US Biotech Run by AfeyanWorking on Vaccine

YEREVAN (Combined Sources) —Armenia, as of March 3, has one confirmedcase of coronavirus and nine suspected ones.Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, at a

press conference on that day said, “At thismoment we are waiting for the results to 9tests, and will inform the public once theresults come in,” Pashinyan said. “We hopethey will not be confirmed. But if, God for-bid, they are confirmed, we will informabout it. [But] if confirmed, it should notcause any panic. This is a surmountable dis-ease, and for the time being our only [posi-tive] diagnosis is even in a process that, infact, he is not being treated because he hasno symptoms.”Armenia’s only detected case was a 29-

year-old man who recently returned withhis wife from Iran.Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on

March 1 in a Facebook posting that “about

two hours ago we confirmed a case of coro-navirus, unfortunately.”Pashinyan said the man, an Armenian cit-

izen, had arrived by plane from Tehran onFebruary 28 and later went to the hospitalfor treatment. He is in good condition, theprime minister said.Pashinyan said people the victim has had

close contact with will be quarantined.He added that all of the passengers on

the flight with him from Tehran had beenwearing face masks and were escorted fromthe airport under previously set precau-tions for people traveling from Iran.The Armenian government decided on

February 24 to partly close Armenia’s bor-der with Iran and cancel regular flightsbetween the two for at least two weeks dueto the rapid spread of the virus in theIslamic Republic. The border remains openfor commercial cargo shipments mostly car-ried out by Iranian trucks.According to Torosyan, Iranian truck dri-

vers’ physical contact with people inArmenia has been “minimized.” A spokes-woman for the Armenian Ministry ofHealth said on Saturday that the driversare under the “24-hour surveillance” ofArmenian medics and are not allowed toleave their vehicles without police escort.Pashinyan announced that classes in

Armenian kindergartens, schools and uni-versities have been suspended for oneweek. “We need some time to understandwhat’s going on,” he said in a live video

see CORONAVIRUS, page 2

INSIDE

NEWS IN BRIEF

Times Square Commemoration

Page 6

INDEXArts and Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Armenia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,3Community News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,5

Mirror- SpectatorMirror- SpectatorTHE ARMENIAN

Volume LXXXX, NO. 33, Issue 4626

MARCH 7 , 2 020

$ 2.00

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

Armenia: Turkey Can’tPlay Role in Karabakh

SettlementYEREVAN (PanARMENIAN.Net) — Turkey can-

not play any role in the peaceful settlement of theNagorno Karabakh conflict, Armenian ForeignMinistry spokeswoman Anna Naghdalyan said onTuesday, March 3.Her comments came after Turkish Foreign

Minister Mevlüt Çavusoglu met the Organizationfor Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)Minsk Group co-chairs, who are tasked to mediatenegotiations on the Karabakh conflict.“Given the unfriendly policy towards Armenia

and the Armenian people, which is also reflected inthe unilateral military and political support toAzerbaijan, Turkey cannot play any role in thepeaceful settlement of the issue,” Naghdalyan said.

Iraqi Yazidi ChildRecovers after Surgery

In ArmeniaYEREVAN (Armenpress) — A 3-year-old Iraqi

Yazidi girl, Arzinda, is recovering after surgery inYerevan’s Nork-Marash medical center. She hasalready been transported to the hospital ward, themedical center told Armenpress on February 27.Arzinda was suffering from a congenital heart

defect. She underwent surgery on February 24.Arzinda was transported to Yerevan through the2019 Aurora Prize laureate Mirza Dinnayi and hisLuftbrücke Irak (Air Bridge Iraq).MP Rustam Bakoyan, Healthcare Minister Arsen

Torosyan, Armenia’s Ambassador to Iraq HrachyanPoladyan and Nork-Marash Medical Center assistedArzinda’s mother in transporting the child toArmenia and providing the necessary treatment.The medical center noted they are waiting for a

second child from Iraq who is also suffering a con-genital heart defect. The child will be transported toYerevan within the frames of the same initiative.

Chief Designer ofSukhoi-34 Dies

MOSCOW (Armenpress) — The chief designer ofRussia’s multifunctional fighter-bomber Sukhoi-34,Rollan Martirosov, died at 84, on February 28, asource in the aircraft building industry told TASS.Martirosov was born in Moscow on October 6,

1935. He joined the Sukhoi design bureau in 1959after graduation from the Ordzhonikidze MoscowAviation Institute. He rose up the career ladderfrom engineer to chief designer. Martirosov was integral in designing many

Sukhoi planes, including Sukhoi-24 and Sukhoi-24M.

Nora Armani Wants to ElevateSocially Relevant FilmsNEW YORK — In the past decade, actress, writer, director and producer

Nora Armani has added another couple of titles to her resume: founder andartistic director of the non-profit SociallyRelevant Film Festival (SRFF).She founded the festival in January

2013 “as a reaction to the proliferationof violence on screens and in life.Especially in the United States, films and

TV are very violent, both in content and in form. Loud intrusive music, spe-cial sound and visual effects that aggressively assault our sense in an attemptto grab attention, especially to cover up the fact that there is clear paucity ofcontent, exasperated me, and I wanted to offer an alternative form of enter-tainment that offered human interest stories and focused on social issuesrather than special effects. This is on the general level, on a more personallevel, I wanted to commemorate, in a meaningful way, my dear cousin Vanya

see ARMANI, page 14

By Alin K. Gregorian Mirror-Spectator Staff

By Aram Arkun Mirror-Spectator Staff

BELMONT, Mass. — When Armeniansfrom outside Armenia come to visit, they sel-dom have occasion to see anything outsideof the capital city of Yerevan, and if they dogo elsewhere it is usually to the other citiesand noteworthy touristic destinations. Theydrive straight through the villages, withoutmuch time to do more than glance at theirworn-out state. Tamara Stepanyan’s docu-mentary film, “Village of Women [KanantsGyughe],” rectifies this a little.A new film, it is just starting to garner

attention. “Village of Women” was one of11 films chosen out of 3,000 to be present-ed at DOK Leipzig, the InternationalLeipzig Festival for Documentary andAnimated Film – one of the oldest film fes-tivals in the world – in 2019, and is now

traveling throughout the film world. It willbe shown in Belmont’s Global Cinema FilmFestival of Boston on Sunday, March 22 at

see STEPANYAN, page 15

Stepanyan’s ‘Village of Women’ Depicts BeautyAnd Melancholy of Life in an Armenian Village

Tamara Stepanyan

Armenia Is Taking PrecautionsAs Coronavirus Arrives

A young woman covers her face as she walks. (RFE/RL Photo)

CORONAVIRUS, from page 1addressed aired on Facebook.Despite the prime minister’s calls to

“maintain calm,” the news of the firstcoronavirus case detected in Armeniatriggered panic buying of foodstuffs insome supermarkets in Yerevan. Therewere also reports that holidaymakersbegan cancelling hotel bookings inTsaghkadzor for fear of being infectedby the people quarantined at the seclud-ed local hotel.Iran has become the hot spot for the

disease in the Middle East. An IranianHealth Ministry spokesman onFebruary 29 said nine people had diedfrom the virus over the past 24 hours,bringing the total number of reporteddeaths to 43 amid 593 confirmed infec-tions.Iran has been linked to most of the

more than 200 confirmed cases of thevirus now spread across the region, andmany countries in and outside theCaucasus, Middle East and Central Asiahave imposed restrictions on travel toand from Iran in an effort to curtail thedisease’s spread.Neighboring Georgia and Azerbaijan

reported infections this week, withthree in each country.One day after Armenian authorities

reported the first such case, Pashinyanalso urged Armenians to avoidnonessential travel to Italy and Turkey.Armenia has nearly 1,000 laboratory

test kits for detecting novel coronavirusand will get 2,000 more on March 6Torosyan said in an interview with jour-nalist Karlen Aslanyan.“In addition, we negotiate with the

UK and Russia. There are some offersalso from China, Japan and the US. Weare still considering if we should getnew test kits, since up till now wereceived the test kits from our partnersas assistance. It’s possible that there willbe no need for new ones, because myprediction is that we are on the way ofdeclining outbreaks with the exceptionof one-two countries. Many other spe-cialist also share my prediction,”Torosyan said.

Moderna Therapeutics WorkingOn Virus

Moderna Therapeutics, a Cambridge,Mass.-based biotech company co-found-

ed by Noubar Afeyan, co-founder of theAurora Humanitarian Initiative, hasshipped the first batches of its COVID-19 vaccine, Time reports.The vaccine was created just 42 days

after the genetic sequence of theCOVID-19 virus, called SARS-CoV-2,was released by Chinese researchers inmid-January.The first vials were sent to the

National Institute of Allergy andInfectious Diseases (NIAID), part of theNational Institutes of Health (NIH) in

Bethesda, MD, which will ready the vac-cine for human testing as early as April.Moderna’s vaccine against COVID-19

was developed in record time becauseit’s based on a relatively new geneticmethod that does not require growinghuge amounts of virus.Instead, the vaccine is packed with

mRNA, the genetic material that comesfrom DNA and makes proteins.Moderna wins bragging rights as it

kick-starts first experimental coron-avirus clinical trial. Moderna’s hope lays in its messenger

RNA (mRNA) vaccine, mRNA-1273,which has been shipped out tothe National Institute of Allergy andInfectious Diseases (NIAID) for a phase1 test set to start as early as April.This will be tested on several dozen

healthy patients to assess safety andimmune response.“I want to thank the entire Moderna

team for their extraordinary effort in

responding to this global health emer-gency with record speed. The collabora-tion across Moderna, with NIAID, andwith CEPI has allowed us to deliver aclinical batch in 42 days from sequenceidentification,” said Juan Andres, chieftechnical operations and quality officerat Moderna.“This would not have been possible

without our Norwood manufacturingsite, which uses leading-edge technolo-gy to enable flexible operations andensure high quality standards are met

for clinical-grade material.”On the news (which was first pub-

lished by The Wall Street Journal), theunicorn biotech, which is predominatelyan early-stage company with much toprove, saw its shares shoot up morethan 18% after-hours to around $19 ashare, down from its heights of morethan $24 at the start of the month(which then led to a public offering ofits common shares). Worldwide, the COVID-19 outbreak,

which began in China, has infectedmore than 86,000 people and killedsome 3,000.Most of the deaths and infections

have occurred in China, but the epi-demic has spread elsewhere, with Iranbecoming the hardest hit outside ofmainland China.

(Reports from RFE/RL,Armenpress, Reuters, news.am andFierce Biotech were used to compile

S A T U R D A Y, M A R C H 7 , 2 0 2 0 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

PM’s Wife Goes on TourOf Americas

YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Armenian PrimeMinister Nikol Pashinyan’s wife Anna Hakobyan, theChairman of the Board of Trustees of the My Stepand City of Smile charity foundations, departed onMarch 3 for the United States on a visit, where at theinvitation of the State Department she was sched-uled to participate at the annual InternationalWomen of Courage awarding ceremony on March 4.US First Lady Melania Trump was scheduled to

deliver remarks at the event.During the visit the Armenian Hakobyan is sched-

uled to meet with Assistant Administrator forUSAID’s Bureau for Europe and Eurasia BrockBierman, Hakobyan’s Office said.On the same day, Anna Hakobyan was to attend a

concert at the Washington National Cathedral dedi-cated to the 100th anniversary of establishment ofArmenian-American diplomatic relations.On March 6, Hakobyan was scheduled to travel to

Brazil to meet with First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro inBrasilia. Later on the same day, Anna Hakobyan willmeet Armenia’s Honorary Consul Hilda Burmaian inSao Paulo.On March 7, Anna Hakobyan will travel to

Argentina and meet with First Lady Fabiola Yáñez inBuenos Aires. Hakobyan will return to Yerevan onthe same day.

Medieval HistorianSamvel Karapetyan DiesYEREVAN (Public Radio of Armenia) — Historian,

researcher and author Samvel Karapetyan, 58,passed away on February 27.Born in 1961, Samvel Karapetyan was an expert in

medieval architecture, specializing in the study ofthe historical monuments of Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh, and neighboring countries.He surveyed and catalogued thousands of artifacts

of Armenian history and architecture during thecourse of more than two decades.Karapetyan headed the Yerevan branch of the

Research on Armenian Architecture NGO.He was also known as an outspoken critic of the

treatment of Armenian monuments in Turkey,Georgia, and Azerbaijan�He presented his findings to US Congress in 2007

and to the European Court of Human Rights in2008�In 2007, Karapetyan won the Armenian

Presidential Humanitarian Sciences Prize for hiswork in literature.

Kuwait Emir’s DaughterMeets with Hakobyan

YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The wife of PrimeMinister Nikol Pashinyan, Chairperson of the boardsof trustees of My Step and City of Smile charitablefoundations Anna Hakobyan, hosted on March 2 thedaughter of the 14th Emir of Kuwait, Sheikha HessaSaad al-Abdullah Al-Sabah.Al-Sabah talked about her activities, particularly

the Arab Council of Businesswomen, and Hakobyanpresented the activities of My Step and City of Smilecharitable foundations, as well as the Women forPeace campaign. Presenting the goal of the cam-paign, Hakobyan emphasized that peace is anabsolute value and it’s time for women to consolidatefor the sake of peace.During the conversation, Al-Sabah shared her

impressions of Armenia and stressed that she visitsthe country with special warmth every time. Shespoke about her Armenian grandmother, Elizabeth,who lived in Zeytun during the Armenian Genocide,and escaped the genocide, finding herself in Deir ez-Zor desert where she met her future husband. Al-Sabah told that her Armenian grandmother

played a major role in her life and constantly pushedher to get an education and struggle for achievingher goals.Al-Sabah is president of the Council of Arab

Businesswomen (CABW). Al-Sabah serves on severalcommittees: Kuwait Volunteers Women Society, theKuwait Businesswomen Committee, Arab AfricanWoman Council, and the Women’s AffairsCommittee.

News From Armenia

A poster urging caution (RFE/RL Photo)

Armenia Is Taking PrecautionsAs Coronavirus Arrives

YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — The work ofArmenia’s sole medical center specializ-ing in the treatment of HIV and AIDSwas disrupted on Friday, February 28, as80 percent of its employees resigned inprotest against the government’s deci-sion to merge it with another clinic.The Armenian Ministry of Health,

which initiated the decision earlier thisyear, says that the Republican Center forthe Prevention of AIDS must be incorpo-rated into a Yerevan hospital whichtreats other infectious diseases, includingthe flu and similar viruses.Health Minister Arsen Torosyan insist-

ed earlier in February that Armenia nolonger needs a specialized HIV/AIDSclinic and that it now makes more senseto have all infectious diseases treated bya single medical institution. “The fightagainst AIDS must be integrated into theoverall healthcare system,” he said.The affected HIV/AIDS medics strongly

disagree, saying the dissolution of their cen-ter, which has detected up to 450 cases ofHIV annually in Armenia, would break upwhat they describe as a well-functioning sys-tem of preventing, tracking and treating

the immunodeficiency disease.“In three, four or five years from now

we will have … an uncontrolled epidem-ic,” Arshak Papoyan, who heads one ofthe center’s divisions, claimed on Friday.The government’s decision also

sparked protests by many of the HIV-pos-itive Armenians who receive free anti-retroviral drugs and counseling at thecenter. Earlier this week, about 150 ofthem signed a joint letter to PrimeMinister Nikol Pashinyan, urging him toreverse it.The HIV/AIDS patients are particular-

ly worried about Torosyan’s intention to“decentralize” services provided by theRepublican Center. That includes trans-ferring the distribution of antiretroviraldrugs from the center to regular policlin-ics across the country. According toTorosyan, this will destigmatize HIV andAIDS and get people suffering from it outof social “isolation.”HIV carriers counter that any breach

of the confidentiality guaranteed by thecenter would only worsen discriminationencountered by them and the stigmaassociated with their disease. “None of us

will go to a policlinic or the Nork hospi-tal [in Yerevan,]” one of them toldRFE/RL’s Armenian service.On Wednesday, Torosyan fired the cen-

ter’s longtime director, SamvelGrigoryan, for his refusal to help imple-ment the controversial merger. Justhours later, Grigoryan’s deputy, AramHakobyan, was briefly detained by policefor allegedly refusing to hand the clinic’sofficial seal to Artur Berberyan, its actingdirector appointed by the minister.It emerged on Friday at least 86 of the

108 people working at the center havetendered their resignations in responseto the government’s failure to meet theirdemand.“The conditions that have been creat-

ed by various Ministry of Health officialsmake our continued work impossible,”Hakobyan said.“It’s not about an individual, it’s about

preserving a system,” said another seniorHIV/AIDS medic, Janetta Petrosyan.Berberyan deplored the mass resigna-

tions of the center’s staff. He warned thattheir “inactivity” could be deemed a crim-inal offense.

Armenian AIDS Clinic Staff Quit in Protest

YEREVAN — In the years to come the stu-dents at the Avedisian School will not forgetwhere they were on February 21, 2020, whenthey got a visit from the greatest livingArmenian composer, Tigran Mansurian, at theirschool auditorium.Hosting Mansurian at the Avedisian School

was a memorable event, as the beloved com-poser, taught a small but invaluable lesson tothe students.He advised the students to see only the good

and be forgiving; stay on the path of real victo-

ry to know also to be conquered. He also talkedabout the freedom of the creative soul; aboutthe character of an intellectual or artist, andmany other subjects that touched the soul ofthe students.Mansurian was engaging. There were more

students who wished to ask questions thanthose who did. Then he approached the piano,sat down slowly and his fingers touched thekeyboard. And the sounds of his famous musicfrom the film “A Little Sky” first spread thenbegan to soar to great heights.

At the conclusion of this event, SchoolPrincipal Melanya Geghamyan presentedMansurian with a book about Komitas, TheMagnificent Song of All Armenians, and a bookabout the Avedisian School. And the studentspromised to continue their newly formed friend-ship with the composer by sending letters.Established in 1988, the Armenian

Missionary Association of America’s Khorenand Shooshanig Avedisian School is an educa-tional institution that provides K-12 holistic,tuition-free education in a modern, environ-mentally friendly building, using state-of-the-artfacilities in the low-income Southwest Districtof Malatia-Sebastia in Yerevan, Armenia.

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

ARMENIA

Kurdish Community of Armenia Rallies andDemands Turkey Allow Lawyers Visit ÖcalanYEREVAN (Armenpress) — The Kurdish community of Armenia rallied outside the UN

office in Yerevan on February 29, calling on international bodies to demand Turkishauthorities to allow the lawyers of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan to visit him in prison“On February 27 the Turkish authorities said that a fire erupted on the island of Imrali,

where the leader of the Kurdish people Abdullah Öcalan is imprisoned for 21 years. They[Turkish authorities] did not give other details and did not convey information about thehealth and condition of our leader. The entire Kurdish people around the world have stoodup. We are questioning the Turkish authorities’ false, wicked and brute policy because inthe past they also made statements claiming Ocalan was sick, or there was an earthquakeon the island, and when we rose up it turned out these statements were false. Now wedoubt whether or not something has happened to our leader,” said Knyaz Hasanov, thehead of the Kurdish community of Armenia and Member of Parliament from the rulingMy Step faction.Hasanov emphasized that they want to tell the world that they are demanding from the

Turkish authorities to allow Ocalan’s lawyers and family to visit him and see his condition.Kurds living in Turkey itself, in Syria, Iran, Iraq and across Europe are also making the

same demands.The demonstrators said they won’t halt the rallies, and chanted “Long live Ocalan”,

“Long live our leader,” “Long live our leader Apo” – Apo is short for both Abdullah and“uncle” in Kurdish.

YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Law-enforcementauthorities have brought criminal chargesagainst a town mayor linked to the oppositionProsperous Armenia Party (BHK) nine monthsafter he defeated a government-backed chal-lenger in a tense local election.The Office of the Prosecutor-General said on

March 1 that Mayor Vahagn Gevorgyan ofAbovian, a town 15 kilometers north ofYerevan, has been charged with criminal negli-gence and faces up to five years in prison if con-victed.In a statement, it claimed that he that he

deliberately failed to stop a private companyfrom “seizing” communal land in Abovian andillegally constructing an apartment block there.It was not immediately clear whetherGevorgyan, who was apparently not arrested,will deny the accusation.The statement said that the Investigative

Committee decided to indict Gevorgyan eventhough a regional department of the Armenianpolice investigated the redevelopment projectand cleared the mayor of any wrongdoing lastyear. It said Prosecutor-General Artur Davtyanpersonally ordered a new investigation inOctober because the police inquiry was“flawed.”The police inquiry was ordered by regional

prosecutors in July 2019, one month afterGevorgyan narrowly won reelection in a tightlycontested mayoral race. His main challenger,Grigor Gulyan, was a candidate of PrimeMinister Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party.Pashinyan travelled to Abovian and held a

rally there in support of Gulian during the elec-tion campaign. Romanos Melikyan, the CivilContract-affiliated governor of the surroundingKotayk province, also personally campaignedfor Gulyan after taking a leave of absence forthat purpose.The provincial administration had for months

been at loggerheads with the Abovian munici-pality, accusing it of corruption and misman-agement. The mayor strongly denied the allega-tions. Armenia’s National Security Servicelaunched a separate corruption inquiry into themunicipality just days before the mayoral elec-tion.Abovian has long been a political and eco-

nomic stronghold of BHK leader GagikTsarukyan. Tensions between his party andCivil Contract ran high in the run-up to thevote.The BHK, which has the second largest group

in the Armenian parliament, did not react to thecharges brought against the Abovian mayor asof Monday evening.

Abovian Mayor Indicted

Avedisian School Students listen attentively to Tigran Mansurian’s message.

Tigran Mansurian Visits AMAA’s Avedisian School in Yerevan

Tigran Mansurian with Avedisian School Students and Staff

Avedisian School Principal MelanyaGeghamyan presents a gift to Tigran Mansurian. Avedisian School Students ask questions from Tigran Mansurian.

T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R4 S A T U R D A Y, M A R C H 7 , 2 0 2 0

INTERNATIONAL

32nd Sumgait MassacresAnniversary Marked

YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Prime Minister ofArmenia Nikol Pashinyan made a statement onTwitter on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary ofthe Armenian massacres in Sumgait, Azerbaijan, onFebruary 28.“We are commemorating the innocent victims of

Sumgait massacres. 32 years ago Azerbaijanresponded to peaceful appeal of Nagorno Karabakhpeople to self-determination with mass violence andpogroms against Armenians. We pay our duty tomemory with strong commitment to prevent suchcrimes,” he said.Pashinyan and a high-level delegation visited the

Tsitsernakaberd Memorial to pay tribute to the mem-ory of the victims of the tragedy.In Artsakh, President Bako Sahakyan visited the

Stepanakert Memorial and laid flowers to the monu-ment to the innocent victims.The President was accompanied by Primate of the

Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic ChurchArchbishop Pargev Martirosyan and top officials ofthe republic.

ECHR Supports AzeriJournalist’s Case Against

GovernmentYEREVAN (Armenpress) — The European Court of

Human Rights (ECHR) on February 28 issued ajudgement in the case of journalist KhadijaIsmayilova against Azerbaijan.The court concluded that “the arrest and detention

of the applicant, a journalist who had published arti-cles critical of members of the Government and theirfamilies for alleged corruption and illegal businessactivities, had been driven by the improper reasonsof silencing her and punishing her for her journalis-tic activity,” ECHR documents show.The ECHR ruled that Azerbaijan must pay

Ismayilova 20,000 euros in compensation.

India Wins $40MDefense Deal to SupplyArmenia Radar Systems NEW DELHI (Times Now) — In a significant victo-

ry for the country’s defense sector, India beat Russiaand Poland to bag a $40 million defense deal to sup-ply locally-built weapon locating radars to Armenia,it was announced on March 1. The radar system is developed by the state-owned

Defense Research and Development Organization’s(DRDO’s) Electronics and Radar DevelopmentEstablishment (LRDE) Bengaluru-based laboratoryand manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited(BEL).“The deal is for supplying four Swathi Weapon

Locating Radars developed by the Defense Researchand Development Organization (DRDO) and manu-factured by the Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) toArmenia in Europe,” government sources said.

Iconic Istanbul CatholicChurch for Sale

ISTANBUL (Ahval) — A legal battle has beenlaunched over the fate of Istanbul’s iconic CatholicChurch of St. Anthony of Padua after a man claimingto represent its owners made moves to put thechurch up for sale, Turkey’s Yeniçag newspaperreported on February 28.The church’s high priest, Iulian Pista, has filed an

injunction to stop the sale with support from theVatican’s lawyers, the newspaper said.The Church of St. Anthony, which occupies a

prime position in central Beyoglu district, serves thelargest Catholic congregation in the city.But the 1912 building’s future has been placed in

doubt after a Turkish man, Sebahattin Gök, travelledto Italy, the United States and France to obtainpower of attorney from the owners of the land thechurch is built on and put it up for sale, Yeniçag said.The court will decide on whether to uphold Pista’s

injunction in the coming days, Yeniçag said.

International NewsBy Suzan Fraser and

Albert Aji

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey shotdown a Syrian fighter jet in Syria’s Idlibprovince Tuesday, March 3, marking thethird such incident in as many days, assteady clashes between the two nation-al armies continued over a Russia-backed Syrian government offensivenear the Turkish border.State-run Syrian media said troops

shot down a Turkish drone, keeping upa clash in the skies over the northwest-ern province that has gone on for daysand signaled a new stage in the 9-year-old war.Ahead of a much-anticipated summit

later this week between the presidentsof Turkey and Russia, the two mainpower brokers in Syria, Russian ForeignMinister Sergey Lavrov again laid theblame for the escalation squarely onTurkey.Russian officials have said they hold

Turkey responsible for the collapse of acease-fire agreement reached in Sochi,Russia in 2018, saying Ankara had notheld up its end to rein in militants whocontinued attacking Syrian and Russiantargets.“The solution to the problem lies in

implementing the (Sochi) agreements.They are not being implemented,”Lavrov said after meeting with hisFinnish counterpart Pekka Haavisto inHelsinki on Tuesday. He expressed hopethat the scheduled Thursday meetingbetween Russian and Turkish presi-dents in Moscow will change the situa-tion.Keeping up the pressure on the bat-

tlefield, Turkey’s military downed a war-plane belonging to Syrian government

forces — for the third time since Sunday.The Syrian military said Turkish forcestargeted a warplane with a missile as itwas carrying out operations against“terrorist groups” in the rebel-held Idlibregion, causing it to crash northwest ofthe town of Maaret al-Numan. The fateof the crew was not clear.Turkey has sent thousands of troops

into Idlib to support the oppositionfighters holed up there, but hasn’t beenable to roll back the government’sadvance.Turkish President Recep Tayyip

Erdogan has said he hopes to broker acease-fire in Syria later this week whenhe meets with Russian PresidentVladimir Putin in Moscow.But the Russian-backed offensive into

the country’s last rebel-held area has ledto increasingly frequent clashesbetween the Syrian and Turkish armiesthat have killed dozens on both sides. Ithas also threatened a collapse inTurkish cooperation with Moscow, a keybacker of Syrian President BasharAssad.Turkey’s Defense Ministry said one

Turkish soldier was killed and nine oth-ers were wounded in an attack Tuesday,prompting Turkey’s military to strike at82 Syrian government targets in retalia-tion. Another soldier was killed onMonday, the ministry said. That raisedto 56 the Turkish losses this month inclashes with Russian-backed Syrianforces. The death toll includes 33Turkish soldiers killed Thursday in a sin-gle airstrike.The government’s offensive has also

sparked one of the Syrian war’s worsthumanitarian crises. Almost a millionSyrian civilians have fled north towardthe sealed Turkish border, overwhelm-ing camps already crowded above capac-ity.

Tensions in Idlib rose following theSyrian strike that killed the 33 Turkishsoldiers. Turkey responded with droneattacks and shelling that killed morethan 90 Syrian troops and allied gun-men.Outraged by the assault against its

forces in Syria, Turkey has opened itswestern borders for thousands ofmigrants and refugees wanting to crossinto Europe, triggering a rush on theland and sea frontiers with Greece. It isAnkara’s latest bid to pressure theEuropean Union to help handle the fall-out from the disastrous Syrian war.Turkey, which hosts over 3.5 millionSyrian war refugees, was an early sup-porter of the rebels who sought to top-ple Assad after an uprising against hisrule erupted in March 2011.Lavrov said Moscow fully understands

the severity of the migrant issue andwhat it means for the European Union.“We’re engaged in a dialogue with

the EU on this issue but we cannot stopfighting terrorism to solve the refugeeproblem, even though we are constantlybeing called upon to do so,” he said.Idlib, home to more than 3 million

civilians, is dominated by al-Qaida-linkedfactions, but Russia and the Syrian gov-ernment label all opposition to Assad as“terrorist.”Meanwhile, the U.S. Representative to

the United Nations, Kelly Craft,announced the U.S. would provide anadditional $108 million in humanitarianassistance for Syrians in response to thecrisis. Craft, who traveled to Turkey’sborder with Syria, said the funds wouldprovide food, shelter, clothing and othermaterial for people in Syria and theregion.“While money will help address

urgent needs, it’s not the answer,” Craftsaid.

Turkey Downs Syrian Fighter Jet in Northwest Idlib

By Ismail Einashe

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (BBC) — Mysearch for the last Armenians of Ethiopiabegan in Piassa, the bustling commercialcenter of the old part of the capital, AddisAbaba.On previous visits to the city, I had

always been intrigued by the snippets Ihad heard about the community and itshistory.There had long been a connection

between Ethiopia and Armenia throughthe Orthodox Church. But this devel-oped beyond priests, to bring in diplo-mats and traders.In the 19th Century, a handful of

Armenians played a vital role in the courtof Emperor Menelik II.And later, in the early 20th century, a

community settled that went on to havean economic and cultural impact in thecountry.On a sticky afternoon, I stood outside

the gates of the exquisite St GeorgeArmenian Apostolic Holy Church thatwas built in the 1930s.It looked closed but I called out

“selam” — “hello” in Amharic.A confused-looking elderly security

guard came out and after I explained that Iwanted to look around, he went to fetchSimon, the Armenian-Ethiopian caretaker.The quiet, dignified man came out and

told me that they do not get many visi-tors.

Haile Selassie’s influenceThe church is rarely open, as there is

no priest these days, and the community,of no more than 100, is mostly elderly.Inside the church, the altar is ornately

decorated and red Persian rugs cover thefloor.

This was the heart of the communitythat began to grow in numbers duringthe rule of Haile Selassie who, as RasTafari, became prince regent of Ethiopiain 1916 and Emperor from 1930 to 1974.Under his leadership, Ethiopia began to

rapidly modernize and Armenian courtiers,businessmen and traders played an impor-tant role in this transition.In 1924, Ras Tafari visited the

Armenian monastery in Jerusalem,where he met a group of 40 children whohad been orphaned by the mass killing ofArmenians by Ottoman Turks duringWorld War I.Moved by their plight, he asked the

Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem if hecould take them to Ethiopia and lookafter them there.The 40 orphans, or arba lijoch in

Amharic, were all trained in music andwent on to form the imperial brass bandof Ethiopia.They were led by an Armenian, Kevork

Nalbandian, who composed the imperialanthem.The community reached its zenith in

the 1960s when it numbered 1,200.Despite their small numbers they had

a crucial role in ushering Ethiopia intothe modern world - from helping to devel-op the distinctive Ethiopian jazz style toworking as tailors, doctors, business peo-ple and serving in the imperial court.But as the Armenian community was

tied to the imperial history of the coun-try, once the emperor fell the communitydeclined.Haile Selassie was overthrown in 1974

by the Marxist Derg junta, which went onto seize businesses and property, includ-ing that of the Armenians.Their numbers tumbled as many fled

to North America and Europe.But a few stayed and some married

within the local community, creating aunique blend of Armenian and Ethiopiancultures.They can still be seen in the church for

special religious celebrations.But there is also the Armenian social

club, which has a restaurant thatreminds people of the taste of home.Simon, the church caretaker, told me

that I should go.It was a Tuesday night and, apart from

my friend and myself, there was a groupof three Armenian-Ethiopian womenwho were delighted to see strangers inthe restaurant.They admitted that the community

was not what it used to be. But the socialclub remained as a way to keep it alive.That night, as I tucked into delicious

and sumptuous börek and lula kebabs, Ifelt I was tasting the history of theArmenians in Ethiopia.(This story first appeared on the BBC

website on March 1.)

Two women at church (BBC photo courtesyof Getty Images)

Letter from Africa: Ethiopia’s lost Armenian Community

S A T U R D A Y, M A R C H 7 , 2 0 2 0 T H E A R M E N I A N M I R R O R - S P E C TAT O R 5

INTERNATIONAL

TBILISI — The official reception of PrimeMinister Nikol Pashinyan on March 3 visitedTbilisi, where he was welcomed by hisGeorgian counterpart, Giorgi Gakharia.Then the Prime Ministers had a private

talk. In his speech, Giorgi Gakharia said:“Dear Prime Minister, Nikol, I am pleased tohave the opportunity to host you in Georgia.We work at the government level on a dailybasis to deepen our neighborly relations. Iam confident that our meeting today will alsoserve as a good basis for the deepening ofrelations between the two peoples. ” Gakharia added that Armenia and Georgia

live in a complex region and both countriesunderstand that regional stability is the basisfor the development of states. “We must firsttake care of the peace of our countries andthen political, economic, cultural issues,” theGeorgian Prime Minister said. Pashinyan also thanked for the invitation

and warm reception. “Dear Prime Minister,Dear Giorgi, The importance of our coun-tries’ relations is hard to overestimate. Ourcountries have deep cultural, political, histor-ical ties. We have lived side by side for mil-lennia, and it is time to think about our jointdevelopment in this region, if not millennia,then centuries. What I am saying is not sim-ply a beautiful formulation, but our percep-tions of our relations with Georgia are of astrategic nature. Our countries have broadercooperation in both common and differenti-ated, but we view our regional relations on acompletely different plane. Another factorstrengthening Armenian-Georgian relationsis the commitment to democratic values. Thisis another important corner stone. “NikolPashinyan said. The Prime Minister empha-sized that during the last one and a half yearsthe cooperation with Georgia has been ableto give a new quality and expressed convic-tion that this visit will further strengthen thelevel of bilateral cooperation. NikolPashinyan added that the governments of thetwo countries succeed in pushing forward allagreements with clear steps.Afterwards Nikol Pashinyan and Giorgi

Gakharia continued the negotiations in anextended format.Pashinyan noted that there is a great deal

of unused potential in the Armenian-Georgian relations and its full implementa-tion is an important part of the bilateralagenda. According to the head of theArmenian government, the executive bodiesof the two countries here have many oppor-tunities to bring economic cooperation to awhole new level. “Democracy is also impor-tant in this respect, because in my view, ifpeople perceive Armenia and Georgia asdemocratic territories, the investment attrac-tiveness of our countries will increase. Werespectfully aspire to Georgia’s Euro-Atlanticintegration. It turns out that our countries

have different perceptions of security sys-tems, but in my opinion we have a generalidea of our security. Armenia cannot be asecurity threat to Georgia, and Georgia can-not be a threat to Armenia,” Pashinyanemphasized, adding that half a month afterassuming the post of Prime Minister ofArmenia, he proposed this formula during hisvisit to Georgia as a basis for bilateral rela-tions.“We welcome Georgia’s position that all

conflicts should be resolved peacefully. Ingeneral, the conflicts in the world and in ourregion are completely different from eachother, in their content, origin, history anddepth. The fact that we are members of theEAEU [Eurasian Economic Uion] and thatGeorgia has signed a free trade agreementwith the EU [European Union] creates newopportunities for our cooperation, and dis-cussing them will be at the heart of our dis-cussions,” Pashinyan said.Afterwards, the interlocutors discussed a

number of issues on the Armenian-Georgianagenda. The parties attached importance tothe steps aimed at expanding trade and eco-nomic cooperation and in this context con-sidered necessary to undertake measures

aimed at deepening business ties. NikolPashinyan and Giorgi Gakharia touchedupon prospective projects in transport, ener-

gy and other fields,highlighting thedevelopment of tran-sit potential of thetwo countries in thefield of land, electric-ity and telecommuni-cations.The parties also

exchanged views oncooperation in thefields of high tech-nology, educationand science.Issues of regional

importance were alsotouched upon. Bothleaders stressed theimportance of exclu-sively peaceful meansto resolve conflicts.Pashinyan was

later hosted byGeorgian PresidentSalome Zurabishvili.W e l c o m i n g

P a s h i n y a n ,Zurabishvili praisedthe friendly relationsbetween the twocountries and noted

that the issues and initiatives discussed attoday’s meetings would give a new impetusto the further development and strengthen-ing of relations.“It is a pleasure to meet you again. I can

state that the Armenian-Georgian relationshave been developing since our first meet-ing,” Pashinyan said, expressing confidencethat during the visit new opportunities fordevelopment of interstate cooperation wouldbe outlined.Pashinyan and Zurabishvili discussed a

number of issues on the agenda of Armenian-Georgian relations. Afterwards the discus-sions continued during the official dinner.Pashinyan later met with Georgian

Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze.Talakvadze stressed the importance of the

active cooperation between the governmentsand parliaments of the two countries andemphasized that this visit would contributeto the further strengthening and expansionof the ties between the Armenian andGeorgian peoples. He praised the coopera-tion formed between the parliamentariansboth in bilateral relations and on interna-tional platforms. Pashinyan stressed the importance of close

cooperation between the parliamentdeputies, noting that the close relations ofthe Armenian and Georgian parliamentarianshave an important contribution to the devel-opment of good neighborly relations betweenthe two countries.

Georgian Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze, left, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan

Prime Minister Pashinyan Pays High-Level Visit to Georgia

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, right, and Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili

6

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

Knights andDaughters ofVartan to HoldArmenian GenocideCommemoration inTimes Square

NEW YORK — The 105th anniversary ofthe Armenian Genocide will take place inTimes Square, on Sunday, April 26, from 2 to4 p.m. Join thousands in solidarity alongsidenoted politicians, academics and artists tohonor the victims of the Armenian Genocidewhile advancing the fight towards globalrecognition. Special accolades will be givento the US House and Senate for standing onthe right side of history and approving mea-sures formally recognizing the ArmenianGenocide.

Cultural aspects of the program will be pre-sented by members of the Armenian home-land as well as the Diaspora. Students fromthe Sipan Armenian School of Paramus, NJ,will sing the Armenian and Americananthems. The commemoration will be led bythe masters of ceremonies Armen McOmber,Esq. and Nvair Beylerian.

In conjunction with the Times SquareCommemoration, the Knights and Daughtersof Vartan sponsor an annual global essaycontest and Young Professionals event, 100Years & Beyond, for the New York metroarea.

The annual Armenian GenocideCommemoration in Times Square is spon-sored by the Knights of Vartan andDaughters of Vartan, a national fraternalorganization, and co-sponsored by theArmenian General Benevolent Union,Armenian Assembly of America, ArmenianNational Committee of America, ArmenianDemocratic Liberal Party, ArmenianMissionary Association of America, theArmenian Bar Association and the ArmenianCouncil of America; participating organiza-tions include the Diocese of the ArmenianChurch, Prelacy of the Armenian Church,Armenian Missionary Association of America,the Tekeyan Cultural Association, ArmenianMissionary Association, ArmenianEvangelical Union, Armenian CatholicEparchy, and several national Armenianyouth organizations.

The event was founded in 1985 by the lateSam Azadian, a former Brooklyn, New Yorkresident, who lost four siblings during theArmenian Genocide

Essay Contest

The essay should be no more than 500words, double-spaced, in 12-point font.

A digitally created image, digital photo-graph or photograph of an original art piececan also be sent. Accepted file formats: .jpeg,.bmp

Films should have a running time nolonger than 5 minutes and the accepted fileformats are : .mp4, .mpeg, .mov

This is not a research paper but shouldhave original words and thoughts. The essaywill be judged on its originality, clarity, his-torical accuracy and understanding of theessay contest theme. All submissions shouldinclude the primary source link and/orname.

The contest is open to high school and col-lege students. The deadline is April 5. Emailsubmissions to apri24nyc@gmail.com.

The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners chosenby the judges will be awarded $300, $200 and$100 respectively and announced at TimesSquare and in the media.

The essay contest is sponsored by Knights& Daughters of Vartan (www.kofv.org) aninternational Armenian fraternal organiza-tion headquartered in the U.S.

A worshipper at the Vartanatz Day service

Courage and Sacrifice ofSt. Vartan Remembered

At Cathedral That Bears His Name

NEW YORK — A Vartanantz Day service and dinner program, commemorat-ing Armenian military leader and martyr St. Vartan Mamigonian, was held at

St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral onFebruary 20. The event was orga-nized under the auspices of theEastern Diocese of the ArmenianChurch, with the participation of

the Mid-Atlantic Knights and Daughters of Vartan.Bishop Daniel Findikyan, Primate of the Diocese, presided over the service

and program.The feast day began with a celebration of the Divine Liturgy officiated by the

Rev. Voski Galstyan, the newest priest of the Diocese, who was ordained by thePrimate’s hand this past summer.

A dinner followed in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium, featuringremarks by Bishop Daniel Findikyan, keynote speaker Deacon TimothyAznavourian, and Mid-Atlantic District Representatives for the Knights and theDaughters of Vartan (respectively) Dr. Edward Sanossian and Seta Izmirliyan.

In his speech, Aznavourian reflected on how the Armenian peoples’ unwa-vering commitment to Christianity throughout the centuries continues to berelevant in modern times.

“Armenian Christians today are able to refresh our souls and spirit in thebravery embodied by St. Vartan and his soldiers on the battlefield,” he said.

see VARTAN, page 11

Archbishop ScholarshipFund Rises to NewHeights to HelpChildren’s Education

BURBANK — The education of Armenian chil-dren was celebrated on Valentine’s Day, not just“in words, but in deeds.” (1 John 3:18) last week.A jovial donor appreciation dinner marking theeighth straight year of the goals of theArchbishop Derderian Scholarship Fund of theWestern Diocese was held at Casitas Hollywoodamong supporters who recognized the necessityof scholarship and financial aid to assistArmenian schools in retaining student enroll-ment. Since the inception of the ScholarshipFund in 2012, it has grown to new heights, pro-viding over $285,000 in assistance to a multitudeof need-based students in 11 Armenian schools.

“Education plays a continuous role in allspheres in the lives of our children. Your pres-ence tonight, and your support over the years istruly an act of love demonstrated by your faithin our children as the leaders of tomorrow,”said Derderian, whose vision was the motivat-ing strength behind this philanthropic mission.“I am immensely grateful for your trust in thismost important mission for our childrenbecause now more than ever, there is a need tofulfill unmet financial obligations of students

who wish to pursue an education in ourArmenian schools.

The evening began with an outdoor cham-pagne reception where board members and thePrimate, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, greet-ed guests before proceeding indoors for dinnerand a program. Guests were then welcomed bythe senior advisor to the board, RoyBoulghourjian, who highlighted the impor-tance of the Scholarship Fund mission. “Wevalue each of you for your unwavering supportwhich has proved instrumental in retaining stu-dent enrollment in the Armenian schools,” hesaid. He invited Rev. Khajag Shahbazian, pastorof St. Leon Cathedral to give the invocation andblessing of the tables.

During the course of the evening, DiranAvagyan, project manager at the WesternDiocese and an advisor, said it was “an honor”to serve on the board with “talented and

see SCHOLARSHIPS, page 5

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, (AliceChakrian in background.)

Diran Avagyan, Project Manager and Advisor

By Steve Nigohosian

(PHOTO BY ALBIN LOHR-JONES)

Primate Bishop Daniel Findikyan

(LBIN LOHR-JONES PHOTO)

SCHOLARSHIPS, from page 6dedicated individuals whose philanthropicimpact on our community has enabled youngpeople to achieve their dreams by keeping themenrolled in Armenian schools.”

Avagyan explained that donations to the fundcould also be made through the newly estab-lished website (www.abpderderianscholarship-fund.com), which was created with the help ofmember Michael Zakian.

Alice Chakrian, founding chair of the fund,communicated her passion for the “Send YourLove to a Child in Need” theme of the program.

“From inception, this has been a mission ofLove to keep our children engaged in Armenianschools, strengthening their love of languageand faith in church and homeland.” Chakrianexpressed wholehearted gratitude for the suc-

cess of the program through the vision of Abp.Derderian, and thanked donors and Boardmembers alike for their support of her leader-ship of eight years as Chairlady of theScholarship Fund.

Chakrian will be relinquishing her position toEileen Keusseyan, Esq. “This mission is a laborof love, and under the auspices of PrimateHovnan Derderian, the Board and I entrust itsleadership to dear friend and colleague EileenKeusseyan.”

Attendees gave a standing ovation toChakrian for her years of drive that became themotivating force affecting the progress andprosperity of the Scholarship Fund. On behalfof the Board, Keusseyan presented her with adiamond heart, a symbol of Chakrian’s unwa-vering love for the mission. “You have raised

the bar with your enthusiasm and devotion,”said Keusseyan. “It is our moral duty to contin-ue to make the vision a growing truth.”

The festive evening continued into the nightwith musical entertainment by Artist NariHarutuyunyan and DJ Toro & Associates.

The Hovnan Derderian Scholarship Fundwas established on the conviction that each andevery Armenian student is entitled to anArmenian education within an Armenianschool. Through scholarship and financial assis-tance program, The Fund is dedicated to help-ing Armenian students in financial need whoare intent on pursuing their studies in anArmenian school, which has the added benefitof improving our community at large and devel-oping leaders who are committed to servingtheir Church and their people.

Current main recipients of the ArchbishopHovnan Derderian Scholarship Fund include:AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School (CanogaPark, CA); the Armenian Sisters Academy (LaCrescenta, CA); the C&E Merdinian ArmenianEvangelical School (Sherman Oaks, CA); St.

Gregory A. & M. Hovsepian School (Pasadena,CA); Sahag Mesrob Armenian Christian School,(Pasadena CA) (2007); the Western Diocese ofthe Armenian Church of North AmericaSaturday Schools (Burbank, CA); AmericanUniversity of Armenia (pillar), FLAG DualImmersion Programs (GUSD), MoshataghSchool, Kashatagh Region (Artsakh)

Under the auspices of the Primate Abp.Hovnan Derderian, members of the ScholarshipFund Board are: Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazian,Chairlady, Alice Chakrian; Vice Chairlady,Eileen Keusseyan, Esq.; Diran Avagyan,Diocesan Advisor; Ann Anahid Andreassian,Endowment Funds Manager; ArmineBedrossian, Scholarship Funds Manager; RoyBoulghourjian, Senior Advisor; PeggyKankababian, Media Relations; AngelaParsegian, Secretary; Silvana Vartanian,Treasurer; Advisors, Vicki Grigorian, SilvaKatchiguian, Dr. Kris Mirzayan, Silva Sepetjianand Liz Zorian. Leadership Council: Abp.Hovnan Derderian, Alice Chakrian, Dr. ElieAndreassian and Hagop Hagopian.

7S A T U R D A Y, M A R C H 7 , 2 0 2 0 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

Archbishop Scholarship Fund Rises to New Heights to Help Children’s Education

ABP Scholarship Board L -R: Diran Avagyan, Silva Katchiguian, Silvana Vartanian, AnahidAndreassian, Alice Chakrian, Vicki Grigorian, Peggy Kankababian, Liz Zorian, Eileen Keusseyan, RoyBoulghourjian, Silva Sepetjian, Armine Bedrossian and Angela Parsegian.

Alice Chakrian, outgoing Chair and EileenKeusseyan, Incoming Chair Roy Boulghourjian, Senior Advisor

WATERTOWN — Anet’s Collection, a luxuryaccessories company Based in Los Angeles, andNew Paths-Bridging Armenian Women, aninclusive on-line networking group, are launch-ing a collaboration during March, celebratingInternational Women’s Day with a portion of

the proceeds to benefit Women’s SupportCenter of Armenia.

Anet Abnous, founder and designer of Anet’sCollection, along with co-founders, ArmineHovhannissian and Rosalyn Minassian of NewPaths-Bridging Armenian Women, a volunteer-based group on Facebook, are committed toconnecting, empowering and supportingwomen of Armenian heritage world-wide; arecombing their creative talent and communica-tion skills. The main purpose for the collabora-tion is to create greater awareness for theWomen’s Support Center of Armenia and withyour participation, bring forth real change in

the lives of women and families.There will be 10 percent off all purchases

from www.anetscollection.com during themonth of March and Abnous will donate 20 per-cent of sale prices to the Women SupportCenter in Armenia. Use Promo code WSC10 at

checkout to receive the discount.Women’s Support Center, www.womensup-

portcenter.org maintains two shelters with pro-fessional staff dedicated to serving victims andchildren of domestic abuse. According to WSC’sExecutive Director, Maro Matosian, “Violenceagainst women-especially domestic violence isan alarming public health and societal problemin Armenia, one in four women experiencedomestic abuse in the country.” Your gift willmake a significant difference in the lives ofwomen by providing hygiene essentials, schoolsupplies and clothes for survivors who quicklyleave their homes for a safe shelter.

Luxury Scarves, Women’s Online SupportNetwork Raise Funds for Shelter in Yerevan

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

GiragosianF U N E R A L H O M E

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COMMUNITY NEWS

OBITUARY

BURLINGTON, Mass. — Richard Martin“Dick” Kazanjian died peacefully at his homesurrounded by his family and friends onFebruary 29.

Born on September 8, 1935, in Stoneham, toJohn and Victoria (Derderian) Kazanjian, hespent his youth in Watertown and Medford.

After graduation from Tufts University in1958, he proudly served as an artillery officerin the United States Marine Corps, with serviceaboard ship and on land in several countries.

He and his family lived in Winchester for 52years.

He leaves his wife of 57 years, Cynthia(Hintlian); son Rick of Chandler, AZ, daughterAndrea Krikorian and her husband NeilKrikorian, and his grandsons Vaughan and ColeKrikorian of Tyngsboro, Mass. He is also sur-vived by brother-in-law Aram Hintlian and hiswife Becky, sister-in-law Nancy Hintlian (Florida),and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces.

As the eldest of five children, he was prede-ceased by his brother John Kazanjian, and sur-vived by remaining siblings, Barbara Purks,(California), and Robert and Edward Kazanjian(Florida).

Devotion is a word which described Dick’slife, whether to his Church, his family, or theCommunity. He was a devoted member of theFirst Armenian Church of Belmont, serving asa past chairman of the Board of Trustees andChurch Moderator for many years. After the1988 Armenian Earthquake, he worked to raisemoney for the Armenian Children’s Milk Fund(Armenian Missionary Association).

He was active in the Winchester Communityas a Capital Planning Board and Town Meetingmember.

Dick was a dutiful Scottish Rite Mason afterearlier reaching Master Councilor in theMedford DeMolay, and an Aleppo Shriner.

He was a past president of Medford Rotaryand was recognized as a “Paul Harris Fellow”

by Rotary International. He served as a BoardMember of the Medford Co-operative Bank.

He will be remembered as a true friend, forhis kind and generous nature as well as hissuperb BBQ skills on display at numerous FirstArmenian Church and Holy Trinity ArmenianChurch Bazaars, Men’s Clubs, and SundayFamily Dinners. He loved golf and played inmany benefit golf outings. He adored his grand-sons and was a ubiquitous presence at theirsporting events and other activities, enjoyingevery minute of them.

Guests are kindly invited to visiting hours atThe First Armenian Church, 380 ConcordAvenue Belmont, MA from 5 to 8 p.m. onThursday, March 5. Funeral Services are takingplace at the First Armenian Church at 11 a.m.on Friday, March 6, with interment atWildwood Cemetery, 34 Palmer Street,Winchester, MA, immediately following funeralservices.

Richard Martin ‘Dick’ Kazanjian Veteran, Active in Church, Community

WASHINGTON — On February 28, the ViceChair of the House Democratic CaucusRepresentative Katherine Clark (MA-5) issuedthe following statement which was entered intothe Congressional Record:

“Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize the30th anniversary of the anti-Armenian pogroms inthen-Soviet Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku.

In January 1990, a violent seven-day long riot inBaku broke out against the city’s ethnic Armeniancivilian population. Approximately 90 Armenianswere killed, and hundreds more were brutally beat-en and forced to abandon their homes. The BakuPogrom was just one of several anti-Armenianattacks that took place across Azerbaijan from1988 to 1990 that were enabled by the Azerbaijanigovernment. From Sumgait to Kirovabad andBaku, Armenian Christians living in the countrywere murdered, raped, and robbed. These viciousattacks led to the displacement of thousands ofArmenian families fleeing the targeted violence asrefugees.

These were crimes against humanity thathave still gone unrecognized by Azerbaijan. Icall upon their government to acknowledge andcondemn these acts of violence, actively prose-cute the perpetrators of these crimes, and takeall appropriate action so that these atrocitiesnever happen again.

Throughout history, the Armenian peoplehave been targets of violence, murder and geno-cide. We must emphatically condemn these

actions and any efforts to erase these atrocitiesfrom our collective memory. Failure to do sowill only serve to embolden purveyors of vio-lence against religious and ethnic minoritiesaround the globe. I look forward to workingwith my colleagues in the Armenian Caucus tocontinue pushing policies promoting peace andhuman rights for Armenians and for all.

If we do not stand up to hate, we cannot endof the cycle of intolerance.”

Rep. Katherine Clark

Rep. Clark Issues Statement on 30th AnniversaryOf Anti-Armenian Pogroms in Baku, AzerbaijanFormer US Attorney to Speak at St. James’ Men’s

Club MeetingWATERTOWN — On Monday, December 2, there will be a St. James Armenian Church

Men’s Club dinner meeting at the St. James Charles Mosesian Cultural and Youth Centerin Watertown. Guest speaker will be Christopher F. Bator, US attorney from Cambridge.Bator’s topic will be “Violent Crime in the Greater Boston Area.” A question-and-answersession will follow.

A retired US attorney from Cambridge, Bator now serves on the faculty of the TrialAdvocacy Workshop at Harvard Law School. He also currently serves as a Board

Member and Treasurer of the Cambridge RedevelopmentAuthority and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees ofthe Alma del Mar Charter School in New Bedford.

Bator prosecuted violent drug and organized crime casesas an assistant US attorney in Boston for more than 27years. He obtained his bachelor’s degree from HarvardCollege in 1976, and his JD from Boston University LawSchool in 1985. He was an associate at Hale and Dorr (nowWilmer Hale) in Boston from 1986-1990.

Other elements of Bator’s career in law include:1974-75,Assistant to Deputy Mayor, Boston; 1977- 1980, Assistantto the Commissioner of the Department of Health andHospitals/Director of Boston City Hospital, Boston; 1980-1982 Assistant to Mayor Kevin H. White, Boston; 1986-1990, Associate, Hale and Dorr (now Wilmer Hale) Boston

and-1990-2017, Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S, Attorney’s Office, Boston.This St. James Men’s Club dinner meeting will begin with a social hour and mezza at

6:15 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. Mezza and Losh Kebab & Kheyma Dinner $17/person.Ladies are invited.

9S A T U R D A Y, M A R C H 7 , 2 0 2 0 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

District Court Judge KristaHartounian Runs forReelection in Michigan

REDFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Judge KristaHaroutunian has served as a Redford TownshipDistrict Court Judge since October of 2018,when she was appointed by then Governor ofMichigan, Rick Snyder.

Haroutunian had been in private law practicewith her father and mother for 20 years; andhad also served as a special assistant attorneygeneral representing Adult Protective Services.

She served actively on the two legislativebodies of the State Bar of Michigan, including8 years on the Representative Assembly, chair-ing various sub-committees and special com-mittees; as well as 3 years on the Board ofCommissioners, serving on the Budget commit-tee for 2 years. Haroutunian continues to be amember of various bar associations in Wayneand Oakland Counties, including the ArmenianAmerican Bar Association in Michigan.

Since 1998 Haroutunian has been a member ofMaro chapter of the Armenian Relief Society. Inaddition, she has been a member of the MichiganWomen’s Commission since 2011 (a MichiganConstitutionally mandated commission comprisedof 15 women from across the State addressing anumber of issues regarding women).

Haroutunian earned a bachelor’s degree fromthe University of Michigan in 1993, and jurisdoctor degree from Detroit College of Law atMichigan State University in 1998.

Haroutunian is running to retain her seat thisyear. The campaign committee is holding areception on Tuesday, March 10, at HagopianWorld of Rugs in Birmingham, 6-8 p.m.Donations are $75 per person with sponsorshipopportunities available.

No corporate checks are allowed. Cash dona-tions are prohibited. Checks can be madepayable to Committee to Retain Judge KristaHaroutunian, P.O. Box 39937, Redford, MI48239 or RSVP by email toinfo@JudgeKristaforRedfordCourt.com.

Judge Krista Hartounian

FRESNO — Dr. David Gutman will speak on “Sojourners,Smugglers, and Dubious Citizens: The Politics of ArmenianMigration to North America, 1885-1915” on Tuesday, March 10,at 7:30 p.m. in the University Business Center, Alice PetersAuditorium, Room 191 on the Fresno State campus.

The presentation is part of the Spring 2020 Lecture Series ofthe Armenian Studies Program and is supported by the Leon S.Peters Foundation.

Between 1885 and 1915, roughly 8,000 Armenians migratedbetween the Ottoman Empire and North America. For much ofthis period, Ottoman state authorities viewed Armenianmigrants, particularly those who returned to the empire aftersojourns abroad, as a political threat to the empire’s security. Inresponse, Istanbul worked vigorously to prevent Armenians bothfrom migrating to and returning from North America.

In response, dense smuggling networks emerged to assistmigrants in bypassing this migration ban. The dynamics thatshaped the evolution of these networks resemble those that drivethe phenomenon of migrant smuggling in the present day.Furthermore, as this talk will discuss, migrants who returnedhome found themselves stuck in an uneasy legal limbo as bothOttoman and United States governments disavowed them as cit-izens, leaving them vulnerable to deportation from their ownancestral lands. As this talk contends, the Armenian migratoryexperience in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuriesboth parallels and sheds light on themes such as smuggling,deportation, and the criminalization of migration, that are cen-tral to the issue of global migration in the 21st century.

Gutman is associate professor of history at ManhattanvilleCollege, New York. He received his PhD in history fromBinghamton University. He is the author of The Politics ofArmenian Migration in the Late Ottoman Empire: Sojourners,Smugglers, and Dubious Citizens (Edinburgh: EdinburghUniversity Press, 2019).

The lecture is free and open to the public. Dr. David Gutman

Dr. David Gutman to Speak on ‘Sojourners, Smugglers, and Dubious Citizens’ at Fresno State

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COMMUNITY NEWS

WASHINGTON — On February 27, the HouseAppropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations,and Related Programs held a hearing for Members ofCongress to testify and submit requests for the Fiscal Year2021. Among those who testified in person wereRepresentatives Judy Chu (D-CA) and Jim Costa (D-CA), whorequested robust funding to Artsakh (also known as Nagorno-Karabakh) including de-mining, reported the ArmenianAssembly of America (Assembly).

In her testimony, Chu requested $10 million to continueAmerica’s successful and life-saving de-mining program inNagorno-Karabakh. She also underlined the troubling dis-parity of US military aid between Armenia and Azerbaijan bynoting, “This request of $10 million pales in comparison tothe $100 million in security assistance given to Azerbaijan, sowe can be sure that financial constraints are not the obstaclehere.” Last year, working in tandem with The HALO Trust,the Assembly helped spearhead a letter on the importance offunding for de-mining in Artsakh.

Costa also highlighted the importance of demining stating:“I think it is our moral duty as a nation to continue to leadthis humanitarian effort, and I strongly urge this committeeto robustly fund non-proliferation, anti-terrorism, de-mining,and related programs,” said Congressman Costa during histestimony. He too urged that operations to clear mines con-tinue by The HALO Trust. “These programs are critical acrossthe globe as we try to strive for peace and democracy as we

try to stabilize troubled areas,” he added.Earlier this week, Armenian Assembly Congressional

Relations Director Mariam Khaloyan outlined key prioritiesin congressional testimony submitted to the HouseAppropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations,and Related Programs.

The Assembly’s testimony calls for: $25 million in assis-tance to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh); $10 million in militaryassistance to Armenia; $100 million in democracy and eco-nomic development assistance to Armenia; and to reverse andrectify the severe military imbalance between Armenia andAzerbaijan. The Assembly also urges robust assistance toChristian and other minority communities at risk in theMiddle East, as well as to more than 20,000 refugees inArmenia, and $20 million to support Armenia’s efforts toserve as a regional safe haven for refugees.

The Assembly’s testimony drew specific attention to thedisparity in US military aid between Azerbaijan and Armeniawidely reported last year. At the 2019 National AdvocacyConference, the Assembly raised serious concerns and urgedCongress to remedy this issue and uphold the letter and spir-it of Section 907 by ensuring military aid parity. Further,given Azerbaijan’s war rhetoric and cease-fire violations, theAssembly also recommended that Congress cease any and allmilitary assistance to Azerbaijan.

On another priority, the subject of Armenia’s progress indemocratic development, Khaloyan added, “Given these

remarkable advances to Armenia, we welcomedCongresswoman Jackie Speier’s amendment last year to pro-vide $40 million in additional democratic assistance and urgenot less than $100 million in FY 2021 for Armenia’s contin-ued institutional reforms and economic development. Bydoing so, Congress will loudly signal that America stronglysupports and invests in democracy, which will have a pro-found effect across the globe.”

Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA), Congressman Jim Costa(D-CA)

Members of Congress, Armenian Assembly Outline Priorities for Armenia, Artsakh

WASHINGTON — Congressional ArmenianCaucus leaders joined with human rights advocatesand Armenian American community leaders in asolemn remembrance of the 30th anniversary ofthe anti-Armenian pogroms in Baku, featuringbipartisan calls for continued US humanitarian aidto Artsakh, reported the Armenian NationalCommittee of America (ANCA).

“I stand with you and the people of Artsakh andtheir rejection of the repeated attempts by theAzerbaijani government to bring them back underoppressive rule,” said Congressional ArmenianCaucus Co-Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL). “They foughtfor their freedom, their right for self-determination,and the opportunity to be greater than second-classcitizens. I’m glad to be here today as we recognizethe 30th Anniversary of the Baku pogroms, and

stand in solidarity with the people of the Republicof Artsakh.”

“The US stands on the side of democracy andpeace – and that means standing with theArmenian people,” said Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), whocharacterized the anti-Armenian attacks in Baku,Sumgait, and Kirovabad “a direct assault on theright to self-determination of Artsakh – and it is anassault that is continuing to this day.” Chu, whotraveled to Artsakh in 2019, successfully led anamendment to the FY2020 National DefenseAuthorization Act urging the implementation ofcommon-sense Royce-Engel proposals, calling forthe removal of snipers, deployment of additionalOSCE monitors, and placement of gun-fire locatorsto facilitate Artsakh peace negotiations. Armeniaand Artsakh support the proposals, while

Azerbaijan continues to oppose them.Congressional Armenian Caucus founding Co-

Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ), who is the most trav-eled Congressional leader to Artsakh, noted that hefirst met survivors of the Baku attacks in the early1990’s during a visit to Armenia. He noted thatpogroms such as these have roots in times evenbefore the Armenian Genocide and the importanceof vigilance to ensure they never happen again.Pallone then cited ongoing efforts to supportArtsakh, including the appropriation of US fundsfor de-mining efforts and maintaining military aidparity between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“This fight is not just for Armenian people, butfor all oppressed people all over the world, regard-less of who you are because if we don’t speak uphere, who will,” said Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL),

who called for perseverancein the fight to secure adurable and democratic res-olution to the Artsakh con-flict. Earlier in the day, in aCongressional statementcommemorating the Bakupogroms, Krishnamoorthicalled on the Azerbaijanigovernment to “acknowl-edge that these atrocitiesoccurred and that it seeksjustice for the victims byprosecuting those whocommitted these horrificacts of violence.”

“The Armenian peoplecontinue to make sacrificesfor the right to self-determi-nation,” stated Rep. JimCosta (D-CA) who notedthat, in the case of Artsakh,“we must never let up sothat human rights be rec-ognized.” Costa pledged tovisit Artsakh later in the

year, coinciding with the 7th annual Fresno-Armenia medical mission.

“You are doing a service to human rights in thisworld by calling attention to the pogroms in Baku,”said Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI), who, as a member ofthe House Foreign Affairs Committee, pledgedongoing support for Artsakh de-mining and otheractivities.

Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA), who traveled toArmenia and Artsakh with Chu last fall, noted that“we have to do our level best to continue fundingfor de-mining in Artsakh,” expressing disappoint-ment that the US Ambassador to Armeniaexpressed reluctance to fund the project. Inremarks on the US House floor earlier in the week,Speier noted that “even though Armenia and

Artsakh have embraced the Royce-Engel peace pro-posal, while Azerbaijan has rejected it, Artsakhcould lose the mining assistance. And today, eventhough Armenia has transformed itself into a grow-ing democracy, it is autocratic Azerbaijan that hasreceived a massive, disproportion increase in mili-tary aid from the United States. If the administra-tion won’t help those who stand for peace anddemocracy, Congress must. The legacy of Baku,Sumgait, and Kirovabad reminds me why.”

Rep. TJ Cox (D-CA), who led an amendment tosecure continued US aid to Artsakh in 2019, notedthat “Armenians in Baku were killed, tortured,robbed, and tens of thousands were forced to fleetheir homes to escape persecution, causing familiesto be uprooted and torn apart. […] The Aliyev gov-ernment continues holding a militant policy againstArmenians, especially within Artsakh. That’s whynow, more than ever, it is critical for us to strength-en our ties to Artsakh and hold Azerbaijan account-able for its actions,” concluded Cox.

“We must ensure that the victims of the Sumgaitand Baku pogroms are never forgotten and thatsuch hateful acts of violence never happen again.We must remain committed to achieving a lastingpeace in the Caucasus, and ensure that the peopleof Artsakh are able to live free from Azerbaijaniabuse and aggression,” said Rep. Jan Schakowsky(D-IL), referencing her statement submitted to theCongressional record earlier in the week.

Members of Congress in attendance receivedcopies of “The Chronicles of Karabakh”, a magnifi-cent picture book detailing the history of theArtsakh, generously donated by Ashot and AyidaPetrosyan, survivors of the Baku pogroms who hadtraveled to Washington, DC to participate in thesolemn commemoration.

Astvatsaturian Turcotte: “Just as with anti-Semitism, rooting out the hatred toward Armenianscannot be done by brushing aside this history.”

The event featured moving keynote remarks byAnna Astvatsaturian Turcotte, who, along with herfamily, fled the anti-Armenian attacks inAzerbaijan’s capital, Baku, in the fall of 1989, find-ing safe haven in the US in 1992. An accomplishedlawyer, author, and human rights advocate,Astvatsaturian Turcotte, explained, “the same anti-Armenianism that made my grandfather an orphanand that made me a refugee is alive and well today.Just as with anti-Semitism, rooting out the hatredtoward Armenians cannot be done by brushingaside this history. The avoidance of calling things asthey are contributes to the anti-Armenianism at thehighest level of Azerbaijan’s government. Thesecrimes continue with shooting across the Artsakhand Armenian borders at civilians.”

Astvatsaturian Turcotte stressed, “This is thesame autocratic Azerbaijan that pardoned andmade a hero of a convicted ax-murderers of a sleep-

ing Armenian soldier during a NATO Partnershipfor Peace Program in Hungary. […] This is the sameAzerbaijan that commits war crimes on civilians liv-ing in Armenia during the April, 2016 war […] Andthe story continues. And that’s because back thenin the 1980s there was no justice for the ones thatdied, no justice for the property we lost.”

ANCA Government Affairs Director TerezaYerimyan, who introduced Astvatsaturian Turcotteat the event and served as one of two emcees forthe evening, shared the poignant story of Baku sur-vivor Rosa Akopova, who was forced to watch asher daughter was raped and killed during theattacks 30 years ago. “While working for the ANCAin Los Angeles, she [Ms. Akopova] called me to herhome to tell her story – not for pity, though shesurely deserved our sympathy,” explainedYerimyan. “No – she shared her story so that oth-ers would not share her fate. ‘Artsakh,’ she said,‘must be safe, and to be safe, it must be free — freefrom foreign rule, free from aggression, free of landmines, free to live in peace.’”

The ANCA has launched a nationwide grassrootscampaign calling for a $10 million allocation for USaid to Artsakh in the Fiscal Year 2021 Foreign AidBill, to support ongoing de-mining efforts by TheHALO Trust and rehabilitation services like thoseoffered by the Lady Cox Rehabilitation Center, inStepanakert.

Earlier in the day, Yerimyan and AstvatsaturianTurcotte advocated for broader US support forArtsakh safety and security, as well as continuedUS assistance in meetings with House ForeignAffairs Committee members Chris Smith (R-NJ) andSteve Chabot (R-OH), and House AppropriationsCommittee member Chellie Pingree (D-ME).

Armenian Ambassador, Republic of ArtsakhRepresentative Highlight Commitment to Peace;Praise US Support for Artsakh

During the course of the commemorativeevening, Artsakh Representative to the US, RobertAvetisyan, who pledged that Artsakh would contin-ue to grow strong enough to ensure that peace.“We are grateful the United States for its supportin the effort to establish peace in the regionthrough efforts like the Royce-Engel initiatives andhumanitarian de-mining,” said Avetisyan.

Armenian Ambassador to the US VaruzhanNersesian noted that the Baku Pogrom were thelatest in a series of anti-Armenian attacks datingback to 1905 and 1918, and that it took place in thebroader context of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict– a brutal and violent Azerbaijani response to thepeaceful and democratic Artsakh movement.

The Capitol Hill program was organized by theANCA, Armenian Assembly of America, Embassy ofArmenia, and the Office of the Nagorno KarabakhRepublic in cooperation with the CongressionalCaucus on Armenian Issues.

Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) andFrank Pallone (D-NJ), Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi(D-IL), ANCA Government Affairs Director Tereza Yerimyan, with Bakupogroms survivors Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte, Ayida and AshotPetrosyan at the Congressional Commemoration of the 30thAnniversary of the Baku Pogroms.

US Representatives Rally for Artsakh Aid at Capitol HillCommemoration of 30th Anniversary of Baku Pogroms

VARTAN, from page 6Aznavourian noted how the ancient

Armenian historian Yeghishe recounted thestruggle of the Armenians to retainChristianity, despite the Persians’ attempt toforce a reintroduction of Zoroastrianism.

Life Beyond DeathIn his own remarks, Findikyan added: “That

chapter of our history breathes life into who weare today. St. Vartan knew he would die, butdid not look at this tremendous challenge withworldly, human eyes. Instead, he saw it throughthe eyes of God, with life beyond death, makingit possible for us to celebrate the victory of theChristian faith to this very day.”

St. Vartan Mamigonian is revered for having

led the Armenian army at the Battle of Avarayrin A.D. 451, where Christian Armenians tookarms against the pagan Persian empire.Although Vartan and his Christian fighters weregrossly outnumbered and suffered a militarydefeat, the battle is significant in that it ulti-mately changed the course of Armenia’s history.After witnessing how unyielding the Armenianswere in defending their Christian faith with theirvery lives, the Persians eventually relented intheir bloody campaign of conversion.

The Armenians thereby secured their right to

freely practice Christianity.An Ongoing Connection

The Battle of Avarayr is marked each year byArmenians worldwide on the Thursday preced-ing the Great Lent, in recognition of the ulti-mate sacrifice made by St. Vartan and his army.The Knights and Daughters of Vartan havebeen instrumental in ensuring that St. Vartanand the Battle of Avarayr are remembered andobserved.

A strong connection to the centuries-old bat-tle was also expressed by the Vartanantzevent’s attendees, who affirmed that St.Vartan’s defense of Christianity is somethingwhich they feel appreciative of in their heartsand souls. Many of them nodded in approval as

the evening’sspeakers empha-sized the impor-tance of remember-ing the many sacri-fices that Armenianmartyrs have madein defending theirChristian faith.

In a movingmusical tribute thatsummed up thespirit of the event,vocalist and St.Vartan CathedralChoir memberSolange Merdinianprovided a culturalpresentation ofArmenian music.

Included in her repertoire of songs were inspi-rational and emotional versions of theArmenian patriotic anthems Sardarabad andArtyok Ovker En.

The audience immediately began singingalong, adding to the palpable feeling of prideand appreciation for Armenia’s staunchdefense of Christianity throughout the ages,embodied in the words of Yeghishe Vartabed,chronicler of the Vartanantz War: “Death,unanticipated, is death; death, anticipated, isimmortality.”

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Courage and Sacrifice of St. Vartan Remembered atCathedral That Bears His Name

Solange Merdinian

Seta Izmirliyan

Rev. Voski Galstya

(LBIN LOHR-JONES PHOTO)

(LBIN LOHR-JONES PHOTO)

(LBIN LOHR-JONES PHOTO)

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Western Diocese’sZoraryan MuseumTo Host Exhibit ofWorks by ArtistNikol Aghababyan

BURBANK, Calif. — The members of theZorayan Museum Committee of the Westernwill present an exhibit of the paintings ofArmenian artist Nikol Aghababyan with anofficial opening and reception on Tuesday,March 17, at 7 p.m.. The works will remain ondisplay on March 18 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate ofthe Western Diocese, states that this exhibi-tion of the paintings of Nikol Aghababyanare in keeping with the mission of theZorayan Museum to promote understandingand appreciation of Armenian ethnic, reli-gious and cultural diversity by exposing thebeauty of our Heritage and preserving andsharing the experiences with the people ofthe world.

Aghababyan’s works are inspired by thebeautiful seasons of Armenia and the richlandscapes, flowers, meadows, streams, lakes,trees, waterfalls, village life and Mt. Ararat.

Aghababyan was born in Koghb, a villageof the Tavoush region of Armenia; graduat-ing from the Yerevan Pedagogical Institute ,Faculty of Art Painting, in 1986, He is amember of the Armenian Painters Union

since 1992. He has had many exhibitions inKoghb, Noyemberyen, Ijevan, Yerevan,Nogorno-Karabakh, Syria, Moscow, St.Petersburg, Germany, Italy, France and theUnited States (Los Angeles, Fresno, NewYork). He has stated, “A painting shouldbring out the best in people. Yes, there is evilin the world, but it has no place in my worldof painting.”

The exhibition is open to the public andadmission is free.

The Zorayan Museum is located in theWestern Diocesan Complex of the ArmenianChurch of North America, 3325 NorthGlenoaks Boulevard in Burbank.

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Arts & Living

Gomidas and OtherArmenian Materials inSpanish Archives

Interview with Iván GaztañagaMADRID/YEREVAN – Iván Gaztañaga is young Spanish political scientist and

PhD in international law and international relations (University of Granada) andexpert in Middle East Studies (Hebrew University of Jerusalem). The subject of his

research is “The Genocide Against theArmenian People in Diplomatic andConsular Letters (1914-1925).” His arti-cle on the Armenian Genocide was pub-lished in the April 24 issue of the majorSpanish newspaper El Pais.

We met in 2017, during his first visit to Armenia, during which he conductedresearch at the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute as a Lemkin scholarship win-ner.

Dear Iván, as far as I know you are the first Spanish scholar the studyingArmenian Genocide.

To be honest, I don’t really know if I am the first Spanish scholar researching thistopic, but I think I was the first researcher discovering and analyzing the Genocideagainst the Armenians from this perspective: diplomatic letters in our nationalHistorical Archives. Here we have documental resources dating back to at least1915 which are witnesses of the massacres from Young Turks.

The Armenian Genocide in Spain has been treated very vaguely, possibly like theaftermath of the Great War or even like regional conflict inside Ottoman and RussiaEmpires. This is one of the reasons why the Armenian Genocide is not taught inuniversity and is not yet relevant for International Relations or International Lawdisciplines here: does not exist. We have excellent literature and research in theSpanish language from Latin America because of the large Armenian Diaspora.

The awareness of Spanish society on the Armenian issues is connected to twobooks by Gonzalo Guarch and José Antonio Gurriarán.

Gonzalo Guarch’s book El Testamento Armeni is a historical novel, not scientificresearch. He writes it as fiction and it helps the reader a lot to learn and understandthe atrocities against the Armenians by the Turks.

José Antonio Gurriarán passed away the last year and it was very sad becausedespite he was a direct victim of the terrorist attack in Madrid done by ASALA in1979, he wrote an essay about the Armenian Genocide. He paid attention to “whyan Armenian terrorist group exploded a bomb in Madrid? What are they objectivesand why?” Despite his trauma he went to Armenia and Lebanon to understand why1.5 million Armenians vanished from the Ottoman Empire in 1915.

There’s another journalist-ethnographer, Virgina Mendoza Benavente, who pub-lished a book, Heridas del Viento, about her travels and experiences in Armenia.She writes from the Armenian perspective; she has, for example, a conversationwith Armenian Genocide survivors who are not alive anymore.

You study diplomatic and consular letters. Are there many such documents inSpanish archives, if yes, so what kind? In his study “The King of Spain and theArmenian Intellectuals Victims of the Genocide,” Vartan Matiossian has men-tioned petitions that some Armenians addressed to Spanish king Alfonso XII,asking for his intervention to save deported Armenian intellectuals.

see GAZTAÑAGA, page 13

ACF ReleasesSpecial PublicationIn Honor of DianaDer Hovanessian

ARLINGTON, Mass. — The ArmenianCultural Foundation (ACF) announces therelease of the special issue of FoundationPapers No. 9: Celebrating the Life and Workof Diana Der Hovanessian. It includes thetexts of the presentations, statements andpoetry recited during the event, held at theCultural Foundation on November 4, 2018in memory of the poet as well as aFestschrift in tribute to Diana DerH o v a n e s s i a n(https://mirrorspectator.com/2018/11/15/paying-tribute-to-diana-der-hovanessian/).The latter, is a collection of 43 writings byDer Hovanessian’s friends, poets, familymembers and enthusiasts of her literarylegacy.

Born in Worcester, Der-Hovanessian, wastwice a Fulbright professor of Americanpoetry and was the author of more than 25books of poetry and translations.

She received awards from the NationalEndowment for the Arts, Poetry Society ofAmerica, PEN/Columbia Translation Center,National Writers Union, Armenian WritersUnion, Paterson Poetry Center, PrairieSchooner, American Scholar, and theArmenian Ministry of Culture.

Her poems have appeared in Agni,American Poetry Review, Ararat, CSM,Poetry, Partisan, Prairie Schooner, Nation,etc., and in anthologies such as AgainstForgetting, Women on War, On Prejudice,Finding Home, Leading ContemporaryPoets, Orpheus and Company, IdentityLessons, Voices of Conscience, Two WorldsWalking, etc.

She worked as a visiting poet and guestlecturer on American poetry, Armenian poet-ry in translation, and the literature ofhuman rights at various universities hereand abroad.

She served as president of the NewEngland Poetry Club for 30 years.

The Foundation Papers, a periodic publi-cation, was launched in 1992 in response tovarious requests of audiences and patrons,about the availability of the texts of eventsheld at the ACF. The Papers serves two pur-poses: to provide a forum for broader expo-sure of the views of these scholars and intel-lectuals, and to contribute to cultural life ingeneral, and the field of the ArmenianStudies in particular.

Copies of the Foundation Papers 9:Celebrating the Life and Work of Diana DerHovanessian are available for sale ($12including shipping and handling) at theArmenian Cultural Foundation office. Formore details on the previous issues contactthe ACF.

Iván Gaztañaga

By Artsvi Bakhchinyan Special to the Mirror-Spectator

Nikol Aghababyan

A painting by Nikol Aghababyan Vivian Shipley at the ACF tribute event in 2018

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ARTS & LIVING

GAZTAÑAGA, from page 12There are at least 20 documents which describe thegestation, growth and the impact of the Genocide.Already in the beginning of 1915, the SpanishConsul at Jerusalem, Jose A. de la Cierva y Lewita,advised Alfonso XII about the fears inside theChristian and Jewish populations because of theMuslim demonstrations and violence against them.In September, Julian Arroyo, Consul inConstantinople, informed regarding the Tehcir orTemporary Law: the looting and robbery ofArmenian properties and the death marches intothe desert. Between September 1915 and February1916 the consul introduced in his letters and“secret” telegrams terms and definitions of crimes

that will be then used as defining elements ofGenocide: xenophobia, hatred, persecution andelimination of minorities, slaughter and extermina-tion of people. He wrote about the massacre ofAdana and also how later two million people suc-cumbed. In the summer, Spain was informed aboutthe new Turkish regulation against the fewArmenian and Greek survivors in Anatolia and thehard life they will expect.

You told me there are some Spanish docu-ments that mention the name of GomidasVartabed.

There’s a special folder with the name“Procedures in favor of Father Gomidas, 1915.”It contains 8 letters requesting Spanish protec-

tion in Constantinople for the musician andfolklorist Gomidas Vartabed. Julian Arroyowrote that he personally had an interview withGomidas and asked him what Julian could dofor him. Julian clearly said that Gomidas wasexpelled from Constantinople during the firstmassacres and slaughters against theArmenians. Later, he came back because ofUnited States diplomatic protection. Gomidassaid that he needed to go to Vienna with hisbooks and writings. Julian met the UnitedStates Ambassador and he said that there wasnothing more he could do, so, Julian mustrequest the protection of Gomidas under theSpanish Embassy in Vienna. Julian met HalilBey and begged for Gomidas’ life. He could not

wait any longer and directly asked the Ministerof Foreign Affairs, he said to Julian that TaalatBey (while smiling) denied Gomidas’s freedombecause “they” want to preserve his musicinside Constantinople. The end is very sad.Julian wrote his opinion telling the truth:“Turks want intellectual Armenian hostagesbecause if they leave Turkey they can talk aboutthe horrors and massacres against theArmenians, and at the end Turks can satiate thehatred against them.”

You live in a country with a strong Turkishlobby. The Spanish government has not rec-ognized the fact of the Armenian Genocide.Do you think after the recognition ofGenocide by Germany and the US, recogni-tion by other countries is still important?

Four autonomous regions in Spain(Catalonia, Navarra, Basque Country and theBalearic) have recognized the ArmenianGenocide in their regional parliaments. TheSpanish government, president, the crown orthe parliament has never pronounced any wordregarding the Armenian Genocide. Sometimesthis question was on the agenda, proposed bysome political parties, or by singular deputies.But, always the proposition was rejected. I con-sider no one from the Parliament could show ina map where Armenia is and what happenedwith Armenians 100 years ago. Simply, it is notinteresting.

Germany and the US are powerful allies ofTurkey in international panorama; they recog-nized the Armenian Genocide and no singleAmerican-Turkish or German-Turkish citizenprotested. The same happened in France. Theproofs are irrefutable. Spain must be nextamong the states which have recognized theGenocide. Otherwise, it is understood as adenial. The problem is not the Turkish lobby,but the lack of an Armenian lobby. DuringFebruary 3-6, we hosted an international semi-nar in Camilo José Cela University in Madrid,titled “Europe Against Genocide: 1915-2015,”bringing together international experts on sixof the world’s major genocides, particularly theArmenian, Jewish and Gypsy genocides. Weinvited some politicians to speak.

Are you in touch with Turkish scholars whostudy Genocide?

Before begining to research the ArmenianGenocide, I was advised by Taner Akçam, theTurkish Scholar based in the US and one of themost prominent scholars of the ArmenianGenocide. He motivated me and gave me manyindications regarding how to treat and analyzehistorical documentation. He is the only one.

Was your stay in Yerevan as a Lemkin schol-ar productive for your research?

Of course, I was in Armenia in September2017 because I obtained this scholarship andalso a grant from the National Association forArmenian Studies and Research (NAASR, inBelmont, US). I worked along with Dr. RobertTatoyan who gave me a lot of bibliography,explained Armenian history and drew a “map”for my research. I was also in touch with otherresearchers at the Genocide Museum. InYerevan, I enjoyed visiting everywhere. I trav-eled a lot in Armenia and I learnt another wayto measure the time. I still have friends whohelped me a lot in my research, such as you,Artsvi Bakhchinyan, or showed me Yerevan’sattractions as Ashot Parsyan. I even saw againmy best Armenian friend who came fromJerusalem, the writer Anoush Nakashian.

While in Yerevan, you told me about a per-sonal connection to Armenia.

Certainly! My connection with Armenia orwith Armenians is special. I was born inMoscow in 1990 and one year later I went toSpain and I became the first Soviet child adopt-ed by Spanish parents. In 2014 after more than10 years of research by myself I found some rel-atives in Moscow. Once there, I was told my bio-logical maternal line was Greek, Jewish andRussias and my paternal line was Armenian. Iwas looking for this man some years ago withonly a name and surname without success. Icould not find him in Armenia at all. Thanks’God the last night of 2017 I found a sister,other relatives, and finally father who I did notmeet in person. My research is a gift for lettingme live in 1915 and in 1990.

Gomidas and Other Armenian Materials in Spanish Archives

Here’s an updated version of Christine Vartanian Datian’saward-winning recipe that was Sunset Magazine Editor’sSelection in June 2014. The salad, similar to a Middle Easternfattoush salad, is especially crisp if you use crushed thin pitachips rather than the thick ones. Fattoush is basically a “breadsalad,” said to have originated in Northern Lebanon. Lebanesefarmers would fry leftover pita scraps in a bit of olive oil forextra flavor. To build their fattoush, they’d simply throw theleftover pita in with whatever in-season vegetables and herbsthey had on hand. If you leave out the chicken, this salad workswell as a side dish for grilled lamb or kebabs. A simple dressingand a generous dash of sumac spice give this salad its distinct-ly complex flavor. Grilled vegetables like eggplant, tomatoes,onions, zucchini, mushrooms, and bell peppers may be addedto this salad.

INGREDIENTS:1/2 cup medium bulgur1 boned, skinned chicken breast half (about 1 lb.), pounded

until 1/2 in. thick1 large head of Romaine lettuce, chopped2-3 Persian cucumbers, quartered or 1 English cucumber,

thinly sliced1 large vine-ripe tomato, diced2 cups chopped fresh parsley leaves, stems removed1 cup chopped fresh mint leaves1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced1/4 cup Kalamata or black olives, sliced5 radishes, stems removed, thinly sliced5 scallions, sliced1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, to tasteSalt and black pepperJuice of one lemon1 teaspoon pomegranate molasses (substitute balsamic glaze)1 teaspoon powdered sumac, plus more for sprinkling on individual salads if desired)1/4 teaspoon ground allspice (optional)Crumbled feta cheeseCrushed thin pita chipsFresh lemon wedges and mint sprigs

PREPARATION:Combine bulgur and 1 cup of boiling water in a large bowl. Cover and let stand 30 minutes or until tender and all liquid has beenabsorbed. Set aside. Heat grill to high. Brush chicken with 1 tablespoon of oil and sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Grill chicken, turning once, untilcooked through, about 5-8 minutes; set aside.Remove outer leaves from the Romaine lettuce, wash and dry, and then chop Romaine by cutting it into fourths lengthwise and slicingcrosswise for fairly smallish pieces. Add the lettuce, cucumber, tomato, parsley, mint, red onion, olives, radishes, scallions, the remainingolive oil, salt, pepper, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, sumac, and allspice (if using) to the bowl of bulgur, and toss to combine. Slice grilled chicken and divide tossed salad among 4 plates. Top each salad with sliced chicken and garnish with feta cheese, pita chips,lemon wedges, and mint sprigs. Sprinkle salads with more sumac, if desired. Serves 4.

For the original recipe, see: https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/grilled-chicken-bulgur-salad.

Recipe Corner

Grilled Chicken and Bulgur Saladby Christine Vartanian Datian

(ARAM ARKUN PHOTO)

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ARTS & LIVING

ARMANI, from page 1Exerjian and her father, my dear uncle JackExerjian, who lost their lives in a violent hatecrime on March 16, 2004 in Cairo, Egypt. Thefestival has an award in my cousin’s name thatis given to a film across all categories, that dealswith empowering women and girls.”

The 2020 edition of the festival will open onMarch 16 at the Elinor Bunin Munroe FilmCentre at the Lincoln Centre with SophieDeraspe’s “Antigone,” Canada’s entry for BestInternational Film at the Academy Awards2020. Screenings continue all week throughMarch 22 at venues including Cinema Village,Hunter College, The Baha’i Centre, TheLebanese American University and The Centrefor Remembering and Sharing.

For a list of the films, times and locations, seesidebar or visit www.ratedsrfilms.org.

Out with the Old (Way of Thinking)

This year six films 10 documentaries and 26shorts will be shown.

Armani and her fellow organizers focus onfilms made by up-and-coming, and some estab-lished filmmakers, who submit their throughplatforms such as FilmFreeway.com and thatotherwise would not get seen.

“Unlike most smaller festivals, we do not goaround Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Rotterdam, andsuch important film festivals, chasing after thefilms that have already been noticed and areattracting media and audience attention.Instead our mission is to shine the spotlight onthese filmmakers who have important stories to

tell that concern us all human being on thisplanet, and who steer away from the commer-cial currents of Hollywood, resisting them andoffering us an opportunity to see real people inreal life situations, be in through the documen-taries, or narratives that they submit to ourattention.”

Asked what qualifies a film to be defined associally relevant, Armani explained: “In my def-inition a socially relevant film is one that con-nects to our reality in an intellectual and vis-ceral way, telling us stories about the humancondition, certain social problems, raisingawareness, improving our intellectual and cog-nitive level, all the while entertaining us in ameaningful way.”

She stressed that the film should still haveentertainment value and high production qual-ity.

Many of the festival’s films every year tackledifficult topics, such as climate change, immi-gration, refugees, the status of women, violenceagainst women and girls, social justice and dis-crimination, age, indigenous people’s rights,LGBTQ rights, mass incarceration and capitalpunishment, human trafficking, gun violence,mental and physical health issues, genocide andthe effects of war, etc.

“In the feature length film department thethemes of teenage suicide, philanthropy, thefoster care system, immigration, the AustralianAborigines, the Peruvian jungles, developmentat the cost of human life and culture, transgen-

der rights, centenarians and age, women andmass incarceration, mental health, plastic pollu-tion, drugs and legalization come up this year,”Armani explained.

In keeping with the attitude of inclusion,Armani said that they have at least half thefilms made by women, all without intending tokeep parity. “We have not done so on purpose,meaning specifically looking for woman-madefilms and programming them at the expense oftheir male counterparts. Rather, it has alwaysbeen the quality of the work that has dictatedthe presence of women. And since our films arefilms that hitherto remained under the radarfor major distributors, it is safe to say thatwomen filmmakers enjoy a limelight at our fes-tival that can translate into major recognition.The MeToo movement has been with us evenbefore it started. We only need look back a fewyears, to see Gretchen Carlson, one of the first,if not the first woman, to sound the MeToowhistle, gracing our red carpet as one of ourguests as she was featured in one of the filmswe screened dealing with human traffickingand sex slavery.”

Other activist who are veterans of the SRFFare directors Deborah Kempmeyer and CadyMcClain.

Because of Armani’s heritage, the festival,which has shown films from dozens of coun-tries, has a film from Armenia every year.

“This year’s slate has three films fromArmenia, two shorts and a feature film. They allscreen in the same session on Sunday, March22 at 5 p.m. These are ‘The Seashell Song,’ a

poetic short by AnnaBayatyan, ‘Old and NewKond,’ a documentary aboutthe neighborhood of Kond inYerevan by EmmaKarapetyan, and ‘Lorik,’ a nar-rative feature film starringMichael Poghosyan anddirected by Alexey Zlobin. Wehope the Armenian audiencewill come and support thesefilms from Armenia in theirNew York premieres,” shesaid.

Film submissions havetripled since the festival wasfounded, Armani said. “TheSR brand is now recognizable,and more often than not, peo-ple have already heard aboutus,” she noted.

In addition, next year, thefestival will become anAcademy Award Qualifyingfilm festival for the shortfilms. “You need to pass theseven-year threshold for thisqualification,” she added.

The representation of women and minoritiesfares poorly not only in the US, but in Europe,she said.

“It is very rare to see films that really do jus-tice to female characters, and more preciselyfemale characters of a certain age. There justare not enough good scripts treating middleaged or older women, and the younger womenare mostly portrayed as victims, sex-objects, andsecondary characters at best, if not love andlust interests,” she lamented. But there mightbe some good news, too, she added, because ofthe growing list of accomplished female film-makers. “This, however, is fast changing fortu-nately not least because of the MeToo move-ment and with the advent of such directors asGreta Gerwig, Ava Duvernay, Sophia Coppola,Mira Nair, Lisa Cholodenko, Jody Foster andmore. These are some of the female directorsthat are developing new and strong female char-acters. The irony is that the cinema-going pub-lic is predominantly composed of women, and itis mostly women who are the decision makerswhen picking which film to see. Yet, Hollywoodcontinues to be oblivious of this fact and doesnot offer a big enough spot on the platform tofemale filmmakers, and daftly excludes themfrom the academy awards too, completely sidetracking their wonderful works.”

World Citizen

Armani is a continent-crossing world citizen.She was born in Cairo to Armenian parents.

“Being born an exile means you are never athome anywhere, you are always the marginalone but also by the same token, you are theinteresting one.”

Living in the insular, tight-knit Armeniancommunity, she was estranged from the major-ity.

“We were living an isolated life in the com-munity clubs and did not mingle with the localculture, primarily for fear of assimilating. Thisresulted in a detached existence, and a self-imposed isolation,” she said.

She graduated from the American Universityof Cairo, where she studied sociology andEnglish and later went to the UK to get a mas-ter’s degree in sociology from the LondonSchool of Economics.

She then joined her then-husband GeraldPapasian and his parents Edmond and NoraAzadian, in Detroit.

“After a decade in the US, mainly in LosAngeles, I moved to Paris, and established myfilm production company, through which I co-

produced a featurefilm, ‘Haifa,’ byRashid Masharawi,that premiered at theCannes Film FestivalOfficial Selection,”she said. Then shemoved to London,where she worked inseveral theater pro-ductions and televi-sion shows.

She moved to NewYork in 2004, work-ing as an actor, coach,and interpreter. Sheis also finishing a sec-ond master’s degree.

She has appearedin a variety of roles,including Zarouhi, inthe stage productionof “Mercedes,” inArmenia, about the1948 repatriations.The production wasdirected by HakobG h a z a n c h y a n .Another favorite roleis The Mother inPirandello’s “SixCharacters in Searchof an Author,” in NewYork, Isabella inS h a k e s p e a r e ’ s“Measure forMeasure,” Volumnia/Helen Weigel in

“Plebeians Rehearse the Uprising” by GuntherGrasse in London, Beatrice in Shakespeare’sMuch Ado About Nothing in Los Angeles, andRaina in Shaw’s “Arms and the Man” per-formed at the Young Vic Theatre in London.

Armani does not only want to recite thewords of other writers.

She had created the one-woman show, “Onthe Couch,” in which she reminisces about hercolorful life in a humerous and reflective man-ner, as well as “Sojourn at Ararat,” written andstarring her and her then-husband, Papasian inthe 1980s presenting Armenian historythrough the two characters.

“I feel the need for another self-penned onewoman piece. Now that I am finishing my sec-ond Master’s Degree (hopefully in May), I willhave some more time to develop that newpiece,” she said.

She is currently appearing in a production of“Terrorism,” by the Presnyakov Brothers atColumbia University’s new LenFest Centre forthe Arts through March 14.

Nora Armani Wants to Elevate Socially Relevant Films

Socially Relevant™ Film Festival NY UnveilsSeventh Edition Official Selection

NEW YORK — The following is the list of films which will be shown at the 2020Socially Relevant Film Festival, March 16-22, with a parallel conference on Friday, March13, at the United Nations with a selection of short films on Climate: Violence and theEnvironment: Women Paying the Price..

• “Antigone,” by Sophie Deraspe (Canada) Official Submission to the Academy Awards.• “Butter” by Paul A. Kaufman (US)• “Foster Boy” by Youssef Delara (USA)• “Good Morning by Bahij Hojeij (Lebanon)• “Lorik” by Alexei Zlobin (Armenia)• “Transference” by Raffaello Degruttola (UK)

The selected documentary features (https://www.ratedsrfilms.org/documentary-fea-tures-2020) are:

• “A Call for Peace” by Juan C Borrero - Melodie Carli (US- Columbia, Ireland, UK)• “Birth Wars” by Janet Jarman (Mexico)• “Can’t Stop the Sun from Shining” by Teresa Mular (US)• “Inside/Outside” by Nandini Sikand (US)• “Microplastic Madness” by Atsuko Quirk, Debby Lee Cohen (US)• “Mother of Tibetans” by Niklas Goslar (Germany - India, Poland)• “Potluck: The Altered State of Colorado” by Jane Wells (US)• “Stonewall with a T” by Samy Nemir Olivares (US)• “Tell My Story” by David Freid (US)• “Undermined: Tales from the Kimberley” by Nicholas Wrathall (Australia)

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Stepanyan’s ‘Village of Women’ Depicts the BeautyAnd the Melancholy of Life in an Armenian VillageSTEPANYAN, from page 16 p.m. at Studio Cinema (376 Trapelo Road,Belmont, https://www.eventbrite.com/ e/glob-al-cinema-f ilm-fest ival-of-boston-t ickets-91132524835).

The beautifully filmed documentary is set inLichk, a village 130 kilometers distant fromYerevan. Lichk is located in GegharkunikProvince, south of Lake Sevan, and has a pop-ulation officially of 5,430. The majority of theadult men leave the village to go work in Russiafor eight or nine months out of the year, pri-marily to do manual labor in fields like con-struction. Boys there turn 18, go into the armyfor two years, and then immediately begin thiscycle of seasonal work, without pursuing anyfurther education. Life in Lichk seems like lifein a third-world country, with no factories orwork. Houses are worn-out and women alwaysseem tired. They do heavy physical agriculturallabor, keep the cattle, and maintain their fami-lies while men send back money occasionallyand call over the phone until their annual win-ter break. However, the women also find occa-sional consolation from their difficult livesthrough song, dance and conversation.

Stepanyan, born in Soviet Armenia, moved toLebanon as a child and then to France, whereshe lives now and has become an accomplishedcinematographer (see “Exile and WaitingTransformed into Film through the Work ofTamara Stepanyan,”https://mirrorspectator.com/2018/02/19/exile-waiting-transformed-film-work-tamara-stepa-nyan/). Several years ago, she said that shenoticed while reading newspapers that the vil-lages in Gegharkunik were emptied of men. Ithappens that she goes every year to see her par-ents in Armenia on vacation. While in Armeniawith her husband in the summer, she decidedto take a taxi to investigate.

The driver knew the region and suggestedseveral places. They came to Lichk through itsnarrow streets and stopped at the post office,which seemed like a central place. Local chil-dren immediately came and surrounded her,asking what she wanted and asking her to comewith them. She said yes, Stepanyan related, andwent with one, ending up at the home of AnushOseyan. Anush invited her to drink coffee, andthus it all began by chance. It could have beena neighboring village, Stepanyan said.

They spent the whole day there, and returnedto Yerevan in the evening. Stepanyan kept tiesvia telephone. And every time she went toYerevan she would also go to Lichk to visitAnush. Stepanyan said, “First it was necessaryto establish all the relationships slowly, fromthe very beginning, so that there is a state ofconfidence. If there is no confidence, especiallyin documentary films, you cannot work.” Thisparticular situation, Stepanyan noted, was avery sensitive one. She said, “You reach a placewhere an Armenian woman is very proud. Shedoes not want you to see her family in pain orweakness. She always wants you to see her fam-ily in good form. Even when the men were notpresent, the women in a very beautiful way pre-served the family.”

She remarked that what the women weredoing was very difficult. She said, “All thosewomen, alone, they have to be both men andwomen, and brothers and sisters, and it is veryhard. We cannot in our lives today picture this.We each have our roles. You have your role,your wife has her role, the children have theirrole, your brother has his role, but there, every-thing is all-in-all. This, I think, is very importantto understand and appreciate. How are theyable to do this? Where do they get thisstrength? But at the same time, it is very diffi-cult for them — the stress and the anxiety theylive through!”

Filming in LichkAt a certain point, after about a year,

Stepanyan felt ready to film, and contactedAnush to ask if it were possible to rent a houseand stay two weeks in the village. Anushreplied, “Are you crazy? You can stay with me.”So Stepanyan said she went and stayed in aroom with Anush’s 6-year-old son Sahak, whileher daughter Hasmik went to stay with her

mother. Every day they would awake at 6 a.m. and go

to bed late at night. They spoke a lot in theevening, drinking tea. Stepanyan said that shedid not want to abruptly start filming, so she ini-

tially asked whether she could record conversa-tions on an audio device, and Anush agreed.Stepanyan said it was important that the vil-lagers understood that she did not want tomake a sensationalist documentary aboutwomen living alone. She said, “I wanted truly tounderstand their lives, their pains, and theirhappiness. The camera would stop when I feltthey did not want it. There had to be agreementwhen I filmed. If they did not open their heartsto me, I could not do it. It is a reciprocal rela-tionship.”

She would initially ask herself why did themen always leave, but, she said, “after I wouldfor about one year come and go, without film-ing, I understood that it was not the why thatinterested me, but the process of waiting, howthey endured, how they lived in the state ofwaiting. My prior film [“Those from the Shore”]also was about waiting, about asylum seekers.This is a different type of waiting.”

Stepanyan spent a year filming and so wasable to present life throughout the four sea-sons. She filmed completely alone in the sum-mer, fall and winter. Why? “First of all, I under-stood that it is a fragile situation, and you can-not come with camera and so forth and say,here I am, let’s go. It would not work. I felt thatI had to become a part of their life, their dailyroutine, their meals, everything. And I as awoman I could become part of it. Even if Ibrought a camerawoman it would not work.They trusted in me. Therefore, I did it alone.”

She said that while she had done camerawork alone before, it was more difficult here ina village house, with no bath and sleeping inthe children’s room. But this also opened theway to establishing intimacy and becoming apart of the family. She did not want to filmthem only as subjects. Stepanyan said, “I want-ed to become a part of them and do it in thatway. I think I was able to convey that intimatefeeling.”

She came and went over the year, each timeusually staying two weeks in Lichk. She cap-tured the various aspects of village life in eachseason. In addition to the changes in natureand work that it necessitates, the human land-scape also went through cycles of change: themen would come back from Russia in the win-ter for several months.

Stepanyan said, “At once, the women

changed, and they became more female. Andthe atmosphere between the couples, there wasembarrassment. They were married for 10years, but they were not used to each other.They needed time before becoming comfort-

able, but by then the menwould leave again.”

FinancesAt first there was no

financing for her docu-mentary, but eventuallyshe obtained it in Franceand Armenia. So, in thespring, she told her pro-ducer she wanted to takea team with her, a cam-eraman and sound man.By this time, the villagersknew her well. She hadalready filmed three sea-sons and warned themthat the next time shecame it might be with twomore people.

They were both men,and Stepanyan said shewas afraid the villagerswould be uncomfortable,but it was not true. Thetwo specialists were ableto do technical thingsthat Stepanyan alonecould not accomplish. Atthe same time, she did seethat their presence madethe villagers more con-strained and she did notuse as much materialfrom the spring as fromother seasons.

The film ended up coproduced by two Frenchcompanies, the medium-sized La HuitProduction and TV78, a television channelcompany (https://www.tv78.com/), along withHayk Documentary Studio(https://haykdfs.com/en/), which is the oldestdocumentary studio in Armenia (it used tomake all the television documentary films inthe Soviet period). La Huit was the main pro-ducer and began to provide Stepanyan’s travelexpenses and a per diem before full funding wasobtained. “Village of Women” is considered asmall budget film.

Music was also recorded in Armenia for thefilm. Stepanyan worked with Cynthia Zaven, an

Armenian-Lebanese composer who composedmusic for Stepanyan’s prior films too. The edit-ing and other work however were completed inFrance.

Stepanyan said that she began each of herthree documentaries in the same way, alone inthe beginning, until funding was found. Shesaid that, “Of course there must be somemoney, but that is not the most importantthing. If you want to say something with yourfilm, your cinema, your art, you must say it. Youcannot wait….It is a passion inside you. Either itis a fire inside you or you must do somethingelse. Cinema is a very difficult profession.” Shesaid that she has tried to explain this to youthin Armenia, who are discouraged by lack of

money and other obstacles. Stepanyan exclaimed, “I am very lucky to be

able to live through my art. This is of course inpart due to my husband. My husband does allso that I can work in my art.” This yearStepanyan had maternity leave, but the twoyears prior to this she gave workshops inschools, for the 5th, 10th and 12th grade, toteach youth how to make films. She said shelikes this very much because children do nothave the filters adults have, and so have greaterfreedom and creativity.

With two children now and three projectsshe wants to work on (at least two of which areconnected with Armenia), she said she does notwant to spend much time on festivals promot-ing her already completed works, as it takesmuch energy. She said, “I prefer to work moreon new creations.” Consequently, she picks andchooses in which festivals she will participate.

Fortunately, she said, she now has a goodproducer and is not alone in this venue. La Huitis going to prepare DVDs of her three docu-mentary films and her short fiction.

Change through FilmStepanyan wants to show “Village of

Women” in Armenia. It has not yet been seenin Lichk. She hopes the film will be accepted bythe Golden Apricot Film Festival and after-wards can be taken to the villages to raiseunderstanding and perhaps even create change.

“The pain in me!” she exclaimed, “Why wouldthe men go? There was nothing in Russia. Theyare slaves there to Russian people. What do theydo there? Make sidewalks, asphalt…so perhapsindirectly I wanted to bring them awareness sothat they would not go. The awareness that eachtime they left, they would not see how their chil-dren grow. Yet each year they return, the chil-dren have grown another year, and their youthpasses by. What do they understand of life?”

After the film was completed, at least threemen returned to live in the village. She does notknow if this happened as a result of the film,but she wonders if the women did it. She said,“Perhaps all the questions we raised movedsomething, and the men understood that theywere destroying their lives.”

She concluded, “I changed something at least inthis village.” At the same time, she accepted thatmajor economic change was necessary in the vil-lages to provide suitable employment for the men.Apparently there is talk that the Chinese havebought an old factory in the area which they aregoing to start up, but it is not certain.

In any case, Stepanyan has succeededthrough her work in becoming part of the lifeof Lichk’s women and perhaps part of the priceshe paid is to accept some of the burden of theirlives on her shoulders. She said, “It is difficult.At times I felt I was a psychologist.” She didinspire Anush’s children with love for cinema.They normally would not have seen real cine-ma, with YouTube being the main source ofvideos for them, unless they could come to dis-tant Yerevan.

Under the current circumstances, she said,“Those women [of Lichk] for me are not simplywomen, they are heroines. That strength, thatbeauty in them is very difficult to preserve. I feelthat this film has great spirit in it, great pain.”

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MARCH 27 — Dr. Mehmet Polatel will give a talk titled“Confiscation and Destruction: The Young TurkSeizure of Armenian Properties,” at USC ShoahFoundation Center for Advanced Genocide Research,Friday, 8 p.m. Western Diocese of the Armenian Church,3325 N. Glenoaks Blvd, Burbank. Polatel, a PostdoctoralFellow in Armenian Studies at the University of Michigan,Ann Arbor, has been awarded the 2019-2020 CenterJunior Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the USCShoah Foundation Center for Advanced GenocideResearch. The program, initiated by the Tekeyan CulturalAssociation, is supported by AGBU Western DistrictCommittee, Armenian Assembly of America, ArmenianCouncil of America, Armenian Democratic Liberal Party,Armenian Rights Council of America, Armenian Societyof Los Angeles, Nor Serount Armenian CulturalAssociation and the Organization of Istanbul Armenians,under the auspices of Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,Primate, Western Diocese of the Armenian Church.APRIL 4 — Boston Court Pasadena presents a concertreading of Joyce Van Dyke’s play Daybreak, inspiredby the true stories of her Armenian ancestors, and fea-turing the original Off-Broadway cast. Saturday, April 4,at 4:00 p.m. Tickets $10 (free to subscribers), withArmenian refreshments included in the price of the tick-et. Boston Court Pasadena, 70 N. Mentor Ave.,Pasadena. For tickets, visit https://bostoncourtpasade-na.org/events/daybreak/, or call the box office at 626-683-6801, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m, Tues. - Fri.

FEBRUARY 29 – 30th Commemoration of the BakuPogrom. Dinner and Program featuring a biographicalPresentation on Zabel Yesayan, Armenian novelist, trans-lator, and professor of literature by Judith Saryan. St.Gregory Armenian Church, 158 Main St., No. Andover. 6p.m. Adults - $20. Students - $10. For reservations,please contact Armen at 978-256-2538, armenjeknavo-rian@gmail.com; or Ara, 978-251-4845, ara.a.jeknavo-rian@gmailcom. Merrimack Valley Armenian NationalCommittee of the Merrimack Valley.MARCH 2 — St. James Men’s Club Dinner Meeting - socialhour and mezza at 6:15 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m., St.James Armenian Church Charles Mosesian Cultural andYouth Center - Keljik Hall, 465 Mt. Auburn Street,Watertown. Guest speaker will be Stewart R. Goff, RN, MS,the new C.E.O of the Armenian Women’s WelfareAssociation and the Armenian Nursing & RehabilitationCenter (ANRC) in Jamaica Plain. The presentation is titled“The ANRC, Is it Armenian Enough?” Mezza and a LoshKebab & Kheyma Dinner $17/person. Ladies invited. Foradditional information call the St. James Church office at617-923-8860 or call Hapet Berberian at 781-367-6598.MARCH 18 — Panel: “Green Revolution: Armenia’sVision to Fight Global Climate Change,” at theNAASR Vartan Gregorian Building, 395 Concord Ave.,Belmont, MA. Panelists to be announced. Wednesday,7:30 p.m., Co-sponsored by the Armenia Tree Project andNAASR/Gulbenkian Foundation Lecture Series onContemporary Armenian Issues.MARCH 22 — “Village of Women” Film Screening,6:00—7:30 p.m. at Studio Cinema, 376 Trapelo Road,Belmont. The Armenian Museum of America is proud tocosponsor the film Village of Women by TamaraStepanyan featured in the Global Cinema Film Festival atStudio Cinema. This engaging and moving documentarytells the story of the small village of Lichk where for 9months of the year, only women, children, and the elder-ly reside. The men go to Russia to work and return totheir homes only during the winter. The village is heldtogether by these strong and resourceful women.Director Tamara Stepanyan befriends these women, film-ing them at their strongest and most vulnerable periods,and gathers insight into the life of this village of women.Tickets can be purchased for $12 athttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/global-cinema-film-festi-val-of-boston-tickets-91132524835

MARCH 25 — Christina Maranci, “New Discoveries at AniCathedral,” at the NAASR Vartan Gregorian Building,395 Concord Ave., Belmont. Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., Co-sponsored by NAASR and the Arthur H. Dadian and AraOztemel Professor of Armenian Art and Architecture,Tufts University.

MARCH 27 — Panel: “Adventures With/In the Armenian

Language,” including Nancy Kricorian, Dr. Kristi Rendahl,Dahlia Elsaid, and moderated by Dr. Lisa Gulesserian, atthe NAASR Vartan Gregorian Building, 395 ConcordAve., Belmont. Friday, 7:30 p.m. Presented byHamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural SocietyEastern Region and NAASR through the support of theCalouste Gulbenkian Foundation.MARCH 28 — Sayat Nova Dance Company invites you toan evening of laughter. Back by popular demand, world-renowned comedian and pianist Kev Orkian returns. Getready for a fun-filled night of laughs as KEV entertains theaudience with his brand new show “SUPARMENIAN”! To beheld at Newton North High School Auditorium, 457 WalnutStreet, Newton, at 7:30 pm. Tickets: $60 ($60 ticketsinclude a pre-show meet & greet reception with KEV from6-7pm). $45 (General Admission). Tickets may be reserved:Online at itsmyseat.com/KevInBoston (online fees apply) Orby calling: Alina (617) 852-1816 or Shant (781) 879-8102Flyer and seating chart available at http://www.sayatno-va.com/kevorkian.htm All tickets are final sale. MARCH 28 — “Songs of the Other,” In Tribute toMaestro Arsen Sayan. Daniela Tosic, voice • SylvieZakarian, marimba • Nikola Radan, flute. Works byKomitas, A. Hovhaness, N. Grover, N. Radan, V.Srvandztiants. Armenian Cultural Foundation, 441 MysticSt., Arlington, Saturday, at 7 p.m. Open to the public.Admission free.MARCH 29 — Sunday, Music of Violinist LevonChilingirian and Pianist Lilit Karapetian-Shougarian.2 p.m. The Sanctuary at Holy Trinity Armenian Church ofGreater Boston. 145 Brattle Street, Cambridge. Everyoneis welcome to attend; this concert is a gift to the com-munity. The duo will offer a rich and colorful program ofworks. Levon Chilingirian is Professor of Violin andChamber Music Artist in Residence at the Royal Academyof Music (London) as well as Professor of Violin andChamber Music at the Guildhall School of Music andDrama (London). Lilit Karapetian-Shougarian has per-formed extensively in her native Armenia and the formerSoviet Union, as well as internationally. Her solo appear-ances and collaborations with various ensembles havewon acclaim from renowned authorities in the musicalworld. Contact Holy Trinity Church Office, 617.354.0632or office@htaac.org for more information.APRIL 2 — Film Screening: “Vahé Oshagan: BetweenActs,” followed by discussion with filmmaker HrayrEulmessekian, Taline Voskeritchian, and Dr. KarenJallatyan. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. At the NAASR VartanGregorian Building, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont. Co-sponsored by Hamazkayin Armenian Educational andCultural Society and National Association for ArmenianStudies and Research (NAASR).APRIL 4 – “The Power of Love” Fundraiser and ArtShow, featuring photographer Zaven Khachikyan,mezzo-soprano Victoria Avetisyan and pianist AnnaAvetisyan at the Adele and Haig Der Manuelian Gallerieson the third Floor of the Armenian Museum of America,65 Main Street, Watertown, 7-10 p.m. Hosted by theDiaspora for Frontline Family Fund (DFFF) and the Knightsand Daughters of Vartan (Ararat Lodge and Arpi Otyag).All proceeds go to children who lost fathers during April2016 War. For more information, emailinfo@kovcasp.org. APRIL 6 — St. James Men’s Club Dinner Meeting -social hour and mezza at 6:15 p.m. and dinner at 7p.m., St. James Armenian Church Charles MosesianCultural and Youth Center - Keljik Hall, 465 Mt. AuburnStreet, Watertown. Guest speaker Christopher F. Bator,US attorney from Cambridge. Topic will be “ViolentCrime in the Greater Boston Area.” A retired US attorney,Bator now serves on the faculty of the Trial AdvocacyWorkshop at Harvard Law School. Mezza and a LoshKebab & Kheyma Dinner $17/person. Ladies invited. Foradditional information call the St. James Church office at617-923-8860 or call Hapet Berberian at 781-367-6598.APRIL 7 — Commemoration of the ArmenianGenocide at Tufts University, with lecture byRouben Shougarian. At Tufts University, GoddardChapel. Co-sponsored by the Darakjian Jafarian Chair inArmenian History, the History Department at TuftsUniversity, Tufts University, the Armenian Club at TuftsUniversity, and the National Association for ArmenianStudies and Research (NAASR).APRIL 19 — Holy Trinity Armenian Church of GreaterBoston and the Erevan Chorale Society, founded bythe Very Rev. Fr. Oshagan Minassian (1930-2008) andnow under the direction of Composer KonstantinPetrossian, Music Director and Conductor, will present a

Spring Concert on Sunday. 2 p.m. The public is warmlyinvited to attend this complimentary concert which is agift to the community. Holy Trinity Armenian Church ofGreater Boston, 145 Brattle Street, Cambridge. For fur-ther information, contact the Holy Trinity Church office at617.354.0632 or e-mail office@htaac.org.APRIL 19 — Annual Reconfiguration of the AbstractSculpture at the Armenian Heritage Park on TheGreenway, Boston. Sunday beginning at 7:00 am.Coffee, hosted by Starbucks & Conversation from8:30am -9:30am. The annual reconfiguration is support-ed by the Park’s Charles and Doreen Bilezikian EndowedFund. A crane lifts and pulls apart the two halves of thesplit rhomboid dodecahedron, made of stainless steeland aluminum, to create a new sculptural shape. Theannual reconfiguration is under the direction of A&AIndustries, Inc., Peabody, who fabricated the AbstractSculpture, the generous gift-in-kind of owners Aurelianand Anahid Mardiros and their family. Rain date: April 26RSVP appreciated at hello@armenianheritagepark.orgAPRIL 22 — Sato Moughalian: “Armenian Ceramics:How the Art of an Armenian Genocide SurvivorChanged the Face of Jerusalem,” at Brandeis University,Rapaporte Treasure Hall, Goldfarb Library. 415 South St,Waltham. Co-sponsored by the Schusterman Center forIsrael Studies and National Association for ArmenianStudies and Research NAASR.MAY 2 — Celebrate Public Art two-part program dur-ing ARTWEEK BOSTON. Armenian Heritage Park onThe Greenway, Boston. Saturday at 1:00pm. WORLDLABYRINTH DAY: WALK AS ONE, join people in cities andtowns in 35 countries world-wide walking in peace andharmony including Argentina, Armenia, Australia,Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador,England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy,Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway,Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scotland, South Africa,Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay and USA followedby RECEPTION TO VIEW THE 2020 RECONFIGURATIONOF THE ABSTRACT SCULPTURE, hosted by EasternLamejun Bakers and MEM Tea Imports. RSVP appreciat-ed hello@armenianheritagepark.orgMay 9 – Spring Dinner/Dance featuring Bartev Garyanof Istanbul, Saturday 7:30 p.m., St. James ArmenianChurch, Watertown. Sponsored by the Society of IstanbulArmenians of Boston, Inc. to aid all Armenian schools inIstanbul. For info or donations, call Krikor Shaboian at617 489-0346 or email prsoiab@gmail.comMAY 28 — Friends of Armenian Culture Society (FACS)presents the 69th annual Armenian Night at thePops, featuring the young and talented violinist DianaAdamyan as soloist with the Boston Pops Orchestra.Symphony Hall, Boston. 8 p.m. For tickets and informa-tion, please visit FACSBoston.orgJUNE 17 — Tea & Tranquility. Armenian Heritage Parkon The Greenway, Boston. Wednesday from 4:30 pm -6 p.m. Late afternoon to meet and greet, walk thelabyrinth, enjoy refreshing ice teas, hosted by MEM TeaImports ,and desserts. RSVP appreciated hello@armeni-anheritagepark.orgJUNE 25 — Under A Strawberry Moon. ArmenianHeritage Park on The Greenway, Boston. Thursday at8:30pm. Evening to meet & greet, tie a ribbon on theWishing Tree. Enjoy a moonlit labyrinth walk, lusciouschocolate dipped strawberries, hosted by vicki lee’s andrefreshing ice teas, hosted by MEM Tea Imports RSVPappreciated hello@armenianheritagepark.orgOCTOBER 17 — HYE KEF 5 ANNUAL DANCE. Presentedby the Armenian Friends of America, Inc. Featuring:Steve Vosbikian Jr., Mal Barsamian, John Berberian, AraDinkjian, & Jason Naroian. At the DoubleTree Hotel inAndover. For Complete Details, VisitArmenianFriendsofAmerica.Org or Call Sharke’ @ 978-808-0598.

APRIL 18 — The Tekeyan Cultural Association MherMegerdchian Theatrical Group presents a SpectacularExtravaganza Celebrating Historic Armenia (1590-1915).Featuring a runway show of traditional Armenian cos-tumes from 40 historic cities by Julia Mutlu from Istanbul.Special presentation by the Mher Megerdchian TheatricalGroup. Saturday, Clinton Inn, 145 Dean Drive, Tenafly.6.30 p.m. cocktail, 7.30 p.m., dinner. $100 in advance,$125 after March 15. Reservations, Marie Zokian (2010745-8850 or Talar Sesetyan Sarafian (2010 240-8541.

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from previous pageAPRIL 23- Armenian Genocide Commemoration featuring

the acclaimed documentary “The Stateless Diplomat:Diana Apcar’s Heroic Life.” Thursday 7 p.m. Presentedby producer Mimi Malayan. Sponsored by CHHANGE atBrookdale Community College, Student Life Center,Navesink Rooms (Parking Lot 7), 765 Newman SpringsRoad, Lincroft, NJ. Free Admission. 732-224-1889 orcontact@chhange.orgSEPTEMBER 17-19, 2021 — Armenian Church YouthOrganziation of America (ACYOA) 75th AlumniAnniversary Weekend in Northern NJ. More details tofollow. Questions? Email: ACYOA75@gmail.com

MARCH 6 — 10TH Annual Mentoring Forum, Friday,6:30 p.m. at Fordham University School of Business,140 62nd Street, Room 333, New York City. FreeAdmission: snacks and beverages will be served. A greatopportunity for College and high school students to net-work with professionals from a wide array of industrydisciplines. To Register:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/10th-annual-mentoring-forum-tickets-91547389707?aff=ebdssbeacMARCH 27 — Atom Egoyan, films and direction MaryKouyoumdjian, composition Laurie Olinder, projectionartist JACK Quartet Silvana Quartet Unreleased scenes andhighly personal short films by Oscar-nominated filmmakerAtom Egoyan (“The Sweet Hereafter”) are given originalnew scores by Armenian American composer MaryKouyoumdjian in this MetLiveArts commission. Egoyan’shighly personal films and excerpts on the life of abstractpainter Arshile Gorky are infused with themes of family andimmigration. Kouyoumdjian’s string quartets Bombs ofBeirut and Silent Cranes explore her family’s history with theLebanese Civil War and Armenian Genocide through sur-vivor testimonies and documentary. Metropolitan Museum

of Art, 1000 5th Avenue, New York. 7 p.m.APRIL 26 — The Knights and Daughters of Vartan willhost the Armenian Genocide Commemoration inTimes Square, New York. Sunday, 1.30 p.m. Free bustransportation for all students and scouts to and fromTimes Square. Sponsor Knights and Daughters ofVartan. Co-Sponsors: Armenian General BenevolentUnion, Armenian Assembly of America, ArmenianNational Committee of America, ADL Ramgavars,Armenian National Council of America, Armenian BarAssociation, Armenian Missionary Association ofAmerica and the Tekeyan Cultural Association.Participants: Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church,Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Church, ArmenianCatholic Eparchy of US and Canada, AGBU-YPGNY,ACYOA, ASA, Armenian Network of Great New York,AYF Chapters of NY and NJ, Homenetmen Scouts,Armenian Schools, Youth and Professional organizationsand the Armenian American Health ProfessionalsOrganization.

MARCH 25 — The Armenian Student Organization ofVillanova University Hosts Book Presentation byAdrienne G. Alexanian of her father’s memoir Forcedinto Genocide, Wednesday, 7-9 p.m., VillanovaUniversity, 800 E Lancaster Ave Villanova, Falvey Library- Building # 18 - Room 205 ( parking on West Campusin the S4 / S5 lots) . Contact information: Kallie Stahl(610) 519-4458 / kallie.stahl@villanova.edu. Booksale/signing during reception ( cash only). All proceedsdonated to the Armenian Student OrganizationMARCH 28 — The Women’s Guild of Sts. Sahag andMesrob Armenian Church in Wynnewood, presentsits Saintly Women’s Day Program with a special perfor-mance by Naomi Abajian of her one woman play“Because of my Son.” Naomi, a professional actress

from Chicago, plays the role of Mary, the mother ofJesus, in this highly renowned play. After the play,Naomi will discuss how she was inspired by her faith towrite this play, and have a brief Q&A. The day beginswith a short church service and readings of SaintlyWomen, followed by the play, and a delicious Lentenlunch. To be held at Sts. Sahag and Mesrob, 630Clothier Road, Wynnewood, starting at 10:30 a.m.Reserve your tickets today! Tickets: $25 Adults, $10Children (After 3/22/20, Adult tickets are $30). EmailRosine Gouveia at rosinegouveia@gmail.com or call 610-724-8314. This program is open to everyone.

MARCH 14 — The Cultural Committee of Sts. Sahag &Mesrob Armenian Church Presents Its “MusicAppreciation Series” Featuring Talented Performers KnarikNerkararian, Soprano, Dalita Getzoyan, Flute, NuneHakobyan, Piano, Gregory Ayriyan, Violin. AndreiSobchenko, Saxophone. Book Presentation “Haykakantaraz - Armenian Costumes” By Artist Gourgen Manoukian.Saturday, at 7 p.m. Egavian Cultural Center, 70 JeffersonStreet, Providence. Donation $15 Refreshments.MARCH 22 — The Cultural Committee of Sts. Sahagand Mesrob Armenian Church Presents “Meet TheDoctors 2020 — Questions & Answers.” We invite every-one to avail themselves of this opportunity and “Meetwith our Armenian Doctors” Dr. Beverly Serabian, PhD,clinical psychologist Topic: Healthy Lifestyle Practicesand Psychological Well Being Sunday, at 12:30 p.m.Hanoian Hall, 70 Jefferson Street, Providence.

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later than Mondays at noon.

By Muriel Mirak-WeissbachSpecial to the Mirror-Spectator

BERLIN — Neukölln is a district in Berlinwhose very name is synonymous with interna-tionalization, immigration and cultural diversi-ty. The district is home to first, second and thirdgenerations of Germans whose forefatherscame from many different countries. A largepercentage of the population has Russian orTurkish roots, others Arab, as well as Kurds,Roma people and still more.

In addition to the post-World War II immi-gration, over recent years more newcomershave arrived from Iraq and Syria. In this milieu,one might not have expected to come acrossposters announcing an initiative called“Neukölln Armenisch.”

A series of events, lectures, readings, con-certs, have been taking place under this rubricsince January 24 and will continue until April 2.“Living, Praising and Suffering between Orientand Occident” is the title of a photo exhibition

on the culture, religion and history of theArmenian people that is running at theGenezareth Intercultural Center, sponsor of theactivities.

Dr. Reinhard Jakob Kees, who is the priest atthe Center and in the Neukölln church circlefor interreligious and intercultural encounters,explains that the initiative “should contributeto understanding Armenian culture and tobecoming acquainted with Armenian neigh-bors, their lifestyle and their thinking.” In aflyer for the series, Kees writes, “The history ofthe Armenians reaches back into prehistorictimes. All four rivers mentioned in the biblicalstory of Paradise arise in the Armenian high-lands. Was that the site of the historicParadise?” Kees cites the biblical account locat-ing Noah’s Ark “in the mountains of Ararat,”and points to the Kingdom of Urartu (9-6th cen-tury B.C.) on Lake Van, “which contemporaryArmenians look back on with pride.”

In the Diocletian period of the RomanEmpire, “when Christians were still being cru-elly persecuted,” Kees writes that ArmenianKing Trdat III converted, giving birth to thefirst Christian kingdom, where an Armenianalphabet was developed, and mandatory educa-tion was available for boys and girls. This earlyliterary culture helps explain the immensevalue placed by Armenians on education, assymbolized by books.

Despite the political upheavals they livedthrough, caught in the crossfire of great powerstruggles, Armenians have survived by preserv-ing their language, education and faith. Thecountry today represents a tenth of whatHistoric Armenia was, and only a third of the 9million Armenians live in the Republic ofArmenia, the rest scattered throughout theworld; “and so it is that we find so many peoplewith Armenian roots also in Berlin,” he con-cludes.

The exhibition, co-sponsored by theArmenian Embassy and the Berlin Armeniancommunities and societies, opened on January

23, with greetings by Ambassador AshotSmbatyan, Dr. Christian Nottmeier,Superintendent of the Neukölln EvangelicalChurch Parish, Dr. Andreas Goetze, regionalchurch priest for Intercultural Dialog,“Armenian Today,” Lusine Sargsyan, CulturalAttaché and third secretary of the ArmenianEmbassy. Under the rubric of “Armenian Life inBerlin,” members of the Armenian communitiesin Berlin prepared typical Armenian music andfood.

On Sunday January 26, ArchimandriteYeghishe Avetisyan celebrated mass, with cho-rus and members of the community.

Among the 10 public events were a numberof concerts; duduk player Arayik Bartikyanfrom Paris performed on January 25, and onMarch 26, Masis Arakelian will sing Armenianart songs from the last 300 years, includingworks by Komitas, Khatchaturian, Sayat Nova,as well as original compositions and works byCharles Aznavour. Arakelian appeared onFebruary 13, for an evening of Armenian fairytales (read by Renate Raber) and music, com-memorating the 150th birthday of Hovhannes

Tumanian and Komitas. On May 28, to cele-brate Independence Day, a concert will featuresingers Yeva Egasyan and Hayk Yesayan.

Dr. Tessa Hofmann, author, human rightsactivist and genocide scholar, was joined bycommunity members to host an evening tointroduce Armenia on January 30, and onFebruary 27 delivered a lecture on “TheGenocide of Christians in the Ottoman Empire.”The film “Ageth: A Genocide” will be shown onMarch 12. For people who have not yet visitedArmenia, there are experts to illustrate the nat-ural beauty and the architectural landmarks of

the country on March 5; Eduard Saroyan, direc-tor of an Armenian travel agency, speaks on“Armenia – Close to Paradise,” Dr. AndreasGoetze’s theme is sacred architecture, and arthistorian Ani Serobyan focuses on thekhachkars.

At the concluding event children from theGiteliq Sunday school in Berlin-Charlottenburgwill sing and dance under the direction of LilitHakobyan and Masis Arakelian, scenes fromPaul Imhof’s film, “A Journey through EarthlyParadise,” will be shown, and guests will enjoysongs by Arakelian as well as Armenian special-ties in food and drink.

Armenian Cultural Encounters in Berlin

Masis Arakelian

Duduk player Arayik Bartikyan

Dr. Tessa Hofmann

(PHOTO COURTESY OF MASISARAKELIAN.COM)

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COMMENTARY

When Does Karabakh’s Destiny Fit inThe Russo-Turkish Standoff?

COMMENTARY

By Edmond Y. Azadian

A few years ago, if any Armenian was asked what relevance theSyrian province of Idlib would have with regard to any Armenianissues, a few minor ones would come to mind: its proximity toDer Zor, the Armenian Auschwitz, and scattered Armenian com-munities there that have been surviving since the Genocide inthose rural areas. No one could possibly relate it to Karabakh.But today, as Idlib has become the focus of global tensions, the

political pairing between Idlib and Karabakh demonstrates theirexistential relevance to each other.The recent short-lived Russo-Turkish honeymoon was too

good to last. It was destined to come to an end and it ended ear-lier than anyone had anticipated. Today, the talk in political cir-cles is about the 17th Russo-Turkish war. All the latent tensionsbetween these two parties have come to the surface and theirarmies are now facing each other on the Syrian battleground.Already, 33 Turkish soldiers have been killed and another 30have been wounded. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkeyhas thus far hesitating in directly blaming Russia for this blood-letting, instead is directing his ire against the forces of SyrianPresident Bashar al-Assad, which have come under Turkish fire,incurring hundreds of casualties. But military planners in Ankaraknow full well that the Assad forces could not have achieved thatvictory without Russian air cover.

Initially, President Erdogan called on President Vladimir Putinto stop the carnage, but his call has gone nowhere. Then, the twoagreed for a summit meeting in Istanbul on March 5, only for theKremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov to announce that PresidentPutin has other appointments on March 5.The latest word is that Erdogan would be heading to Moscow

for the coveted meeting. For an arrogant Erdogan, that is humil-iating.In the meantime, the news media and political apparatus in

Ankara have been in action, seeking support for Turkish adven-turism in Syria.Turkey’s diplomatic moves have been accompanied by threats

towards different directions but particularly aimed at Russianinterests.For example, Erdogan’s advisor on political issues,

Mesut Hakkı Çasın, has announced that Turkey’s response toRussia will be very harsh; there are 25 million Muslims in Russiaand they can blow up that country from within.This is not the first time that Turkey has been weaponizing reli-

gion and ethnicity. It is worth remembering that when Germanystopped Erdogan from carrying out his electoral campaign inGermany in 2017, he appealed to ethnic Turks in Europe to havebigger families to increase their numbers and therefore power inEurope, gradually.On the diplomatic front, he took a trip to Azerbaijan for an

extended meeting with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev’s govern-ment last week. He was joined by a large delegation which signed14 different agreements and he vowed to raise the current levelof trade between the two nations from the current $2 billion to$15 billion annually.What was more significant was the participation of Turkey’s

Minister of Defense Hulusi Akar, who signed military agreementswith Azerbaijan to supply that country with more modernweapons, and to plan the joint production of military hardware.More alarming for Armenia was Erdogan placing the issue of

Karabakh on the front burner. He stated that the Karabakh issuewas Turkey’s issue as much as it was Azerbaijan’s. “It is our great-est desire to resolve the problem of Nagorno Karabakh on thebasis of Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.In a joint press conference, Azeri President Ilham Aliyev

thanked Erdogan for “supporting the righteous cause” ofAzerbaijan and announced that Azerbaijan “will continue to pur-chase modern weapons from Turkey.”The impact of this entire political show extends far beyond the

Caucasus to warn Moscow that Erdogan is ready to targetRussia’s pressure points, with one being in the Caucasus and theother being in Libya; in the latter, Russia supports GeneralHaftar against the government in Tripoli, which in turn enjoysTurkey’s political and military support.The other move naturally would have been to draw NATO into

this conflict. Erdogan has asked for a special session of NATO todiscuss the situation in Syria. Article 5 of the NATO alliancetreaty calls for collective action if one of the members is attacked;the attack on Turkish forces in Syria would not be considered anattack on all members. But since Erdogan could not invokeaction through Article 5, he has invoked Article 4, which calls forconsultation between the members in time of crisis. However,since the legality of Turkey’s presence on Syrian soil is question-able, Erdogan has not received more than condolences for thelost soldiers. Scott Ritter, the former UN weapons inspector (1991-1998)

writing in an op-ed on Global Research, has stated, “The bestTurkey could get from its Article 4 con-sultation, however, was a lukewarmstatement by Jens Stoltenberg, theNATO secretary general, condemningSyria and Russia while encouraging adiplomatic resolution to the fighting inSyria that focused on alleviating theunfolding humanitarian crisis regardingrefugees. This is a far cry from the kindof concrete military support, such as theprovision of Patriot air defense systemsor NATO enforcement of a no-fly zoneover Idlib, Turkey was hoping for.”Turkey aggravates the West and

Europe to no end and expects to drawthe US and Europe its own misadven-tures.A disgruntled Erdogan has opened

the floodgates of immigrants to letthem invade Europe, breaking a 2016deal with the European Union, aftermilking it of billions of dollars in orderto prevent exactly such a scenario. Atthe time of this writing, tens of thou-sands of migrants have been at Greece’s

borders, trying to enter Europe.Moscow has engaged its own political machine to counter

Turkey’s initiatives. It has sent 10 warships into the Black Sea.On the other hand, the Secretary of the Collective SecurityTreaty Organization Defense General Stanislav Zas, who, coinci-dentally, was visiting Yerevan, has announced that shouldArmenia be attacked by Azerbaijan, the alliance will support theformer. This kind of open statement has been rare by Moscowand even by the alliance, of which Armenia is a member.Should the confrontation escalate on the Syrian battlefield,

not only the destiny of Karabakh is at stake, but the 102ndRussian military base in Armenia may also engage since it is clos-est to the battlefield.Many observers believe that the escalation may not lead to open

hostilities. Even the fears that Turkey may provoke Aliyev to starta regional war is a remote possibility, because the country isundergoing a transformation. However, Azerbaijan has begun mil-itary exercises to inject fear in an already-tense situation.Amid all the threats of war and diplomatic maneuvers, several

ideas are being offered. One initiative, which may end up to bevery dangerous for Armenia, was proposed by Turkey’s ForeignMinister Mevlut Çavusoglu, who has stated that Turkey can solvethe issue of Karabakh, if President Putin extends a helping hand.This proposal is within the context of a political swap; Turkeydoes not enjoy regional support for its actions in Syria. Europeand the US also have demonstrated that they are not interestedin Turkey’s gamble in Syria. Therefore, Erdogan is looking for aface-saving device for an honorable retreat from Syria. Therefore,Çavusoglu’s deal offers a Turkish retreat from Syria in return fora solution in favor of Azerbaijan in Karabakh, with Russian lead-ership.This reminds us of the deal during the Treaty of Kars in 1921,

when Turkey ceded Batumi to Moscow, instead receiving MountArarat. Is this a remote possibility? It’s anyone’s guess.

Established 1932

An ADL Publication

EDITOR

Alin K. Gregorian

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Aram ArkunART DIRECTOR

Marc Mgrditchian

SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST:Edmond Y. Azadian

CONTRIBUTORS:Florence Avakian, Dr. HaroutiunArzoumanian, Philippe Raffi Kalfayan,Philip Ketchian, Kevork Keushkerian,Harut Sassounian, Hagop Vartivarian,Naomi Zeytoonian

CORRESPONDENTS:

Armenia - Hagop AvedikianBoston - Nancy KalajianLos Angeles - Taleen BabayanBerlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach

Contributing Photographers:Jirair Hovsepian

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COMMENTARY

19

My TurnBy Harut Sassounian

Remnants of an Old ArmenianVillage Near AnkaraLast summer, Argun Konuk, a 24-year-old Turkish travel

and history enthusiast, published an article about theArmenian village of Stanoz located near Ankara.Konuk reported that Stanoz was “once a prosperous

Armenian village in the Ottoman era, now, nothing but ruinsand tombstones…. Old Armenian manuscripts reveal that thefirst inhabitants of the village of Stanoz came from Cilicia inthe 15th century. As records show, the population of Stanozbefore World War I was 3142 people (668 families) and con-sisted of Armenians only. Up until its abandonment, Stanozremained an Armenian-speaking settlement.”The residents of the village of Stanoz were skilled in carpet

weaving, embroidery and leather processing. Furthermore,they produced fabric from goat hair which was in highdemand in Europe. The villagers were also knowledgeableabout agriculture, cattle-breeding and construction.Konuk also reported that unfortunately the only things

that remain in Stanoz now are the graveyard, a stone bridge,and ruins of an Armenian Church. The damage was mostlycaused by Turkish gravediggers or treasure hunters. The sizeof the graveyard keeps shrinking as the Turkish neighborshave been encroaching on the property.Stanoz was mentioned in the journals of many travelers for

centuries. An 18th-century British military officer, FrederickBurnaby, reported that during his visit to Stanoz, one of theArmenian priests told him that Armenians of Stanoz live in

peace with people who practice Islam and Judaism.Konuk also reported that “the well-known Turkish traveler

Evliya Celebi shared remarkable anecdotes in his journalabout this village after his visit in 1643. He spoke of Stanozas a wealthy town with impressive productivity. Furthermore,he shared that Stanoz had a thousand dwellings, a big bazaar,a fully functioning Turkish bath and even a laundromat.”There were three religious buildings in Stanoz: Sourp

Prgich Church, Karasoun Manoug Church and a Protestantchurch. There were two Armenian schools: SourpGhevontyan School with 140 male and 40 female studentsand Lusignan School with 50 male and 35 female students.Due to the Genocide and deportation of Armenians by

Ottoman Turkey, many Stanoz residents were either killed orfled the area leaving the village as a ghost town.The writer found that currently only three Armenians live

in Stanoz. Kevork Balabian, who was born in Stanoz, toldKonuk: “Stanoz had 1200 households and a population of 7-8 thousand. Ottomans valued Stanoz a lot. At the time, theArmenian population of Stanoz migrated to modern citiessuch as Istanbul, Marseille and Beirut. Only my wife and I,who came from Hatay, and our daughter live in the region. Igo there often as I have a farm and a vineyard. Some treasurehunters come there in hopes of pillaging and finding somevaluable artifacts but they are afraid of me so they mostlyleave. We have graves there and I still look after them.”An old Turk told Kunuk: “We all grew up with Armenians,

went to the same schools. Back then if you were hungry, youcould easily knock on an Armenian’s door and ask for foodand it was the same for them. We did many things together.There was an Armenian doctor whose name was MihranKiremitchi. Every single child who was born in this regionowes him so much as he cared for everyone and cured every-one’s child regardless of ethnicity and social class. We neversaw him asking for money from anyone. And again, weddings,funerals, everything else, we did together with theArmenians. We even celebrated religious holidays together.They used to paint eggs and we used to sacrifice animals. Wemiss them.”

An Armenian by the name of M. Suryan wrote in Aravodnewspaper on April 28, 1919: “Some of the houses ofArmenian residents who were exiled during World War I werelooted and robbed. A considerable part of Albanians andBosnians resettled in these abandoned homes. The new resi-dents demolished many of the structures and provided fire-wood by removing wooden pillars, floor-ceiling boards ofmany homes. Moreover, instead of acquiring wood from theforest, they cut the fruit trees in the gardens to warm up. Theaftermath was appalling as this notable village became dilap-idated ruins. Gradz Kar, a small Armenian village, which con-sisted of twenty houses, located an hour away from Stanoz,also suffered the same fate.”Konuk is highly offended that Turkish gravediggers have

violated the sanctity of the Armenian graves: “The graveyardis particularly in such an abject condition that human bonesare scattered around the graves that are pillaged by the trea-sure hunters and many of the tombstones are damaged. Thetombstones are priceless. Each of them represent historicalimportance, however, their current state is heartbreaking.Even now after devastating centuries, there are still manyartifacts and historical objects lying around. For me the mostappalling thing was to see some human bones scatteredaround the graves. In hopes of finding gold or other valuablegoods, treasure hunters dig the graves illegally and throwaround the bones of the Armenians who are resting thereeternally. Undeniably, this is an extreme case of disrespect.”Konuk concluded his report with the following heart-warming

words: “We Turks lived with Armenians in peace for centuriesand I believe this place should carry the same importance asother Turkish cemeteries. Regardless of ethnicity and religion,the Turkish state should have taken measures to protect thememory of this village. Unfortunately, the future of Stanozseems bleak. It is quite sad to see that this old and notable set-tlement completely vanished…. After five months of my firstvisit, I decided to go there again and it shocked me to see thatmany tombstones were missing! The Armenians of Stanoz wereour kin. Who knows what stories and secrets this settlement hasto tell us. Unfortunately we will never learn them.”

Defeat of AzerbaijanBegan in Khojaly,Nagorno-KarabakhBy David Davidian

ZERBAIJANIS and their PR supporters willbegin their yearly media blitz about events thattook place in the town of Khojaly in the regionof Nagorno-Karabakh in February 1992. It wasin Nagorno-Karabakh where the indigenousArmenians fought the Azerbaijani Army. Wewill read that events in Khojaly were genocidewith victims lacking justice as handed out atNuremberg. These two claims are an insult tothe term genocide and the judgments at

Nuremberg. Justice does not begin with falsifying events,selectively deleting massive amounts of information, andusing the calamity at Khojaly to convince the world and anotherwise defeated Azerbaijani state that Armenians arebarbarians. Let’s look at the record.First, nobody would have died on either side if

Azerbaijan didn’t base its emerging national ethos on theexpulsion of Armenians from within the borders grantedthem jurisdiction by Joseph Stalin.Second, 90% of Stepanakert, the regional capital of

Nagorno-Karabakh, was destroyed mainly from indiscrimi-nate shelling from Khojaly. Azerbaijan had to assumeKhojaly was a lead target needing neutralizing.Third, by February 1992, shelling from Khojaly had

killed over 30 members of the Russian 366 Mountain Riflegroup stationed in Stepanakert. The Azerbaijanis musthave known this military detachment would eventuallyretaliate.Fourth, when Armenians finally reached Khojaly and

ended the shelling, for a week, Armenians publiclyannounced on megaphones, radio, and TV, to the civilianpopulation to get out as a final battle was clearly in theworks. However, the Azerbaijani military did what it couldto prevent civilians from leaving Khojaly. During a last-minute exit of Azerbaijani civilians, using a corridor creat-ed by Armenian fighters, shooting began betweenAzerbaijani soldiers and Armenians, after which many, onthe order of a hundred or so Azerbaijani civilians, werekilled. Their names registered in human rights reports.Within weeks, that number began to rise until it wasassumed 600+ was good enough. Azerbaijanis never makemention of Armenian losses.The defeat of Khojaly forced from office then Azerbaijani

President Mutalibov. Mutalibov describes the Azerbaijanipolitical engineering of events at Khojaly in an interviewwith Czech reporter Dana Mazalova in the April 2 issue ofNezavisimaya Gazeta newspaper. Of course, several yearsafter this interview and reiterated earlier this month,Mutalibov claimed he never made such statements, eventhough the papers exist.Within hours of the deaths in Khojaly, the famous

Azerbaijani video journalist Chingiz Mustafayev recordedthe destruction. Four days later, Mustafayev returned andfound many of these bodies moved from Khojaly to manykm inside the Azerbaijani side of the contact line.Mustafayev videoed these same bodies postmortem muti-lated, surrounded by Azerbaijani soldiers. Some reportersrecognized the earlier Khojaly bodies subsequently muti-lated. Azerbaijan claims Armenians hacked up the victims,yet all show wounds that hadn’t bled. Dead bodies don’tbleed. Two months later, Mustafayev lost his life under mys-terious circumstances. Mustafeyev’s second film was keptunder strict censorship by Azerbaijan until 2017 whenChingiz Mustafayev’s brother Vahid, released the film afterAzerbaijani authorities closed down his TV station in Baku.Azerbaijanis provide “photos of Khojaly,” which included

photos of mothers grieving over dead children, but theywere photos from a 1980s-era earthquake in Erzerum,Turkey. Periodically, Azerbaijan would present what theyclaim as photographic evidence of events in Khojaly. As anexample, Azerbaijan took previously color photos from themid-1990s carnage in Yugoslavia, made them into blackand white, and claimed they were bodies from the events inKhojaly in 1992. Last year’s Azerbaijani “Khojaly com-memoration” in Iran had a photograph from the 1915Turkish genocide of the Armenians, claiming it was from inKhojaly in 1992. That photo is in the US National Archives.If events in Khojaly were so evident, Azerbaijan would nothave to plagiarize evidence.Less than two months after the Khojaly event, early

morning on April 10, 1992, Azerbaijani soldiers capturedthe peaceful Armenian village of Maragha. The soldiersmurdered, hacked up, and burnt alive nearly 100 Armeniancivilians. Azerbaijanis have forgotten this act of premedi-tated barbarism.Azerbaijan failed to thoroughly cleanse Armenians that

were placed under their jurisdiction by Joseph Stalin,demonstrated by sovereignty exercised by the Armenians ofNagorno-Karabakh today. Azerbaijanis continue to use theterm genocide to describe events in Khojaly to a worldaudience that has been fed a story with most of the factsdeleted and others manufactured.For more facts associated with this event, see March 6,

2017, Times of Israel article “Genocides that Never Were:Jenin, West Bank, and Khojaly, Nagorno-Karabakh.”

(This commentary originally appeared in ModernDiplomacy on February 26.)

A

Turkey’s Actions in SyriaButting up Against NATOTurkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan asked NATO to invoke its

mutual defense pact when 36 Turkish troops were recently killedby Russian and Syrian forces in Idlib, Syria. His request is cynicaland self-serving. Erdogan betrayed the Alliance, siding with Russia

in a war he helped foment. After the 2011 popular

uprising in Dara’a, whichmarked the beginning ofSyria’s civil war, Erdogan

embraced the Muslim Brotherhood and supported Islamist rebelsfighting the regime of Bashar al-Assad. Erdogan envisioned him-self the Caliph of Mesopotamia, leading a worldwide communityof Sunni brothers. Erdogan made Turkey the major conduit for weapons and

money conveyed to jihadists in Syria. At the time, he thought thevictory of jihadists was inevitable. However, Assad’s forces weretenacious. President Barack Obama promised regime change and drew a

red line on the use of chemical weapons (CW). More than 1,300people, including hundreds of children, were killed in theDamascus suburbs of Ghouta, Muadhamiya, Ein Tarma, andZamalka on August 21, 2013. Obama had no appetite for militaryintervention. He claimed the red line was a warning, rather thanan actual threat to intervene. Left to his own devices, Erdogan expanded support for the

rebels. Turkey’s National Intelligence Agency established the jiha-di highway from Sanliurfa in Turkey to Raqqa, the ISIS capital inSyria. It assisted 40,000 foreign jihadists from more than 100countries who transited through Turkey to the front line in Syria. The presence of Chechens and other Islamists from the

Southern Caucasus was deeply unsettling to Russia. Rebeladvances presented a risk to Russian bases in Latakia and Tartus,threatening Russia’s warm-water port on the Mediterranean.Rebels also threatened Iran’s corridor through Iraq and Syria toLebanon that was supplying Hezbollah with sophisticated missilesto attack Israel. General Qassem Soleimani, head of the Iranian Revolutionary

Guard (IRGC) Quds Force, visited Moscow to meet Russiandefense officials in July 2015. Soleimani unfurled a map of rebeladvances on Damascus. He assured the worried audience, “All isnot lost.”Russian and Iranian officials agreed on a plan to rescue Assad.

The IRGC, Hezbollah, and other Shiite militias would join theSyrian Arab Armed Forces on the battlefield. Russia would pro-vide air support. Putin announced Russia’s military interventionat the UN General Assembly on 28 September 2015. Turkey and Russia were on opposite sides. Turkey supported

regime change and gave weapons to the rebels, while Russiabacked the regime.

see SYRIA, page 20

By David L. Phillips

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

Turkey’s ActionsIn Syria ButtingUp Against NATOSYRIA, from page 19Differences became disaster when a

Turkish F-16 shot down a Russian Sukhoi-24 along the Syrian border on November24, 2015.Turkey was also alienated from the

United States. The US and Turkey had amajor falling out after Erdogan allegedAmerica’s complicity in the so-called coupthat summer. Pragmatic and transactional,Erdogan forged an alliance with Putin inSyria.Marginalizing the UN and excluding the

US, Turkey joined Russia in the Astanaprocess.Putin agreed to look the other way,

while Turkish-backed jihadis and Turkisharmed forces targeted the Syrian Kurds,who Erdogan called the “real terrorists.”Turkey invaded Afrin in January 2018.

The offensive, called “Operation OliveBranch”, killed hundreds of Kurds and dis-placed nearly a quarter million. Russia con-trolled the air space west of the Euphratesand was complicit. Turkey invaded Kurdish lands east of the

Euphrates in October 2019. Hundreds werekilled and many displaced, including Kurds,Armenians and Syriac Christians. Turkey’sjihadist proxies committed atrocities, muti-lating the bodies of female fighters. Erdogan thought he could dissuade

Putin from attacking Idlib, the last rebelstronghold in Syria’s Northwest. Despiteassurances, Syrian ground forces backedby Russian air power intensified attacks,pushing 900,000 people from their homes.Turkey sealed its border leaving displacedSyrians with no place to go. Turkey presents itself as the victim of

actions by Russia and Syria. In fact, it isthe aggressor. The violent conflict betweenTurkey and Russia in Idlib is a direct resultof Erdogan’s ill-conceived bravado. Now Erdogan wants NATO to intervene

on Turkey’s behalf. Article 5 of the NorthAtlantic Charter stipulates that an attackon one member of the Alliance is an attackon all. However, Erdogan’s appeal has fallen on

deaf ears. Erdogan’s duplicity has riled theWest. His anti-American, anti-Europeanand anti-NATO positions have burnedbridges. For sure, any loss of life is regrettable. It

is, however, hard to side with Turkey in itsdispute with Russia when Erdogan’sactions led to Turkey’s woes. Turkey intensified the civil war by sup-

plying jihadis. Erdogan extorted moneyfrom the European Union to manage therefugee crisis, which he helped create. Justyesterday, Turkey was weaponizingrefugees by dumping displaced people onthe border with Greece. Turkey scornedUN diplomacy by joining the Astana pro-cess. It repudiated the US, spending $3 bil-lion on Russian surface-to-air missiles. Both Obama and Trump have assidu-

ously avoided a slippery slope in Syria.Years ago, Obama missed an opportunityto intervene when intervention could havesaved many lives.Despite the heart-wrenching suffering of

people in Idlib, the Trump administrationis unlikely to get involved militarily. USofficials should not ignore Erdogan’shubris or excuse his bad judgement.(Phillips is Director of the Program on

Peace-building and Human Rights atColumbia University’s Institute for theStudy of Human Rights. He served as aSenior Adviser at the State Departmentduring the Clinton, Bush and Obamaadministration. His forthcoming book isFront Line Syria: From Revolution toProxy War (Bloomsbury). This columnoriginally appeared on the websiteInstitute for the Study of Human Rightson March 1.)

REVIEW

A Look Back at AniAt Its Height, and atIts Nadir

By Mardean Isaac

In June 1909, Krikor Balakian, a youngArmenian priest, undertook a pilgrimage to theancient city of Ani. The Ruins of Ani, his record ofthis trip, has now beentranslated into English byhis great-nephew, theArmenian-American poetPeter Balakian, who alsocontributes an incisiveintroduction. Peter also co-translated

(with Aris Sevag) ArmenianGolgotha (reviewed in theTLS, August 7, 2009), his great-uncle’s sprawlingeyewitness account of the Armenian genocide — atthe outset of which, in 1915, Krikor was arrested,enduring four years of turmoil before escaping toGermany. At its peak in the tenth century, Ani was a “rich

and mercantile” capital with a landscape featuring“fortified walls, marvelous royal palaces and prince-ly mansions.” The city exemplified the excellence of

Armenian architecture, the influence of whichextended to European gothic styles. After a complex history of conflicts and usurpa-

tions, Tamerlane’s invasion in the 1380s made Ani“an uninhabited place” by the end of the century. In the late 1800s Ani was revived as a nexus of

scholarly interest. The renewed vision of Ani alsodeepened a patriotic sense that, in Peter Balakian’swords, “the Armenian past is still touchable,” andthat “past glory and present suffering are part of aconjoined history.” The city came to represent notonly the aesthetic achievements of the Armeniannation, but also the power that once undergirdedthem. Krikor Balakian’s account of his visit mixes the

ecstatic and the solemn. The revelry of a group ofpilgrims — in the com-pany of the Catholicosof All Armenians,whose predecessorshad not been to Ani onan official visit for “ninelong centuries” — keepshim up at night in themonastery after a dayof touring the “half-

destroyed ruins” he depicts carefully in this book.But he is also haunted by the memory of hisencounter with Ani, which had stored the memoryof Armenian decline; Turkey conquered the cityduring the genocide and continues to suppress allreferences to its Armenian heritage. This new edition of The Ruins of Ani is not mere-

ly an informative description of a dazzling city thatbecame a “great museum of the arts and crafts of

Armenian antiquity.” It is also an intriguing docu-ment of trans-historical and cross-generational imag-ination. The “richness and opulence” that “always[aroused] the greed of conquering rulers” when Aniwas in its prime have long vanished, but eyes areconverging on the city once more.

(This review by originally appeared in the TimesLiterary Supplement in February.)

The Ruins of Ani: A journey to Armenia’sMedieval Capital and its Legacy

By Krikor Balakian, Translated and edited

by Peter Balakian with Aram Arkun