday I

urged our main competitor, Mr.Sargisian, our current president,who had a great contribution tothe Karabagh liberation and state-craft, to become the first presidentin 20 years to have the right,courage and morality to accept thepeople’s victory. Unfortunately, hehasn’t been able to do that. It’s not[too] late yet. Tomorrow, at 5 p.m.,we will all meet here for a pan-national rally and before that I[invite] Mr. Sargisian to have a pub-lic or private meeting with me sothat together we [can] organize thetransition of power to the people ofArmenia.”Supporters and activists who

came to the meeting withHovannisian — their number reach-ing some 3,000 — occasionallychanted “Raffi President” or “Raffi,Elected President.” Those attend-ing Hovannisian’s rally were mostlymiddle-aged and older, althoughthere were also young supportersamong the participants.Speaking about the violations

that took place during the election,Hovannisian said that they wereoccurring everywhere and thateventually it proved to be a riggedand unfair election, failing toreflect the will of the people.Meanwhile, international observers

who monitored the Armenian elec-tions said on Tuesday that the“serious” violations they observedcould not have affected the overalloutcome.Hovannisian insisted that such

an opinion could not be foisted onthe Armenian people, adding that ifSargisian met his demand, hewould be “forgiven on behalf of theArmenian people and the law.”“I want to shake hands with

Sargisian and tomorrow, before 5p.m., accept his congratulations onthe victory of the Armenian peo-ple,” said the Heritage Party leader.Hovannisian also declared that

he was ready to cooperate with allpolitical forces in forming a futuregovernment.“All can become forces partici-

pating in the future legitimate gov-ernment of national accord. I reck-on that the time for partisanshiphas gone and civil society and polit-ical forces must come and partici-pate not in the future government,but must become a factor of publicgovernance. For five years therewill be Heritage, Dashnaktsutyun,the Armenian National Congress,Prosperous Armenia, theRepublicans and mostly non-parti-san names, who will serve. But ifthey deviate from the letter of thelaw, do business at the expense ofpeople, they will have to answer forthat,” said Hovannisian.

Sargisian Wins Re-Election

Hovannisian Tells Sargisian toConcede to ‘People’s Victory’

ISTANBUL (Hurriyet) — Hundreds ofthousands of Turkish citizens living inIstanbul and in eastern Anatolia areconcealing their Armenian roots, anArgentine journalist of Armenian originhas said.

Avedis Hadjian, a reporter for LaNacion, one of the biggest newspapersin Argentina, said there was a signifi-cant community of a “mysteriousminority known as secret Armenians”that have converted to Sunni Islam orAlevism in an effort to blend into soci-ety.Hadjian said no one knew the precise

number of “secret Armenians” in thecountry since a majority of them areafraid to reveal their true identity.“A secret Armenian in Palu [in the

eastern province of Elazı�] told me thatthat Turkey is still a dangerous place forArmenians,” he said, adding the secretArmenians typically chose to eschewcontact with members of the Armeniancommunity that are especially active inIstanbul. “Some of them reject their identity

even though they know and accept thattheir grandfather or grandmother wasan Armenian, while others hide it fromtheir children,” Hadjian said. Many of the “secret Armenians” live

difficult lives, he said, recounting thestory of Rafael Atinci, “the lastArmenian” of the northern province ofAmasya, who was brought up as aChristian. Altinci, who studied in thesame Armenian secondary school asslain Turkish-Armenian journalist HrantDink, later converted to Islam andraised his daughter as a Turk despiteconsidering himself an Armenian.

Another “secret Armenian,” MehmetArkan, a lawyer in the southeasternprovince of Diyarbakır, told Hadjian thathe did not know his roots until he was7 years old. “He fought with a Kurdish child and

returned home telling his father that hehad been called ‘Armenian.’ That’swhen his father mentioned that, as amatter of fact, they were Armenians butthat he could not tell it outside thehome,” the journalist said.“It is less dangerous to live as an

Armenian [now] compared to 10 yearsago in Diyarbakır,” says Arkan, notingthat Diyarbakır MetropolitanMunicipality had paid for the restora-tion of the historical Surp GiragosArmenian Church in the old city.Hadjian also noted the story of the

Ogassian family, which lived in theBagin village in Palu before emigratingto the United States following theevents of 1915. But one of their littlechildren, Kirkor, stayed in the villageafter perhaps being abducted by aKurdish family. Kirkor later married another orphan

of Armenian origin and converted toIslam. After a number of years, however,their relatives made contact with them.Nowadays, Kirkor and his wife have ason who is an imam in the town ofHarput, while their nephew is the arch-bishop of the Armenian church in NewYork, Hadjian said.

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

INTERNATIONAL

EEnnvvooyy CCoonnggrraattuullaatteessGGeeoorrggiiaann PPaattrriiaarrcchh oonnBBiirrtthhddaayy,, EEnntthhrroonnmmeenntt

TTBBIILLIISSII ((PPaannAARRMMEENNIIAANN..NNeett)) —— AArrmmeenniiaannAAmmbbaassssaaddoorr ttoo GGeeoorrggiiaa HHoovvhhaannnneess MMaannuukkyyaann mmeettwwiitthh tthhee PPaattrriiaarrcchh ooff AAllll GGeeoorrggiiaa IIlliiaa IIII..AAtt tthhee mmeeeettiinngg,, tthhee eennvvooyy,, oonn bbeehhaallff ooff iinnccuumm--

bbeenntt PPrreessiiddeenntt SSeerrggee SSaarrggiissiiaann,, ooffffeerreedd ccoonnggrraattuullaa--ttiioonnss oonn tthhee ppaattrriiaarrcchh’’ss 8800tthh bbiirrtthhddaayy aanndd 3366tthhaannnniivveerrssaarryy ooff hhiiss eenntthhrroonneemmeenntt.. IIlliiaa IIII tthhaannkkeedd MMaannuukkyyaann,, eexxpprreessssiinngg hhiiss ccoonnffii--

ddeennccee tthhaatt tthhee ttwwoo nnaattiioonnss aanndd cchhuurrcchheess wwiillllssttrreennggtthheenn tthheeiirr ttiieess aanndd rreessoollvvee tthheeiirr ddiiffffeerreenncceesstthhrroouugghh ttrruusstt aanndd mmuuttuuaall uunnddeerrssttaannddiinngg..TThhee ttwwoo aallssoo ddiissccuusssseedd tthhee ppoolliittiiccaall ttiieess ooff tthhee

ttwwoo nnaattiioonnss,, ssttrreessssiinngg tthhee iimmppoorrttaannccee ooff pprreesseerrvvaa--ttiioonn aanndd rreessttoorraattiioonn ooff AArrmmeenniiaann cchhuurrcchheess iinnGGeeoorrggiiaa,, AArrmmeenniiaa’’ss FFoorreeiiggnn MMiinniissttrryy rreeppoorrtteedd..

CCIISS EEccoonnoommiicc FFoorruumm ttooBBee HHeelldd iinn MMoossccooww

MMOOSSCCOOWW ((AArrmmeennpprreessss)) —— WWiitthh tthhee ssuuppppoorrtt ooffCCoommmmoonnwweeaalltthh ooff IInnddeeppeennddeenntt SSttaatteess ((CCIISS))EExxeeccuuttiivvee CCoommmmiitttteeee aanndd BBaannkkiinngg aanndd FFiinnaanncciiaallCCoouunncciill,, tthhee CCIISS bbuussiinneessss cceenntteerr ffoorr eeccoonnoommiiccddeevveellooppmmeenntt wwiillll hhoolldd aann iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall eeccoonnoommiiccffoorruumm oonn MMaarrcchh 1133.. TThhee ttooppiicc ooff tthhiiss ffoorruumm wwiillll bbee““PPrreesseenntt--ddaayy cchhaalllleennggeess aanndd pprroossppeeccttss ffoorr iinntteeggrraa--ttiioonn ddeevveellooppmmeenntt iinn tthhee CCoommmmoonnwweeaalltthh..””TThhee ffoorruumm iiss aaiimmeedd aatt tthhee ddiissccuussssiioonn ooff pprroossppeeccttss

ooff ffuurrtthheerr ssttrreennggtthheenniinngg eeccoonnoommiicc ccooooppeerraattiioonn.. IIttwwiillll aallssoo ttoouucchh oonn aa nnuummbbeerr ooff iissssuueess ccoonncceerrnniinnggiimmpplleemmeennttaattiioonn ooff FFrreeee TTrraaddee AAggrreeeemmeenntt aanndd ccoomm--mmoonn eeccoonnoommiicc ssppaaccee..TThheerree wwiillll bbee aann ooppppoorrttuunniittyy ffoorr tthhee ppaarrttiicciippaannttss

ooff CCIISS iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall eeccoonnoommiicc ffoorruumm ttoo ggeettaaccqquuaaiinntteedd wwiitthh tthhee iinntteeggrraattiioonn pprrooggrraammss ooff ddiiffffeerr--eenntt eeccoonnoommiicc sspphheerreess..

AArrmmeenniiaann JJeewweelleerrssSShhoowwccaassee MMoosstt

EExxppeennssiivvee YYeelllloowwDDiiaammoonndd aatt EExxhhiibbiittiioonn

PPAARRIISS ((AArrmmeennpprreessss)) —— TThhee AArrmmeenniiaann JJeewweellrryyAAssssoocciiaattiioonn pprreesseenntteedd tthhee wwoorrlldd’’ss mmoosstt eexxppeennssiivveeyyeellllooww ddiiaammoonndd aatt tthhee CCoo//aarrtt eexxhhiibbiittiioonn hheelldd iinntthhee IInntteerrCCoonnttiinneennttaall HHootteell.. TThhee pprriiccee ooff tthhee ddiiaammoonndd iiss $$1155 mmiilllliioonn..

AAccccoorrddiinngg ttoo NNoouuvveelllleess dd’’AArrmmeenniiee,, tthhee jjeewweelleerrsswwoorrkkeedd oonn tthhee 111100--ccaarraatt mmaasstteerrppiieeccee ffoorr nniinneemmoonntthhss..TThhee oowwnneerr ss HHBB ggrroouupp ccoommppaannyy oowwnneerr HHaaggoobb

BBaarrddaaggllyyaann.. TTwweennttyy tthhrreeee AArrmmeenniiaann jjeewweelleerrss ffrroomm AArrmmeenniiaa

aanndd tthhee ddiiaassppoorraa pprreesseenntteedd tthheeiirr wwoorrkkss aatt tthhee eexxhhii--bbiittiioonn..

SSyyrriiaann RReeffuuggeeeess RReeaacchh885500,,000000

AALLEEPPPPOO —— MMoorree tthhaann ffoouurr mmiilllliioonn ppeeooppllee iinnssiiddeeSSyyrriiaa aarree iinn ddeessppeerraattee nneeeedd ooff aaiidd,, aann iinnccrreeaassee ffrroomm22..55 mmiilllliioonn iinn SSeepptteemmbbeerr,, tthhee UUnniitteedd NNaattiioonnss ((UUNN))hhuummaanniittaarriiaann aaggeennccyy ssaaiidd TTuueessddaayy,, FFeebb 1199..““WWee aarree wwaattcchhiinngg aa hhuummaanniittaarriiaann ttrraaggeeddyy uunnffoolldd

bbeeffoorree oouurr eeyyeess,,”” VVaalleerriiee AAmmooss,, tthhee UUNN uunnddeerr--sseecc--rreettaarryy--ggeenneerraall ffoorr hhuummaanniittaarriiaann aaffffaaiirrss aanndd eemmeerr--ggeennccyy rreelliieeff ccoooorrddiinnaattoorr,, ttoolldd rreeppoorrtteerrss..AA ggrraapphhiicc ffrroomm hheerr ooffffiiccee sshhoowweedd hhooww tthhee nneeeedd

ffoorr hhuummaanniittaarriiaann aaiidd hhaadd ssppiirraalleedd ffrroomm MMaarrcchh llaassttyyeeaarr,, wwhheenn aabboouutt 11 mmiilllliioonn ppeeooppllee wweerree lliisstteedd,, ttoo22..55 mmiilllliioonn iinn SSeepptteemmbbeerr aanndd ffoouurr mmiilllliioonn bbyyJJaannuuaarryy 22001133..SShhee ddeessccrriibbeedd tthhee ssiittuuaattiioonn iinn tthhee wwaarr--ttoorrnn ccoouunn--

ttrryy aass ““ddeevvaassttaattiinngg..””TThhee UUNN ssaayyss aatt lleeaasstt 7700,,000000 ppeeooppllee hhaavvee bbeeeenn

kkiilllleedd iinn tthhee ttwwoo--yyeeaarr ccoonnfflliicctt,, wwhhiillee ssoommee 22..55 mmiill--lliioonn hhaavvee bbeeeenn ddiissppllaacceedd bbyy tthhee ff iigghhttiinngg bbuutt rreemmaaiinniinn SSyyrriiaa..EEaarrlliieerr TTuueessddaayy,, tthhee UUNN’’ss rreeffuuggeeee aaggeennccyy ssaaiidd tthhee

nnuummbbeerr ooff SSyyrriiaannss wwhhoo hhaavvee ff lleedd tthheeiirr ccoonnff lliicctt--rraavv--aaggeedd hhoommeellaanndd hhaass nnooww ttooppppeedd 885500,,000000..MMoosstt ooff tthhee rreeffuuggeeeess hhaavvee fflleedd ttoo nneeiigghhbboorriinngg

LLeebbaannoonn,, JJoorrddaann,, TTuurrkkeeyy aanndd IIrraaqq..

International News

Greeks EyeResettling inTurkey, SaysPatriarchISTANBUL (Hurriyet) — Many

Greek citizens are looking tomove to Turkey due to the direeconomic situation back home,Greek Orthodox PatriarchBartholomew has said, as report-ed by the daily, Milliyet.According to the Orthodox spir-

itual leader, both Greeks who leftthe country in the past, as well asthose with familial roots in thecountry, are seeking to go east toTurkey, the daily reported earlierthis week. “Although Prime Minister

[Recep Tayyip Erdogan] invites[the Greeks of Istanbul origin], itis not easy for them to return. ButI wish they would return. InAthens, there is a federation forthose who are of Istanbul origin.This federation demands thereturn of their citizenship fromthe Turkish government,”Bartholomew said. Turkish citizenship could be

granted to them in order toencourage their migration toTurkey, he said, but added thatthe move would not be enough onits own because those who havedeparted possess no land or realestate in Turkey. “[Their properties] were either

sold or occupied. Their childrendo not speak Turkish. They studyat foreign schools in Athens,Thessaloniki, or other parts ofEurope. They need to find a joband have some guarantee forfuture,” the patriarch said.Bartholomew also emphasized

the significance of the FenerGreek Patriarchate. “It is a 17-cen-tury-old institution, the oldestestablishment in the Balkans andthe region. So, the future of thisinstitution also concerns Turkey,”Bartholomew said. Bartholomew also referred to

the events in September 6-7,1955, during which many minori-ties of Turkey, including theGreeks, had to leave Turkey as aresult of pogroms against them,reducing Turkey’s Greek popula-tion from 120,000 to just a fewthousand. The patriarch also touched

upon a recent parliamentary ques-tion about the reopening of HagiaSophia as a place for Muslim wor-ship. “We want [Hagia Sophia] to

remain a museum. It served as aChristian church for nearly a mil-lennium. If it is to be opened for prayers,

it should be a Christian churchagain, since it was established toserve as a church, not as amosque,” he said.

Thousands of ‘Secret Armenians’Living in Anatolia

YEREVAN (Armenpress) — GeorgeGaranyan’s name is linked to the histo-ry of the Soviet jazz. His wrote thesoundtrack for more than 50 movies.The People’s Artist of Russia died fromcardiac arrest at the age of 75 in 2010.The musical heritage he left is ines-timable.Armenpress recently had a conversa-

tion with Garanyan’s widow, NelliGaranyan, about the activity of the foun-

dation after George Garanyan and hislove towards Armenia.AArrmmeennpprreessss:: In the end of 2012

George Garanyan’s foundation and“Accord” music store initiated an actionaimed to support the regional musicallibraries of Russia. Will the foundationimplement programs in Armenia?NNeellllii GGaarraannyyaann:: Sure, we would love

to cooperate with Armenia, but thetruth of the matter is that there is a lackof initiative. I personally have no con-tacts within Armenia. George wasdreaming about taking me to Armeniaand showing me everything there. Wewould love to cooperate with the

Armenian society, cultural, and govern-mental figures and give concerts inArmenia. Eventually the Garanyan fami-ly cannot be against the cooperationwith Armenia.AArrmmeennpprreessss:: Once Garanyan noted:

“Look at my nose and you will knoweverything about the Armenian elementof my biography.” In addition he notedthat he is a master in making tradition-al Armenian tolma. What Armenian tra-

ditions your family keeps until now?NNGG:: By all means I could not compete

with him in making tolma. I always fol-low attentively all the events inArmenia. For instance, SergeyManukyan is our favorite musician andGeorge always used to say that is one ofthe unique musicians to work on theinternational level. He had a very gentleattitude towards his Armenian rootsand immense love towards Armenia andeverything relating to Armenia.AArrmmeennpprreessss:: Did Your husband use

any Armenian expression while talkingto You?NNGG:: He used to say “tsavd tanem.”

George Garanyan

George Garanyan’s Widow SpeaksAbout Her Husband’s Love for Armenia

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

Community News

Heifer InternationalPromotes Systemic Change

In ArmeniaWATERTOWN — Heifer International’s Armenia Program has been in operation

since 1999, but its relationship with the country predates the founding of the orga-nization in 1944. After the Armenian Genocide, Heifer founder Dan West and fellowmembers of his congregation, the Church of the Brethren, traveled overseas to assist

survivors of the Genocide. It was thenthat West first witnessed the resilience ofthe Armenian people and demonstratedhis dedication to aiding others throughagricultural empowerment.West founded Heifer with the aim of

providing gifts of livestock, seed and trees, along with agricultural training to helpvillages worldwide feed themselves. According to Associate Director ofPhilanthropy for the Eastern Region Paul Yeghiayan, West started Heifer with“the belief that providing people with the means to create their own future, freefrom poverty and hunger, was the most valuable contribution any person or orga-nization could make.”Seventy years later and independence, not dependence, remains Heifer

International’s guiding principle. In Armenia, systems for organized change aredesperately needed. Poverty affects one-third of the Armenian population and thelimited economic opportunities mean thousands of families lack food security andincome. Due to the poor health of much of the livestock, there are shortages ofthe essentials of meat, milk and other animal-derived products. Yeghiayan said,“food security is nationalsecurity.”So far, Heifer Armenia’s

flagship endeavor, theArmenia SmallholderFarm Project, has assistedmore than 8,000 familiesin building small, viablefarm businesses. Heiferworks closely with womenand children who are eco-nomically vulnerable andprovides agricultural train-ing, animals (cows, goats,sheep, chickens, andmore), access to veterinarycare, seed and development of leadership skills.Pierre Ferrari, president and chief executive officer of Heifer International,

agreed that the key to improving quality of life in Armenia lies in the creation ofsystemic changes, not just temporary solutions, which from an agricultural andeconomic standpoint, calls for the “improvement of productivity and quality inalignment with the market.” He added, “One of the best ways of connecting peo-ple in these villages is through trade.”Achieving long-term goals requires both forethought and community empower-

ment. “One of the first stages in the long-term development of Armenia, has beento organize the Heifer communities in Armenia and repair psychological damageof the Soviet igniting the Armenian spirit which is very entrepreneurial — it’s aboutrebuilding social capital,” said Ferrari.According to Ferrari, another key component of change is the luxury of

patience. “One of the challenges here is the pace at which change happens. Thesepastures are incredible assets, but you have to have the patience with which tobuild a social capital. Heifer raises the money to provide this patience,” he said.Through fundraising and patience, Heifer provides new tools to connect farmers

with the marketplace, increase dairy production, combat livestock issues andaddress problems with the soil in various regions of Armenia. Reseeding the pas-tures has been one of the key steps to improving agricultural production and

see HEIFER, page 5

Prof. Richard HovannisianTo Receive NarekatsiMedal at March BanquetLOS ANGELES — Prof. Richard Hovannisian

has been named the 2013 recipient of theNarekatsi Medal of Achievement. The award willbe formally presented to him by the Friends ofthe UCLA Armenian Language and CultureStudies on Saturday, March 16, during theFriends’ 11th annual banquet, a communityevent which will take place at the ArmenianSociety of Los Angeles Hall, in Glendale.The Narekatsi Medal will be conferred on

Hovannisian in recognition of his extraordinaryacademic achievements as well as his roles as aGenocide researcher and defender of theArmenian cause against denialism.“It would be impossible to imagine the glob-

al Armenian academic landscape of the past fivedecades without the outstanding contributionsof Dr. Hovannisian,” said Prof. S. Peter Cowe,head of UCLA’s Narekatsi Chair in ArmenianStudies. “A key factor which has always set Dr.Hovannisian’s work apart is his gift for comple-menting scholarship with public activism: he isnot only a prolific teacher, historiographer, andauthor, but a staunch champion of civic andhuman rights.”Now a professor emeritus, Hovannisian has

lectured at UCLA for 50 years, beginning in1962. He was the first holder of the university’sArmenian Educational Foundation EndowedChair in Modern Armenian History, which heheld from 1987 until his retirement in 2011.The chair has since been renamed the RichardHovannisian Chair in Modern ArmenianHistory (established by the ArmenianEducational Foundation).Hovannisian has written several definitive

books on modern Armenian history, includingthe four-volume The Republic of Armeniaseries. He has also organized the UCLA confer-ence series Historic Armenian Cities andProvinces, which he launched in the late 1990s.The proceedings of these landmark conferenceshave been edited by Hovannisian and publishedas invaluable documentary resources pertain-ing to historic Western Armenia.In the course of his career, Hovannisian has

lectured in more than 40 countries and in near-ly 500 universities, museums and other insti-tutes on Armenian history and the ArmenianGenocide. In addition to teaching at UCLA, hehas served as Distinguished Visiting Professorat a number of American universities, includingUC Berkeley and Chapman University. In 2010he was voted by the UCLA Student Body as theMost Inspirational Teacher of the Year.Hovannisian’s advocacy work has placed him

at the forefront of efforts to counter denial ofthe Armenian Genocide. He has spoken in theBritish House of Lords, testified in hearings ofthe US Congress, the State of California, andthe International People’s Tribunal in theSorbonne, and given numerous television andradio interviews regarding the Genocide.As significantly, Hovannisian has served with

numerous organizations dedicated to humanrights and Genocide awareness. He is on theBoard of Directors of Facing History andOurselves as well as the Claremont Center forHuman Rights; and was the president of theArmenian Monument Council, a founder of theArmenian Assembly of America, chairman ofthe Armenian National Institute and founderand six-time president of the Society forArmenian Studies.Hovannisian is a Guggenheim Fellow and the

first social scientist from the diaspora to havebeen elected to the Armenian NationalAcademy of Sciences, in 1990. He has been hon-ored by Jewish World Watch, Facing Historyand Ourselves, and various US national, state,county, and city bodies. He is also the recipientof encyclicals and medals from Karekin II andAram I, catholicoi of the Great House of Cilicia;and from Catholicoi of All Armenians Karekin Iand Karekin II of the Holy See of Echmiadzin.Proceeds from the Friends’ March 16 banquet

will benefit the Narekatsi Chair in ArmenianStudies and its Visiting Professorship Program.

CARMAC tractors and Heifer staff

UAF Contributed $23M inAid to Armenia in 2012GLENDALE — The United Armenian Fund

contributed a total of $23 million of assistanceto Armenia during fiscal year 2012, including$22 million worth of mostly medicines and med-ical supplies, and $1 million to renovate sixschools in the earthquake zone, according tothe latest audit of its financial statements.The UAF devoted less than 2 percent of its

revenues to administrative expenses, allocatingthe remaining 98 percent to assisting the peo-ple of Armenia and Artsakh, according to theaudit. During its 23 years of operations, theUAF delivered to Armenia a grand total of $654million worth of relief supplies on board 158airlifts and 2,029 sea containers, as ofSeptember 30, 2012.The UAF is the collective effort of the

Armenian General Benevolent Union, ArmenianMissionary Association of America, ArmenianRelief Society, Diocese of the Armenian Churchof America, and Prelacy of the ArmenianApostolic Church of America.For more information, contact the UAF office

at 1101 North Pacific Avenue, Suite 204,Glendale, CA 91202.

Youth involved in Heifer Smallholder Farm Project

By Gabriella GageMirror-Spectator Staff

Margaret Ahnert to SpeakAt St. James Men’s ClubWATERTOWN — Award-winning author,

businesswoman, TV producer and philan-thropist, Margaret Ajemian Ahnert, will speakat the St. James Armenian Church Men’s Clubdinner meeting on Monday March 4. Ahnertwill discuss her distinguished book, TheKnock at the Door, a journey through thedarkness of the Armenian Genocide.Robert Morgenthau, former District Attorney

for New York, grandson of Henry MorgenthauSr. US Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire dur-ing World War I, said, “The Knock at the Dooris an inspired, beautifully-written chronicle ofone of the worst eras in human history. Hadsuch books been written long ago, anotherholocaust, which followed 25 years later, mightnever have happened.”Hugh L. Carey former governor of New York

said, “In The Knock at the Door, Ester’s daugh-ter has captured the haunting details of hermother’s compelling story. The author invitesus into her family circle, offering a fascinatingglimpse of the Armenian culture and its painfulhistory. Through the work of the author, wecome to know Ester’s wit, wisdom, and charmas they come to life on each page of this unfor-gettable story.”In The Knock at the Door, Ahnert releases

her mother’s terrifying experience as a youngwoman during the Armenian Genocide of 1915.The book has been translated into eight differ-ent languages and was named “Best HistoricalMemoir of 2008” at the New York Book Festivalas well as one of the “Best Books of 2007” byUSA Book News.Ahnert, born in New York City has a master’s

degree in fine arts and literature from GoucherCollege, Baltimore, and a bachelor’s fromGoddard College, Vermont, and is a graduate ofthe Barnes Foundation of Fine Arts, Merion,Penn. She has lectured as a docent at theMetropolitan Museum of Art and thePhiladelphia Museum of Art and taught artappreciation in elementary schools.She holds a 100-ton master captain’s license

and is an avid hunter and fisherwoman. Shehas received a host of humanitarian awardsincluding the Ellis Island Medal of Honor andin 2010 she established the Margaret AjemianAhnert scholarship program, which supportsfemale journalists in Armenia.The social hour starts at 6:15 p.m., followed

by a complete Lenten dinner at 7 p.m. Ticketsare $12 per person. The dinner meeting will beat the St. James Armenian Church, CharlesMosesian Cultural and Youth Center-KeljikHall, 465 Mt. Auburn St. The public, includingwomen, are welcome.

MassachusettsState House Commemoration

of the Armenian Genocide

Free buses will leave St. James and St. Stephen’s Armnian Churchesat 8:30 a.m. (Courtesy of Knights of Vartan)

Details to follow

Friday, April 19, 2013

5S A T U R D A Y, F E B R U A R Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 3 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

COMMUNITY NEWS

NEW YORK — A large throng is expected toparticipate in the 98th AnniversaryCommemoration of the Armenian Genocide tobe held in Times Square (43rd St. & Broadway)on Sunday, April 21 from 2 to 4 p.m. The orga-nizers invite people of all backgrounds to jointogether to commemorate the ArmenianGenocide and subsequent genocides duringGenocide Awareness Month and to speak out

against this horrendous crime against humanity.The theme of the Armenian Genocide

Commemoration is “Turkey is Guilty of Genocide:Denying the Undeniable is Criminal.” The eventwill pay tribute to the 1.5 million Armenians whowere massacred by the Young Turk Governmentof the Ottoman Empire and to the millions of vic-tims of subsequent genocides worldwide.Speakers will include civic, religious, humanitari-

an, educational, cultural leaders and artists. Thisevent is free and open to the public.Dennis R. Papazian, PhD, immediate past

National Grand Commander of Knights ofVartan and founding director of the ArmenianResearch Center at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and Dr. Mary A. Papazian, presidentof Southern Connecticut State University, willpreside over the ceremonies.Dr. Dennis Papazian comments, “Recent

momentous events encourage me to believethat the long vigil of the Armenian people wait-ing for recognition of their genocide by theTurkish government may be coming to a posi-tive conclusion. An influential Kurdish leader inTurkey, a member of Parliament and vice-presi-dent of the pro-Kurdish Democratic SocietyCongress, Ahmet Turk, admitted that theKurdish people played a significant role in the‘torture and massacre of Armenians, Assyriansand Yezidis’ during the Armenian Genocide andapologized to the Armenian people. Turk stat-ed, ‘Our grandfathers and fathers were used inthe injustices perpetrated against Armenians,Assyrians and Yezidis. There is blood on theirhands. With the blood of these peoples theybloodied their own hands. Thus, as their chil-dren and grandchildren, we apologize.’”He continued, “A second momentous event

was the publication of a book in Turkey entitledThe Armenian Genocide by Hasan Cemal, thegrandson of Cemal (Jamal) Pasha, one of thethree main authors of the Armenian Genocide.Hasan Cemal, a member of the Turkish estab-lishment and a newspaper columnist, began hisinquiry into the Armenian Genocide followingthe killing of Turkish diplomats by a group ofyoung Armenians who went by the name ofASALA. At first, Hasan Cemal supported theofficial government point of view, and as hebecame more knowledgeable, finally concludedthat indeed there was a genocide of theArmenians perpetrated by the Young Turkparty which controlled the Ottoman govern-ment in 1915-1923. The book has inspiredmany members of the Turkish elites to reevalu-ate their denial of the Armenian Genocide.”Papazian adds, “Itzak Alaton, the owner of

one of the largest corporations in Turkey, urged

the Turkish Socio-Economic Research Centerto pursue the Turkish recognition of theArmenian Genocide.” “April 24, 1915 is justaround the corner,” stated Alaton, “let uschange our denialist policies. I am tired of thefear to face our past. Let us raise our voices toour deputies in Ankara and those deputiesshould raise their voices to their political par-ties and leaders in order for us to open ourskeleton-fill closets.”He concluded, “These three significant

events which took place without any reprisalfrom the Turkish government imply that a pos-itive change may be in the air.”The 98th Commemoration is organized by the

Mid-Atlantic chapters of the Knights &Daughtersof Vartan, and co-sponsored by Armenian GeneralBenevolent Union, Armenian Assembly ofAmerica, Armenian National Committee ofAmerica, Armenian Council of America and theArmenian Democratic League-Ramgavars.Participating Organizations include the

Diocese of the Armenian Church of America,Prelacy of the Armenian Church, ArmenianMissionary Association of America, ArmenianCatholic Eparchy for US and Canada, Mid-Atlantic ACYOA, AYF, Armenian youth organi-zations, as well as Armenian university and col-lege clubs.For more information visit

http://april24timessquare.com.

Time Square Genocide Commemoration to Be Held on April 21

Armenian Genocide Commemoration EssayContest for High School and College StudentsNNEEWW YYOORRKK —— HHiigghh sscchhooooll aanndd ccoolllleeggee ssttuuddeennttss aarree iinnvviitteedd ttoo

ppaarrttiicciippaattee iinn aann eessssaayy ccoonntteesstt ttoo aaccttiivveellyy ssuuppppoorrtt tthhee 9988tthhAAnnnniivveerrssaarryy CCoommmmeemmoorraattiioonn ooff tthhee AArrmmeenniiaann GGeennoocciiddee tthhaatt wwiillllbbee hheelldd iinn TTiimmeess SSqquuaarree oonn SSuunnddaayy,, AApprriill 2211,, ffrroomm 22 ttoo 44 pp..mm..CCoo--ssppoonnssoorrss ooff tthhee ccoonntteesstt iinncclluuddee tthhee KKnniigghhttss && DDaauugghhtteerrss ooff

VVaarrttaann,, aann iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall AArrmmeenniiaann ffrraatteerrnnaall oorrggaanniizzaattiioonn wwiitthhhheeaaddqquuaarrtteerrss iinn tthhee UUSS,, aanndd FFaacciinngg HHiissttoorryy aanndd OOuurrsseellvveess,, aanniinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall eedduuccaattiioonnaall aanndd pprrooffeessssiioonnaall ddeevveellooppmmeenntt oorrggaannii--zzaattiioonn.. OOnnee wwiinnnneerr aanndd ttwwoo rruunnnneerr--uuppss wwiillll bbee sseelleecctteedd bbyy aa ppaanneell ooff jjuuddggeess.. TThhee ffiirrsstt--,, sseecc--

oonndd-- aanndd tthhiirrdd--ppllaaccee wwiinnnneerrss wwiillll rreecceeiivvee $$330000,, $$220000 aanndd $$220000,, rreessppeeccttiivveellyy.. TThhee wwiinn--nneerrss wwiillll aallssoo bbee rreeccooggnniizzeedd aatt tthhee AArrmmeenniiaann GGeennoocciiddee CCoommmmeemmoorraattiioonn aatt TTiimmeessSSqquuaarree oonn SSuunnddaayy,, AApprriill 2211,, aanndd ddeeppeennddiinngg oonn ttiimmee ccoonnssttrraaiinnttss,, mmaayy rreeaadd tthheeiirr eessssaayyss.. TThhee qquueessttiioonn ttoo aaddddrreessss iinn tthhiiss yyeeaarr’’ss eessssaayy iiss tthhee ffoolllloowwiinngg:: ““WWhhyy iiss iitt iimmppoorrttaanntt ffoorr

sscchhoooollss nnaattiioonnwwiiddee ttoo iinncclluuddee tthhee AArrmmeenniiaann GGeennoocciiddee iinn tthhee ccoorree ccuurrrriiccuulluumm??””TThhee eessssaayy sshhoouulldd bbee 880000 wwoorrddss mmaaxxiimmuumm,, ddoouubbllee--ssppaacceedd 1122 ppooiinntt AArriiaall ttyyppee:: IInncclluuddee

ssttuuddeenntt’’ss ffuullll nnaammee,, aaggee,, tteeaacchheerr’’ss ffuullll nnaammee aanndd ssuubbjjeecctt aarreeaa,, nnaammee ooff hhiigghh sscchhooooll oorrccoolllleeggee,, yyeeaarr iinn sscchhooooll,, hhoommeettoowwnn//ssttaattee,, pphhoonnee ##,, aanndd eemmaaiill aaddddrreessss aatt tthhee ttoopp ooff eeaacchhppaaggee ooff tthhee eessssaayy..TThhee tthhrreeee wwiinnnneerrss wwiillll bbee ccoonnttaacctteedd ddiirreeccttllyy aanndd aannnnoouunncceedd ttoo tthhee mmaaiinnssttrreeaamm aanndd

AArrmmeenniiaann mmeeddiiaa tthhee wweeeekk ooff MMoonnddaayy,, AApprriill 88.. SSuubbmmiitt eessssaayyss vviiaa eemmaaiill bbyy FFrriiddaayy,, MMaarrcchh 2299,, ttoo aapprriill2244nnyycc@@ggmmaaiill..ccoomm..FFoouunnddeedd iinn 11998855 bbyy tthhee llaattee SSaamm AAzzaaddiiaann,, ffoorrmmeerr NNeeww JJeerrsseeyy rreessiiddeenntt,, wwhhoo lloosstt ffoouurr

ssiibblliinnggss dduurriinngg tthhee AArrmmeenniiaann GGeennoocciiddee,, tthhee AArrmmeenniiaann GGeennoocciiddee CCoommmmeemmoorraattiioonn aattTTiimmeess SSqquuaarree hhaass hhoonnoorreedd tthhee 11..55++ mmiilllliioonn AArrmmeenniiaann lliivveess lloosstt dduurriinngg tthhee hhoorrrriiffiicceevveennttss ooff tthhee 11991155 GGeennoocciiddee ooff tthhee AArrmmeenniiaannss bbyy tthhee YYoouunngg TTuurrkk GGoovveerrnnmmeenntt ooff tthheeOOttttoommaann EEmmppiirree.. TThhiiss iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaallllyy--rreeccooggnniizzeedd aannnnuuaall eevveenntt ddrraawwss tthhoouussaannddss ooffAArrmmeenniiaannss aanndd nnoonn--AArrmmeenniiaann ppaarrttiicciippaannttss ttoo ccoommmmeemmoorraattee tthhee ssoolleemmnn ooccccaassiioonn.. TThheeeevveenntt ffeeaattuurreess ssppeeeecchheess aanndd ttrriibbuutteess ddeelliivveerreedd bbyy pprroommiinneenntt ppoolliittiiccaall ffiigguurreess aanndd cciivviicclleeaaddeerrss,, ooffffiicciiaallss ooff tthhee KKnniigghhttss aanndd DDaauugghhtteerrss ooff VVaarrttaann,, rreepprreesseennttaattiivveess ooff mmaajjoorrAArrmmeenniiaann--AAmmeerriiccaann oorrggaanniizzaattiioonnss,, ddiissttiinngguuiisshheedd sscchhoollaarrss aanndd eedduuccaattoorrss aass wweellll aasshhiigghh--rraannkkiinngg AArrmmeenniiaann aanndd nnoonn--AArrmmeenniiaann cclleerrggyy..

CCoo--SSppoonnssoorreeddbbyy KKnniigghhttss &&DDaauugghhtteerrss ooffVVaarrttaann aannddFFaacciinngg HHiissttoorryyaanndd OOuurrsseellvveess

Heifer InternationalPromotes SystemicChange in ArmeniaHEIFER, from page 4hope in these villages. Heifer offers training tothe farmers, many of whom are women, whilealso providing opportunities for many of themen who have left for employment, to return totheir villages to with a new viable source ofincome in the land.One current initiative that seeks to aid in the

realization of Heifer Armenia’s long-term goalsis the Community Agricultural ResourceManagement and Competitiveness project(CARMAC), which is a partnership projectbetween Heifer Armenia and AgriculturalReform Support Project Implementation Unitat the Ministry of Agriculture of Armenia and isco-funded by the Government of Armeniathrough a World Bank loan, HeiferInternational and farmers’ cooperatives. CARMAC focuses on improving the output

productivity of smallholder livestock farmer in55 villages throughout Armenia by improvingthe quality of meat and milk, increasing milkand meat production, improving agriculturalequipment, creating pasture management andimproving rural infrastructure. This kind of sys-temic change plans to directly benefit 4,400families (19,900 people) and indirectly benefit24,000 families (95,000 people).Currently Heifer is attempting to raise a total

of $3.7 million, of which they currently have$1.3 million, so that the World Bank and theMinistry of Agriculture will do their part by pro-viding $5 million for the project. “This is a greatinvestment opportunity in the social capital inArmenia for the Armenians of the diaspora,”explained Ferrari.Heifer has employed their message of building

civil societies in all of the countries they operate in,many sharing some of the same hurdles asArmenia, by fostering sustainability in communities,not dependency on Heifer.The paid staff positions for Heifer Armenia

are all filled by local community members.Heifer has also worked with the Children ofArmenia Fund, the Armenia Tree Project, youthprograms that foster civic responsibility andseveral local NGOs.In addition to a variety of gift amounts,

Heifer also offers the opportunity to sponsorone of the Heifer villages in Armenia. Heiferinvites those traveling to Armenia to schedule atour of training facilities to see the work in vil-lages first hand.For more information or to donate to Heifer

International, visit www.heifer.org or contactYeghiayan at paul.yeghiayan@heifer.org.

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. — Aram-SumpadKhachoyan of New Britain died Saturday, February9, at The Hospital of Central Connecticut, NewBritain campus.He was the husband of the late Margarete Wirtz

Khachoyan. Born in Turkey during the Armenian Genocide,

he was the son of the late Rev. Arsen and YeretzginPeruse (Hagopian) Khachoyan.He and his wife were the former owners of Mr.

K’s Luncheonette, first located on FarmingtonAvenue and later on Jefferson Street, in Hartford.Before retiring, he was active in neighborhood orga-nization projects. He worked tirelessly throughout his life to fur-

ther Armenian causes, especially for the universalrecognition of the Armenian Genocide. He was anarchdeacon in the Armenian Church and sang thecomplex liturgy every Sunday, almost entirely frommemory, until his heart was too weak to allow it.Even then, he still tried. His commentaries, poemsand short stories have appeared in numerousArmenian newspapers and periodicals.He leaves a daughter, Peruse E. “PK” Khachoyan

of New Britain; son and daughter-in-law, Arsen andRoxanne Khachoyan of Rocky Hill; niece Zarouhi D.Khachoyan of Windsor and brother-in-law, JohnZakarian of Belmont, Mass. He is also survived bymany nieces, grandnieces, and grandnephews. Hewas the brother of the late Hrach G. Khachoyanand Saruhi Khachoyan Zakarian.

The family extend their thanks to Mahmood H.Yekta, MD, his primary care physician for almost 40years, for his skill as a physician and the depth ofhis humanity, as well as the hospital.Funeral services were held on Friday, February

15, at the Armenian Church of the HolyResurrection, New Britain. Burial will be at the con-venience of the family in Fairview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to

“Our Home-Mer Doon,” providing education andessential life skills to female Armenian orphans (18-22), C/O 84 Ellsworth Blvd., Kensington, CT06037-2728; or the Armenian General BenevolentUnion (AGBU), 55 East 59th St., New York, NY10022-1112.To leave a commentary for the family in the on

line guest book, visit www.ericksonhansen.com

6 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O RS A T U R D A Y, F E B R U A R Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 3

Edward D. Jamakordzian, Jr. d/b/a

Edward D. Jamie, Jr.Funeral Chapel

Serving the entire Armenian CommunityAny Hour • Any Distance • Any LocationCall (718) 224-2390 Toll Free (888) 224-6088

Bus. Reg. 189-06 Liberty Ave., Hollis, NY 11412Consultation Office: 217-04 Northern Blvd., (Suite 23), Bayside,NY 11361

558 MOUNT AUBURN STREETWATERTOWN, MA 02472

Telephone (617) 924-7400

Aram BedrosianFuneral Home, Inc.

Continuous Service By The Bedrosian Family Since 1945MARION BEDROSIANPAUL BEDROSIANLARRY BEDROSIAN

GiragosianF U N E R A L H O M E

James “Jack” Giragosian, CPCMark J. Giragosian

Funeral Counselors576 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472, TEL: 617-924—0606

www.giragosianfuneralhome.com

Nardolillo Funeral HomeEst. 1906

John K. Najarian, Jr.Rhode Island’s Only Licensed Armenian Funeral Director

1278 Park Ave. Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 942-12201111 Boston Neck Rd. Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 789-6300

www.nardolillo.com

COMMUNITY NEWS

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Anne N. Merian,daughter of the late Neshan and ArshalousNajarian, was born May 17, 1923 and died ather home on February 14, 2013. She is survived by her three brothers and

their wives, Michael and Alice Najarian, K.George and Dr. Carolann S. Najarian, andNishan and Anahid Najarian, and by hernephews and nieces Michael, Gary, Stephen,David, Robert, Richard, Patricia, Nancy, Soniaand Ara and their children.Merian graduated from Cambridge High and

Latin and then attended Boston University. Aftergraduation, she became a pioneer for women inthe publishing field, working as an editor of med-ical textbooks for McGraw Hill in New York Cityuntil the early 1970s. She then moved back toCambridge where she continued working as aneditor with Little Brown & Company, in theirmedical textbook division until her retirement.She was widely recognized within her professionas an outstanding editor with many major med-ical textbooks to her credit. She loved to travel and did so with her fami-

ly and friends, including a memorable trip toArmenia in the 1990s. She took great pride inher Armenian heritage, and in that spirit will-ingly gave of her time and professional exper-tise by editing English texts for various peopleand organizations, including for the ZoryanInstitute when it was still located in Cambridge.

Despite the difficulties imposed by failinghealth, Merian maintained a wonderful sense ofhumor as well as a deep reverence for the writ-ten and spoken word until she died. Funeral services will be held on February 25,

at 11 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Armenian ApostolicChurch, 38 Elton Ave., Watertown, MA 02472. At the family’s request, donations in lieu of

flowers may be made to St. Stephen’s Church atthe above address, or St. Stephen’s ArmenianElementary School, 47 Nichols Ave.,Watertown, MA 02472.

Anne N. Merian

Anne N. Merian OBITUARY

Entertainment Fridaysand Saturdays

Aram-Sumpad Khachoyan

7S A T U R D A Y, F E B R U A R Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 3 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

COMMUNITY NEWS

MONTREAL — Upon the directive of theArmenian Democratic Liberal Party’s (ADL)Eastern US and Canada District Committee, arally was organized by the ADL MontrealChapter in Montreal’s Tekeyan CulturalAssociation Center on Wednesday, February 13,in support of the presidential candidacy of theincumbent president, Serge Sargisian. The gathering was attended by ADL mem-

bers, representatives of the community’s orga-nizations and members of the community con-cerned about current Armenian issues. Theyhad come to be informed about the campaigncurrently in progress in Armenia, the platformof Sargisian, who won reelection, and variouspolitical analyses of the pre-electoral situationin Armenia.Following the anthems of Armenia and the

ADL, brief addresses were presented by

Montreal leaders Dr. Hrair Der Kevorkian, ArtoManookian and Ara Balian, who concentratedon various aspects of the President’s pre-elec-tion platform. Video presentations were thenscreened that demonstrated achievements andprogress materialized in Armenia under the 5-year leadership of Sargisian.Keynote speaker Dr. Arshavir Gundjian, a vet-

eran leader of worldwide ADL and of Armenian-

Diaspora organizations, then elaborated onSargisian’s political career, offering argumentson the incumbent president’s management ofcritical issues related to Armenia and theArmenian people worldwide: building andstrengthening the army, his incessant effortstowards a peaceful and just settlement of theKarabagh conflict, his efforts of establishingfriendly relations with neighboring countries,the development of Armenia’s economy andlastly, the pursuit of the recognition of theArmenian Genocide by the international com-munity. The speaker concluded and stressedthat the most effective person to constructivelypursue these thorny and complicated issues totheir successful culmination will be Sargisian.

“A successful conclusion of these fundamen-tal issues is essential not only for Armenia andour brethren in Armenia, but also for theArmenian Diaspora in general. That is why theArmenian Diaspora should unequivocally sup-port the candidacy of Serge Sargisian, who haslaid down a solid groundwork for these issues,to continue for a second 5-year term asPresident of the Republic of Armenia,” saidGundjian and reiterated the ADL’s continuedtraditional support of the statehood of Armeniaas a priority to all other considerations.A dynamic exchange of opinions at a ques-

tion-and-answer period further clarified theimportance why the Diaspora should supportSargisian’s re-election.

Montreal ADL Rallies in Support of Serge Sargisian

Dr. Arshavir Gundjian

Ara Balian

Dr. Hrair Der Kevorkian

HCCHCHHCHRRAMMAMAAMA

NEENENPP NENPEOO EPEOPPOP

ff33110022,33,3,3,HH

ESSESEUU ESEUSSUSOHHOHOOHONN

00000::11moomommomrffrfrrfr

EE

00 -- mppmpmmpm00000::44

mm

HCHCHCRRAMAMAMoohhccsserrerePP erePrrPr

ff33110022,3,3,3HHnneetrrtrttrtaagrrgrggrgededednniKKiKiiKi,ll,l,l,oooo

siisisgg sisgiee igiegRR gegReeRe33hcchchhchrcraMMaMaaMa --

0000::11momomorfrfrfMM,y,y,rryryyryaattnneemmelelelEE,nn,n,,n,

noononii noniott oiotiitiarraratt aratrrtrstsissis-- 00202,,1133yyammamaama

00 mpmpmp0000::44lloooohhccSSeleleddldldd ldlddii dddiddidMM

331100

mm

d betdierccA

P02

d Assocglan Enwehe Ny td bISA

otgniexL, dd, aRomhallhae P Pe

enimrrm.aww.aww

Schools and ofioniatd AssocbermeE MNIS

8: 7: 78elTTel1242 0 02A M MAn,o

grrgoy.ememy.ddemcaasrrsteissnaeni

EASC)Ns (geleol CSchools and

18 - 168 - 3038

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

MM EE TT RR OONewYork

CLIFFSIDE PARK, N.J. — The New York-NewJersey chapter of the Armenian DemocraticLiberation organization (ADL) celebrated theemergence of an indepdent Armenia as well asits president, Serge Sargisian, at an event onFebruary 9.The support that the Armenian Democratic

Liberal Party has lent to Armenia’s integrity,remains, as well as in support of the currentpresident and his quest for a safe and prosper-ous Armenia.Inspired and motivated by these important

events as well as sentiments, the ADL chapter,with the support of the Armenian ApostolicChurch of America (Eastern Diocese), Knightsof Vartan, the Armenian Missionary Associationof America, Armenian Catholic EasternDiocese, The Armenian Assembly of Americaand the Tekeyan Cultural Association, orga-nized an evening of support for President SergeSargisian, that took place on February 9 at thePalisadium. Despite the snowstorm, supportersgathered from far and near. The evening’s master of ceremonies, Hagop

Vartivarian, first welcomed the different organi-

zations and attendees, welcoming the guest ofhonor, Primate of the Diocese of the EasternArmenian Church of America, ArchbishopKhajag Barsamian, AMAA’s president, Dr. LevonFilian and Father Garabedian and benefactorsMr. and Mrs. Nazar Nazarian, Hratch Toufayan,Sarkis Bedevian, Andreas Roubian, PapkenMegerian, ADL District Committee co-chair, Dr.and Mrs. Raffi Hovanessian, Irma and SylvaDerStepanian, Mr. and Mrs. Saro Hartunian, Mr.and Mrs. V. Aynilian, Dr. Jacques Gulekjian andDr. Vaghenag Tarpinian for their support. As the national anthems of Armenia and the

ADL anthems were sung, the attendees stood

with National pride and a sense of gratificationfor a triumphant victory soon to be claimed. The attendees were treated to festive nation-

alistic Armenian music and dance performed byHouyser and Talar Zokian. The festivities con-tinued after the cocktail and dinner reception.Artist Roudig Der Bedrossian presented hishand painted oil canvas of president SergeSargisian, to be hung in the new facility of theTCA Greater New York. The forum continued with the president’s mil-

itary video aimed towards secure Armenia. Vartivarian then invited the representatives

of the organizations to the podium. Zartonk

Daily’s editor, Baydzig Kalayjian, who hadarrived from Beirut especially for this event,invigorated the attendees with her warm andheartfelt speech. She noted that the communi-ty had gathered with pride to stand beside itsbeloved motherland. “For the past 70 years, wehave always supported it within the differenteras and struggles, for the sake of the rebirth ofour independent motherland,” she said.Then Artemis Nazarian, a community bene-

factor, made an impromptu heartfelt announce-

ment, that she has fond memories of her uncle,who was a Ramgavar, and had taught herArmenian language and history in theAgoumps, and the Ramgavars have alwaysremained in the same parameters, and enthusi-astically proclaimed “long live the Ramgavarsand long live Armenia!” Van Krikorian, chairman of the Armenian

Assembly of Assembly, spoke of the very soundforeign policy that the current government ofArmenia has developed under the leadership of

Independent Armenia, President SergeSargisian Celebrated At ADL Event

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian

Hagop Vartivarian

Baydzig Kalayjian, left, and Vicki Hvanessian, second from right, were among the guests.

From left, Sarkis Bedevian, Irma Der Stepanian, Sarkis Paskalian and ADL District Committee Co-Chair Papken Megerian

Levon Filian of the AMAA

From left: Krikor Salbashian, Papken Megerian, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Hagop Vartivarianand Dr. Vaghenag Tarpinian

president Serge Sargisian. Filian spoke of the importance of Armenian

unity and harmony.Harout Chatmajian, co-chair of the New

York/New Jersey TCA, spoke of the TCA’s pastsupport of the motherland since its inception of1947. Its mission was to teach, prepare andrebuild a generation of patriots. The TCA, hesaid, is happy about the establishment of theMinistry of Diaspora under the leadership ofPresident Serge Sargisian.Dr. Vaghenag Tarpinian, co-chair of the TCA,

spoke on behalf of the Eastern United Statesand Canada ADL committee, who had graduat-ed from Yerevan State Medical Institute 39years ago, spoke of Armenia’s independence 21years ago, ADL was the second most popularbody of representatives after the ArmenianNational Movement, under President Levon Ter-Petrosian, having 17 representatives. He spokeof the economic and social struggles, theKarabagh conflict and the earthquake and thereturn to the liberal democratic form of gov-ernment under the leadership, prudence and

farsightedness of president Serge Sargisian,and announced ADL’s endorsement of the pres-ident, and called for the combined efforts of allof our Armenian organizations, to attract inter-national public opinion toward our just causeand belated reparations.Barsamian concluded the event with his

prayer after acknowledging the community

leaders and organizations. He spoke ofArmenia’s forward march into the 21st century,noting, “We must march with faith. We havewitnessed the status of our people improve overthe past generation, our flag being raised at theUnited Nations, a national dream come true,and the forward progress of our republic. We inthe diaspora are also part of this march; wehave been a part of this journey from the verybeginning. We are part of a cause much greaterthan ourselves. The significance of this forumtaking place two days after the uniqueArmenian feast day dedicated to the VartanantzSaints. For they understood- and proved withtheir lives- that our service to the nation needsto be grounded in service to God.”

— Shoghig Chalian

9S A T U R D A Y, F E B R U A R Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 3 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

MM EE TT RR OONewYork

From left, Dr. Jacques Gulekjian, Norair Megerditchian and Henri Dimijian

Harout Chatmajian, TCA New York/New Jersey Chapter co-chairmanFrom left, Artemis Nazarian, Nazar Nazarian and Harry Toufayan

Krikor Salbashian and Norair Megerditchian

Artemis NazarianDr. Vaghenag Tarpinian of the ADL

Van Krikorian of the Armenian AssemblyYoung TCA members Harout Barsoumian, Talar Zokian, Diran Jebejian, Hratch Zokian and TaleenBabayan

10 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R

Arts & LivingS A T U R D A Y, F E B R U A R Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 3

Impulsive andGlamorous

Cool as Ice, Siblings Branch out with Stylish Jewelry Store

WELLESLEY, Mass. — Browse through publications about style in Boston andyou will likely come across two names when it comes to jewelry worn by the localglitterati: Veronica Sagherian and Anto Aboyan.Sagherian and Aboyan have made a mark on the local scene with their first store,

Newton’s Adamas Fine Jewelry, since 1997. Whereas Adamas, meaning diamond inancient Greek, specializes in high-end, ele-gant jewelry as well as bespoke designs,the duo’s latest venture, Impulse, inWellesley, is aimed at women who want tobe stylish and wear pretty jewelry, withoutconsidering whether or not the purchase

is going to make a deep impact on their wallets.In the almost Zen space of Impulse, which opened its doors in November, shelves

suspended by barely-discernible wires showcase chunky semiprecious necklaces andmodern bracelets, as well as elegant gold and diamond earrings.Adamas has been on the Best of Boston list by Boston Magazine four times for

best fine jewelry and best custom design. The siblings were also recognized by JCKMagazine, the leading industry magazine for jewelers. And just this month,Sagherian was named among the top 25 style visionaries in Boston for startingImpulse, by COUP Boston magazine.Sagherian, a Belmont resident, said opening Adamas was something she and her

brother had thought a lot about. Aboyan already had a jewelry business downtown,Boston Bijoux, with a cousin, in the Jeweler’s Building on Washington Street. Thebrother and sister decided to combine their skills and start a new venture and onethat would be in the suburbs.Sagherian got her degree in economics from Boston College. “All my life I want-

ed to be an attorney, but I worked in that field and realized that it wasn’t for me. Ineeded to find a more creative field.”Her brother, by contrast, has been working in the business since he was 10 as an

apprentice. Aboyan, of Waltham, is a goldsmith and designer with many years ofexperience. He was only 19 when he opened his first store on Washington Street.“Anto and I always wanted to work together and with my management strength

and his business sense and jewelry knowledge, we thought we would make a goodteam,” she said recently.“Adamas is a slightly different take on a jewelry store with a niche in custom

design. The kind of people who shop there basically want high quality and somesee JEWELRY, page 11

Sorority HoldsFashion Show toHelp ArmenianOrphans

By Christina Moffitino

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. (Daily Sundial) — Inthe fashion world, well-noted designers go bigor go home. The sisters of the California StateUniversity, Northridge (CSUN) Alpha GammaAlpha sorority took on that idea on when theyhosted their first annual charity fashion show,Imagine Runway to Relief.The show was a yearlong process that finally

made its debut Saturday, February 9, at theNorthridge center.Alpha Gamma Alpha made it a goal to raise

$10,000 to donate to the Society for OrphanArmenian Relief (SOAR). SOAR supportsorphaned Armenian children.Alpha Gamma Alpha philanthropy chair,

Marine Piliposy, chose to work with SOARbecause they directly handle the problems hap-pening in other countries.“The organizers travel to assess the situation,

see what needs to be changed and pays to over-see the construction and make improvements.The money isn’t lost in the process,” said Piliposy.CSUN’s chapter of Alpha Gamma Alpha

prides themselves on connecting to Armenianculture and assisting with Armenian causes.They established an ongoing relationship withSOAR to help renovate a different orphanageevery year.With the dangerous war raging in Syria, the

sorority also wanted the fashion show’s moneyto aid the Syrian relief efforts. The war left manychildren without the essentials like food andwarm clothing. “Hopefully we raised enough tosplit the profits both ends,” Piliposy said.The sorority’s goal was ambitious for their

first event, but fundraising efforts were not lim-ited to the fashion show ticket sales. They antic-ipated close to 200 guests and the house was

almost full the night of the show.The sorority also contacted their sorority sis-

ters across the nation in hopes of gaining theirsupport through donations.Alpha Gamma Alpha hopes that with the

fashion show’s silent auction, donation box,ticket sales and national chapter donations theywill make their goal.The entire fashion show was a CSUN com-

munity effort. Models volunteered to walk therunway with clothes donated by local storesand designers.

see SORORITY, page 12

Veronica Sagherian in COUPBostonmagazine

By Alin K. GregorianMirror-Spectator Staff

Armenian-AmericanPoets to Read atZohrab CenterNEW YORK — Three distinguished

Armenian-American poets will read from theirworks in a literary evening on WednesdayMarch 13, at the Zohrab Center in New York.Abraham Terian, Lola Koundakjian, andGregory Djanikian will read from their work inEnglish and Armenian.Terian, a native of Jerusalem, is professor

emeritus of Armenian Theology at St. NersessArmenian Seminary. An internationally-renowned Armenologist and theologian, hispoetry represents an significant aspect of hiscreative output, if less well known than hisscholarly writings.Koundakjian is an internationally regarded

and published poet whose work has been trans-lated into Ukrainian and Spanish.Djanikian, director of the Creative Writing

Program at the University of Pennsylvania, anda native of Egypt, has been called “a gardenerof the human spirit.” His work has been pub-lished in several collections and has appeared ina number of magazines and journals.Conversation and refreshments will follow

the reading, along with the opportunity to pur-chase the authors’ books.The poetry evening is open to the public. A

$5 donation per person will support the workof the Zohrab Center. Students with ID will beadmitted free of charge.

A model walks down the runway at the“Imagine: Runway to Relief” charity fundraiser tobenefit the Society for Orphan Armenian Relief.(Photo credit: Charlie Kaijo)

Central Library toHost Writer, ActivistNancy KricorianGLENDALE — On Wednesday, March 20,

writer/activist Nancy Kricorian will present hernewly published book, All the Light there Was,followed by a discussion.The program will begin at 7 p.m. at the

Glendale Central Library Auditorium, 222 EastHarvard St. The presentation is in English.Admission is free, but seating is limited. Libraryvisitors receive three hours free parking acrossthe street at The Market Place parking structurewith validation at the loan desk.All the Light there Was, was inspired by the

life of resistance leader and Armenian Genocidesurvivor, MissakM a n o u c h i a n .Kricorian delved intothe Armenian experi-ence in Paris duringWorld War II, inter-viewing survivors,including the last liv-ing member ofManouchian’s team.Kricorian weaves

her historical research,her own Armenianheritage and her life-

long commitment to human rights causes intothis tale. The story explores the Armenian immi-grant experience through the eyes of a preco-cious young heroine, 14-year-old Maral, who liveswith her family in Paris, like many others whosurvived the Armenian Genocide in their home-land.Kricorian, author of the novels Zabelle and

Dreams of Bread and Fire, is a widely-pub-lished essayist and activist. After graduatingfrom Dartmouth, she studied and worked inParis before earning an MFA in writing atColumbia University.The program is sponsored by the Library,

Arts & Culture Department, Abril Books andthe Friends of the Glendale Library.For information, contact Elizabeth Grigorian

at the Glendale Library Arts & CultureDepartment.

Nancy Kricorian

11T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O RS A T U R D A Y, F E B R U A R Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 3

ARTS & LIVING

JEWELRY, from page 10thing a little unusual,” Sagherian explained. Thejewelry is created “based on their input,” includingbringing in items they have for repurposing.Adamas does approximately half its business in

wedding and engagement rings. Often menmight come in looking for just the right ring andask for guidance from Aboyan and Sagherian.The duo saw there is a place in the market for

an equally tasteful store that can offer customersstylish jewelry for far less, with semi-preciousstones. In Impulse, the range is from $150 to$7,000, with most items under $1,000.Traditional fine jewelry is made up of gem-

stones like sapphires and diamonds. However,

she noted, “because of the huge downturn in theeconomy, semiprecious stones and metals likesterling silver have become bigger than ever.”Thus, Impulse was born.“There are changes in buying trends. Fewer

people buy expensive jewelry and more peoplewant to buy fun and trendy fashion jewelry,hence Impulse. It’s a little more fun and the pur-chases are not necessarily investments,”Sagherian said.“We wanted to offer women a place where

they could mix fashion and fine jewelry in a waythat makes complete sense. It is all about fashionand making fashion statement,” she added.The two stores have a lot of overlap in terms

of customers. “We have some of the same clien-tele. A lot of them enjoy shopping here as a feel-good place.”With the gleaming surfaces and pretty baubles

in the high-end looking space, Sagherian said,they “want to make it impossible for people towalk in and leave without finding a gift,” even ifthey gift is to themselves.Among the fashion jewelry lines at Impulse is the

one by Heather B. Moore or Dominique Denaive.

“We do extensive research. We look around fordesigners who have talent and the potential to begreat. Another find by Sagherian and Aboyan isSuzanne Kalan, an Armenian designer from LosAngeles.“The first time I saw her, I got a pair of pretty

earrings for myself. The next thing I know, I’mbuying all kinds of things from her.” Now, shesaid, Kalan’s line can be found in several high-end stores.

Sagherian may have started with a businessbackground, but she has accumulated a greatdeal of knowledge about gems — diamonds inparticular — and has such natural style that her

customers often rely on her to steer them towarda redesign.Among diamonds, she said, white ones are still

the most popular, while yellow and pink varietiesare gaining popularity.Among semiprecious gems, she said green

quartz is very popular now. “It has a light, palegreen color. Since emerald is the big color thisyear, the Pantone color, green jade and agate andalso popular.”When they were looking for a space for

Impulse, the duo decided they need to exploreother suburbs and an opportunity presenteditself in Wellesley.“We picked Wellesley because we liked the

shopping area they created in Linden Square.People from Natick, Weston, Framingham, theyall come through here. They come to LindenSquare if they don’t want to go to the mall,”Sagherian said.In Sagherian’s line of work, customers often

shop based on their emotions. She recalled howa customer lost her teen son and asked Adamasto make custom jewelry for each of her remain-ing children as a tribute to their late brother. “Itmakes us feel good to help this family duringsuch a difficult time,” Sagherian said.Many celebrity clients have shopped at

Adamas. In addition, the shop often provided thejewelry won by the actors on the set of ABC’s“Desperate Housewives.” This summer the sib-lings received a lot of attention when gymnastAly Raisman, who was on the US Olympic

Team, wore the earrings that Aboyan had madefor her, a sapphire, ruby and diamond pair ofearrings, wishing her luck. The Raisman family,who are from Needham, had been longtime cus-tomers of Adamas and the siblings wanted toconvey their best wishes to the youngOlympian.To check out Impulse, visit trustyourim-

pulse.com; to see more from Adamas, visitadamasfinejewelry.com.

Impulsive and Glamorous in Wellesley

Floating quartz necklace by Suzanne Kalan

Upside-down gold and diamond hoop earringsby Lana Jewelry

From left, Veronica Sagherian, and her brother, Anto Aboyan, pose with customers as well asAboyan’s wife, Lisa, far right, at the grand opening of Impulse.

Kristina Ayanian Crowned MissMassachusetts’ Outstanding TeenBOSTON — Kristina Ayanian was crowned February 17 as Miss Massachusetts’

Outstanding Teen 2013. She will represent Massachusetts at the Miss America’sOutstanding Teen Pageant.The teen pageant is the

younger-sister event in the MissAmerica Organization and is forgirls ages 13-17.Ayanian, 15, attends

Burlington High School. Thehigh school junior plays thepiano. Her pageant platform is“Food is Not a Privilege – It is aRight: Fighting Hunger Today.”She was the winner in the act-

ing category at the 2007National American MissMassachusetts Jr. Pre-TeenPageant; and also the winner inthe acting category at the 2008National Miss MassachusettsTeen Pageant.She was first runner-up at the

2012 Miss Massachusetts’Outstanding Teen Pageant.The national pageant is sched-

uled for August 9-18 in Orlando,Fla.The pageant was established

in 2005 to make scholarshipsavailable to winning contestants.

Kristina Ayanian

Sayat Nova Presents‘Journey throughTime’ at ArsenalCenter for the ArtsWATERTOWN — Sayat Nova Dance Company

of Boston returns to the Charles MosesianTheatre, Arsenal Center for the Arts, with a newproduction on February 23 and 24. “Journeythrough Time” tells the story of Armenia frompagan times to the adoption of Christianity,from struggles to preserve its culture to cele-bration of the nation’s independence.With fiery dance, pounding drums and oral

recitations of ancient stories, this company isknown for its powerful, yet poignant presenta-tions. Women dance in colorful costumes, theirbodies gracefully swaying in unison, reachingout to the audience, whispering “remember,”recalling the horrors of the Genocide. TheBattle of Vartanantz is evoked with vibrancyand heart-pounding rhythms. The traditionalwoodwind instrument, the duduk, creates anethereal tone as do the shadows giving way tolight. These dances — fluid, energetic and ulti-mately triumphant — speak of a nation that haspersevered and thrives, and a people whichloves its culture.An independent, non-profit organization, now

in its 27th year, Sayat Nova has traveled theworld, performing throughout the UnitedStates, in Canada and Armenia, to great popu-lar acclaim.“Journey Through Time” will be presented on

Saturday, February 23, at 5 p.m. and Sunday,February 24, at 4 p.m. To purchase tickets, visitwww.arsenalarts.org or call the box office,Sayat Nova Dance Company Director ApoAshjian or General Manager Garen Avetissyan.For more information about SNDC, visitwww.sayatnova.com.

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

ARTS & LIVING

12

Since its inception in 2001, TCA’s ‘Sponsora Teacher’ program has raised over $563,000and reached out to 4,440 teachers andschool workers in Armenia and Karabagh.

� Yes, I want to sponsor teachers in Armenia and Karabagh to continuehelping them to educate the children, our future leaders. I would like to havethe teacher’s name and address.

� $160 � $ 320 � $ 480 � other $—————————

NameAddressCity State Zip codeTel:

Make check payable to: Tekeyan Cultural Association – Memo: Sponsor a Teacher 2010Mail your check with this form to:

TCA Sponsor a Teacher5326 Valverde, Houston, TX 77056

Sponsor a Teacher in Armenia and Karabagh 2013

Yourdonation is TaxDeductible.

�

CC AA L E N D A RL E N D A RArsenalARTS and Sayat Nova DanceCompany of Boston present SNDC’s pro-duction of “Journey Through Time” atthe Charles Mosesian Theater, in theArsenal Center for the Arts, 321 ArsenalSt. Two performances: February 23, 5p.m. and February 24, 4 p.m. For tickets,call Garen: 617-930-2921, Arsenal BoxOffice: 617-923-8487 or visitwww.sayatnova.com to buy online.Tickets: $30 (assigned seating).

Sorority Fashion Show toHelp Armenian OrphansSORORITY, from page 10CSUN fashion major, Kadejah Henderson, dedi-cated months to help style the show. She puttogether a total of 32 looks with donations fromlocal boutiques and designers.The show displayed a variety of casual and for-

mal looks.One of the biggest trends that hit the runway

that night were body chains and bows. They wereincorporated in several outfits and served asunique statement pieces.Mika Couture provided a majority of the jew-

elry. From beautiful headpieces to dazzling armadornments, the body chains were accessoriesevery girl in the audience wanted to walk outwith.Trendy bows in different colors and patterns

were donated by The Social Bow, whichHenderson creatively styled as headpieces andnecklaces for a few of the looks.The show overall hit right on this years trend

by featuring a variety of sheer and leather tops,peplum skirts, bold graphic prints and the popu-lar thigh-high slit skirts.The audience was entertained and pampered

with a few musical guests and hand servedrefreshments during intermission.The entire event was a community effort and

the audience could see that.“It was a great show. It’s so inspiring to see all

these organizations come together for a cause,”audience member Rafayel Mgdesyan said.Couture employee Arpy Gezalyan, one of the

sponsoring fashion companies, enjoyed the showand expressed how well it was put together.“The whole community really worked togeth-

er. It was fun and everyone got to have fun. Wegot to advertise, and the girls get experience run-ning the show and raise money,” Gezalyan said.Kohar Mardirossian Pelter, co-president of

SOAR, commended the tremendous effort of theAlpha Gamma Alpha members.“I’m very impressed with their work. I’m so

proud that they would dedicate their Saturdaynight into an effort for the needy and the aban-doned children who have nobody else exceptpeople like us.”

Sayat Nova dance company opens the program with a fiery pagan dance

13

Notice to ContributorsThe Armenian Mirror-Spectator welcomes articles, commentaries and community

news from our readers. In order to assure the accurate and timely publication of articlessubmitted, please note the following policies:—All articles submitted shouldbe typed,double (or triple) spacedandprinted ina type sizelarge enough to be clearly legible (10 point or larger). Submissions that do not conform tothese specificationswill be assigned lowest priority.— Articles sent by fax are acceptable, and e-mail submissions are encouraged.— All submissions should include the name of a contact person and a daytime

telephone number.— Deadline for submission of all articles and advertising is 12 noon on Monday of theweek of publication.— Photos will be published without charge at the discretion of the editors and art direc-tor. Photos will be returned only if a self-addressed and stamped envelope is included.— The M-Swill publish only one article about an upcoming organizational event. Formajor special events, exceptions may be made only by special arrangement with theeditors.— Telephone numbers, ticket prices and other details (at the discretion of the editors) willnot be included in press releases, but should be reserved for calendar listings and adver-tisements.

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

COMMENTARY

By Edmond Y. Azadian

The loss of Marjorie Housepian Dobkin is not only the demiseof an individual writer, but also the loss of a leading member ofa pioneering generation and the close of an era, whose values,dreams, motivations and collective goals had very differentnature.Dobkin was raised in a “houseful of love,” which eventually

became most appropriately the title of her best-selling novel. Thefoundations of that house were laid by Dr. Movses and MakrouhiHousepian, both of whom not only believed in the preservationof Armenian family values, but also played leadership roles in theformative years of the nascent Armenian-American community.During that period, Armenians were not yet alienated from theirroots and the Armenian collective dreams still had genuine reso-nance.Marjorie came of age during that bustling period of the com-

munity, whose ideals were very much alive.Her mother, Makruhi Housepian, was a longtime prominent

member of the AGBU Central Board. She was the conscience ofthat board, while Alex Manoogian served as its mind and muscle.World War II eventually concluded with the victory of the

Allies, where Armenia and Armenians made their true mark, espe-cially through the valiant war efforts of the Soviet Union. Itlooked like Armenian dreams were about to materialize. The glob-al Armenian community was mobilized and the American-Armenian community was leading the global drive for the recog-nition of the Armenian Genocide and reparation of historic terri-torial rights, the recovery of Wilsonian Armenia. Those endeavorsand dreams can only bring a cynical smile to the faces of manyArmenians today.When the UN Charter was being adopted in 1945, in San

Francisco, with the participation of 50 nations, Armenians sentabdelegation to lay their claims in their memoranda. TheArmenian National Council was demanding the return of historicArmenia to be attached to the Soviet Armenian Republic.Marjorie Housepian’s father was one of the leading figures whodrafted the memorandum of Armenian demands. One can onlyimagine, the hope, anticipation and fervor that enlivened the fam-ilies of those leaders.Soon thereafter, the stern face of the Soviet Union seemed to

offer a benevolent smile for the Armenians, further fueling theimagination of the Armenians around the world; indeed, GrigorHarutyunyan, the top political figure in the Soviet Armenian gov-ernment, would raise the issue of Armenian territorial claims

from Turkey in 1946 to accommodate half a million survivors ofthe Genocide willing to repatriate and settle in Soviet Armenia.All those dreams were dampened and the drive came to a

screeching halt, when Winston Churchill drew an iron curtainaround the Soviet Union, in a speech in Fulton, Missouri, in 1947.This was the atmosphere in which young Marjorie Housepian

was brought up, absorbing the ideas and emotions reigning inArmenian households.Whatever was internalized in her youth had to be expressed

through two distinct venues — creative literature and academicresearch.Through her literary creations, such as Houseful of Love and

many short stories and essays, she became one of the pioneeringfigures, who brought the Armenian family life into the main-stream of American literature. The other figures were WilliamSaroyan, Leon Surmelian, Leon Herald Serabian, RichardHagopian and Archie Minassian, just to name a few.She was also one of the active proponents of the recognition

of the Armenian Genocide. Her article published in 1966, “TheUnremembered Genocide,” brought a vivid awareness in the aca-demic circles to the Armenian Genocide. The monumental crimethat the Kemalist Turks had committed in 1922 by burning anentire city and drowning its population into the sea concernednot only the Armenians but also the Greeks. Documents, factsand eyewitness accounts were abundant; they needed a keenscholar to give a worthy, academic treatment to the subject. Theperson who took up the challenge was Dobkin, who gave a his-toric, graphic treatment to the subject, in a book titled Smyrna1922: The Destruction of a City, without betraying her previousbelle-lettres style, which had graced her novels and short stories.Marjorie remains as a trailblazer both in literature and schol-

arship. Today many young writers follow her footsteps and theyowe a great debt to her for her courage, talent and pioneeringspirit.The young historians and academics have also caught up with

her through a profusion of scholarly volumes to counter Turkishdenialist policies.Dr. Movses Housepian, being one of the prominent leaders of

the ADL, was an avid reader of the Armenian Mirror-Spectator,which became a favorite publication of Marjorie’s. She has takenpart in many celebrations of Mirror-Spectator anniversaries,always giving in-depth assessments of its content.As Marjorie joins her father and mother in eternity, they cer-

tainly look down with pride upon the surviving members of theirfamily, Dr. Edgar Housepian and others, who continue their lega-cy in this world, with the same idealism and fervor which havecharacterized their legacy.

Established 1932

An ADL Publication

EDITOR

Alin K. Gregorian

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Gabriella Gage

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Aram ArkunART DIRECTOR

Marc Mgrditchian

SENIOREDITORIAL COLUMNIST:Edmond Azadian

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

CORRESPONDENTS:

Armenia - Hagop AvedikianBoston - Nancy KalajianPhiladelphia - Lisa Manookian

Contributing Photographers:Jacob Demirdjian, Harry Koundakjian, JirairHovsepian

The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is publishedweekly, except two weeks in July, by:

Baikar Association, Inc.755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509

Telephone: 617-924-4420

FAX: 617-924-2887

wwwwww..mmiirr rroorrssppeecc ttaattoorr.. ccoomm

E-Mail: editor@mirrorspectator.com

For advertising: mirrorads@aol.com

SUBSCRIPTION RATES:

U.S.A. $80 a year

Canada $125 a year

Other Countries $190 a year

© 2011 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator

Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA

and additional mailing offices.

ISSN 0004-234X

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to TheArmenian Mirror-Spectator, P.O. Box 302,Watertown, MA 02471-0302

Other than the editorial, views and opinionsexpressed in this newspaper do not necessarilyeflect the policies of the publisher.

THE ARMENIAN

Mirror-Spectator

Marjorie Housepian Dobkin: A Portrait in Historic Perspective

COMMENTARY

Copying for other than personal use orinternal reference is prohibited withoutexpress permission of the copyrightowner. Address requests for reprints orback issues to:

BBaaiikkaarr AAssssoocciiaattiioonn,, IInncc..775555 MMtt.. AAuubbuurrnn SStt..,, WWaatteerrttoowwnn,, MMAA 0022447722--11550099

Optimism has broken out prematurely sev-eral times in the past 30 years of conflictbetween the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)and Turkey. An embryonic deal in 2009 on thereturn of 34 PKK fighters from Iraq ended inchaos. A popular demonstration proclaimingvictory prompted government anger, a furtherwave of arrests, court charges and some of thefighters fleeing. Neither side had prepared.The same cannot be said this time.Prime Minister Reçep Tayyip Erdogan has

publicly ordered the head of his national intel-ligence organization (MIT) to direct talks withthe man who has been locked up on a prisonisland for the last 14 years, Abdullah Öcalan.Erdogan has both a parliamentary consensusand the majority of public opinion behind him.After one of the bloodiest periods of the con-flict, both at home and abroad (three Kurdishwomen affiliated with the PKK were killed inParis in what is increasingly seen as anattempt to sabotage the talks), this is some

achievement.A number of factors have led to this. Four

years ago Ankara felt on uncertain ground, notjust with the Kurds, but with the stirring of itsown deep state. With the convictions of armyofficers plotting a coup in the “sledgeham-mer” trial behind him, Erdogan has had achange of heart about negotiating directlywith the PKK leader. He was helped on hisway by Öcalan’s call to end a hunger strikeconceived by PKK commanders in the Qandilmountains. Overnight, hundreds of Kurdishprisoners ended their action, reinforcing theimprisoned leader’s authority.There is still some way to go before a PKK

ceasefire declaration. Just the logistics ofextracting 2,000 PKK fighters from Turkishsoil, and getting a further 6-7,000 down fromthe mountains in northern Iraq, to lay downtheir arms to Massoud Barzani in Irbil, makesthe decommissioning of IRA and loyalist para-military arms in Northern Ireland seem like a

walk in the park. But if a Kurdish spring hap-pens, the rewards for both sides are significant— not just the end of a conflict that hasclaimed 40,000 lives.For Öcalan, it is the prospect of ending his

sentence under house arrest and, ultimately,freedom. For the Kurds, it is a new constitu-tion, rewritten anti-terror laws, the end ofindefinite pre-trial detention and the persecu-tion of thousands of peaceful activists, educa-tion in Kurdish, and devolution. For Erdogan,an even more glittering and controversial prizelooms — the presidency, which he wants withfull executive powers. With the backing of theKurdish BDP, with its 36 seats in parliament,he could secure a majority to hold a referen-dum. Many hurdles lie ahead. For the moment,the fact that talks are on must, after the may-hem of recent times, be good enough.

(This editorial originally appeared in theGuardian newspaper’s February 6 edition.)

Turkey and the Kurds: Progress on the Horizon

14

Azerbaijan’s Shocking Discovery:Money Can’t Buy Everyone Money may help solve some problems, but does not solve

them all. And sometimes it backfires.Azerbaijan is the perfect example of a filthy rich country

using its billions of petrodollars to win over foreign politi-cians and individuals in all walks of life in an attempt toimprove its shoddy image around the world. In fact, theterm “caviar diplomacy” was specially coined to describethe “goodies” that Azeri officials regularly and generouslydistribute to achieve their sinister purposes.For example, Baku paid $5 million to Mexico City to ren-

ovate a park on condition that the statue of formerPresident Heydar Aliyev be displayed in that prominentlocation. After Mexican activists became aware of thisunseemly deal, the dictator’s statue was dismantled andunceremoniously dumped in storage.Azeri officials are finding out that not everyone can be

bought and there still are some honorable people in thisworld who cannot be bribed! One such person with impec-cable integrity is Peter Savodnik of the New York Times.Earlier this month, the American journalist was invited toBaku by Ibrahim Ibrahimov, an Azeri multi-billionaire, in

order to get the New York Times to write a puff piece onhis gargantuan construction project. Unimpressed by the excesses of the nouveau riche Azeri

oligarch, Savodnik wrote a scathing article ridiculingIbrahimov’s grotesque vision. Here are brief excerpts fromthe reporter’s lengthy article:Ibrahimov is planning to build “a sprawling, lobster-

shaped development called Khazar Islands — an archipel-ago of 55 artificial islands in the Caspian Sea with thou-sands of apartments, at least eight hotels, a Formula Oneracetrack, a yacht club, an airport and the tallest buildingon earth, Azerbaijan Tower, which will rise 3,445 feet.When the whole project is complete… 800,000 people willlive at Khazar Islands, and there will be hotel rooms foranother 200,000. …It will cost about $100 billion.”Savodnik reports that the day before he arrived in

Azerbaijan, Ibrahimov’s representative flew to Moscowto hand-deliver a book and DVD on the Khazar Islandsproject. Once in Baku, the journalist was struck by theoligarch’s lavish lifestyle — “sitting in the back seat of ablack Rolls-Royce as it tore across island No. 1 of hissoon-to-be built archipelago. Nigar Huseynli, his 23-year-old assistant, was sitting up front in a black and whitefloral-print skirt, black tights and rectangular black sun-glasses. She seemed to be vaguely worried, always. Shewore a great deal of perfume that, she said, came fromItaly. ‘When he’s in Azerbaijan,’ Huseynli said, ‘Mr.Ibrahimov always drives in his black Rolls-Royce. InDubai, he has a red one.’”Sporting “blue Stefano Ricci crocodile-skin shoes that

matched his blue Stefano Ricci jeans, blue Zilli jacket andblue Zilli button-down shirt,” Ibrahimov told Savodnik thatthe Azerbaijan Tower would definitely be in GuinnessWorld Records. If the Saudis or Emiratis or anyone any-

where tried to build a bigger building, Ibrahimov said hewould then build an even bigger one.Savodnik writes that the Azeri oligarch described Aliyev,

the Boss of All Bosses, as “a great supporter, an ally, theson of the savior of the people of Azerbaijan.” When theNY Times reporter asked Ibrahimov “about other featuresof his regime: the lack of transparency, the lack of civil lib-erties, the detention of opposition activists,” his responsewas typical of all oligarchs: “I don’t know anything aboutpolitics.”The American journalist boldly slammed both Ibrahimov

and his country: Azerbaijan “builds nothing that the rest ofthe world wants and has no internationally recognized uni-versities. It does, however, have oil.” In a follow up article,Savodnik concluded: “Underneath all the glass and steeland neon lights, it [Azerbaijan] is still an authoritarianstate.”This is not the first time The New York Times has pub-

lished an exposé of Azerbaijan. In an October 27, 2003 edi-torial, the newspaper wrote: “Ilham Aliyev, businessman,playboy and novice politician, received a nice gift from hisfather — the country of Azerbaijan. Heydar Aliyev hadruled Azerbaijan almost continuously for 34 years, first asan agent of the Soviet Politburo and then as an autocrat inhis own right. When he became too ill to continue, heanointed his son to run for president in his place. IlhamAliyev ran a rigged campaign, using all the powers of thestate, and then celebrated his victory by arresting most ofthe opposition.”The New York Times concluded its scathing editorial by

urging the United States to keep Aliyev “at arm’s lengthand avoid repeating the unfortunate history of supportingautocrats who sit atop oil riches.” Regrettably, this warningwent unheeded by successive US administrations.

My TurnBy Harut Sassounian

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

COMMENTARY

By John Mauceri

small blip in the history of operaoccurred this week in Bilbao,Spain. It occurred a few secondsafter the curtain came down onthe dress rehearsal of Verdi’s 1855French opera, “les Vêpres sicili-ennes.” The invited audience was

cheering the singers, the orchestra and thechorus. As I climbed the steps from thepodium in the orchestra pit to await my callto walk onstage, I realized that not only wasthis the first time this grand opera had everbeen performed in Spain, it probably wasalso the first time the opera had been heardanywhere with its complete text observedsince 1855.There are those who just read that and

are jumping to correct me — but here is thepoint of that statement. Everyone in thecast and in the production accepted assacrosanct that Verdi knew what he wasdoing and that every aspect of his score beobserved. This means the tempos and thesurprisingly controversial use of observingits metronome indications. All of us musicians are brought up to

view the written notes (the actual pitches)and the marking on those notes (loud, soft,accents, separations, etc.) as essential toreplicating the intent of the composer. But,when it comes to the pulse of the music --the various tempo markings found in themusical score — this fundamental aspect ofthe text is viewed as a matter of personaltaste and artistic judgment. Indeed, thevery idea of using a metronome when acomposer gives that indication is generallylooked on as being academic or rigid. EvenPierre Boulez, who is incorrectly viewed asa literalist, cannot (or does not wish to) fol-low Debussy’s metronome markings in hisown edition of Debussy’s ballet, “Jeux,”when he came to record it with theCleveland Orchestra.Verdi was particularly cognizant of the

way the pulse of an accompanimentchanges its meaning. What might seem per-functory becomes heartbreaking when

slowed down. What might be flaccidbecomes terrifying when brought up into afast pulse. In his letters, Verdi, frequentlyasked about the tempi of performances thathe did not attend. He actually built hisoperas on tempo relationships, using themetronome numbers as his building blocks.Not only are they structural (and you mayhave read that Elliot Carter invented rhyth-mic modulation, but he was a hundred yearslate on that), they represent the emotionalstate of the characters onstage.This is without question true, and yet per-

formers and critics seem unwilling toembrace speed and relative speeds in theinterpretation of music when the composergives those indications in the musical text.Significantly, in this year celebrating the200th birthday of the two greatest operacomposers of the 19th century, Verdi andWagner, it was Wagner who stopped usingmetronome markings early in his career,while Verdi used them right to his lastopera, Falstaff.Who, then, was more “German,” Verdi or

Wagner? It was, after all, Wagner whoimplored German composers to learn howto sing as a result of his conducting theoperas of Bellini. And Verdi absolutely knewWagner’s der Fliegende Holländer andTannhaüser when he composed Vepres,since they are referenced within the score.I am particularly grateful to Francesco

Izzo and the American Institute for VerdiStudies at NYU for allowing me access toprimary source material in preparing thescore for Bilbao.For those who are unaware of how a

metronome marking works, it is based on amechanical devise developed in the 19thcentury that operates on a pendulum thatcan be lengthened or shortened to changeits speed. The calibration of the “tick tock,”is marked on the pendulum and the speedof the clicks tells you how many will beheard in a minute. A marking of 60, meansthat there will be 60 pulses in a minute, orone a second. A marking of 120, means twopulses a second.The standard criticism about using a

metronome is that it turns a performanceinto something mechanical. This is a total

misunderstanding of how it was used andthe intentions of composers like Verdi. Thepulse sets the speed of the music and with-in that speed there is all kinds of expectedflexibility, involving singers’ breaths, thepreparation of high notes, etc. But, sinceVerdi’s operas usually support a vocal linewith a repeated rhythmic figure, that pulsesets the center point of all flexibility. And,while Verdi will use words like allegro agi-tato, allegro moderato, or a simple allegro,he always follows it with just how thatphrase is to be objectively achieved — andthus the metronome marking. All allegrosare not the same speed.Composers in 20th century classical

music, especially the 12-tone and serial com-posers, are generally praised for their com-plex use of mathematical formulas in creat-ing music, including, it should be noted,tempo indications. This same criterion isturned on its head when it comes to 19thcentury music, where observing the num-bers is seen as anti-musical. The romanticcomposers were “feeling” composers andthe modern ones were “thinking” com-posers. All of this is nonsense, of course.Composers exist in the worlds of bothDionysius and Apollo and always have.Ironically, I have just read the galleys of a

new book on the great Armenian-Americanstage and film director, Rouben Mamoulian,by Joseph Horowitz, called On My Way tobe published by W.W. Norton & Company.The story of Mamoulian, who used ametronome and a baton to direct straightplays, is astonishing. He felt (rightly so) thateach character in a play has his/her owntempo in expressing the words given by theplaywright. Verdi, too, knew that the tempoof a character was one of the ways he couldexpress the emotional state of that charac-ter, In “Aida,” for example, the exchangebetween Amneris and Rhadames, in ActFour, switches between to tempos (144 and120) as each one sings to — or, better, at —each other. Mamoulian is the forgotten genius who

brought his sense of timing to the 1927world premiere of Dorothy and DuBoseHeyward’s play, “Porgy.” Then in 1934,Mamoulian, metronome in hand, directed

the world premiere of Gershwin’s opera,“Porgy & Bess.” He subsequently went onto direct Rodgers & Hammerstein’s firstand second musicals (“Oklahoma!” [1943]and “Carousel” [1945]). That these threemasterpieces of music theater were shapedby a director with a metronome, should atleast encourage a more nuanced look at theuse of the device. (It should also be pointedout the Gershwin carefully crafted hismetronome requirements for “Porgy &Bess.” For a further discussion on this,check out the Nashville Symphony’s record-ing [deleted] on Decca.)And this brings us back to “Les Vêpres

siciliennes.” That the opening chorus of ActOne begins at a startlingly fast tempo of halfnote at 100 — usually performed much slow-er — is supported by the tempo of the lastchorus which brings down the curtain atthe end of Act Five, in which the pulse isalso 100. A duet can begin at a moderatepulse of 84, and as the heat builds, so dothe speeds: 126, 132, 184. Never have I seenso many metronome markings in any score,as I have found in this opera by Verdi. Thisis especially true in the recitatives, which gofrom what I call “ritual speed,” to the speedof spoken French. A study of the recitativesalone is worth a PhD from someone if it hasnot already been done.When I was a boy and was devouring

everything I could find about opera andmusical theater, the received wisdom wasthat “Vêpres,” and its Italian version, “iVespri Siciliani,” was Verdi’s only misstep —after the amazing trifecta of “il Trovatore,”“Rigoletto” and “la Traviata.” After“Vepres” came the great later works thatinclude “un Ballo in Maschera,” “la Forzadel Destino,” “Don Carlos,” “Aida,” “Otello”and “Falstaff.” But after having conductedit from start to finish, and with an audiencepresent, I think we should reconsiderVerdi’s 1855 achievement. “Les Vepres siciliennes” is the work of

genius. It is a politically active opera thatdemands freedom and insists on the power— and responsibility — of citizens to takecharge. Indeed, as the saying goes, “we arethe ones we have been waiting for.” LesVêpres siciliennes is also an extraordinarypre-Freudian, pre-”Star Wars” investigationinto the relationship of a young hero to adreadful tyrant, who, unknowingly, alsohappens to be his father. That the father, aleader of an invading army, had raped a

continued on next page

Verdi by the Numbers

A

S A T U R D A Y, F E B R U A R Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 3 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R 15

COMMENTARY

Last WordsOf a Priest

By Deacon Jimmie Magarian

A priest’s life provides countless formal and informal oppor-tunities to present the teachings of the church. From chattingover coffee and speaking at banquets, to sacramental exhorta-tions and sermons during liturgy, the words of a priest can bea powerful stream of teaching moments.Some priests take such opportunities seriously and prepare

themselves accordingly. Some only speak (teach) when askedor required. Still some others drone on with little substance orcontent only because they feel obliged to say something. Thenthere was the Very Rev. Ghevont Samoorian.Father Ghevont’s recent falling asleep in Christ caused many

to pause and reflect on what many would say was a unique andunmistakable style and character for an orthodox priest.First and foremost he was a teacher, and in pursuit of this

he made bringing people together a focal point. Like any audi-ence, his students might be drawn in, or put off. They mighthear the intellectual and theologian, or the rebel and contrar-ian. His fountains of words were a mixture of scholarly thoughtand practical street application. Beyond that of a priestly call-ing or his rank of “Supreme Doctor” (Dzarakouyn Vartabed),his first instinct was to teach and provide something to learn.His means were varied and sometimes questioned, but hisgoals were clear and more often than not, pointed to theDivine.A glimpse of his character was revealed during the after-funer-

al “meal for the soul” (hokejash). Here his nephew read a lettersent to him by his Uncle Diran, then the newly renamed Fr.Ghevont, shortly after ordination in 1965 in Jerusalem. The let-ter was not merely informational or a ‘hello’ from the far awayHoly Land, but filled with teaching — from liturgical practices tochurch vocabulary. This would become a hallmark. At the time,Fr. Ghevont’s nephew was only 10-years-old.While sometimes unprepared, Fr. Ghevont seized each

opportunity to teach about the Gospel and Church Orthodoxy,of culture and of history. During meetings and car rides, overcoffee or dinner, there seemed an endless flow of information,thoughts, interpretations, and explanations. Details were atthe ready and reflected his own desire to learn, as well as thehundreds and hundreds of theological and historical books inhis library. Sometimes the presentation would be concise andcohesive. Other times tangents would rule the day. Still othersmight fail in illuminating the audience, while contrasted withtimes when students would “get it.” Alas, there were also timeswhere less, or nothing, or a better choice of words, was betterjudgment. But the desire, if not zeal, to convey a meaningfulmessage to the one, or the many, energized Fr. Ghevont.Equally important was the bringing together of his parish

flock as distinguished early in personally cleaning, paintingand remodeling to offer a welcoming atmosphere.Communications and the “bringing the Church into thehome” via voluminous amounts of mail and newsletters werea serious focus and another means of teaching. Later in relo-cating the parish church and expanding facilities, all this tookon exponential proportions. Such work was not merely public relations or to provide a

nice place of worship, but rather to create community andmake the Church a desirable place to be — this was rooted inhis sense of purpose. Indeed, it may have been Fr. Ghevont’sgift to the faithful and his attempt to glorify God.Death is one of those singular events that often promote

speculation, links and parallels.And so it was, on the Sunday of “Good Living before the

Fast of Catechumens” (January 20, Baregentan

Arachavornehroo Bahkin) that the Very Rev. GhevontSamoorian fell asleep in Christ. For the next five days the church liturgical calendar pre-

scribed a severe fast (dzom bahk) during which there are noliturgies offered and no lections (scriptural readings) assigned.Fr. Ghevont would make his last trips and visits during thisweek of fasting.Fr. Ghevont often spoke about the church liturgical calen-

dar, origins of customs and practices, and many times aboutthe rites involving ‘catechumens’ — those receiving instructionin preparation for Christian baptism. Such periods of fasting,he would explain, prepared the catechumen spirituallythrough prayer, intellectually through instruction, and physi-cally through fasting.Fr. Ghevont’s emphasis on teaching and instruction was not

confined to the classroom, or a sermon from the bema, but inmany of his varied endeavors: church architecture and land-scaping, layouts of newspapers and books, application of artand music, liturgical texts on form and practice — each was toconvey meaning and couched in the message of the HolyGospel, in Holy Tradition, and ethnic heritage and custom.Now, in preparation for his receiving the Holy Sacrament of

Final Anointing, embedded in the custom and rites of “send-ing one on their way” for priests, Fr. Ghevont’s final weekbegins in Watertown, where his funeral home was found. Herehis youth had many adventurous days and nights. His out-standing voice was heard in the choir of St. James, and togeth-er with his oud, could be also heard at dances and parties.ACYOA and AYF events and revelries introduced him tomoments to remember and some to forget. The elderly oftenshook their heads, while peers gathered around for fun, goodtimes and camaraderie.On Thursday of his final week, Fr. Ghevont traveled up to

the small town of Chelmsford, to the parish of SaintsVartanantz where he served as pastor for more than 25 years.He would go up the familiar Rt. 3 corridor, through the townof Billerica where he lived for many years, and also throughthe city of Lowell. The Saints Vartanantz Church parish was originally located

in downtown Lowell and became Fr. Ghevont’s first full-timepastorate in 1968. He saw the need to bring together a dis-persed flock as paramount, and in a very short time formed avision of a very different place of worship and culture. By1978, after what has been termed a period of discussion,debate, argument, battle, and a little luck, “Little Ani” was con-secrated in Chelmsford. Fr. Ghevont dubbed it that nick-namedue to the building’s vague resemblance to the great Cathedralof Ani. It was in Chelmsford that Fr. Ghevont’s vision would unfold

in full color. Through his innovation and creativity the locationof a former elementary school on 16 acres of land now pro-vided a wonderful sanctuary. The once downtown neighbor-hood parish was transformed into a regional church with wor-shippers coming from all over, including a growing numberfrom New Hampshire.In a few years, Fr. Ghevont initiated research and work to

properly adorn the sanctuary with murals containing icons ofthe saints and scenes from the Gospels. It had been centuriessince an Armenian Orthodox Church was so adorned withover 75 ecclesiastical and historic figures to inspire the faith-ful and enhance the spiritual experience of worship. Fr.Ghevont joked that the many icons of the saints peering intothe sanctuary would always provide “people” at worship ser-vices.The expansive grounds themselves were improved for pic-

nics and outings. Fr. Ghevont’s vision included tennis courtsand a swimming pool, along with buildings for assisted livingand nursing care facilities for the elderly, including retiredpriests. But alas, these dreams were not to be realized in hislifetime.And so Fr. Ghevont now arrived at his “Little Ani” one last

time for his wake. In full liturgical vestments with doctoralstaff and holding the Holy Gospel, he would lie silent in thechancel. The open coffin would sit on the very spot where fordecades he would often enthusiastically preach and teachabout God and the Church. Where once congregants mightfind inspirational words, or worry about long tangential ser-mons and off-hand remarks, there was only silence, save for

soft penitential music piped in through a music system heinsisted be installed. Numerous priests and deacons cametogether. Prayers were offered, hymns were sung, incense wasburned — the last visit was over.The next day, Friday, on the day of Remembrance of the

Holy Prophet Jonah, Fr. Ghevont would be in the sanctuary ofHoly Trinity Armenian Church in Cambridge. He was bornthere and baptized in that parish.The Prophet Jonah is best known for his spending three

days and nights in the belly of the great fish (whale), which isviewed as a foretelling of the great Resurrection of Christ. ButJonah was also the reluctant prophet with extreme views. Heknew of the wickedness of the residents of Nineveh and theirneed for repentance. Collectively, upon finally believing theteachings of Jonah, the Ninevites repented. It is an interestingcoincidence to remember Jonah on Fr. Ghevont’s funeral day.As is custom, priests and deacons gathered for the Holy

Sacrament of Final Anointment embedded in Divine Liturgyfor a member of the clergy. Ironically, absent are any of his fel-low members of the Brotherhood of Sts. James of Jerusalemwho were in conclave there to elect a new patriarch. Fr.Ghevont was a life-long champion of the orthodoxy of theApostolic See of St. James of Jerusalem and of theBrotherhood that comprises its monastery there.Now in the nave of the Church, again in full vestments and

holding the Holy Gospel, Fr. Ghevont lies facing the Holy Altarflanked by his local clergy brothers. During this Liturgy thereis a pause for the Final Anointment and its prescribed rites.Just before the “Kiss of Peace” of the Liturgy, the presidingbishop offers the prayer of anointing for the deceased: Like abountiful stream, pour the grace of your Holy Spirit upon thisprecious treasure, who is a temple of your Holy Will. At thispoint, carried by his fellow priests, Fr. Ghevont makes his lastascent to the bema and before the Holy Altar. Here the bishopanoints his forehead and right hand with Holy Oil (Muron). Asthe deacons chant the litany of the “Kiss of Peace,” first thebishop, then in turn the priests and deacons, kneel at the cof-fin and kiss Fr. Ghevont’s forehead and right hand and Gospel,receiving the Holy Kiss greeting from the anointed.Fr. Ghevont is then returned to his place in the nave, and

brings with him the “Kiss of Peace.” The faithful, one by one,approach and receive the greeting from Fr. Ghevont — his lastwords — “Christ is revealed among us.”The liturgy concludes and Fr. Ghevont’s liturgical vestments

are replaced with black robes. Soon, he is traveling againthrough the town of Lexington where he lived with his parentsfor many years and on to his final resting place with them inthe northern part of town.At the grave on a cold winter’s day, final prayers and hymns

are offered. Local soil is fittingly mixed with some from theHoly City of Jerusalem, and blessed. Each priest takes theirturn pouring a little over the coffin as blessings are chanted.Finally, the great hymn of “Glory to God in the Highest” (Parkee Partzoons Asdoodzo) signals the coffin to lower into theearth. It is here that ends the rite of the “sending one on theirway” (oughagavorootiun).Fr. Ghevont’s life-time endeavor to create and realize a vision

to bring people together in the hope of them understandingtheir orthodox faith and heritage, was rooted in his believingin the importance of their relationship with God. How to con-vey the importance of that relationship? Bring them togetherand try to teach them through any and all means at hand.“Christ is revealed among us” — his last words and final les-

son — contain affirmation of both one’s love and reconciliationwith others and with God. It is a declaration of relationshipand not an observation. It can be actualized by the faithfulthrough their coming together and learning about the tran-scendence of God’s everlasting love for all creation.When we declare Christ among us, we have learned how to

love.

(Deacon Jimmie Magarian is a resident of Tyngsborough,Mass. He notes that as directed by the Diocesan Primate,Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, all parishes of the Diocese

will offer a 40-Day Requiem Service (Karasoonk HokehankistBashdon) on Sunday, March 3 for the Very Rev. Ghevont

Samoorian. The Primate will preside and participate at theServices at Saints Vartanantz Church in Chelmsford.)

Verdi by theNumbersfrom previous pagelocal woman, now deceased, who raisedthe child, is an unbelievably courageousthing to put on the stage in 1855. (Thelibrettist, Eugène Scribe, must also begiven credit here.) Consider the news we read every day

about invading armies and the use of rapeas part of the spoils of war and understandwhy this opera could be set today in anynumber of locations. (The Bilbao produc-

tion, under the direction of the ItalianDavide Livermore, is brilliantly set in Sicilyin the 1990s, when the terrorist actions ofthe mafia stunned the world. The half-hour“Four Seasons” ballet in Act Three is notdanced. Instead contemporary video imagesof violence and corruption are projectedbehind the chorus, who, facing the audi-ence in masks, sit motionless in a replica ofthe Italian Parliament chamber.) Verdi was living in Paris in 1855 (the

same year that Les Miserables takes place).The aftermath of France’s various revolu-tions and its attempts to find a stable, rep-resentational government is as much at theheart of Vepres as is Italy’s simultaneousmovement toward unification. Partially

because Verdi “belongs” to Italy where he isa national hero, the composer’s larger polit-ical achievements are rarely credited orunderstood. He truly was the Beethoven ofthe middle and late 19th century.And yes, “Vepres” is monumental in size

— five acts and almost an hour longer thanAida. But it does not seem long, if onerespects Verdi as if he were Elliott Carter. Ifthe opera is performed complete, and withtwo intermissions, each element lasts slight-ly longer than one hour. (Act 1 (after theoverture) = 0:00; Act 2 =35:00; Act 3: 1:04;Act 4 = 34:00; Act 5 = 30:00 ) It is classical-ly structured, temporally symmetrical (withits requisite Act 3 ballet as the apex of thearch) and wildly passionate within that

structure. Actors and stage directors willunderstand what I mean when I say that theopera and each of its scenes and charactershave a spine. That spine can be found in thenumbers — the curiously controversialmetronome numbers. The audience lastnight in Bilbao had no idea why this operaseemed so fresh, beautiful, and dramaticallypersuasive. The applause and the cheerswere really for Maestro Verdi. To under-stand what he meant, we must simply dowhat he asks of us.

(John Mauceri is Chancellor of theUniversity of North Carolina School of the

Arts (Winston-Salem), and FoundingDirector of the Hollywood Bowl

Orchestra.)

On an occasion like this, one feels the weightof history. And the voices of the past—bothrecent and remote—seem to speak with a newclarity. I would like to begin by sharing withyou some words from the very distant past,recorded in the book of Psalms:Vindicate me, O Lord: for I have walked in myintegrity,trusting in you without wavering….I do not sit with the false of heart,nor do I gather with those who deceive; …I wash my hands in innocence,and go about thy altar,Singing aloud a song of thanksgiving,and telling of wondrous deeds.O Lord, I love the habitation of your house,and the place where your glory dwells….So as for me, I shall walk in my integrity.Redeem me, and be gracious to me. (Psalm 26)These words were written 3,000 years ago.

But this week, they spoke to me with new clar-

ity, as I reflected on the death — and the life —of Marjorie Anais Housepian Dobkin. For inthese words I recognized Marjorie herself: hercharacter, her life’s vocation, and her beautiful,noble spirit.She was a woman who could say, with

absolute truth and conviction: “Vindicate me, OLord, for I have walked in my integrity.” It wasintegrity, I think, that defined her character: itwas the pillar which supported all her other tal-ents and virtues.A spirit of integrity must have been the com-

mon currency of the Housepian household dur-ing Marjorie’s formative years. Her father wasDr. Movses Housepian — a greatly respectedcommunity leader and a genuine hero as botha physician and an Armenian patriot. Her moth-er, Makrouhi, was in many ways the guidingstar of Marjorie’s life: a woman of great com-passion, intelligence and sensitivity; a pillar ofthe church and AGBU. As Genocide survivors,the home that Movses and Makrouhi built was

both cosmopolitan and lovingly Armenian. Itwas located just a few blocks south of here, inManhattan’s little Armenian colony of the1920s and ’30s, which provided the setting forMarjorie’s wonderful first novel, A Houseful ofLove. The children of Movses and Makrouhi fully

lived up to the noble spirit of their parents.Edgar became a brilliant neurosurgeon atColumbia University College of Physicians andSurgeons. Like his father before him, Edgaranswered the call of his homeland in its hour ofneed, devoting his skills to the cause of human-itarian relief in Armenia.Marjorie, of course, became a pioneering and

beloved figure in the New York and Armenianliterati, and one of the most prominentArmenian-American writers of her generation.Americans had previously been introduced to

Armenian characters and themes in the worksof the great William Saroyan. But in Marjorie’sdebut novel, A Houseful of Love, an entire

world of Armenian-American life burst into theopen, carrying with it the distinctive lingo ofour cuisine and proverbs, and a stream of vividArmenian characters with names like UnclePousant, Hadji, Marta-Mama, Levon and Setrag.The legendary publisher Benet Cerf edited

the novel and became a great advocate ofMarjorie’s work after its debut in 1957. As an author, educator, and associate dean at

Barnard College, Marjorie was a New Yorkerthrough-and-through, who lived in this city allher life, with few interruptions. It was here thatshe raised her three sons, to whom she wasdeeply devoted: Stephen, and Daniel andJonathan. It was here that she enjoyed a longand tender marriage to Machbi “Mack” Dobkin,who was in every way a perfect match forMarjorie’s grand, outgoing personality.Her books won her great acclaim, and

Marjorie was invited to speaking engagementsaround the world. She was a guest at nearlyevery Armenian Church in this country, andshe developed a devoted following within theGreek community. Every audience would becaptivated by her passion, and her lively, quick-witted personality. But more than that, every-one who heard her — or read her books, or sim-ply engaged Marjorie in casual conversation —came away with the conviction that they hadbeen in the presence of a person of rare char-acter: fearless, in-corruptible; a woman of gen-uine integrity.That spirit of integrity was the foundation of

her character. It is most evident in her 1971book, The Smyrna Affair. That volume is stillconsidered the classic account of the burning ofSmyrna in 1922.But documenting the forgotten tragedy of

Smyrna was only one part of Marjorie’s inten-tion. What she found equally reprehensible wasthe conspiracy of silence, the policies of misdi-rection and outright deceit, which had beenused by the powerful to bury the memory ofSmyrna, and exonerate its perpetrators.The same spirit can be seen in A Houseful of

Love — the book that introduced Marjorie tothe world, and in many ways remained her mostpersonal work. It begins with a young girl —Marjorie’s alter ego — reviving her elderly rela-tive, Marta-Mama: nearly 100 years old, andseemingly immortal. The girl pulls Marta-Mamaback from the edge of death. And in so doing,she brings the story of the Armenians “back tolife,” as it were.In the deepest sense, this is what Marjorie

Housepian Dobkin accomplished with her life.This was her life’s vocation: to make voices liveagain. She did it brilliantly, and beautifully, withvitality and faith. To her dear sons, Stephen, Daniel, and

Jonathan; to her proud brother and sister-in-lawEdgar and Marion; to all of her loved ones, col-leagues, friends and students, I convey my deep-est sympathies. In the words of the Psalms,surely the Lord will receive Marjorie into “thehabitation of his house, the place where hisglory dwells.” It is the true and original “house-ful of love” — where Marjorie HousepianDobkin will always be at home. Amen.

S A T U R D A Y, F E B R U A R Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 3 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R16

Ninth Anniversary ofGurgen Margaryan’sMurder CommemoratedMARGARYAN, from page 1Yerevan reacted by suspending diplomatic

ties with Hungary. Hungary, however, statedthat it had sent Safarov back to Azerbaijan afterreceiving assurances from the AzerbaijaniJustice Ministry that Safarov’s sentence wouldbe enforced.According to some reports, Safarov was extra-

dited to Azerbaijan in exchange for the Azeripurchase of Hungarian securities worth Euro 2-3 billion, an information official Budapestdenies.“The Hungarian prime minister [Viktor

Orban] is ‘morally bankrupt’ and should resignafter admitting that he personally approved thetransfer of the Azeri axe murderer while know-ing the likely consequences,” the leader of theopposition Socialists said earlier in Budapest.Attila Mesterhazy said it was clear from

Orban’s comments at a news conference onSeptember 11 that he had been aware thatAzerbaijan would release the life-sentencedRamil Safarov after his repatriation.

NEW YORK — The Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church ofAmerica was saddened by the deat of Marjorie Anais Housepian Dobkinon February 8. What follows is the text of the eulogy delivered by

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, the Diocesan Primate, during the funeralservice at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, in New York City, onWednesday, February 13. It has been edited slightly for space.

In Memoriam: Marjorie Housepian Dobkin