By Georgi-Ann Oshagan

Greater Detroit’s Armenian community kicked off its ongoing fundraising program on Oct. 26 to support Syrian-Armenian relief efforts, as ongoing violence envelops the country’s major cities that have been home to Armenians for hundreds of years.

Mouradian during his presentation

Sponsored by the Greater Detroit United Committee for Syrian Armenian Relief Fund, the event at St. Sarkis Lillian Arakelian Hall raised over $7,500. The committee continues to meet frequently to engage greater segments of metro Detroit’s Armenian community in its work, with ongoing phone-banking and planning of additional fundraisers underway.

Led by co-chairs Shakeh Basmajian and Shant Jamgotchian, the committee is comprised of representatives from the following metro Detroit churches and organizations: St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church, St. Vartan Armenian Catholic Church, and Armenian Congregational Church; ARF Detroit “Azadamard” Gomideh; ARS “Maro,” “Shakeh,” “Sybille,” “Tsolig,” and “Zabel” Chapters; Homenetmen of Detroit; Hamazkayin of Detroit; Tekeyan Cultural Association; AYF Detroit “Kopernik Tandourjian” Chapter; Knights of Vartan of Detroit, Daughters of Vartan of Detroit; Detroit Armenian Women’s Club; and Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America-Michigan Section.

Master of Ceremonies Hayg Oshagan set the tone with a moment of silence for those who have lost their lives in the beleaguered country. Oshagan noted that he accepted the master of ceremonies job because he felt a particular responsibility to the Syrian-Armenian community for personal and political reasons connected to the 1915 Armenian Genocide and creation of the Armenian Diaspora. Oshagan’s grandfather, noted author and literary critic Hagop Oshagan, is buried in Aleppo, and was a 1915 Armenian Genocide survivor who joined his compatriots in creating the Armenian Diaspora, which survives and thrives to this day.

“We need to feel a responsibility to our families,” Oshagan said. “As diasporans, we are from different countries and we need to remember our major diasporan cities: Beirut, Aleppo, and now Los Angeles and New York. We share a sense of responsibility toward our nation when our nation is suffering in some part of the world. We are suffering when they are suffering. The Syria-Armenian community is part of the Armenian nation.”

Oshagan also emphasized that the Oct. 26 effort was not merely “an educational event.” Rather, he said, “This is an event to connect with our nation and we want this to be a successful fundraiser. The organizing committee here in Detroit is finding ways of creating unity because no matter where we are from, we are one nation. Fundraisers have occurred in many places and now it is our turn to help.”

The program’s emotional underpinning was also expressed by Dr. Taline Hagopian in her recitation of poet Baruyr Sevag’s “Gank ou ge Menank,” which was translated into English in the evening’s program booklet.

(L-R) Khatchig Mouradian, Hayg Oshagan, and Greater Detroit United Committee for Syrian Armenian Relief Fund co-chairs Shakeh Basmajian and Shant Jamgotchian.

“We are few, but they call us Armenians,” she recited in Armenian. “When we were forced to leave our own land, wherever we reached, wherever we went, everywhere we left an indelible trace. We do not put ourselves above anyone, but we know ourselves. We are called Armenians.”

Guest speaker Khatchig Mouradian continued to highlight the genocide-diaspora connection to current events in Syria with his slideshow and presentation entitled, “When Elephants Fight: The Syrian-Armenian Community in Crisis.” The Armenian Weekly editor, journalist, and genocide scholar explained, “When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers most,” and in today’s Syrian conflict, the citizens are the “grass” that is being flattened by opposing political forces.

Mouradian shared fresh news about Syria’s Armenian community and political conditions on the ground and in the region, noting that the ancient cities of Aleppo and Damascus are living museums that are being destroyed and looted as communities are caught in the conflict. “Several dozen Armenians have been killed that we know of,” he added.

Mouradian offered the poignant story of an Armenian who left Der Zor to move to Aleppo, thinking the city would be safer that the small desert community. Shortly after his move, he was killed by a bomb. Mouradian used the story to connect 1915 genocide survivors and orphans who arrived in Der Zor from the death marches to the current death and injury resulting from the continued political upheaval, which envelops Armenians whose links to that past connect them to an unstable present and an unknowable future.

“With the link to Der Zor, we have come full circle,” Mouradian observed.

Concerns over Syria’s Armenian and other minority populations center on preserving civil and religious rights, staving off censorship and oppression, and being watchful of Turkey’s influential role in the Syrian conflict and its pointed effort with other allies to overthrow the Assad regime and impose its own agenda. It’s an agenda that threatens to result in chaos and havoc in a country whose minority Christian populations “are not in the mix for cutting deals” with big political players.

Some economic experts in Ankara view and approach Aleppo as a province of Turkey, Mouradian added, noting the additional destabilizing threats of the Kurdish Question and Turkey’s continuing denial of the Armenian Genocide as factors that impact the Syrian-Armenian community and its future security. “This is a huge regional game that Turkey is trying to play.”

With regard to diasporan relief efforts, Mouradian reported that supplies are reaching the Syrian-Armenian community. He also showed a video clip of activity at a school that recently opened in Yerevan for about 250 children of Syrian-Armenian families who escaped the country for a safer haven in the homeland.

“But for every child who is in Armenia, there are 10-20 more in Syria who deserve their education, and they need our help,” Mouradian said. He concluded his presentation by noting that the Armenian community has survived in Syria by supporting the state, and that the current official community position is that the Syrian-Armenian community is neutral.

United Committee co-chair Shakeh Basmajian thanked attendees and donors, reminding them that the community has responded to emergency situations in the past—including helping Beirut’s Armenian community during the Lebanese civil war and in the aftermath of the 1988 Armenian earthquake—and must again respond to this newest crisis facing Syria’s Armenian community.

“The time to help is now,” Basmajian said, noting that with the Christmas and New Year gift-giving season approaching, families should “promise to give one gift less and use that money to donate to the Armenians of Syria.”

The evening began with an invocation by St. Sarkis host-church pastor Rev. Fr. Hrant Kevorkian and ended with a benediction by Rev. Dr. Vahan Tootikian of the Armenian Congregational Church and Father Andon Atamian of St. Vartan Armenian Catholic Church. The national anthems were sung by Rubik Mailian, who was accompanied by Helen Movsessian.

NORTH ROYALTON, Ohio—The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Cleveland “Artsakh” Chapter on Sun., Nov. 11, organized a fundraising event to support the Syrian-Armenians currently suffering from the atrocities of war. The Cleveland Armenian community came together at Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Church, and raised a total of $8,300.

The event began with the singing of the Armenian National Anthem, “Mer Hairenik.” Ungerouhi Rose Paratto from the Cleveland chapter conveyed the ARS’s mission, as well as the Syrian-Armenians’ current harrowing situation. Paratto then introduced several special guests who had come from out of town to support the event; they included Angele Manoogian from the ARS Central Committee, Arpy Seferian from the ARS Chicago “Zabelle” Chapter, and Ani Attar from ARS Eastern USA Regional Board of Directors, who addressed the community.

Antranig Kasbarian from the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) also addressed the community. Although no stranger to the Cleveland Armenian community, George Asadorian was introduced and addressed the group, and encouraged the fundraising marathon.

Members of the ARS “Artsakh” Chapter donated, cooked, and graciously served the food and desserts. Other members of the community also donated desserts and lavash bread.

Rev. Fr. Der Vazken Bekiarian from the Holy Cross Armenian Church (Prelacy) and Rev. Fr. Der Hratch Sargsyan from St. Gregory of Narek (Diocese) both offered their prayers for the Syrian-Armenians, and also spoke briefly regarding the situation.

The organizers thanked the Armenian community of Cleveland for their generosity, and all of the individuals who volunteered and donated to the event. May our Lord bless what we collected in this event and may it be of good help to many Armenian families in crisis, saving our Armenian schools, churches, and organizations in Syria during this very difficult time.

DETROIT, Mich. (A.W.)—The drawing of the ACAA raffle was held at the Armenian Community Center in Detroit on Nov. 10, with more than 80 church and community leaders and members present.

Community leaders during the raffle drawing

The event was MC-ed by Manoug Der Hovagimian, who invited raffle committee member Talin Daghlian to deliver remarks. Daghlian thanked the Detroit “Azadamard” Gomideh for hosting the event and providing the necessary support.

Below are the names of prize winners and their prizes:

1st Prize: ACAA Armenian Heritage Cruise XVI for 2 people (valued at $2,500), donated by the ACAA Armenian Heritage Cruise. Winner: ticket #00595, Mr. and Mrs. David and Mireille Kerkerian from Boca Raton, Fla.

2nd Prize: Kazakz Rug, hand-made in Armenia (valued at $1,800), donated by Kazanjian Carpet Gallery.

Winner: ticket #00376, Mr. and Mrs. Kevork and Zovinar Narinian from Glenview, Ill.

3rd Prize: Wool Carpet, made in Armenia (valued at $1,200), donated by Tufenkian Foundation. Winner: ticket #00550, Aram Parseghian from Sunnyside, N.Y.

4th Prize: Men’s Raymond Weil Watch (valued at $599), donated by Mr. and Mrs. Jack Demirjian, Mastercraft Jewelers. Winner: ticket #00568, Linda Tarzian from Ridgewood, N.J.

5th Prize: Artwork by Anoush Anna Karganian, pastel on paper (valued at $500), donated by Gallery Z of Providence, R.I. Winner: ticket #00557, Ara Caprielian from Rego Park, N.Y.

6th Prize: Olive Branch Plate by Michael Aram (valued at $199), donated and signed by Michael Aram. Winner: ticket # 00199, Takouhie Tarpinian from Old Tappan, N.J.

The ACAA 2012 Raffle Committee congratulates the above winners and extends its sincere gratitude to the donors of these gifts, to the Armenian Community Center of Greater Detroit, and to all its supporters.

From the moment the traditional Keghetzi pagharch was danced in, until the wee hours of the morning, some 350 Keghetzis and their friends packed the dance floor to the tunes of 23 Armenian musicians. On Feb. 2, at St. John Armenian Church Cultural Hall in Southfield, Mich., Keghetzis reunited for “Kef Time Keghi” with a Pagharch Dinner and the first-time performance by the Keghetzi All-Star Band to celebrate the first event organized by the Nor Keghi Association.

The Keghetzi All Star Band featured 23 musicians who performed a continuous medley of Armenian dance music. The ‘Kef Time Keghi’ event was the culmination of a year’s planning by the Nor Keghi Association. (Photo by C.J. Baldwin IV)

When it was announced that the “Guest of Honor” had arrived, members of the committee began dancing in the pagharch to the tune of “Hars ou Pesah”—with its words transformed to “Pagharchuh Egav, Egav”—performed by the Keghetzi All Star Band. The excitement was so electrifying and the love of heritage so abounding that many, if not most, joined in the festive dancing.

Richard Norsigian, the president of the Nor Keghi Association Steering Committee, gave welcoming remarks and invited Deacon Rubik Mailian to sing the American and Armenian National Anthems, and Stephan Karougian to sing “Tsainmuh Hnchetz Erzeroumi Lerneren,” as the county of Keghi was located in the province of Erzeroum. Both soloists’ beautiful renditions were received with rousing applause.

Norsigian then explained the purpose of the association and how it came to unify all Armenian political and church affiliations. After introducing the Steering Committee, he invited Mitch Kehetian, who eloquently honored the memory of our Keghetzi forefathers and immigrant settlers in America who furthered the Armenian heritage, in general, and the Keghetzi heritage, in particular. He emphasized how the Nor Keghi Association honors their memory and continues their vision by aiding Nor Keghi in the Republic of Armenia. Kehetian invited fellow Keghetzis to join the association and aid in its endeavors. Rev. Fr. Garabed Kochakian, the pastor of St. John Armenian Church, then offered the blessing.

The traditional Armenian music provided by the Keghetzi All Star Band made it seem as if these wonderful musicians—nearly all Keghetzi—had always performed together. What a tribute to their talent and heritage! The musicians who participated by donating their time included Mark Gavoor (from Chicago, Ill.), Gerry Gerjekian, Tom Gerjekian, Simon Javizian, Michael Kamalian (seven years old) and his father Stepan Kamalian (Racine, Wisc.), Harry Kezelian, Kirk Kuchukian, Bedros Kudanian, Margaret Lafian, Vaughn Masropian, Mike Mossoian, George Nigosian, George Nigosian, Sr., Greg Nigosian, Marc Nigosian, Sandi Nigoghosian, Ara Topouzian, and John Tosoian. Greg and George Nigosian beautifully and flawlessly organized and coordinated the ensemble of outstanding musicians.

Playing all evening in the background were images of historic Keghi, along with silent footage of the Armenian community from the 1940’s through the early 1960’s, filmed primarily in Detroit by the late Israel Nigosian. Grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins were not only with us in spirit, but many of them could be seen in this DVD—a sight to behold. One could see tears in the eyes of many guests as they watched and reminisced. Pictures and materials from Keghi, including from the harrowing experience by David Vartanian who survived the Titanic, were also on display in the lobby.

Although a proud Sepastatsi, Gary Reizian of Uptown Catering rose to the challenge of learning how to make pagharch based on Zaroohy Norsigian’s recipe, which was supplemented by his delicious buffet. Event co-chairs Karen Nigosian and Barbara Norsigian very ably coordinated the entire event.

A beautifully written, designed, and printed keepsake program was given to each guest. It included a brief history of the county of Keghi, demographic information, and a map with a chart of the name of its main town and its 74 Armenian villages, enabling individuals to locate where their family heritage took root. These materials were researched and compiled by Richard Norsigian, while Marty Shoushanian provided the layout and printing. A separate printed keepsake of the “History of Pagharch,” written by Mitch Kehetian, along with the Norsigian family recipe, was also provided.

According to historical documentation, Keghetzi Hyes reserved their feasting on wheat-based pagharch for February’s freezing temperatures in the mountainous Keghi region. The tradition dates back to the ancient Hittite empire. Keghetzis took this tradition with them wherever they migrated.

Hrayr Toukhanian filmed the evening’s activities, which also included the oral histories of several fellow Keghetzis, who shared their personal experiences, as well as the stories told to them. To view scenes of “Dancing in the Pagharch” from the “Kef Time Keghi” event, as well as the printed program and pagharch recipe keepsakes, or for more information about the association, visit www.keghi.org

The Nor Keghi Association’s mission is to sponsor needed projects for Nor Keghi in the Republic of Armenia. Members of the Steering Committee include Mitch Kehetian, Edward H. Korkoian, Alice Nigoghosian, Sandi Nigoghosian, Greg Nigosian, Karen Nigosian, Barbara Norsigian, Richard Norsigian, Martin Shoushanian, Gregory Vartanian, and Esther “Stitch” Vosgerchian. In the keepsake booklet, the committee gratefully acknowledged the donations from both Keghetzis and friends toward the event and to aid in the association’s mission. Donations are welcome and can be made out and addressed to Nor Keghi Association, 29958 High Valley Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48331.

Playwright, novelist, and actor will deliver Berj H. Haidostian Annual Distinguished Lecture 

The University of Michigan’s Armenian Studies Program this week announced that playwright, novelist, and actor Eric Bogosian will deliver the 2013 Berj H. Haidostian Annual Distinguished Lecture on Wed., March 13. Bogosian will discuss how his decision to write a screenplay about the 1915 assassination in Berlin of the Ottoman Grand Vazir, Talat Pasha, led him to write a non-fiction history of the Nemesis assassins and their context. He has dedicated the last five years to the study of Armenian and Turkish history, interviewing prominent historians around the world, translating primary texts from Armenian, French, and German, and conducting primary research in the British archives. He will talk about his public experience as a writer, as well as the private and personal self.

Eric Bogosian has most recently starred with Laura Linney on Broadway in Donald Margulies’ “Time Stands Still.” He wrote and starred in the play “Talk Radio” (NYSF, 1987; Broadway with Liev Schreiber, 2007), for which he received Pulitzer Prize and Tony award nominations. For his film adaptation of the play, Bogosian received the Berlin Film Festival Silver Bear Award. In addition to “Talk Radio,” Bogosian has written a number of full-length plays, including “suburbia” (LCT, Second Stage, adapted to film), “Griller” (Goodman), “Red Angel” (Williamstown Theater Festival), “Humpty Dumpty” (The McCarter), and “1+1” (New York Stage and Film). He is also the author of three novels—Mall, Wasted Beauty, and Perforated Heart—and a novella, Notes from Underground.

As an actor, Bogosian has appeared in numerous films and television programs, starring in Robert Altman’s “The Caine Mutiny Court Martial,” Oliver Stone’s “Talk Radio,” “Under Siege II,” “Wonderland,” and as Captain Danny Ross on “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.” His six solo Off-Broadway performances between 1980 and 2000—including “Drinking in America”; “Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll”; and “Wake Up and Smell the Coffee”—received three Obie awards. He lives in New York with his wife, director Jo Bonney.

The Haidostian Annual Distinguished lectureship was established by the family of the late Dr. Berj Haidostian, a prominent and devoted physician in Michigan. The Haidostian family has a long and continuing relationship with the University of Michigan and the Armenian Studies Program. Every year, together with the Armenian Studies Program faculty, they select a speaker from among internationally recognized experts on Armenia and Armenians. Recent Haidostian Distinguished Lecturers have included the renowned director Atom Egoyan, Dr. Gerard Chaliand of Paris, Dr. Fiona Hill of the Brookings Institution, Thomas de Waal of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Dr. Vartan Gregorian of the Carnegie Foundation.

The lecture begins at 7 p.m. at Helmut Stern Auditorium, University of Michigan Museum of Art, 525 S. State St., Ann Arbor, Mich. It is open to the public and will be followed by a question and answer period. It will also be video recorded and posted on www.ii.umich.edu/asp. For more information, contact the Armenian Studies Program by calling (734) 763-0622 or visiting www.ii.umich.edu/asp.

NOVI, Michigan (A.W.)—Filmmaker Bared Maronian presented his documentary “Orphans of the Genocide” at an event held at Novi Middle School here in Michigan.

Filmmaker Bared Maronian presented his documentary “Orphans of the Genocide” at an event held at Novi Middle School here in Michigan.

Hosted by the ARF Azadamard gomideh of Detroit and the AYF Kopernik Tandourjian chapter of Detroit, the event featured a screening of the documentary followed by a discussion with the Maronian.

The event was moderated by Haygan Tcholakian, who welcomed the packed audience and introduced the filmmaker. In turn, Raffi Ourlian delivered remarks on behalf of the ARF.

Maronian introduced the film before the screening. He spoke about the inception of the project, and his research and work on the documentary. He noted that European and American archives were consulted, and that “some of the material featured in the documentary has never been circulated before.”

“The volume of material was so overwhelming that we could only feature a fraction in the film. To share some additional material, we published a companion book with the same title,” Maronian added.

“Orphans of the Genocide” will debut on Valley PBS (PVPT Channel 18) on April 18 at 7 p.m.

This regular column will take a closer look at the Hai Tahd activities taking place in local communities within the Eastern Region by our volunteers. We had the opportunity last week to speak with Hovig Kouyoumdjian and Lara Nercessian of the ANC of Michigan, and asked them to shed some insights on the local community and Hai Tahd work there. This community has been a steady contributor and asset to the ANCA Eastern Region for many years.


ANC-MI, with the collaboration of the local April 24 committee, is organizing the Armenian Genocide commemoration on April 27, 2013. We are hosting two prominent speakers—Baroness Caroline Cox and Mourad Topalian.

MH: Who is involved with the ANC of Michigan team?

HK: The ANC-MI team is composed of six motivated members. The team has two senior members, Narses Gedikian and GeorgiAnn Oshagan, and four newly joined younger members, Hovig Kouyoumdjian, Lara Nercessian, Toros Bardakjian, and Adi Asadoorian.

In addition to being members of ANC-MI, most committee members have been involved in the ARF, the church, and in local organizations such as ARS, AYF, and HMEM.

MH: What has the ANC of Michigan been up to lately?

HK: Lately we’ve been engaged in many ANCA Action Alerts by motivating and encouraging our community to call local lawmakers and Congressmen to advocate for Hai Tahd activities. We are also trying to reach out to our community via e-mail and social media announcements and news. Our Facebook page is attracting a lot of views and we strive to make the page the voice of the Armenian community in Michigan, with its all components.

ANC-MI, with the collaboration of the local April 24 committee, is organizing the Armenian Genocide commemoration on April 27, 2013. We are hosting two prominent speakers—Baroness Caroline Cox and Mourad Topalian. Also, we are planning to initiate a series of meetings with current and newly elected Michigan lawmakers to establish new connections on the state and federal levels.

MH: What’s your background with the Armenian community? Tell me more about yourself.

HK: I came to Michigan to pursue my Ph.D. at Michigan State University; hence my involvement in the Armenian community of the greater Detroit area is recent, since 2011. Before that I was a member of the Zavarian Student Association in Beirut for 10 years, where I was on the executive for two years. Currently, I am part of the ANC-MI team and an advisor of the local Detroit AYF “Kopernik Tandourjian” chapter.

LN: I have been involved since the fall of 2012 and am an attorney here in Michigan. Specifically, I am an assistant prosecuting attorney for Wayne County. I’ve been involved in the Armenian community since I was a member of the Richmond “Roupen” AYF chapter, where I was on the executive. When I moved to Michigan, I joined the Detroit AYF and was again on the executive, and was later a junior advisor. I was also on the Steering Committee for the 2000 AYF Senior Olympics. I interned with the Armenian Assembly in 1998 and have been a member of our local ARS “Zabel” Chapter since 2008, where I was chairperson, treasurer, and now secretary. I have been on the mid-council for ARS in Michigan for two years and a representative to the United Nations for the ARS for three years.

MH: What do you want to see the ANCA do more of locally?

HK: I think the ANCA should especially reach out to the youth, and should do its best to systematically incorporate Hai Tahd advocacy workshops and training sessions, as well as coordinate with the local AYF and other Armenian youth organizations. With the help of our experienced members, this coordination can lead to a more effective presence and a louder voice in the local and regional political landscape.

On Sat., Feb. 23, the ARF “Azadamard” Gomideh and the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) “Kopernik Tandourjian” Chapter of Detroit screened four-time regional Emmy Award-winner Bared Maronian’s “Orphans of the Genocide” documentary at the Novi Middle School Auditorium in Novi, Mich. Armenian National Committee of Michigan (ANC-MI) member Hovig Kouyoumdjian caught up with the director for an interview after the presentation.

AYF ‘Kopernik Tandourjian’ Chapter President Haigan Tcholakian introducing Bared Maronian

***

Hovig Kouyoumdjian: Tell us about your personal and career background.

Bared Maronian: I was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon. I graduated from Haigazian University and like thousands of Armenians I moved to the United States due to the civil war that erupted in the mid-1970’s. My interest in filmmaking stems from my love of photography during my high school and college years in Lebanon. Once I moved to Florida, I attended Palm Beach State College of Florida and the Broadcast Career Institute of Palm Beach.
I worked for PBS [Public Broadcasting System] in Miami, post-producing local and national documentaries, concerts, and business shows. I was fortunate to be a four-time regional Emmy Award winner. One of my works, a concert by Willie Chirino, was nominated for a Latin Grammy. Five years ago, I founded the Armenoid Team that specializes in producing thematically Armenian documentaries, and so far we’ve produced four Armenian films. 
As you’ve seen today my latest work is ‘Orphans of the Genocide,’ a 20-minute documentary about the plight of Armenian Genocide orphans. The seven-minute trailer of this documentary was a regional Emmy Award nominee in the category of Historical Documentary, a Telly Award Winner, and was a part of the NYC Filmmaker’s Festival. I currently reside in Coconut Creek, Fla., with my wife Lina and daughter Kaliana.

HK: Can you tell us more about Armenoid?

BM: The Armenoid Team is a subsidiary of Armenoid Productions, Inc. It is an independent documentary production company. The Armenoid Team produces primarily thematically Armenian documentaries. It consists of media professionals who are experts in TV or film production.

HK: What got you interested in the orphans aspect of the Armenian Genocide?

BM: The inspiration for “Orphans of the Genocide” was an article by Robert Fisk in the Independent entitled, “Living Proof of the Armenian Genocide,” which internationalized independent researcher Missak Kelechian’s findings about a college building in Antoura, Lebanon, that once housed 1,000 Armenian Genocide orphans destined to Turkification by direct orders from the Ottoman authorities. After interviewing scholars and historians on the topic, it was apparent to us that the orphans aspect of the genocide was still uncharted territory. … After three years of primary and secondary source research, the evidence of the existence of hundreds of thousands of genocide orphans was overwhelming. The stories, both live on-camera and prerecorded first-person accounts and supporting documents were too many to fit in one documentary film, so we decided to publish a companion book and incorporate some of those stories in print. We still believe that what we discovered is only the tip of the iceberg…

HK: What kind of difficulties did you face in making this documentary?

BM: The main difficulty we faced throughout those three years was financial difficulties. Although we had generous seed money to jump start the project donated to us by the Bezikian family, without which we couldn’t have started this project, at times we had to stall work. Nevertheless, with the help of other generous supporters we were able to bring our project to fruition.

Bared Maronian while filming ‘Orphans of the Genocide’ in Yerevan

HK: When do you intend to release the documentary?

BM: We are in negotiations with a few TV stations to air “Orphans of the Genocide” as early as March 2013.

HK: As we approach the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, how would you comment on the state of genocide-related documentary filmmaking? What should be done to ensure global recognition of the genocide?

BM: At Armenoid, our ultimate goal is to spread genocide awareness and prevention by way of educational entertainment. Documentary film production is an exemplary educational tool. Not to undermine the crucial importance of a good book or a great novel in telling a historical story or a unique human experience, the documentary film has a larger palette of creative elements to put to good use. Besides narrating the story with an authoritative-impressive voice, a documentary enhances the delivery of the story with related visuals and complementing music or song, thus capturing the viewer’s attention and relaying the message, which in this case is the complex concept of genocide, its awareness and its prevention. In the last 10 years, a good number of genocide-related Armenian and foreign filmmakers have produced a number of quality documentaries on this topic.

Now that we are at the doorsteps of the Armenian Genocide’s 100th anniversary, we should use this educational tool to its fullest and encourage both professional filmmakers and newbies to tell genocide stories in compelling documentaries.

HK: Any future plans?

BM: Our next project is under the working title of “Women of 1915,” on one hand dealing with the plight of the Armenian women during the genocide, and on the other, putting all of those non-Armenian women who came to the rescue of their sisters on pedestals. This unprecedented phenomenon that defied all physical and social boundaries of the time paved the way to a sisterhood that was a major aspect of the perpetuation of the Armenians as a nation.

To produce these documentaries we dedicate our knowledge, expertise, and time. That’s our contribution. And what we expect from the public is to continue to encourage us morally and financially. Without the generous donations of our supporters, the “Orphans of the Genocide” project wouldn’t have been possible. We thank them all from the bottom of our hearts. Similarly, “Women of 1915″ needs the financial support of good-hearted supporters, be they individuals, organizations, or corporations. We have a set of partnership programs available to our supporters. Interested parties may e-mail us at armenoid@comcast.net for more information.

HK: What is your message to the Armenians of Michigan, and especially to the youth?

BM: The Armenians of Michigan are one of the oldest communities in the country. Two years ago we had the honor of interviewing a son of Michigan, the late Dr. Jack Kevorkian, and a daughter of Michigan, author Mae Derdarian, who are two integral parts of “Orphans of the Genocide.” The former was the son of a genocide orphan, and the latter is the author of the novel Vergeen, which tells the story of a 13-year-old genocide orphan girl.

I would like to thank the Michigan ARF “Azadamard” Chapter and the local AYF “Kopernik Tandourjian” Chapter for organizing the screening of “Orphans of the Genocide” at the exquisite auditorium of Novi Middle School. 
About 300 community members attended the screening event and among them were a noticeable number of high school and college students. Despite the 26 degree weather, extended families arrived, with grandparents, grandchildren, and cousins. I also spotted a young family of four—mom, dad, a toddler, and a newborn in the stroller. I couldn’t have expected stronger support than that. Thank you, Detroit!

Readers interested in screening Orphans of the Genocide for their community or university can contact Bared Maronian by e-mailing armenoid@comcast.net. To learn more about the AYF and ANC-MI, visit www.facebook.com/AYFDetroit and www.facebook.com/ANCofMI.

DETROIT, Mich.—March 17 marked the third annual Easter egg hunt hosted by the Detroit Armenian Relief Society (ARS) “Zabel” Chapter.  Although chilly weather and snow on the ground forced the hunt indoors, 50 children between the ages of 2-12 participated in the hunt.

Although chilly weather and snow on the ground forced the hunt indoors, 50 children between the ages of 2-12 participated in the hunt.

Two thousand brightly colored plastic eggs filled with assorted candies were strewn over the floor of the Armenian Community Center, including 12 golden eggs. The children raced to collect as many candy-filled eggs as their baskets could hold. The lucky finders of the golden eggs received an Easter basket filled with games, toys, and more candy.

Following the hunt, the children were greeted by the Easter Bunny who made a special trip to the Armenian Community Center to meet and take photographs with the children. The afternoon ended with each child leaving with a box of more goodies and games to play with at home.

On Dec. 7, 2012, the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn, Mich., sponsored a musical concert titled “Hye Harmony: Creating Dreams for Armenian Children.” The event was part of the museum’s ongoing cultural series known as Global Fridays, and was unique in that half of the ticket proceeds benefited the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) and its program assisting the children of Nagorno-Karabagh.

L-R: Ara Topouzian, Sean Blackman, Hooshere Bezdikian, Mark Gavoor, and Mike Shimmin

The Hye Harmony concert featured Detroit’s Ara Topouzian, a 2012 Kresge Artist Fellow, on kanun; Sean Blackman on guitar; and from New York, the vocal talents of Hooshere Bezdikian. These three artists were accompanied by Mark Gavoor on oud and Michael Shimmin on percussion. The musical program consisted of Armenian folk vocal and instrumental music along with several original compositions. This sold-out concert was held on a significant date for the Armenians, as on Dec. 7, 1988, the devastating earthquake in Armenia killed and displaced thousands, including many children.

“The museum asked for an Armenian charity we would be interested in donating to, and in my mind there was no doubt that the ARS should be the recipient for these funds. The work they have done I have witnessed first hand through my father [Armenian Topouzian] and his efforts in helping the children of Armenia,” said Ara Topouzian.

Over $1,000 were donated on behalf of the Arab American National Museum to the ARS. To see portions of the concert, visit http://youtu.be/LOnYCceewfw.

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—Committed to their mission to promote awareness of and gain U.S. recognition for the first genocide of the 20^th century, a local group of Armenian-American activists hosted the sixth educator’s workshop in Michigan on the Armenian Genocide.

Participants working in a small group

Richard Norsigian, a member of the group as well as an educator, arranged the 2013 workshop with the Washtenaw Intermediate School District. The group set the date for Thurs., April 18, and sent an open invitation to secondary educators in the area. To date the group has hosted workshops in Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne counties with over 175 Michigan educators participating.

Working in collaboration with the Boston-based educational organization Facing History and Ourselves, the workshop provided an introduction to the Armenian Genocide as well as the basis for more in-depth study with instructional materials for course work and access to teaching resources. Since 1976, Facing History and Ourselves has offered an interdisciplinary approach to citizenship education that connects the history of the Holocaust and other examples of genocide to the moral questions young people face in their own lives.

Dr. Mary Johnson, the facilitator and one of the founding members of Facing History, said her interest in human rights stemmed from her father’s role as a lawyer in the Nuremberg Trials, and was made stronger by her service to the Peace Corps. Using text and video and asking the educators to work together in small groups on hypothetical responses to escalating animosities between ethnic, religious, and political groups, she presented the concept of a “universe of obligation,” and segued into the history of the Armenian Genocide and a discussion on how a genocide evolves.

The workshop was organized by the Armenian Genocide Group and sponsored by the Knights of Vartan, Metro Detroit Chapter, an organization founded to inspire and encourage its members to support cultural, educational, religious, and charitable organizations and activities on a local, national, and international level. The Armenian Genocide Group includes Knights of Vartan members, as well as Ed Bedikian, Ray Boujoulian, Richard Norsigian, David Terzibashian, and Paul Kulhanjian.

Inaugurates Museum’s Project for 2015

SKOKIE, Ill.—Author Peter Balakian spoke to an audience of more than 250 people on Sat., April 20, at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie, a suburb of Chicago, and a town that is still remembered for the controversial march of neo-Nazi groups there in 1979. The museum is the second largest of its kind after the U.S. Holocaust Museum and Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Balakian speaks at the museum.

Balakian lectured for the occasion of the 98th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, and also commenced his work with the museum as Senior Scholar for the Armenian Genocide exhibit it will mount in 2015, for the genocide’s 100th anniversary.

In his opening remarks, Museum Executive Director Rick Hirschhaut said, “Our young people–our future–must be a bridge to the future, and ensure that we realize the lessons that were set forth by us, by the Armenian Genocide, the Holocaust, and all such terrible atrocities. We must speak for those whose voices were silenced and for those who survived so we may remember and pledge never to forget. Today, at this gathering, we are reminded of a history that must be recognized, and remembered, and calls to the importance of lighting the torch of truth for the world community.”

Nairee Hagopian of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) then introduced Balakian and expressed her gratitude to the museum for initiating such an important and timely project. Balakian thanked Hirschhaut and the Illinois Holocaust Museum for their leadership in partnering with the ANCA to build a genocide exhibit for the 2015 anniversary, “a project,” he said, “that will serve as a model for others to come.”

Balakian also noted how crucial the ongoing support and intellectual work of the Jewish community has been, and continues to be, “from Ambassador Henry Morgenthau, Franz Werfel, and Raphael Lemkin, to the work and support of so many superb scholars in our time, including Elie Wiesel, Deborah Lipstadt, Robert Melson, Robert Jay Lifton, Andrew Goldberg, and many others—Jews who have made a decisive difference in clarifying our understanding of what happened to the Armenians in 1915.”

Balakian then gave a lecture titled, “Raphael Lemkin, Cultural Destruction, and the Armenian Genocide.” He discussed Lemkin’s deep thinking about what happened to the Armenians in 1915 as a seminal case of genocide, noting how Lemkin’s intellectual commitment to what he came to call genocide was heavily influenced by his study of the Turkish mass killing of Armenians. It was Lemkin, he said, who first coined the term “Armenian Genocide” in the 1940’s, and in February 1949 explained the concept on a special CBS Television broadcast about the UN Genocide Convention. Balakian also explored how the destruction of Armenian culture (intellectuals and artists, churches, schools, libraries, forced conversions to Islam, etc.) constituted a key component of genocide.

In an extensive PowerPoint presentation, he showed arresting images of magnificent, thriving Armenian churches before 1915, and those same churches, in Turkey, that are in ruins today. He concluded by observing that this kind of cultural destruction still has complex reverberations and impacts on Armenians in Armenia, in the diaspora, and in Turkey.

A reception and book signing followed.

CHICAGO, Ill.—On Wed., April 24, more than 100 demonstrators from Chicago’s Armenian, Greek, Assyrian, and Cypriot communities joined a protest organized by the Chicago “Ararat” Chapter of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) against Turkey’s ongoing and aggressive campaign of denial of the Armenian Genocide.

Turkish demonstrators chanting, ‘You deserved it! You deserved it!’

The demonstrators gathered in front of Chicago’s NBC Tower, the new home of the Turkish Consulate, around 11 a.m. waving Armenian and American flags, holding signs, and chanting such phrases as “Recognize the Genocide,” “Turkey is a liar,” and “Turkey run, Turkey hide, Turkey is guilt of Genocide.” Soon after, small groups of Turkish and Azeri counter-demonstrators exited the building, presumably from the Turkish Consulate offices, to take up positions on the opposite side of the street from the Armenian picket lines.

The Turkish counter-demonstrators began shouting slogans and cursing in Turkish at the protestors as Turkish Consul General Fatih Yildiz looked on. At one point, the Turkish group began shouting, “You deserved it! You deserved it!” and “Talat was right!” referencing genocide-mastermind Talat Pasha and essentially admitting to Turkey’s culpability in the genocides of the Armenians, Assyrians, and Greeks during and after World War I.

Despite repeated attempts by the Turks to intimidate and provoke the protestors even as Chicago police looked on, the AYF-led group maintained their discipline and continued with their picket for two hours. The protest concluded with the singing of “Mer Hairenik” and ‘Haratch Nahadag.”

AYF-led protestors demonstrating in front of the Turkish Consulate at the NBC Tower in Chicago

MADISON, Wisc.—The Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Wisconsin, in conjunction with several other Armenian organizations, paid tribute to the more than 1.5 million lives lost in the Armenian Genocide with a series of events the past two months, the ANCA Eastern Region reported.

Rep. Jeff Stone (R-Greendale), second from left, and Rep. Tyler August (R-Lake Geneva), far right, with (L-R) future ANC-WI activists Arakel Khaligian, Alidz Khaligian, Luc Dadian, and Leo Dadian holding State Assembly and Senate Armenian Genocide resolutions.

“The ANCA of Wisconsin has long been one of our most active local Eastern Region committees, and we are always impressed by their annual commemoration of the genocide. The activists there mobilize quickly and are persistent in pursuing ANCA initiatives despite living in a relatively small Armenian community,” said Michelle Hagopian, the executive director of the ANCA Eastern Region.

The first events were held on Sun., March 17. Following a performance of the play “Beast on the Moon” at the In Tandem Theater in Milwaukee, ANC-WI representative Levon Saryan participated in a panel discussion on the genocide, where he recounted the experiences of his father, Sarkis Saryan, a survivor. That same day, in Middleton, the Genocide Education Network (GEN) manned a booth at the two-day Wisconsin Council for Social Studies annual conference. GEN is a joint effort of the ANC-WI and St. John Armenian Church of Greenfield. Their booth included samples of curricula as well as books and videos on the Armenian Genocide.

On Sun., April 21, St. John Armenian Church held a special requiem service in front of their newly created genocide memorial in the church courtyard. On the same day, St. Mesrob Armenian Church in Racine hosted their annual Martyr’s Day program and Madagh dinner. The program featured Hrair Hawk Khatcherian, the pre-eminent photographer of Armenian churches in Armenia and historic Armenia. St. Mesrob also sponsored the annual Martyr’s Day blood drive on Mon., April 15.

Wed., April 24 began with a reception and program commemorating the genocide at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison. The purpose of the event was to thank the Wisconsin State Assembly and State Senate for adopting Armenian Genocide resolutions, in 2000 and 2002, which designate April 24 of each year as “Wisconsin Day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide of 1915 to 1923,” and pledge to continue to educate and promote awareness of Armenia and Armenian issues.

Sen. John Lehman (D-Racine) surrounded by (L-R) constituents Araxie Ketsemanian and Rose Shamshoian, and ANCA-WI activist Holly Khaligian.

The event was hosted by ANC-WI and Representatives Peter Barca (D-Kenosha), Kathy Bernier (R-Chippewa Falls), Mark Honadel (R-South Milwaukee), Samantha Kerkman (R-Powers Lake), Cory Mason (D-Racine), Tod Ohnstad (D-Kenosha), Jeff Stone (R-Greendale), Robin Vos (R-Burlington) and Thomas Weatherston (R-Racine) and Senators Chris Larson (D- South Milwaukee), Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin), John Lehman (D-Racine), and Bob Wirch (D- Kenosha). Additional state legislators and staff also attended and, for the first time since the event was first held in 2001, outnumbered the Armenians in attendance. The additional legislators included Tyler August (R-Lake Geneva), Fred Clark (D-Sauk City), Debra Kolste (D-Janesville), Tom Larson (R-Colfax), Adam Neylon (R-Pewaukee), Sandy Pasch (D- Shorewood), Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee), Michael Schraa (R-Oshkosh), Christine Sinicki (D-Milwaukee), Chris Taylor (D-Madison), Paul Tittl (R-Manitowoc), Chad Weininger (R-Green Bay), and Josh Zepnick (D-Milwaukee), and Senators Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) and Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay). Also in attendance were Wisconsin State Treasurer Kurt Schuler and Manny Vasquez representing Wisconsin U.S. Senator Ron Johnson.

In his remarks, ANC-WI representative Zohrab Khaligian stressed that the ongoing crime of denial is as heinous as the original crime of the Armenian Genocide. “Not only has denial allowed genocide to be transported to Germany, Cambodia, Rwanda, Sudan, and other places, but it has also returned to Armenia,” Khaligian said.

Khaligian explained that as the Soviet Union was crumbling in 1988, the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabagh petitioned to be reunited with Armenian proper. The Azeri reaction was the massacre and deportation of Armenians, and “Armenians world-wide witnessed first-hand the stories of massacre and deportation that they, to date, had only heard from their parents and grandparents who survived the Armenian Genocide.”

The Turkish lobby for years has tried to re-write the history of the Armenian Genocide on a national level, he said, and today both the Turkish and Azeri lobby are trying to re-write the history of Nagorno-Karabagh on a local and state level. Speaking to the legislators in attendance, he stated, “We will need your vigilance to prevent them from succeeding.”

April 24 ended with the annual joint memorial service held at Holy Resurrection Armenian Church in South Milwaukee. The memorial service included the participation of all four Armenian churches in Wisconsin—St. Hagop and St. Mesrob in Racine, St. John in Greenfield, and Holy Resurrection in South Milwaukee—as well as both Armenian churches in Waukegan, Ill.—St. George and St. Paul. The service was followed by a fellowship in the church hall.

ANCA Desk

On April 28, the ANCA Eastern Region expanded its presence in the Midwest with the announcement of the newly formed ANCA of Missouri. The announcement was made at the St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church genocide commemoration event in Granite City, Ill., to a crowd of 85 people.

The new committee is the second in the metropolitan St. Louis area, joining the ANC of Southern Illinois, which has been active for many years.

As someone who was born and raised in Granite City, I am beyond proud of my home city. This announcement marks a huge victory for the ANCA Eastern Region because it shows just how much we are expanding.

The ANC of Southern Illinois has long been led by my uncle, Steve Hagopian. As most of us know, though, when working with elected officials it is best to hear from constituents in their own districts. The ANC of Southern Illinois only had so much reach with Missouri politicians; thus, a need for an ANCA of Missouri was identified awhile back.

The ANC of Missouri will be led by brothers John and Jake Varadian, as well as John Donjoian, all three of whom have a long track record of serving the local community, as members of the St. Gregory Church Board of Trustees and as alumni of the Armenian Youth Federation. They also all live in the greater St. Louis metro area, which means they have a feel for local and state politics and can start mobilizing others nearby.

The Granite City Armenian community is strong when it rallies around a cause, and the formation of this new local ANC will pay huge dividends for both the local community and the Eastern Region. It gives us new connections in a state (Missouri) where the ANCA has been relatively quiet. Because Illinois is such a large state, the two local ANC’s there, Southern Illinois and Northern Illinois, have enough to worry about, so the ANC of Missouri will have plenty to focus on as it hits the ground running.

The announcement shows how vast our reach is in the Eastern Region. With 31 states in our jurisdiction, there is much work to be done and we always need new activists. The ANC of Missouri has already met and is undertaking ANCA initiatives that can produce quick results.

All it takes is a few determined individuals to start advocating for the Armenian cause. We’ve got them in far-flung places—from Louisiana to Ohio, from Maine to Florida. Every state has value for the ANCA Eastern Region because there are countless projects (and potential projects) to tackle related to Hai Tahd.

I’ve said it before: Our local ANC committees are our bread and butter. We would not be an Eastern Region without the scores of people who make up our local communities. There’s only so much I can do as director of the region; the rest comes from you.

The ANC of Missouri announcement is a big deal. We look forward to reporting on their accomplishments and welcoming other new local ANCs to the region.

If you want to join ANCA Eastern Region efforts or want to create a new local ANC, e-mail me at michelle@anca.org. Armenian Americans need more voices to represent them at every level. Make yours heard today.

SKOKIE, Ill.—The largest academic conference ever held focusing on the Armenian, Assyrian, and Greek genocides concluded on Sat., May 11, after two days of presentations by more than a dozen scholars from Armenia, Australia, England, and across North America.

The event, titled “The Ottoman Turkish Genocides of Anatolian Christians: A Common Case Study,” was organized by the Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Illinois, the Assyrian Center for Genocide Studies, and the Asia Minor and Pontos Hellenic Research Center, and was held at the prestigious Illinois Holocaust Museum and Educational Center in Skokie on May 10-11. With more than 120 participants each day, the conference was filled to capacity with an enthusiastic audience.

“There was a great deal of new and interesting research presented during the conference,” said ANC of Illinois activist Greg Bedian. “This conference clearly demonstrated the many shared aspects of the Greek, Assyrian, and Armenian Genocides and helped to drive home the concept that these three tragic events were conceived by the Turkish government to destroy the native Christian population and all traces of their existence from Anatolia.”

Prof. Hannibal Travis 

The conference was opened by master of ceremonies John Davis, an Emmy award winner and long-time reporter and anchorman for CBS affiliate WBBM-TV in Chicago. In his introductory remarks, Davis thanked the many sponsors, volunteers, scholars, and participants for their contributions and for making the conference a reality. He then introduced Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen, who spoke about the significance of the conference being held at the Holocaust Museum. Mayor Van Dusen was followed by Greek Consul General Ionna Efthymiadou, who congratulated the Armenian, Assyrian, and Greek communities for coming together to organize the conference, and encouraged the scholars to continue their research into the Ottoman Genocides.

Davis then introduced conference moderator George Shirinian, the executive director of the Zoryan Institute of Toronto. Shirinian’s introductory remarks focused on the importance of these types of conferences in the advancement of genocide research, and provided an outline of how the conference would proceed. He then opened the first session of the conference by introducing Dr. Paul Bartrop, the director of the Center of Judaic, Holocaust, and Genocide Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University. Bartrop presented the topic “Considering Genocide Testimony: Three Case Studies,” and discussed the importance of survivor memoirs as a historical resource, presenting examples from an Armenian, an Assyrian, and a Greek survivor. He noted that while historians sometimes view survivor accounts as unreliable due to trauma and bias, they often contain valuable details about massacres, and sometimes are the only accounts available of particular events.

Following Bartrop was Stavros Stavridis, a Ph.D. candidate and historical researcher at the Australian Institute of Macedonian Studies, who joined the conference via Skype.

Dr. Steven Leonard Jacobs responds to a question from the audience, as noted author Thea Halo looks on.

Stavridis’s presentation was titled, “The Assyrian Issue 1914-1935: Australian Documents and Press.” He reviewed how the Assyrian Genocide was reported on in the Australian press, as well as how the thoughts and actions of various government and private individuals impacted policy, based on documentation he had researched in the National Archives of Australia and the collections at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

The final speaker of the opening session was Dr. Anahit Khosroeva, a senior researcher at the Institute of History at the Armenian National Academy of Sciences, who spoke on “The Assyrian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire,” discussing the massacres of Assyrians, and Christians in general, as a continuum from the time of Abdul Hamid to the Young Turks and into the Republican period.

The Friday afternoon session was opened by Dr. Hannibal Travis, associate professor of law at Florida International University College of Law. During his presentation, titled “Cultural and Symbolic Reparations of the Ottoman Christian Genocide: From Memorials to Restitution of Historic and Sacred Sites,” Travis discussed the destruction of the culture of the victim group that accompanied the physical killing inherent in the Ottoman Genocides. As part of his discussion of restitution of cultural monuments, Travis contrasted the approaches and outcomes of the renovations of the Holy Cross Church in Aghtamar and the St. Giragos Church in Diyarbakir.

The next speaker was Dr. Robert Shenk, professor of English at the University of New Orleans. Speaking on the topic “American Women, Massacres, and the Admiral: Deep in Anatolia during the Turkish Nationalist Revolution,” Shenk described the devastating role American Admiral Mark Bristol played in the post-war period as America’s chief diplomat in the area, and how despite pleas from numerous female American missionaries and even his own officers, he placed the interests of American commerce ahead of protecting the remnants of the Christian populations in Anatolia from ongoing destruction, censoring reports of massacres from information relayed back to Washington. Shenk praised the women missionaries for their bravery, working in a foreign and often savage land, with no guarantees for their physical safety.

Moderator George Shirinian and Dr. Paul Bartrop.

Thea Halo, author of the book Not Even My Name, then spoke on the topic “The Genocide of the Ottoman Greeks 1913-1923: Myths and Facts.” Halo challenged some common assumptions often used to discount the brutal treatment of the Greeks during the period of the Great Catastrophe and offered valuable alternative views regarding Greek irredentism based on the Megali Idea and the role of King Constantine I in protecting Greeks under Ottoman rule. Prof. Ellene Phufas then closed out the first day of the conference by sharing an excerpt from her translation, along with Aris Tsilfidis, of These Are the Turks: First-Hand Accounts from the Slaughter of Nicomedia, the first book of Greek Genocide survivor accounts that was collected by journalist Kostas Faltaits and published in Greek in 1921.

The second and final day of the conference began with Davis opening the program with welcoming remarks, after which he invited Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) National Board Chairman Ken Hachikian to address the conference. In his comments, Hachikian emphasized that the ANCA has been able to make important strides in its lobbying activities because “we have the truth on our side.” He added that the research like that being presented at the conference played an important role in helping to make that truth better understood. Following Hachikian’s comments, Davis asked Shirinian to take the podium and open the third session of the program.

After brief comments Shirinian introduced Georgia Kouta, a Ph.D. candidate at King’s College in London, England, to present her paper titled, “Redeeming the Unredeemed: The Anglo-Hellenic League’s Campaign for the Greeks in Asia Minor.” Kouta discussed the role of the Anglo-Hellenic League in London in shaping Western public opinion and British policy on the Ottoman government’s treatment of its Greek minority. She described how the League, which was comprised of both Greek and British members, collected valuable documentation on the atrocities through Greek and non-Greek eye-witness reports, church and newspaper accounts, and published pamphlets to raise awareness of the atrocities.

Kouta was followed by Steven L. Jacobs, associate professor and Aaron Aronov Endowed Chair in Judaic Studies at the University of Alabama. Jacobs gave an interesting presentation about the writings of Raphael Lemkin, the author of the word “genocide” and the father of the UN Genocide Convention. He described Lemkin’s incomplete and unpublished three-volume history of genocide, and described Lemkin’s treatment of the Armenian, Assyrian, and Greek Genocides.

Greek Consul General Ionna Efthymiadou 

The Saturday morning session was concluded with a presentation by Dr. Tehmine Martoyan on “The International Legal Qualification and Liability of Smyrna’s September Tragedy.” In her presentation, Martoyan examined the possibilities of applying the legal term “genocide” to the destruction of Smyrna in September 1922. She reviewed evidence of the premeditated nature and implementation of the extermination of the Armenian and Greek populations of Smyrna, as well as the destruction of their homes and businesses that aimed to prevent the survivors’ return.

The fourth and final session of the conference opened with Dr. Gevorg Vardanyan of the Armenian Genocide Museum & Institute in Yerevan, Armenia, presenting his topic, “The Ottoman Genocide of the Armenians and Greeks: The Similarities and Structural Peculiarities.” Vardanyan pointed out that there were many common elements to the genocides of the Greeks and Armenians, including the methods used for organizing the massacres and the organizers themselves. Pointing out some of the major differences in the two genocides, Vardanyan noted that because of geography and demographics, the Kurds, who had played a significant role in the Armenian Genocide, were generally not involved in the Greek Genocide. He also noted that because of their proximity to Greece, many of the Greeks in Eastern Thrace were deported or escaped to Greece as opposed to being killed outright, like their Pontian and Armenian counterparts.

Professor Dikran Kaligian of Worcester State University spoke on the ”Security and Insecurity in the Ottoman Armenian and Greek Communities, 1908-1914.”

Participants  during a presentation by Dr. Dikran Kaligian.

Kaligian described how the restoration of the Ottoman Constitution had provided a brief period of hope and an improvement in the personal security for the Armenians and Greeks living in the empire. He then traced various events that began to endanger those reforms, including the impact of the counter-revolutionary uprisings, the Balkan Wars, and the evolution of the Young Turk movement from its liberal Ottomanist orientation toward a chauvinistic pan-Turanist direction.

Dr. Gevorg Vardanyan of the Armenian Genocide Museum and Institute 

The final presentation of the conference was provided by Dr. Suren Manukyan, a Fulbright Scholar on Sociology of the Armenian Genocide at Rutgers University and deputy director of the Armenian Genocide Museum and Institute in Yerevan. Manukyan’s topic was “Cultural Preconditions and Process of Social Indoctrination: Socio-Psychological Dimension of the Ottoman Genocides.” Noting that the ability to participate in mass murder is not an inherent human characteristic, he described how the state conditioned the Ottoman-Muslim population to be able to murder the Christians through propaganda via the mosques, by altering the legal system, and other methods. He contrasted the Armenian Genocide with the Holocaust, pointing out that many Armenians met violent deaths, sometimes at the hands of their neighbors, rather than in the more industrialized concentration camps.

The conference proceedings will be published in the near future.

The ARF “Azadamard” Gomideh on Sat., May 18 celebrated the 95^th anniversary of the establishment of the first Armenian Republic at the Armenian Community Center. The event was held with the participation of the Detroit AYF “Kopernik Tandourjian” Senior Chapter and Homenetmen of Detroit.

ARF members and supporters attended the dinner-dance, which featured singer Hrant Gulian. On the Gomideh’s behalf, ARF member Georgi-Ann Oshagan delivered the evening’s message, which follows.

***

Around this time 95 years ago, the Armenian Nation was moving toward the formation of its first republic. Just imagine what life was like for our ancestors 95 years ago:

Western Armenia was stripped of Armenians who had been murdered or deported in the first genocide of the 20^th century, by Ottoman Turkey.

There were about 600,000 refugees in eastern Armenia, where there wasn’t enough food for their survival.

The Armenian people had not ruled themselves for about 600 years, so we had no modern tradition or experience of governing ourselves.

So many of our leaders and intellectuals had been murdered purposely by Ottoman Turkey on April 24, leaving us without the full leadership we needed.

We were landlocked.

We were in hostile territory, with Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Russia as our neighbors, always prepared to swoop in and take any part of our land for themselves.

Under these terrible conditions, on May 28, 1918, the Armenian people declared independence under the leadership of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF).

Against all odds, we formed our republic based on the democracies of the Western nations which we hoped would champion our cause for freedom, independence, and unity in the aftermath of the Armenian Genocide.

But when the republic was declared, its future was not secure. For most of its two-year existence, Armenia’s borders were not defined. We trusted the Western Powers—especially the United States—to stand by us, draw reasonable and just borders for our country, help us with humanitarian aid, and serve as our protector through a mandate that would serve as a shield against the enemies who were all around us.

President Woodrow Wilson, a Democrat, was a personal ally of the Armenian people and wanted to see the establishment of an Armenian republic that was built to last. But things changed. President Wilson was confronted by opposition from Congressional Republicans who saw challenging him as a way to regain the presidency (not very different what the politics we see today in Washington).

Even Democrats began to move away from supporting President Wilson’s plan for Armenia. The public outcry against the genocide and the efforts to help the Armenian people after the genocide began to die down. People got tired of helping “the starving Armenians.”

Big business in the United States saw it more lucrative to cultivate Turkey as an ally—as it had more resources and oil interests—and not Armenia, which had no investment-worthy resources and no economic base. Indeed, Armenia needed generous humanitarian assistance to get on its feet.

These dynamics caused Armenia to see the support that it had in the months following the genocide slip away, month by month. The Versailles Treaty that would have established Wilsonian Armenia died in 1920, and by the end of that year Armenia was essentially alone, fighting bravely for survival until it was conquered again, divided, and what we know of as Armenia today was folded into the Soviet Union.

The political dynamics of yesterday are not very different from the political dynamics today. The reestablished Armenian republic is still in the same hostile neighborhood, and we still have on-and-off unreliable support from the West, including the United States. We still are relying on the West to “do the right thing,” the moral thing, for Armenia, but economic interests—oil, again—are still in the hands of Turkey and Azerbaijan, not ours.

But one major difference today is that the Armenian Diaspora, unlike the diaspora of 1918, is strong and stable and fairly well organized. It’s a critical and growing part of the Armenian Nation and is in a position to influence and push the West to keep Armenia on safer ground.

Tonight is a night to celebrate. But it’s also a night for us as Diasporan Armenians to rededicate ourselves to the Armenian Nation. To the security of the Armenian Republic. And Artsakh. And Javakhk.

We are the Diaspora. You and I. This is our responsibility—to serve with the vision of the founders of the original 1918 republic, believing that against all odds, we are building a strong, united, independent Armenia. Not because anyone gave Armenia to us, but because we fought for her existence and survival and prosperity.

Enjoy the rest of the night and this celebration, remembering our victory on May 28!

CHICAGO, Ill.—The Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Illinois hosted a community reception for Congressman Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.-11), Republican Co-Chairman of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, at the Union League Club in downtown Chicago on Monday, June 24, 2013. The event was attended by members from the broad cross-section of the Chicago Armenian-American community.

Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.-11), Republican Co-Chairman of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, with ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian.

ANC of Illinois Chairman Claude Ohanesian hosted the event, which was an opportunity for the local community to get to know the new Co-Chair, now in his second term. When Grimm first ran for Congress, he defeated, with the assistance of the ANC of N.Y., one of the strongest friends of Turkey in the U.S. House of Representatives, Michael McMahon.

At the reception, Rep. Grimm spoke about issues important to the Armenian American community, including a truthful and just resolution of the Armenian Genocide, Turkey’s return of Church properties stolen during and after the Genocide, the economic well being of Armenia, including increasing trade between the US and Armenia, and self-determination for the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

“I look forward to continuing my service as the Co-Chairman of the Armenian Congressional Caucus and to the opportunity of being appointed to the House Foreign Affairs Committee if a vacancy occurs. If considered, I would then be in an even better position to advance Armenian issues, which includes working with Committee Chair Rep. Ed Royce (R-Calif.-39) on House Resolution 227,” Rep. Grimm shared with the crowd.

Rep. Grimm is an original co-sponsor of the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Act (H.Res.227), and he has proven himself as a vocal and effective advocate of Armenian issues.

“Congressman Grimm has a proven track record of success among Armenian Americans. He is a defender of justice and works hard to make our community’s views and values a priority for the United States. We look forward to continued collaboration with him as he pursues new and increasingly influential roles in Congress,” said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian.

ANC of Michigan Hosts Community Lecture by Author Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte

BIRMINGHAM, Mich.—Author and activist Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte, a survivor of anti-Armenian violence in Baku, educated and inspired a broad cross-section of Michigan Armenians about Azerbaijan’s ongoing threats against the security and freedom of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, during a June 15 presentation hosted by the Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Michigan.

A group shot of the newly revitalized ANC of Michigan at the June 15 event held in Birmingham.

The event featuring Astvatsaturian Turcotte, an ANC of Maine activist and Baku pogroms survivor, was held at the Hagopian World of Rugs in Birmingham, Mich. The program was moderated by Dzovinar Hatsakorzian, who welcomed the audience and introduced the speaker for the evening. In her introduction, Astvatsaturian Turcotte spoke highly of the growing reach and influence of the ANC of Michigan, and invited attendees to bring their unique contributions to this vital collective effort on behalf of the local Armenian community.

Astvatsaturian Turcotte recounted her own story, detailed in her book, Nowhere: A Story of Exile, which tells of her childhood amidst the Azerbaijani-led pogroms against the Armenians living in Baku, Sumgait, and Kirovabad. Pivoting from her own experience to the urgent need for Armenians across Michigan and around the country to work together in support of Nagorno Karabakh, she underscored the importance of local, state, and national level advocacy for the recognition of the independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR). Recognizing that Armenian families living in Nagorno Karabakh are facing many of the same types of threats of Azerbaijani violence she experienced as a child living in Baku, she explained that she has become a champion for the security and independence of NKR.

Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte (center) with ANC of Michigan Chairman Hovig Kouyoumdjian and the event’s moderator, Dzovinar Hatsakorzian.

“We were thrilled to have Anna share her story with the Michigan Armenian community. As a leader for Nagorno Karabakh recognition, Anna taught us a great deal and we look forward to working with her more now after she has further motivated our Hai Tahd activists,” said ANC-MI Chairman Hovig Kouyoumdjian.

As the leading force behind Maine’s adoption of legislation recognizing NKR, Astvatsaturian Turcotte reviewed her own efforts, and suggested possible pathways for similar efforts across the United States.

On April 10, 2013, Maine became the third state in the nation to adopt legislation acknowledging the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, following Rhode Island and Massachusetts in 2012. Louisiana also adopted similar legislation earlier this year, bringing the total to four states.

The evening ended with Astvatsaturian Turcotte fielding questions and engaging in a lengthy round-table discussion with the audience. She also signed copies of her book, prior to a reception that concluded the program for the evening.

GLENVIEW, Ill.—The Chicago-Armenian community marked the 30^th anniversary of the martyrdom of the “Lisbon Five” on Sun., July 28, with a special Requiem Service at All Saints Church and a commemorative program organized by the Chicago ARF “Christapor” Gomideh.

Khajak Arakelian reads the words of Setrak Ajemian’s father Onnig as (L-R) Armen Papazian, Nairee Hagopian, and Maral Abrahamian look on.

The portraits of Setrak Ajemian, Ara Kurjuhlian, Sarkis Abrahamian, Simon Yahneyan, and Vatche Daghlian were displayed near the altar as Archpriest Zareh Sahakian delivered his sermon focusing on their sacrifice.

Following church services, the crowd gathered in Shahnasarian Hall for a memorial dinner offered by the All Saints Church Ladies’ Guild and a commemorative program hosted by the Gomideh. During the memorial dinner, a special slide presentation showed photos of the Lisbon Five, along with the messages they left behind. The presentation also included the text of the communiqué issued during the operation, as well as pictures of the Turkish Embassy compound as it was surrounded by Portuguese security forces.

The commemorative program was opened by Greg Bedian, representing the Gomideh. After brief opening remarks, he read the text of the communiqué issued by the Armenian Revolutionary Army during the attack and then introduced a video presentation showing the pictures of the Lisbon Five, the Portuguese security forces entering the Turkish Embassy compound, the funeral and burial of the Lisbon Five, and video clips of the five young men singing “Verkerov Li.”

From a distance of 30 years, in this post-September 11 world, Bedian said, it might be difficult for some to comprehend such an act. To put the Lisbon operation in perspective, he quickly reviewed the trajectory of the armed struggle waged in the 1970’s and 1980’s, from its inception by genocide survivor Kourken Yanikian in 1973, “which was the spark that ignited a powder keg of frustration amongst Armenians, particularly the youth,” to the infamous “Orly” operation, which took place only 12 days before Lisbon. He continued by outlining how Lisbon differed from previous acts, and how “anonk katsin anveratarts” (the Lisbon Five had gone not as assassins but as martyrs).

Nairee Hagopian, Armen Papazian, Khajak Arakelian, and Maral Abrahamian were then invited to the podium to read excerpts from the words of the fallen Ungers’ families. The sentiments of the family members drew applause from the crowd, as they too shared their pain and pride.

Bedian then spoke of the lasting impact of Lisbon on the Armenian people. He described how their sacrifice inspired and motivated an entire generation of youth to dedicate themselves to the Armenian Cause, from those that would pursue justice through political activity, to those who would fight in Artsakh’s war of liberation. Abrahamian returned to the podium to recite Hovanes Shiraz’s poem, “Lisboni Voghchagechnerin.”

Following the recitation, Bedian noted that in 1983 he, too, was 21 years old, the same age as Sako and Simon. “I went on to finish college, become an engineer, marry, and raise a family,” he said. “Neither Sako nor Simon, nor Ara, Vatche, or Seto got that chance. They will forever be 21, 20 and 19.”

“They gave it all up for our nation, to serve as examples of sacrifice, to move the Armenian Cause forward.” He then asked the crowd to rise for a moment of silence to honor the memory of the Lisbon Five. He concluded the program by stating, “May god grant them peace, and may we soon obtain the justice for which they sacrificed themselves.”