SKOKIE, Ill.—On Feb. 8, the second largest Holocaust museum in the United States hosted a symposium titled, “American Response and American Philanthropy,” in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. A crowd of nearly 400 came out on a Sunday afternoon to listen to four scholars and humanitarian workers speak about the international response to genocide, from the Armenian Genocide to the Holocaust to Darfur. The panel included Stephen Smith, the director of the USC Shoah Foundation and Institute for Visual History; Peter Balakian, Donald M. and Constance H. Rebar Professor of the Humanities at Colgate University; Shant Mardirossian, chair, Board of Near East Foundation; and Omer Ismail, a Darfur genocide eye-witness and senior advisor of the Enough Project.

Shant Mardirossian, Omer Ismail, Peter Balakian, and Stephen Smith

In his opening remarks, Balakian praised the history of Jewish rescue, witness, and intellectual work on the Armenian Genocide. From Ambassador Henry Morgenthau to Raphael Lemkin, to Franz Werfel and into the modern era of Jewish scholars working on and standing up for the Armenian Genocide discourse, Balakian noted that “the role Jews have played in bearing witness to and later defining the Turkish genocide of the Armenians has been profound.”

Smith spoke about the 70^th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and its impact on survivor culture of the 20^th century, and noted the seminal importance of Armin T. Wegner who was an eye-witness to both the Armenian Genocide and the Holocaust. Balakian spoke about how the Turkish extermination of the Armenians of Ottoman Turkey became the template for genocide practiced in a modern mode as distinct from pre-modern practices of genocide.

Mardirossian presented the history of Near East Relief as the most important American philanthropic NGO of its time, which had its origins in Armenian massacre relief in 1915. As Mardirossian noted, “It was the birth of what became known as ‘Citizen Philanthropy’ on an international level yet to have been seen in American history. An unprecedented $117 million in funds and supplies were raised during the period of 1915-30, representing over $2 billion in today’s standards.” A hundred years later, NER still has vital relief projects in various countries of the Middle East.

Ismail spoke about the Darfur Genocide and the ordeals of international intervention, and addressed issues of peace, reconciliation, and social justice in a society where both perpetrators and survivors must live side by side. The presentation was followed by lively discussion and a question-and-answer session.

In addition to the crucial work of Kelley Szany and Arielle Weininger at the Illinois Holocaust Museum, the symposium was sponsored by the ANC of Illinois, the Asia Minor and Pontos Hellenic Research Center, and the Center for International Human Rights at Northwestern University.

Aaron Elster, IHMEC vice president and Holocaust survivor; Susan Abrams, IHMEC CEO; Shant Mardirossian, board chair, Near East Foundation; Fritzie Fritzshall, IHMEC president and Holocaust survivor; Omer Ismail, senior advisor, Enough Project and Darfur Genocide eye-witness; Peter Balakian, professor, Colgate University; Stephen Smith, executive director, USC Shoah Foundation

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Airing on Detroit Public Television on March 16 at 9:30 p.m.

DETROIT, Mich.—“Motown” is often associated with the likes of Diana Ross and “The Jackson 5.” In reality, Detroit’s nickname encompasses a rich tapestry of music and musicians that includes many ethnicities—including Armenians. On March 16, at 9:30 p.m., Detroit Public Television (DPTV) will air the premiere of “Guardians of Music,” a new documentary by Kresge Artist Fellow Ara Topouzian, as part of a special Armenian Night event.

On March 16, at 9:30 p.m., Detroit Public Television (DPTV) will air the premiere of “Guardians of Music,” a new documentary by Kresge Artist Fellow Ara Topouzian, as part of a special Armenian Night event.

The film features visits to local metro Detroit area locations where Armenian music was once prominent, as well as rare interviews with some of the musicians and nightclub patrons of that era.

Produced and narrated by Topouzian with a $12,000 challenge grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the 1-hour film showcases photographs, film archives, and newspaper clippings that promoted Armenian music in the clubs and dance halls of Detroit, demonstrating the diversity and vibrancy of the multicultural music scene during that time period.

“As this is the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, I wanted to pay homage to the first generations of Detroit-Armenian musicians that helped preserve our folk music and say thank you for passing it on to my generation,” said Topouzian. “But, I also wanted to showcase Detroit’s rich and diverse music history.”

Topouzian is an Armenian-American musician whose proficiency at the kanun (Middle Eastern harp) has made him a nationally recognized artist. He has performed at concerts, music festivals, and many celebrated venues across the United States and the world. In 2012, Topouzian became a Kresge Artist Fellow, and in 2013 he won a Knight Arts Challenge from Knight Foundation.

“Film is an important lens for examining the stories that shape our communities,” said Dennis Scholl, vice president of arts for Knight Foundation. “We hope that Detroiters will watch this film to celebrate Armenian culture and learn more about their shared histories.”

In addition to Topouzian’s film, DPTV’s Armenian Night will also feature “The Armenian Genocide,” a film by Emmy Award-winner Andrew Goldberg. The program is narrated by Julianna Margulies, Ed Harris, Natalie Portman, Laura Linney, Orlando Bloom, and others. It includes interviews with Pulitzer Prize-winning author (and current U.S. Ambassador to the UN) Samantha Power, as well as never-before-seen historical footage.

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On March 7, Dr. Herand Markarian presented his new book, The Martyred Armenian Writers 1915-1922, at the Armenian Community Center’s Shahnazarian Hall in Glenview, Ill., and then unleashed a group of 7 young and powerful readers, one as young as 17, onto the capacity audience. The readers, representing the youth and future of Armenia, delivered excerpts from the book, and brought many in the audience to tears and rousing applause. The event was organized by the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society as part of the Chicago area’s activities devoted to marking the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

(L-R) Maral Aprahamian, Sona Birazian, Houri Papazian, Alex Boyajian, Dr. Herand Markarian, Greg Boyajian, Khachuig Dakarian, and Meghedi Tamazian

After brief opening comments, Talin Artinian, the mistress of ceremonies, invited Chicago Hamazkayin Chairperson Rita Arakelian to offer her welcoming remarks. Artinian then introduced Markarian, which included a special video message from Armenian Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobyan, who recognized Markarian’s numerous contributions to Armenian culture. Artinian then invited Markarian to address the audience.

Markarian began his presentation by describing Western Armenian literature as it reached its zenith prior to the genocide. He talked about the arrests of April 24^th, and the impact the genocide had not only on the Armenian nation but also on Armenian culture. He then presented each of the martyred writers featured in his book, asking the audience to note their ages, displaying their photos, listing their pseudonyms, and describing their writing.

Artinian then joined Markarian at the podium, where she introduced seven young Armenians—Maral Aprahamian, Sona Birazian, Alex Boyajian, Greg Boyajian, Khachuig Dakarian, Houri Papazian and Meghedi Tamazian—many of whom were near the same age as the writers whose work they would recite. The readers, dressed in all black and wearing red stoles across their shoulders, turned what could have been an ordinary lecture about a book into an unforgettable miniature drama. During their recitations, Markarian covertly choreographed the production from his seat in the front row, projecting images behind the readers that helped to spiritually connect the audience with the martyred writers. Indeed, many in the audience were moved to tears during the reading of the translation of Siamanto’s “Strangled,” showing the power and authenticity of the translation. The readers concluded their recitations by chanting “Aha, menk goukank!” in unison, which was greeted by a standing ovation from the audience. Markarian then treated the Armenophilic Chicago audience to a work by Siamanto with a recitation in his own impeccable Western Armenian.

Meghedi Tamazian reads an excerpt from Markarian’s latest book.

The program transported the audience back 100 years to once again hear youthful voices long silenced. But across that 100 years, the sad fact is that assimilation, aided by English-language media, radio, television, and now computers, has erected a language barrier between English-speaking Armenians and Armenian literature. Through his book, Markarian has made some of the most powerful passages written by some of the greatest Armenian writers accessible to not only English-speaking Armenians, but also the 700 million other speakers of English worldwide.

The nearly 250-page book is made up of three parts: the first provides a brief background about Armenian identity and Western Armenian literature; the second offers a glimpse at the historical accounts of the Armenian Genocide, including details of the martyrdom of Taniel Varoozhan, Roupen Sevag, and Indra; and the final part includes Markarian’s translations of both pose and poetry from Western Armenian to English. While this book opens the door to Western Armenian literature to English speakers, it is hoped that it will also rekindle interest in works in their original Western Armenian.

At the conclusion of the presentation, Markarian said he always felt the need to close his works with an epilogue to look to the future. He then read the epilogue to his book, which tied the deep sense of loss from the genocide with a vision of hope, illustrated through the light of a candle.

Following the program, the entire stock of The Martyred Armenian Writers 1915-1922 sold out within moments. Despite the disappointment that many felt at not being able to obtain a copy of the book immediately, the audience lingered over coffee and pastries, discussing the powerful program they had just experienced. The book will soon be going into a second printing, and there is already an initiative to sponsor copies for libraries, in an attempt to introduce these great writers to the broader American audience. Readers interested in purchasing the book, or in sponsoring a book for a private or college library in the name of a martyred ancestor, may contact the author by writing to Libra-6 Productions, 160 Waters Edge Congers, NY 10920. Books are available for $20 plus $5 shipping.

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By Georgi-Ann Oshagan

DETROIT, Mich.—The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) “Maro” Chapter of Greater Detroit hosted a town hall meeting to learn and explore the dynamics of human trafficking in Michigan, Armenia, and throughout the former Soviet Union and Middle East. The event was held on Feb. 27 at St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church Lillian Arakelian Hall. Guest speakers were University of Michigan Law School Professor Elizabeth Campbell and author Vahan Zanoyan.

Prof. Elizabeth Campbell

St. Sarkis Church Pastor Rev. Fr. Hrant Kevorkian opened the evening with a prayer. Chapter chair Simone Topouzian welcomed the crowd and introduced the event topic as important and worthy of attention.

“Tonight is an opportunity to raise our own awareness of a terrible trend occurring locally and internationally,” said Topouzian. “Human trafficking is yet another tragic obstacle for not only Armenians, but also for all people to overcome.”

“Maro” Chapter Executive Board secretary and event co-chair Alidz Oshagan introduced Campbell, a clinical assistant professor of law at the University of Michigan Law School Human Trafficking Clinic. Campbell’s research and teaching centers on human trafficking, immigration, domestic violence, and criminal law. She is a member of the Michigan Human Trafficking Taskforce.

Although Michigan is known to be a state with a high rate of human trafficking, Campbell noted that the real number of trafficking victims is unknown.

“We don’t have good statistics for Michigan, for the United States, for the world,” she said. “It’s out there. We don’t know how much, but it’s out there and we have to stop it.”

Human trafficking victims in the metropolitan Detroit area hail from a variety of areas, including east and west Africa, Russia, and Asia.

“It’s pretty much coming from everywhere,” said Campbell.

Human trafficking exploitation falls into two general categories: labor and sex. Campbell noted that most of the University of Michigan Law School’s Human Trafficking Clinic clients are victims of labor trafficking. These victims are of all ages and can be found working mostly at restaurants, construction sites, nail salons, and hair-braiding establishments. Other victims find themselves locked into domestic servitude in the home of the trafficker or “buyer” of the trafficking victim.

Campbell outlined the process that is used to lure vulnerable people into the trafficking world—a process that preys on the victim’s desire to escape poverty or undesirable family circumstances for a better life.

The victim is recruited by force, fraud, or coercion. The “chains” on the victim are normally psychological, not physical. “I have not had a client who was shackled,” said Campbell.

Campbell also explained that many assume that “trafficking” involves long-distance travel between the home of the trafficking victim and their destination, but long-distance movement isn’t necessary for trafficking.

“You can be trafficked on the block you were born,” said Campbell, adding that the essential element of trafficking is exploitation. “They have multiple forms of trauma when they come to me,” she added about her clients. “The common denominator in my clients is vulnerability.”

Campbell related 2 major cases she recently worked on, that of 19-year-old Tina of Romulus, Mich., and 15-year-old Ben of Ypsilanti, Mich., by way of Ethiopia, whose parents had trusted a well-respected member of their community to ensure that Ben would receive a good continuing education in the United States.

Tina, the native Michigander, struggled as a victim of sexual trafficking for several years, while Ben was a model student who was a victim of domestic servitude under the control of his “patron.” Both victims were ultimately freed from their imprisonment through the University of Michigan’s Human Trafficking Clinic.

The human trafficking story continued with Zanoyan, who was introduced by ARS “Mar”o Chapter member and

Vahan Zanoyan

event co-chair Meline Topouzian.

Zanoyan, a global energy consultant, tapped into his experiences meeting young Armenian sexual trafficking victims to speak out against the crime through fiction. Zanoyan’s first novel, A Place Far Away, was published in 2013, sparked by a chance encounter he had with a 16-year-old Armenian sex trafficking survivor he met in Dubai. The second novel, The Doves of Ohanavank, published last year, continues the story of the first novel’s fictional heroine, Lara Galian.

While Campbell related the legal basis for human trafficking and discussed the process for victims to be vindicated through the criminal justice system, Zanoyan focused on sexual trafficking victims from Armenia and other areas of the former Soviet Union who find themselves far from home and victims of exploitation.

“This is not an Armenian phenomenon,” Zanoyan emphasized. “It’s a global phenomenon.”

Zanoyan framed human trafficking as a social issue in Armenia, beginning with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Social and economic supports disappeared and other local conditions created an environment conducive to luring young Armenian women into a world of sex trafficking.

“In Armenia, [the post-Soviet Union conditions] were worse because you had the Karabagh War and people going to work in Russia and leaving their families,” Zanoyan explained. “You had the most fertile ground for this [trafficking] activity to occur.”

Zanoyan conducted research for his first book by interviewing 12 Armenian sex trafficking victims in Dubai. The

Zanoyan and Campbell

heroine of his novels is a composite of those interviewed.

Zanoyan compared his literary advocacy against human trafficking to Campbell’s legal work.

“Why novels?” he asked. “I am convinced there’s no substitute for a lot of continued noise on this matter. The [Armenian] government does not make this a priority at all. Without public outcry, nobody cares. Mixing the victim with the criminal is chronic. In that severe poverty, they’re dying for a promise.”

Zanoyan and Campbell both advocated more discussion for a greater understanding of the crime of human trafficking and its victims. Audience members were urged to remain interested and ra

An audience member asking the speakers a question

“It’s too shameful. It’s too painful,” Zanoyan noted. “We think, ‘Let’s not talk about it.’ Your silence to this issue means you are an accessory to the crime. Public awareness is critical to make government more diligent in doing its job. And awareness and noise matter, but it has to be constant.”

The ARS “Maro” Chapter is selling copies of Zanoyan’s books for $20 each. Zanoyan donates all sales proceeds to various non-profit organizations in Armenia that fight human trafficking or serve as a safe haven for vulnerable young people and children.

Books are available by contacting a “Maro” Chapter member. More information about this local, national, and global issue can be found online at www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking and through the National Human Trafficking Resource Center by calling (888) 373-7888.

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World Premiere of ‘I AM ALIVE’ Musical and Unveiling of Colorado State Capitol ‘Khatchkar’

DENVER, Colo.—Armenians of Colorado, Inc. (AOC), in cooperation with local and national organizations, recently announced the April 2015 events in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, dubbed “Survive, Revive, and Thrive.”

The Colorado State Capitol ‘khatchkar,’ will be unveiled on April 24 (photo: Simon Maghakyan)

“We join Colorado’s vibrant Armenian community in commemorating the Centennial anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,” said Colorado Governor John W. Hickenlooper. “In 2013, the Colorado General Assembly and I authorized the installation of a replica Armenian khatchkar [cross-stone] to be placed on the Colorado State Capitol grounds in memory of the victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. We look forward to the April 24, 2015 unveiling of this beautiful monument.”

Leading up to that date, there are a variety of lectures on the Armenian Genocide focusing on Turkey’s surviving Armenian heritage, Armenian orphan rugs, and the geopolitical legacy of the genocide. The Denver director of Facing History and Ourselves spoke in January on how the organization trains educators to teach the Armenian Genocide. An exhibit of Armenian orphan rugs, accompanied with presentations by prominent experts Stephan Isberian and Hrach Kozibeyokian, was held in March.

Sona Hedeshian, the president of AOC, noted, “We pay tribute to the victims of this unthinkable crime, to Armenian people for their strong will to survive, to all those who raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide and preserve the Armenian culture through art and music. We are delighted to announce the premiere on April 21 of Emmy-winning composer Denise Gentilini’s musical “I AM ALIVE.” We, the Colorado Armenian community, are thankful for the longtime support of the citizens and elected officials of Colorado, past and present, who helped save thousands of orphans during and following the genocide, who have recognized the Armenian Genocide, and who helped make the khatchkar at the Armenian Memorial Garden a reality. AOC is also grateful to Alexander Ter-Hovakimyan, the executive director of the Youth Foundation of Armenia, for donating the khatchkar.”

Anahid Katchian Logue, chair of the Armenian Genocide Centennial Commemoration Committee, noted, “The events surrounding April 24, 2015 spotlight Armenians’ experiences before, during, and following the devastation of the genocide, true to our theme of ‘Survive, Revive, Thrive.’”

Simon Maghakyan, a Denver-based educator and the community development coordinator for the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Western Region, commended his fellow community activists. “We are extremely proud of our community for its monumental successes in educating Coloradans about the Armenian Genocide of 1915-23, one of the 20th century’s greatest crimes against humanity. It will be an honor to gather with my community on April 24 and witness the unveiling of the Armenian khatchkar at the Colorado State Capitol,” Maghakyan said.

Commemoration events will be held beyond the month of April, and include a “Colorado We Thank You” gala in September and a 10th anniversary commemoration of the destruction of the Djulfa cemetery in December.

AOC was established in June 1980 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit cultural organization. Its purpose is to create a cohesive Armenian community and to further the understanding of Armenian history, culture, language, customs, and heritage. AOC actively supports issues and concerns of the Armenian-American community in Colorado as well as those identified within the Armenian Diaspora throughout the world.

Colorado-Armenia relations go back to the 19th century with the arrival to Colorado of a small group of Armenian immigrants, among them a family that established Denver’s oldest business in existence: Sarkisian’s. During and after the genocide, under the leadership of Governors Gunter and Shoup, and executed by the Denver Chamber of Commerce, hundreds of Coloradans came to the aid of the “starving Armenians,” helping the national Near East Relief in collecting $117 million (equivalent to $3 billion today) to save thousands of Armenian orphans. In 1921, the Colorado General Assembly passed a memorial/resolution in a joint session. Today the Armenian community can claim thousands of productive and industrious members in Colorado, including entrepreneurs, artists, inventors, and academics, among them the founder of the Great American Beer Festival, Charlie Papazian; the first CEO of Women’s Bank of Denver, LaRae Orullian; and the founder of Alternative Radio, David Barsamian.

Colorado State Capitol’s khatchkar will be the first monument of its kind on statehouse grounds in the United States. The khatchkar was crafted in Armenia by famous master Varazdat Hambardzumyan, also known as Varpet Varo. The design was based on a 1980’s photograph by Argam Ayvazyan of a Djulfa khatchkar destroyed in 2005. The khatchkar will be added to the Armenian Memorial Garden on the grounds of the Colorado State Capitol. The garden was designated in 1982 in memory of the Armenian Genocide, and attested to by a commemorative plaque added the same year. Khatchkars are Armenian cultural monuments that commemorate individuals and events. During and since the Armenian Genocide, khatchkars—along with other Armenian monuments—have faced deliberate destruction. In 2005 alone, 2,000 khatchkars were destroyed at Djulfa. In 2010, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) acknowledged the value and vulnerability of this indigenous art tradition by declaring it part of the intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

April events

April 8, 10:30 a.m. Lecture by David Barsamian, founder of Alternative Radio, on “Unresolved Geographies,” a deconstruction of the geopolitical legacy of World War I, at The Den, Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood.

April 21, 7:30 p.m. World premiere of “I AM ALIVE” musical, composed by Denise Gentilini and Lisa Nemzo, at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts in Denver. Inspired by the love story of Gentilini’s grandparents who survived the Armenian Genocide.

April 24, 8 a.m. Armenian Genocide Resolution at the Colorado General Assembly.

April 24, 12:30 p.m. Unveiling of the Colorado State Capitol khatchkar on the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide at the Armenian Memorial Garden. Reception to follow.

April 25, 6 p.m. Reception honoring the donor of the khatchkar, Alexander Ter-Hovakimyan of Yerevan, Armenia.

April 26, 10 a.m. Celebration of Divine Liturgy by the Diocese and the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church at First Baptist Church of Denver. Reception to follow.

For updated information and details, visit www.armeniansofcolorado.org.

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By Levon A. Saryan

RACINE, Wis. – The Wisconsin Armenian community came out in force for a screening of “Orphans of the Genocide” on March 19.  The film, written and produced by Bared Maronian, drew a standing-room only crowd at the beautiful and elegant Golden Rondelle Theatre on the headquarters campus of the S. C. Johnson Company.

Filmmaker Bared Maronian

“Orphans of the Genocide” is an emotional tour de force, utilizing previously unknown archival footage and memoirs, to document the story of Armenian orphans in the aftermath of the 1915 Armenian Genocide.  Over 100,000 orphans created as a result of deportations and massacres were saved as a result of humanitarian efforts by the Near East Relief and other charitable organizations.

The film presentation was coordinated by the Wisconsin Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee, composed of clergy and lay representatives from all four Wisconsin Armenian churches.   The committee was fortunate to procure support from the S. C. Johnson Company, a leading local employer and manufacturer of numerous well-known household cleaning products, and the Racine Public Library, which co-sponsored the program.

Producer Maronian was on hand for the presentation and provided a brief question and answer session from the enthusiastic audience.  At the end of the program, Maronian received a standing ovation from the 292 attendees in the audience.

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LINCOLN, Neb.—On the occasion of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) on March 19-20 hosted a two-day international conference entitled, “Crossing the Centennial: The Historiography of the Armenian Genocide Re-Evaluated,” at the Wick Alumni Center, Great Hall, in Lincoln. Organized by Prof. Bedross Der Matossian from UNL’s Department of History, the conference was sponsored by the Norman and Bernice Harris Center for Judaic Studies, the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR), the Society for Armenian Studies (SAS), the Department of History, the Faculty Senate Convocation Committee, the Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs Program, the Women’s and Gender Studies Program, and the Institute of Ethnic Studies at UNL.

Participants of ‘Crossing the Centennial’ conference

The conference focused on four under-researched themes that have recently gained scholarly attention and analytical depth: humanitarianism and humanitarian intervention in the Armenian Genocide; women and children in the Armenian Genocide; comparative dimensions of the Armenian Genocide; and the impact of the Armenian Genocide on society, politics, literature, and culture. Seventeen scholars from Armenia, Cambodia, Canada, Holland, Hungary, Israel, and the United States participated in the conference.

On March 19, the chair of the History Department, Prof. William G. Thomas III, offered welcoming remarks in which he emphasized the commitment of the department to teaching and research of the field of Holocaust and genocide studies. Der Matossian then made opening remarks in which he gave a brief background about the Armenian Genocide and highlighted the importance of commemorating the Centennial in the academic sphere. Der Matossian criticized the latest trend of denialism surging in the academic sphere, saying, “Despite the fact that over the course of the past two decades, the historiography of the Armenian Genocide has evolved through the introduction of new methodologies, approaches, and more complex analyses of the genocide that venture beyond rudimentary and essentialist arguments and representations, denial of the Armenian Genocide has also gained new ground by using the academic sphere.”

Following Der Matossian’s remarks, the first panel, entitled, “Humanitarian Intervention and Humanitarianism,” began. Chaired by Prof. David Forsythe from UNL, it featured three papers. The first paper, entitled, “Humanitarian Intervention and Ottoman Opposition to Extermination: A Neglected Aspect,” was delivered by Dr. Hilmar Kaiser (Cambodia). Kaiser detailed the unique situation of the Ottoman Fourth Army in the Armenian Genocide and the role of Djemal Pasha, as the area under their control saw a significantly lower death toll than other regions of the empire. By 1918, relief workers, consular staff, and Ottoman oppositional circles had kept alive the majority of Armenian survivors within the empire, argued Kaiser. According to him, notions of a unified Ottoman administration or CUP are obsolete. He suggested that a better understanding is needed to distinguish between CUP factions advocating repressive or genocidal policies. Kaiser’s paper was based on his latest findings from the Ottoman archives, and Western archives while focusing on the period before the Der Zor massacres.

The next paper, “Armenian Refugees, Humanitarian Assistance and Hungary,” was delivered by Péter Pál Kránitz (Pázmány Péter Catholic University). In his paper, Kránitz demonstrated how the Hungarian government took part in the process of the international protection and support of the Armenian refugees of the genocide within the framework of the League of Nations and by its internal jurisdiction. He discussed how Hungarian diplomacy committed itself to improving the efficiency of the Nansen passport system, defining the quantity and the situation of Russian and Armenian refugees, and facilitating the transportation and integration of the refugees.

Following Kranitz, Prof. Mark Toufayan (University of Ottawa) gave the last paper of the first panel. Entitled “Between Intimacy and Alienation: Armenian Property, Denationalization and the Passions of ‘Protection’ in French Mandated Cilicia, 1918-23,” Toufayan’s paper discussed from a legal perspective the ambivalent relationship between French humanitarian efforts and the country’s economic interests. He argued that “far from resisting a form of economic imperialism, a politics of compassion and care for Armenian suffering in the aftermath of genocide was, in fact, central to population policies in the Near East by harnessing them to the political economy of European capitalism. At the same time, humanitarian discourse could be mobilized to reinforce economic inequalities between and amongst Armenians, French, and Turks on either side of the debates about the legality of the confiscations, thus entrenching, rather than opposing, colonialist and nationalist bourgeois utopian state-building projects.”

The second—and featured—panel was moderated by Prof. Jean Cahan, the director of the Harris Center for Judaic Studies, and included three speakers. Prof. Richard G. Hovannisian (University of California-Los Angeles) gave a passionate and a powerful talk entitled, “The Centenary of the Armenian Genocide: What Have We Learned?” Hovannisian recounted his family history and the way in which he encountered the Armenian Genocide. He focused on his experience of growing up with genocide survivors and discussed the developments that have taken place in the field of the Armenian Genocide studies. While mentioning the positive developments, he concentrated on denial of the Armenian Genocide. “In the past I used to believe that denial was the last stage of genocide. Now I believe that denial is the first stage of genocide,” emphasized Hovannisian.

Following Hovannisian, Prof. Michelle Tusan (University of Nevada-Las Vegas) presented a paper on “Humanitarian Empire: Britain’s Response to the Armenian Genocide,” in which she examined the British response to the Armenian Genocide and its failed prosecution of the culprits of the genocide. The last talk of the featured panel was given by Prof. Keith Watenpaugh (University of California-Davis). Entitled “Armenia, Armenians, the League of Nations, and Modern Humanitarianism,” Watenpaugh’s paper dealt in a critical fashion with the idea of modern humanitarianism. He discussed the international response to the genocide leading to the emergence of the modern idea of humanitarianism. He argued that humanitarianism and human rights are terms that are usually used together, but in fact there is little human rights present in humanitarianism. Watenpaugh discussed how after the genocide there was the urge to preserve the Armenian culture from the brink of extinction.

The second day of the conference featured three panels. The first, “Women and Children during the Genocide,” was chaired by Prof. Patrice McMahon from UNL. The first speaker, Prof. Benny Morris (Ben-Gurion University), presented a paper entitled, “Women and Children in the Turkish Ethnic Cleansing of Armenians and Greeks, 1919-23.” In his paper, Morris concentrated on the rape and abduction to Muslim households of women and children during the Turkish campaigns against the Armenians (and French) in Cilicia and against the Greek communities, mainly on the Ionian coast and the Pontus. The second paper, “Critical Examination of the Historiography of Women during the Armenian Genocide,” was delivered by Prof. Carina Karapetian Giorgi (Pomona College). In her paper, Karapetian Giorgi argued that women’s lives and theoretical questions of gender have been sidelined, partly in that references are sparse and partly because those that appear are influenced by a series of implicit assumptions about Armenian women’s roles, which are not critically discussed. She critically re-examined the ways in which Armenian women are represented throughout the literature as having homogenized and oversimplified identities.

The third paper was delivered by Anna Aleksanyan (Clark University). Entitled “‘Neutral Home’ and the Issue of Identity of the Surviving Armenian Women and Children,” the paper discussed the “neutral home” that was established by the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople Zaven I Der Yeghiayan after the war where a special committee consisting of Armenian, Turkish, and American women were appointed to identify the actual nationality and identity of survivors. Aleksanyan discussed the difficulties encountered by this committee, as many of the Armenian women did not want to reveal their identities. The final paper was given by Tuğçe Kayaal (University of Michigan-Ann Arbor). Entitled “A Critique of the Concept of the ‘Genocide Survivor’: Armenian Orphans in Aleppo Between the Years of 1915-18,” Kayaal evaluated the concept of being “survivor” of the Armenian Genocide, when used in reference to the Armenian orphans in the Ottoman orphanages of Aleppo between 1915 and 1918. She indicated that it is important to ask whether the Ottoman state acted in a “humanitarian” manner by collecting these children in orphanages which were administered by the agents of the state. Based on the experiences of Armenian orphans in the Ottoman orphanages, Kayaal argued that that the concept of “genocide survivor” should be re-conceptualized.

The second panel of the day, entitled, “The Armenian Genocide and the Holocaust,” was chaired by Prof. Ari Kohen, the director of the Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs Program at UNL. The first paper, “‘Legal’ and ‘Official’ Plundering of Armenian and Jewish Properties during the Armenian Genocide and the Holocaust within a Comparative Perspective,” was delivered by Ümit Kurt (Clark University). Kurt presented the processes of expropriation of Holocaust and Armenian Genocide victims within a comparative perspective. He examined how properties of Armenians and Jews changed hands under the guise of legality. In doing so, he discussed the similarities and differences between the two dispossession processes.

The second paper was delivered by Prof. Stefan Ihrig (Van Leer Institute, Jerusalem). Entitled “From the Armenian Genocide to the Holocaust: A Connected Perspective,” Ihrig explored the comparative angle through the connection of the two genocides. He introduced a key historical event that linked both cases—the forgotten German genocide debate of the early 1920’s. Ihrig argued that for four years the German public discussed the Armenian Genocide, first because of Germany’s direct association with it and the urgent Entente allegations of war-crimes, and then because of the assassination of Talat Pasha in Berlin in 1921.

The final paper of the panel was delivered by Prof. Harutyun Marutyan (National Academy of Sciences of Armenia). In his paper, entitled, “The Institute of Righteous Among the Nations in the Armenian and the Jewish Cases,” Marutyan, by using the “Righteous Among the Nations” in the Holocaust as a guideline, critically evaluated the Turkish “righteous/rescuers” in the case of the Armenian Genocide. In his presentation, Marutyan relied on two valuable collections: The Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire: Testimonies of Survivors. Collection of Documents, vol. 1-3, Yerevan, 2012 (about 600 testimonies, mainly recorded in 1916-17) and Verjine Svazlian’s The Armenian Genocide: Testimonies of the Eyewitness Survivors, Yerevan, 2011 (315 stories, recorded in 1955-2010).

The last panel of the conference, entitled, “Aftermath of the Genocide: Politics, Culture, Society, and Literature,” was chaired by Prof. Chantal Kalisa, an expert on the Rwandan Genocide and director of the Women’s and Gender Studies Program at UNL. The first paper, entitled, “Armenian Nation Building through Sport: The Armenian Olympiad before and after the Armenian Genocide,” was delivered by Prof. Tsolin Nalbantian (Leiden University). In her paper, Nalbantian examined the activities and their associated Armenian press coverage of Armenian sports teams (especially the journal “Marmnamarz”) and athletic competitions in Istanbul and Anatolia in the early 20^th century, and in Lebanon and Syria in the 1940’s. She examined the use of athletics and the celebration of the fit Armenian in Armenian nation-building over time and space. In doing so, she explored the variety of contracting and expanding local attachments constructed via the press in the Ottoman Empire and in the Lebanese and Syrian nation-states.

The second paper was delivered by Prof. Heghnar Watenpaugh (University of California-Davis). Entitled “Art, Heritage, and the Armenian Genocide: Toros Roslin’s Zeytun Gospels between 1915 and 2015,” Watenpaugh’s presentation focused on the fate of the Zeytun Gospels during and after the genocide, prior to the fragmentary Canon Tables’ arrival in the United States. In her presentation, Watenpaugh traced the path of the manuscript during the deportations and explored Armenian perceptions of the Gospel of Zeytun at the time of their physical annihilation coupled with the destruction of their cultural heritage.

Prof. Talar Chahinian (California State University-Long Beach) delivered the third paper, “Impossible Testimonies: Literature and Aesthetics in the Aftermath of the Armenian Genocide.” Chahinian focused on the response of the generation of surviving orphans who regrouped in Paris in the 1920’s and launched a short-lived, diasporan literary movement called “Menk.” Chahinian argued that through themes like incest and the figure of the failed witness, their literature addressed the paradox of representation inherent to the experience of catastrophe.

The final paper of the conference was delivered by Dr. Seyhan Bayraktar (Historical Seminar of the University of Zurich). Entitled “The Armenian Genocide and the Politics of Denial: on Turkey, Civil Society, and EU Recognition Politics,” the paper explored the denial efforts by the Turkish government and the way that it has affected the process of Turkey’s accession to the European Union. She argued that despite the politics of denial there has been a memory boom around the topic since 2000.

Prof. Lloyd Ambrosius from the UNL Department of History gave the concluding remarks, in which he thanked all of the participants for the illuminating and productive conference, and hailed it as a great success that attracted a diverse set of audience and participants.

The post UNL Hosts Centennial Conference appeared first on Armenian Weekly.

By Levon A. Saryan

RACINE, Wisc.—Rain threatened at Monument Square in downtown Racine as over 200 Armenians and friends, carrying white wooden crosses, gathered for an interdenominational prayer vigil in honor of the victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide and other genocides over the past century. The vigil, which took place Sunday afternoon, April 12, is one of several commemorative events planned in Wisconsin on the occasion of the Centennial.

Children holding the Centennial banner at the Racine Prayer Vigil, with Rev. Fr. Yeprem Kelegian (far right) and Rev. Daron Stepanian (holding cross).

Participating in the vigil were Rev. Father Daron Stepanian, pastor of St. Hagop Armenian Apostolic Church, and Rev. Father Yeprem Kelegian, pastor of St. Mesrob Armenian Church, both of Racine, as well as representatives of local Roman Catholic and Protestant churches. The vigil was planned by the Wisconsin Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee in conjunction with the Racine Interfaith Coalition. Prayers, musical selections, and personal testimonies were offered in a moving tribute to the martyrs of 1915.

Julie Der Garabedian of St. Hagop read a poem dedicated to Armenian refugees, written by the commander of the Salvation Army. Archdeacon Stepan Frounjian offered a rendition of the hymn “Yeghitsi Anoon Dyarn Ohrnial” (“May the Lord’s Name Be Blessed”) with guitar accompaniment.

Fr. Yeprem, in his remarks, pointed out the great losses suffered by the Armenian people and their church as a result of the genocide. Of 6,000 Armenian priests worldwide before 1915, only 500 survived. Fr. Daron noted how an Armenian victim from Moush fled to Russian Armenia carrying the door to his church on his back, to save it from destruction. He mentioned how Armenian survivors came to America and made important contributions to their adopted country. Deacon Greg Petro of St. Rita’s Catholic Church, and others, pointed to the similarity of the fate endured by the Armenians with subsequent oppression and persecution of minorities taking place in the Middle East and elsewhere.

One hundred large white crosses—one for each year that has passed since 1915—were prepared specifically for the

Attendees at the Racine Prayer Vigil holding memorial crosses.

event. The crosses were inscribed in memory of the “martyrs of the Armenian Genocide 1915-2015” and adorned with the forget-me-not flower symbolizing the 100^th anniversary. Sarkis and John Buchaklian of Racine prepared the crosses and Khatchig Kafafian of Detroit produced the labels.

Excellent local coverage of the vigil was provided in the Racine Journal Times newspaper on April 13.

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Armenians from across the Chicago area and from the neighboring states of Wisconsin and Indiana converged on Chicago’s Daley Plaza for a program to mark the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on Fri., April 24. The crowd swelled to nearly 2,000 as Armenians were joined by a large number of Assyrians, as well as Greeks, Ukrainians, Croats, Kurds, Jews, Poles, and others. This was the largest crowd to attend an Armenian Genocide commemoration since the 1970’s.

The program began with opening remarks by master of ceremonies John Davis, former local CBS new anchorman, providing background information about the Armenian Genocide and conducting a moment of silence for the 1.5 million Armenian martyrs, as well as the Assyrians and Greeks who were also victims of the genocide.

Protestors marching up Chicago’s famed Michigan Ave. en route to the Turkish Consulate (Photo: Tina Tcholakian)

An impressive group of speakers followed, including U.S. Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, U.S. House Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Bob Dold, as well as Rep. Danny Davis (Ill.-7), Rep. Dan Lipinski (Ill.-3), and Rep. Mike Quigley (Ill.-5). Other speakers included Illinois Holocaust Museum and Educational Center President and Holocaust survivor Fritzie Fritzshall, Hellenic American Leadership Council Executive Director Endy Zemenides, and GISHRU Bridge to Assyria President Joseph Danavi.

In his remarks, Dold said, “It is incredibly disappointing to me, and I know to many of you, that our administration will not follow the footsteps of many world leaders, most recently Germany, Austria, and the Vatican. They have stepped up and recognized the genocide for exactly what it was on its 100th anniversary.”

Keynote speaker Chris Bohjalian describes the destruction of the Khtzkonk Monastery complex near the village of Digor during his speech before a crowd of nearly 2,000 in Chicago. (Photo: Tina Tcholakian)

The keynote speaker of the day was noted author Chris Bohjalian, who delivered a heartfelt and powerful messaga. “If you want to see what ethnic cleansing look like, go to Diyarbekir. Go to Van.“ Bohjalian also took the Obama Administration to task for its failure to speak the truth and characterize the Armenian Genocide as genocide. Quoting Shakespeare, he stated, “The truth will out,” that the Armenian Genocide now has the tide to its back, and that it will only be a matter of time before those who deny the genocide and those who aid them are overcome.

The program was concluded by Chicago Centennial Committee chair Greg Bedian, who began his comments by noting that the last survivor in Chicago, Heghnar Paloian, had passed away exactly six months before, and asked for the crowd to pause to remember all of the survivors who had sacrificed so much for the future of the Armenian nation. He also noted that the 100^th anniversary, like the 50^th anniversary in 1965, would prove to be a turning point in Armenian’s quest for justice.

Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) addresses the crowd in Daley Plaza in Chicago as House Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Bob Dold (right) looks on. (Photo: Tina Tcholakian)

The commemoration was attended by an impressive group of dignitaries, including Greek Consul General Ioanna Efthymiadou, Cypriot Honorary Consul Michael Dovellos, the representative of Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, members of the Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission, clergy from the Armenian and Assyrian churches, and representatives of various ethnic groups and organizations.

Following the program, the crowd, carrying signs, waving flags, and chanting slogans, began a memorial march led by Dold, Armenian clergy, and other community leaders and dignitaries. The march continued up Chicago’s famed Wacker Dr. and Michigan Ave. to the Turkish Consulate, where a protest was staged. A small counter protest of 70 people waving Turkish and Azeri flags in front of the Turkish Consulate was dwarfed by the crowd marching from Daley Plaza. The Chicago police set up barricades to keep the two groups separate.

A lone protestor, a woman with a purple headscarf, stood between the Turkish counter protestors and the mass of Armenians and their supporters. She held up a sign that included the Forget-me-not emblem of the Centennial and read: “Yeghpayr (brother) I individually apologize on behalf of my ancestors for Genocide crime. I don’t lose anything but increase my humanity.” Harassed by the Turkish protesters, at the end of the demonstration she came over to the Armenian side, where she was greeted with hugs and tears.

A lone protestor, undeterred by pro-Turkey protestors, holds up a sign apologizing to the Armenians. (Photo: Tina Tcholakian)

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MADISON, Wis.—The Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Wisconsin paid tribute to the more than 1.5 million lives lost in the Armenian Genocide with a reception and program at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison on Wed., April 22.

ANC-WI chairperson Dr. Ani Saryan

The purpose of the event, which has been held for 15 years, is to thank the Wisconsin State Assembly and State Senate for adopting Armenian Genocide resolutions. Assembly Resolution 42, which was passed in 2000, and Senate Resolution 14, passed in 2002, designate April 24 of each year as the “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.

The event was hosted by the ANC-WI and Representatives Peter Barca (D-Kenosha), Kathy Bernier (R-Chippewa Falls), Samantha Kerkman (R-Powers Lake), Cory Mason (D-Racine), Tod Ohnstad (D-Kenosha), Jesse Rodriguez (R-Franklin), Michael Schraa (R-Oshkosh), Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point), Robin Vos (R-Burlington), Thomas Weatherston (R-Racine), and Josh Zepnick (D-Milwaukee), as well as Senators Nikiya Harris Dodd (D-Milwaukee), Chris Larson (D-South Milwaukee), Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin), Van Wanggaard (R-Racine), and Bob Wirch (D-Kenosha).

This year, the reception was particularly important, as the day before the Wisconsin State Senate passed Assembly Joint Resolution (AJR) 23. This new joint resolution designates April 24, 2015, as a Day of Remembrance for the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

AJR 23 was a bipartisan effort, introduced by Representatives Weatherston, Barca, Bernier, Brandtjen, Goyke, Jacque, Kerkman, Kitchens, Mason, Murtha, Ohnstad, Petryk, Riemer, Ripp, Rodriguez, Schraa, Shankland, Skowronski, Spreitzer, C. Taylor, Tittl, and Zepnick, and Senators Wanggaard, Hansen, Harris Dodd, C. Larson, Lazich, Marklein, L. Taylor, and Wirch. Although this was purely a commemorative resolution, there was a strong effort from the Turkish Consulate in Chicago to pull the resolution. The consulate sent letters and made phone calls to the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate, but failed to prevent the Assembly from adopting the joint resolution on April 14. The consulate escalated its efforts by sending lobbyists to the Wisconsin Senate just days before their planned vote. Fortunately, through the efforts of constituents and ANC activists, the state senators received many phone calls on April 20 encouraging them to focus on the facts, reaffirm what they have been designating in other resolutions for years, and reject the Turkish pressure. On April 21, AJR 23 was added back to the agenda and passed with a unanimous voice vote.

In her remarks, ANC-WI chairperson Dr. Ani Saryan stressed that on the Centennial of our greatest tragedy we must take a moral stand for justice. “We must carry the tragedy of the genocide in our hearts and honor our dead, but cannot be bound by it. We must strive for peace, justice, and progress. By demanding a truthful and just resolution of the Armenian Genocide, we are saying ‘Never Again’ to all genocides,” Saryan said.

Saryan further noted that “to create a better tomorrow, we must choose the difficult path—not the path of hatred and

Senator Wanggaard meets with ANC-WI Activist Silva Karapetian and Kevork Buchaklian at the Wisconsin Armenian Genocide Commemoration

wrath, because that is too easy, but the path of peace and, someday, forgiveness.” She invited the co-hosts of the event to share their experiences and thoughts. Rep. Barca, a longtime supporter of early resolutions and co-host of the event this year, noted that “unless you commemorate the past you’re condemned to repeat it.” Rep. Katrina Shankland said that with regards to commemorating the Armenian Genocide, “The time is always right to do what is right.” Event co-hosts, Representatives Mason and Ohnstad and Senators Hansen, Lazich, and Wanggaard, also made remarks.

Representatives, senators, staff members, and attendees from throughout the state of Wisconsin enjoyed a lavish buffet of Armenian mezze and desserts.

Additional state legislators and staff also attended, including Representatives Scott Allen (R- Waukesha), Dave Considine (D-Baraboo), Dan Riemer (D-Milwaukee), Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee), and Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay), as well as staff from U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin’s office.

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DENVER, Colo.—On April 24, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper and other dignitaries commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide by unveiling the Colorado State Capitol Khachkar (Armenian cross-stone), an intricate monument crafted in Armenia and dedicated in honor of the victims of all crimes against humanity.

Attended by more than 500 Armenian Americans and their supporters, the commemoration began at 12:30 p.m. with the bells of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Basilica tolling 100 times. Dr. Derek Everett, a professor of Colorado history and State Capitol historian, opened the event with archival quotes of Colorado’s heroic response to the Armenian Genocide.

The ‘khachkar’ unveiled (Photo: Kevo Hedeshian)

Program included Christian prayer, native blessing, and gratitude

Rev. Fr. Arshag Khachadourian and Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian from the Western Diocese and Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church led a prayer, followed by a Ute Indian blessing of the day by Ernest House, Jr., the executive director of the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs.

Armenian Genocide Centennial Commemoration Committee chair Anahid Katchian then shared the story of her father’s survival and introduced Dr. Pru Marshal, the granddaughter of Near East Relief hero Jacob Kunzler, who saved thousands of Armenian orphans. Armenians of Colorado (AOC) Board president Sona Hedeshian thanked the leadership of Colorado as well as the Armenian community for their continuous support.

Governor Hickenlooper thanked Alexander Ter-Hovakimyan of Armenia and Colorado’s Armenian community for rebuilding the khachkar and donating it to the State of Colorado. “I hope that those who come to the Capitol will make sure that the khachkar is on the itinerary of every school group… And hopefully these kids will be inspired to renew the fight against bigotry in their own lives, whether it is speaking out on an act of bullying on a schoolyard or organizing action against genocide in Africa or some parts of Asia,” remarked Hickenlooper.

Colorado dignitaries unveil ‘khachkar’

At the unveiling of the khachkar, Hickenlooper was joined by long-time supporters of the Armenian community, former statehouse Speaker Andrew Romanoff, former State Senator Lois Tochtrop, and State Senator Lina Newell, as well as the executive director of the Youth Foundation of Armenia, Alexander Ter-Hovakimyan, and local Armenian-American leaders Sona Hedeshian, Anahid Katchian, and Simon Maghakyan.

Alexander Ter-Hovakimyan, who donated the khachkar, gave remarks in English and Armenian. Maghakyan, chair of the Khachkar Committee, closed the event with a message of hope and resilience. The video of the unveiling can be viewed here.

Among the many dignitaries who attended the unveiling was Derek Okubo, representing Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, who had issued a proclamation on the Armenian Genocide, faith leaders Pastor Heidi McGinness from Christian Solidarity International, Pastor Brian Henderson from First Baptist Church of Denver, Rev. Chris Ditzenberger, rector of St. Gabriel Episcopal Church, Pastor Tom Hovestol of Calvary Church of Longmont, Jewish community activist Roz Duman of the Colorado Coalition for Genocide Awareness and Action, and other lawmakers, educators, human rights activists, and business leaders.

Governor Hickenlooper speaking at the unveiling of the ‘khachkar’ (Photo: Kevo Hedeshian)

AOC leaders thank supporters

“AOC’s unprecedented successes are a result of decades of strong activism,” said Hedeshian. “Colorado marked the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with groundbreaking events, from premiering Denise Gentilini’s and Lisa Nemzo’s musical ‘I Am Alive’ to unveiling America’s first ever Armenian Genocide khachkar at a state capitol. We are forever grateful to Colorado leaders for their past and current support, as well as our community for having such a vibrant voice in our state. Later this year, we plan to thank Colorado for its century-long support for our community at a Denver gala. We are also determined to continue strengthening our community with educational programs for youth.”

Maghakyan said he was grateful to key individuals who helped make the dream of a capitol khachkar a reality. “This unprecedented achievement could not have been possible without the unity demonstrated by our community, as well as the strong road paved by longtime community leaders Pearl Safarian, Sam Safarian, Ken Allikian, Arous Christianian, Anahid Katchian, Sona Hedeshian, Kim Herosian Christianian, Armene Brown, Hasmik Nikoghosyan, Denise Gentilini, and others. I am grateful to Alexander Ter-Hovakimyan for his generous donation of the khachkar, as well as the many AOC members and local businesses who donated to reconstruct the Armenian Memorial Garden. The Colorado State Capitol Khachkar, a resurrected piece of our destroyed culture, is a testament to the Armenian nation’s resilience to remember, rebuild, and seek justice.” Maghakyan also serves as community development coordinator with the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region, the nation’s largest grassroots Armenian-American organization.

Hundreds of Armenians and their friends gathered for the unveiling of the ‘khachkar.’ (Photo: Kevo Hedeshian)

Unanimous passage of legislative resolution

Earlier that day, the Colorado State Senate and House of Representatives unanimously passed and co-sponsored Senate Joint Resolution 27, which commemorates the Armenian Genocide, in the presence of dozens of community members. The video of the House vote is available here. The Senate video is available here. Senators Guzman, Lundberg, Kefalas, Newell, and Heath, as well as Representatives Moreno, Dore, Conti, Esgar, Salazar, Klingenschmitt, and Rosenthal, gave heartfelt remarks. Rep. Rosenthal, a Democrat from Denver, read in length a historical memorial resolution on the Armenian Genocide passed by the Colorado House and Senate in 1921. The House opening prayer was offered by visiting priests Rev. Fr. Arshag Khachadourian and Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian from the Western Diocese and Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Democracy Now! and Colorado Public Radio interview community members

On the morning of April 24, Katchian and Maghakyan appeared on the live broadcast of “Democracy Now!” with Amy Goodman. The video is available here. They shared stories of their families and also announced the unveiling of the khachkar. Earlier that week, Katchian also appeared on Colorado Public Radio (NPR) to share the history of her father, Azad Katchian. Denise Gentilini was interviewed on CPR about her musical, “I Am Alive!”

Prelacy and Diocese celebrate Divine Liturgy

On Sun. April 26, Rev. Fr. Arshag Khachadourian and Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian, visiting from the Western Diocese and Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Los Angeles, jointly celebrated Divine Liturgy at the First Baptist Church of Denver, where the Armenian community was welcomed by Pastor Brian Henderson. At the reception after the liturgy, Pastor Brian displayed newly framed early-20th century photographs of First Baptist Church parish members who had participated in the local Near East Relief effort of raising funds for Armenian Genocide orphans. The First Baptist Church was also the official host of the 1919 Colorado State Convention for Near East Relief, as part of a nationwide movement that ultimately saved more than 100,000 Armenian orphans.

Background information

Flowers placed at the foot of the newly-unveiled khachkar (Photo: Kevo Hedeshian)

April 24, 2015, marked the 100th anniversary of the start of the Armenian Genocide, a crime that killed 1.5 million indigenous Armenians in Ottoman Turkey and resulted in the loss of the greater part of the Armenian homeland.

AOC was established in June 1980 as a 501(c)3 non-profit cultural organization. Its purpose is to create a cohesive Armenian community and to further the understanding of Armenian history, culture, language, customs, and heritage. AOC actively supports issues and concerns of the Armenian-American community in Colorado as well as those identified within the Armenian Diaspora throughout the world.

Colorado State Capitol’s Khachkar is the first monument of its kind on statehouse grounds in the United States. The khachkar was crafted in Armenia by famous master Varazdat Hambardzumyan, also known as Varpet Varo. The design was based on a 1980’s photograph by Argam Ayvazyan of a Djulfa (Jugha) khachkar destroyed in 2005. The khachkar was installed by Denver-based Erickson Monuments and added to the newly renovated Armenian Memorial Garden on the grounds of the Colorado State Capitol. The Colorado State Capitol Khachkar was authorized by Governor Hickenlooper and the entire Colorado General Assembly through a Senate Joint Resolution 23 in 2013.

The 2015 plaque accompanying the khachkar reads: “This monument commemorates the victims of all crimes against humanity. It was dedicated on the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, a tragedy that was widely reported in Colorado. Communities throughout Colorado generously raised funds to assist the survivors, known at that time as the ‘Starving Armenians.’ This cultural monument was crafted in Armenia and is a recreation of a medieval khachkar that had functioned as a gravestone for centuries. In 2010, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization acknowledged the value and vulnerability of this indigenous art tradition by declaring it part of the intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.”

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WAHPETON, N.D.—Like their name, Norik and Irina Astvatsaturov praise God for their artistic talent every day.

They also thank the Lord above for keeping their family safe and secure during the turmoil they faced in Azerbaijan. As proud Armenians from Baku, their faith and family show no compromise.

“Because of war, we were forced to evacuate our homes,” Norik recalls with disdain. “It was terrible. Our people had a very hard history, a very bad time.”

Norik Astvatsaturov showing his ‘mettle’ with metal art.

The family decided to apply for refugee status in the United States. It was not easy. For two years, they held their breath, counted their blessings, and stayed strong.

Today, Norik and Irina are firmly entrenched in North Dakota. A Methodist church in Wahpeton sponsored them as a refugee family. With just a few dollars to their name, the money was spent at the airport.

“We were hungry and we bought pizza,” Norik recalled. “After living in crowded rooms in Yerevan, we were now in heaven. God has given us the opportunity to live in this country with good children and grandchildren. They represent our entire life.”

Norik’s workbench is a constant cadence of tapping sounds as he turns metal into exquisite forms of art. His wife enjoys a similar handicraft with beadwork.

Their folk art represents their heritage, history, and life’s experiences and is currently on display at the Heritage Center and State Museum through the end of this genocide centennial year. It carries an estimated value of $100,000.

Titled, “God Given: Cultural Treasures of Armenia,” it has served as a two-fold eye-catcher with locals. Norik’s work consists of copper and bronze repousse with inlaid semi-precious stones, many with Biblical themes and ornamental pieces. Irina dedicates herself to Russian and Eastern European techniques to create colorful beadwork on black velvet.

Norik and Irina Astvatsaturov making a double imprint as ‘prairie artists’ in the Mid-West

It’s done the old-fashioned way by hammer and nail with precise hand-eye coordination.

“Metalwork dates back 2,000 years or more,” he explains. “I wanted to try it as a 19-year-old and have continued through the decades. I always try to surprise myself. It means that I have not died, that I live like art. That is the beauty of creation.”

First came an Armenian cross for his church as a gift to the people. It was made from aluminum and was very hard to maneuver. From there, the passion turned to jewelry boxes, historical figures, icons, and decorative plates.

As many as a thousand hits on each side go into the process, depending on the size and difficulty of the subject. There’s no room for error, Norik says. It’s that precise.

“With Norik and Irina, their work really does reflect their culture and history,” says Troyd Geist, a North Dakota folklorist. “It’s an interesting, rich history that involves a part of the world not many of us know much about. It touches upon very real situations going on in the world now—the tensions between Muslims and Christians… We can learn from them.”

Irina was a teacher in Baku and learned beadwork as a child. Her images include elaborate icons, birds, and flowers.

They met at an art studio in Baku 38 years ago and have 2 children, Anna (Turcotte) and Mikhail, along with 4 grandchildren.

“My parents complement each other in a sense that she guides his compositions with her advice and he does the same for her,” says Turcotte, a Maine attorney and author of Nowhere, a story of exile. “One thing my dad could do here and not Baku is using his metal embossing skills to create traditional Armenian Christian art as opposed to non-religious pieces.”

Their exhibit is enhanced with an award-winning publication written by Geist, featuring Norik’s work. He is a recipient of the prestigious Bush Foundation Fellowship.

A short documentary was shown repeatedly in the museum’s new theater. The film explores Norik’s artwork in relation to the turmoil in Baku and the Nagorno-Karabagh region between Christian Armenians and Muslim Azerbaijanis.

“My parents built our lives by putting aside their own ambitions and dreams,” Turcotte added. “My father worked 12-hour shifts in a wood-processing factory for 23 years before retiring. My mother worked odd jobs to support the family financially. They came home to their art evenings.”

In North Dakota, the family found peace and security for the first since the Karabagh liberation movement began. There are no Armenian churches or communities in the state. The closest is inside the Minneapolis area, which is four hours away.

There are Armenian families, though they’re separated by hundreds of miles. But that didn’t stop them from raising their children within the Armenian culture, not to mention the language.

“No one knew what an Armenian was,” said Turcotte. “My parents used their art and cooking skills to educate fellow North Dakotans about their rich history and culture by hosting dinner parties. That way, they could also practice their English.”

For the first six months, the family lived off food stamps. No employer would hire them because of the language barrier. Finally, Norik began working at the wood processing planting in town while Irina helped out in the high school cafeteria.

Due to Norik’s limited exposure to the Armenian folk art world, he’s relatively content about being a Baku Armenian who continues to make an imprint in the American mainstream.

“My parents maintain their Armenian identity through art, the story of Armenians they tell anyone they meet in the Mid-West,” Turcotte points out. “It’s the history they have taught their children and now their grandchildren.”

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Four-Time Emmy Award-Winning Film Director Bared Maronian’s ‘Orphans of the Genocide’ and ‘Women of 1915’ Breezes into the Windy City…

It was a clear crisp spring night on Fri., March 20, when eager and very much galvanized Armenians (young and old) of Greater Chicagoland came out to the Moviemax Cinemas in Niles, Ill., to attend two sold-out shows for “Orphans of the Genocide.” Organized by the Chicago Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society and the Chicago Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee, the event was extremely successful with 400 guests in attendance. After each screening, four-time Emmy Award-winning film director Bared Maronian led a noteworthy discussion and Q&A.

Bared Maronian’s ‘Women of 1915’ Presentation

The following evening, Sat., March 21, the Chicago Executive of the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society hosted a memorable fundraising and cultural event for Maronian at the Armenian Community Center, Shahnasarian Hall, in Glenview, Ill. Welcomed by the mistress of ceremonies, Talin Artinian, the 100 invited guests were treated to Armenian song by soloist Harout Kendimian, accompanied by his daughter Loucine Tokmakjian on piano, and soloist Dr. Dikran Leblebijian, accompanied by Robert Artinian on piano, as well as a classical music dual piano performance by Annie Artinian and Vicki Diefenbacher. The evening’s main feature—a preview of Bared Maronian’s latest documentary, “Women of 1915”—was followed by a fundraising ceremony led by Hamazkayin vice chairman Thomas Ohanian.

Bared Maronian and Arpy Seferian

The evening’s gala was made possible by the generous sponsorship of Arpy Seferian, who marked the Centennial of by sharing fond memories of her beloved grandmother, Satenik DerBalian. Seferian remembered her grandmother as a kind and loving woman who adored her as the first child of her son. A strong-willed woman, Satenik DerBalian gave strength to her husband Kevork and her two children, Alice and Haroutiun, during their painful exodus from Aintab to Aleppo. Eventually the mother of five children and later a mother in-law herself, Satenik was known as the family unifier. Disapproving of gossip, Satenik’s mantra was the old Armenian adage, “If you hear people gossiping, hide it under your skirt and do not spread it.” For Arpy Seferian, her grandmother was a perfect model of what an Armenian mother and mother-in-law should be.

Following the tribute, Hamazkayin chairlady Rita Arakelian introduced Maronian, who illustrated how his new documentary, “Women of 1915,” seeks to educate and increase awareness of the genocide and the role played by Armenian and non-Armenian women. He detailed how it aims to bring heroic women to life—women including foreign relief workers who were injured and forced to flee, while others chose to remain and give their lives to rescue Armenian women and children. In short, Maronian demonstrated how the film promises to connect lives through family accounts and documents, journals, letters, telegraphs, and historic archives.

Guests so moved by the documentary raised a considerable dollar amount for the project. The evening concluded on a happy note.

All in all, Bared Maronian’s two-day affair in the windy city was truly unforgettable for the Chicago Armenians marking the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

– (L-R) Astrun Ohanyan, Thomas Ohanian, Talin Artinian, Rita Arakelian, Lucine Torian, Narine Asatryan, and Armine Papazian

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The Detroit Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Mid Council, with five ARS sister chapters “Maro,” “Shakeh,” “Sybille,” “Tzolig,” and “Zabel,” organized “Walk Armenia” on June 7.

The walk took place on 13 Mile and Woodward, Royal Oak, beginning at 2 p.m., and ending at 5 p.m. It started with a blessing by clergymen and the singing of the Armenian anthem. At the end, sandwiches, drinks, and snacks were distributed to the walkers.

The Detroit Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Mid Council, with five ARS sister chapters organized ‘Walk Armenia’ on June 7

More than 200 children, teenagers, and adults walked under a clear sky, brought together for one mission: to walk for help. The walkers carried banners that read, “ARS Walk Armenia” and “100th Anniversary of the Genocide,” and distributed flyers about the mission of the ARS, St. Jude’s Children Cancer Research Center, and the film “Women of 1915,” drawing great interest from bystanders.

More than 200 children, teenagers, and adults walked under a clear sky, brought together for one mission: to walk for help

The proceeds from the walk will be donated to the ARS Eastern Region, St. Jude’s Children Cancer Research Center, “Women of 1915,” and to Syrian-Armenian relief efforts.

The ARS Mid Council and Walk Armenia Committee would like to thank the supporters of this walk—the sponsors, the walkers, the pledge donors, and the City of Royal Oak—who made it a very successful event.

The proceeds from the walk will be donated to the ARS Eastern Region, St. Jude’s Children Cancer Research Center, ‘Women of 1915,’ and to Syrian-Armenian relief efforts

The walkers carried banners that read, ‘ARS Walk Armenia’ and ‘100th Anniversary of the Genocide,’ and distributed flyers about the mission of the ARS, St. Jude’s Children Cancer Research Center, and the film ‘Women of 1915,’ drawing great interest from bystanders

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Twenty-five A.G.B.U. Alex and Marie Manoogian School seniors were honored at a June 1 commencement ceremony at St. John Armenian Church Cultural Hall in Southfield, Mich.

Judith Kadri, high school head teacher, served as master of ceremonies. Dr. Hosep Torossian, principal of the high school, presided. In his opening remarks, he noted that 11 of the 25 graduates had been together since pre-school or early elementary. He also commented on the increasing number of Ukrainian students who have joined the school, mentioning their many positive contributions to the school culture and their determination to excel academically.

Twenty-five A.G.B.U. Alex and Marie Manoogian School seniors were honored at a June 1 commencement ceremony at St. John Armenian Church Cultural Hall in Southfield, Mich.

Torossian paid tribute to all of the faculty members who give extra effort to helping the ESL students, and acknowledged the work of Lilit Babloumian, ESL teacher, who takes students from all countries who know only a few words of English and helps them become functioning students in an amazingly short time.

Torossian then introduced the keynote speaker, Oakland County Judge Lisa Asadoorian, acknowledging her many accomplishments and honors and stressing the many ways in which she gives back to the community. In her address, which many listeners said was one of the most moving graduation speeches they had ever heard, Asadoorian urged the students to remember the Armenian Genocide and other crimes against humanity and to work for peace, understanding, human rights, and truth.

As the attention turned to the graduates, Mariya Nakonechna, the valedictorian, and Michelle Hami, the salutatorian, addressed the audience in both English and Armenian. During the ceremony, Kadri read comments from the students about their time in school, and their trip to Armenia in 2014 recurred as the highlight of their school years. As a class, the students were offered a million dollars in grants and scholarships. Three graduates—Nikole Davtyan, Mariya Nakonechna, and Elleanna Saco—received full, four-year scholarships to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Other students have been accepted to universities throughout Michigan, and one will attend Glendale Community College in California.

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On the evening of Friday, April 24, the Armenian Student Association of t­­he Ohio State University hosted an event to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and to celebrate the rich culture that survived—and even thrived—following genocide. Dr. Hagop. Mekhjian, the Armenian Student Association’s faculty advisor, kicked off the event, which was attended by more than 200 students, OSU faculty, and community members. During Mekhjian’s heartfelt remarks, he quoted the Armenian-American author William Saroyan:

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia. See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing, and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.”

(First row, L-R) Michael Merjanian, Tatevic Broutian, Hagop Mekhjian, Natalya Nazaryan, and Will Larchian. (Second row) Gregory Simonian, Armine Aghabekian, and Mary Sagatelova.

Mekhjian proudly stated, “That’s what we are. We have created the New Armenia, all over the world. We are truly here today to dispel the myth that they can destroy our songs, our literature, and our prayers because this evening you’ll hear our poetry, you will hear our music, and you will hear our prayers. So we are indestructible. I am living testimony of that survival: I’m the product of two orphaned parents and the first generation of New Armenia.”

The president of the Armenian Student Association, Gregory Simonian, remarked, “It’s been said that the Armenian Genocide consisted of two crimes: the first being the genocide itself and the second being the denial of truth, which continues to this day. Today being the Centennial—100 years have passed since the genocide took place. This means all the survivors have passed away, taking their memories and stories with them.” Simonian emphasized the need for all Armenians in the diaspora to preserve the stories of the past. He then introduced the keynote speaker, Armenian-American poet Silva Merjanian.

Merjanian, the author of two books, Uncoil the Night and Rumor, gave a powerful talk on the genocide’s impact on Armenian poetry. She emphatically stated, “When we think of the poets killed, our grief and outrage at this injustice transcends the physical loss of a single human being and it extends to the intellectual wealth we were robbed of with these murders, the human potential that can’t be quantified. With most murdered in their prime, we lost all the future works of these poets.” Merjanian graced the audience with a reading of her own poetry, including Where the Truth is Strewn, the story of finding human remains—likely from the genocide—at the construction site of an elementary school.

Merjanian concluded her talk with a quote from Armenian author Ruben Sevak: “We are few, but we are called Armenians. We do not put ourselves above anyone. Simply our fortune has just been so different. Simply we have just shed too much blood… If we have enslaved – only with our eyes. And if we have ruled – only with our books. If we have prevailed – only with our talents. And if we have ever oppressed, it has only been with our wounds. See, we do not put ourselves above anyone. But we know ourselves. We are called Armenians. And why should we not feel pride about that? We are, we shall be and become many.”

After thunderous applause, Tatevic Broudian, the treasurer of the Armenian Student Association, introduced the world premiere of the movie, “Traversed: A Visual Journey Through Armenia,” directed by Alex Igidbashian and Emily Mkrtichian. The movie is a short documentary that depicts the character of Armenia through the stories of its vast primordial landscapes, ancient churches, rural villages, fields cultivated by families and small communities, industrial factories left over from the Soviet era, and its cities, growing and changing by the minute as they open up to the world of global trade and capitalism. In addition to the visual stories of Armenia, the film displays stories of people the directors meet along the way. “Traversed” gives people around the world a beautiful glimpse into this ancient and modern world.

Following the documentary, Armine Aghabekian, founder and vice president of the Armenian Student Association, introduced the evening’s musical program, a five-piece ensemble from “Opera Project Columbus,” who performed works by Armenian composers Komidas Vartapet and Aram Ilyich Khachaturian. Coral Owdom, a highly regarded soprano, delivered a soulful rendition of “The Crane” and “Our Lord’s Prayer” in Armenian.

In closing, Dr. Ryan Nash, the director of the Ohio State University’s Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities, introduced Very Reverend Miroljub Ruzic, rector of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Orthodox Church in Columbus, who sang a traditional prayer remembering those who gave their lives for the sake of the faith. Members of the audience sang and prayed along.

Dominic Monley, Peace Corps volunteer from 2006-08 in Armenia, enjoyed the program tremendously. Monley said, “The ‘Traversed’ documentary was a highlight for me, as it provided a visual backdrop to all this amazing culture by putting it in the context of the beautiful landscapes of the Republic of Armenia. I was also impressed by the size and diversity of the audience. I’m grateful to Dr. Mekhjian and the Armenian Student Association for providing a space for remembrance of the Armenian Genocide and, for those less familiar, a chance to learn more about Armenian culture and the historical events that have shaped it.”

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ANCA-ER Banquet Comes to the Midwest First Time since its Inception

DETROIT, Mich.—Armenian Americans throughout the Eastern U.S.—especially from the Midwest—will be joining together to celebrate a year of civic activism at the 9th annual Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Eastern Region Banquet, to be held on Sat., Nov. 14, in Detroit.

ANCA-ER Banquet comes to the Midwest first time since its inception

“After eight years of successful events hosted in our East Coast communities, we look forward to bringing the ANCA-ER Banquet to the Midwest first time in its history. The banquet will spotlight our grassroots activism and the expansion of a broad range of ANCA-ER projects,” said ANCA Eastern Region Chairman Steve Mesrobian. “Our banquet committee is working hard to organize an unforgettable evening dedicated to the committed and passionate community advocates who work tirelessly day and night organizing Armenian Genocide Centennial commemorations, Baku and Sumgait pogrom vigils, fighting for Artsakh’s freedom and much more.”

The banquet, sponsored by the ANCA Eastern Region Endowment Fund, will begin with an elegant cocktail reception and silent auction at 5 p.m., followed by dinner and awards ceremony at 6 p.m. The event will take place in the heart of Detroit at the prestigious The Westin Book Cadillac Hotel located at 1114 Washington Blvd, Detroit.

ANCA-ER board member and banquet committee co-chair Dr. Hovig Kouyoumdjian noted, “The Armenian Cause has propelled and gained new dimensions of joining the efforts of Armenians from the entire world. Hosting the 9th Armenian National Committee of America-Eastern Region banquet in the Midwest region, and especially Detroit, is a clear message of renewed determination and persistent progress to face the next challenges of the Armenian nation.”

This year’s theme for the banquet is moving beyond the centennial commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, recognizing all the success attained as part of this grand effort and focusing on the work that still lies ahead to achieve full and just resolution for this international crime. “Yesterday, today, and beyond our work continues,” said ANCA-ER board member Tsoleen Sarian. “Building upon the knowledge and experience of the past century, we look ahead to redoubling our efforts to advocate for the Armenian Cause. Our march to justice carries on.”

Award recipients for the 2015 ANCA Eastern Region Annual Banquet will be announced in the coming days. Additional information is available at: http://www.anca.org/erbanquet. The hashtag #ERbanquet will be used in the social media for posts, pictures, and announcements.

For details on hotel reservations call 1-800-241-3333 and reference the name “ANCA” to get the reduced rate of $149/night for the rooms.

The ANCA Eastern Region Endowment Fund is a 501(c)(3) charitable and educational organization that supports the ANCA Eastern Region in outreach to Armenian American communities.

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BEREA, Ohio—Loris Ohannes Chobanian is professor emeritus and a composer-in-residence at Baldwin Wallace (BW) University, and his composition “Der Voghormia” (Lord Have Mercy) for chorus, piano, and timpani was premiered on March 22 by “BW Singers”—conducted by Maestro Marc Weagraff, with Debra Comodeca, piano, and Josh Ryan, timpani—at the BW Conservatory Gamble Auditorium. The capacity audience included a significant presence from Cleveland area Armenians and members of the Saint Gregory of Narek Armenian Church together with Pastor Father Hratch Sargsyan.

Loris Ohannes Chobanian

Prior to the premiere, Weagraff expressed his appreciation for Chobanian’s “Der Voghormia” and urged the public to read the program notes, which read: “The prayer Der Voghormia was composed for the Armenian Church in Baghdad. Today’s performance is the U.S. premiere. Historic Armenia is located in the Mount Ararat plateau. Tigranes the Great (140-55 B.C.) was emperor of Armenia under whom the country became the strongest state east of the Roman Republic. Christianity was introduced to Armenia by apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew. Armenia became the first nation to adopt Christianity as its official Religion in the year AD 301. The date April 24, 2015 is the centennial of April 24, 1915 in which the Ottoman Turkish Muslims unleashed their massacres of the Armenians in the Armenian Genocide, the first Genocide of the Twentieth Century. The composer’s mother and grandmother were victims of the Armenian Genocide. The prayer “Der Voghormia” also proclaims to implore peace to the world. The Timpani are placed at the balcony and respond to the prayer from above.”

The BW Singers’ pronunciation of the Armenian text was impressively authentic. The composer had met with the singers and dwelled on articulating the proper Armenian pronunciation. The singers seemed to love the composition. The response to the prayer from the powerful timpani made an unbelievable out of worldly impact. It was not clear where the sound of the timpani was coming from. The music of “Der Voghormia” will be available to Armenian churches throughout the United States.

Loris Ohannes Chobanian was born to Armenian parents in Mosul, Iraq. He was introduced to serious music at an early age. His father Ohannes Chobanian, an oil engineer and an amateur musician, was a versatile performer on the piano, the flute, and the violin. His favorite composers were Mozart and Komitas. At the age of 5, he composed an operetta “O, Loris!” which he sang in the city of Kirkuk. The elder Chobanian conducted the orchestra; he often organized plays and concerts for the Armenian communities in Mosul and Kirkuk. As an engineer he was also instrumental in bringing electricity to the city of Mosul.

In the 1950’s, Loris Chobanian performed the classical guitar regularly on Baghdad Television. After 1960, he performed on TV in Louisiana and in Michigan. Chobanian was instrumental in establishing the Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory Guitar and Composition programs, as well as the Focus Contemporary Music Festival. He also established the position of the Baldwin Wallace composer-in-residence. In 1973, as the first ASTA Guitar Division chairman, he organized the ASTA Guitar Convention that brought together U.S. university and college guitar teachers for the first time. The convention led to the establishment of the Guitar Foundation of America and became the model that has been replicated by the annual GFA Conventions.

A winner of the Cleveland Arts Prize, Chobanian has also taught at the Oberlin Conservatory and the University of Akron. An expert conductor, he often conducts his own compositions as guest composer with university, high school, and professional orchestras. In July 2015, he will attend the Music Festival in Strasbourg, France, where his composition “FANTASIA” will be performed by the Trio Bel Canto.

On March 15, Chobanian’s composition “Visage for Flute and Piano” was performed by Sean Gabriel, flute, and Debra Comadeca, piano, at the Cleveland Composer’s Guild concert. The composition made a strong impact and was very well received by the audience. “Visage” expresses the condition where a face seen many years earlier cannot be easily recalled. Musical motives represent the diverse facial features encountered.

New compositions that will be premiered next year include “SPARKS: Sinfonia for Marimba and Piano and Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra.” In “SPARKS,” the composer has elevated the marimba to function as a truly expressive artistic medium. In five sections the composition creates contrasts using sounds reminiscent of bird calls and the resonance of calm sea waves. Professors Josh Ryan, marimba, and Robert Mayerovtch, piano, will present the world premiere. “Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra,” which will also be premiered next year, was composed especially for bassoonist Renee Anthony Dee, 1977 graduate of Baldwin Wallace Conservatory. According to the composer, “The bassoon’s upper register has a beautiful quality, but it does not project as well as that of the lower register, which can be assertive and powerful. As a result, the orchestra parts can easily cover the upper melodic themes of the bassoon. Historically there have been many concertos for different instruments with heavy orchestral parts that would cover the themes of the solo instrument. In such cases the conductor often has to readjust the instrumentation to solve the problem.”

“… In the second and third movements motives from Armenian and Kurdish folk music, respectively, are introduced as part of the thematic development. However, at no time do the thematic folk materials introduced represent complete melodies.”

On May 8, Chobanian conducted his “Spaceflight for Orchestra” with the BW Senior Youth Orchestra. The composition describes the sensation, the excitement, and the feeling of the spaceflight experience. Being in orbit and in outer space gives the traveler a perspective unlike anything that can be felt on Earth. Inspecting Earth from a very fresh vintage point introduces visual details that were previously unimaginable. Above all, the composition is meant to delight the performer as well as the listening public.

GLENVIEW, Ill.—The Chicago Armenian community marked the 32nd anniversary of the martyrdom of the Lisbon Five this week by holding a special requiem service for Sarkis Abrahamian, Setrak Ajamian, Vache Daghlian, Ara Kuhrjulian, and Simon Yahniyan. The service, which was held at Armenian All Saints Church in Glenview, was conducted by Archpriest Rev. Zareh Sahakian and was attended by more than 200 people.

The service honored the self-sacrifice of these five youth, aged 19 to 21 years old, who occupied and subsequently blew up the Turkish Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal, on July 27, 1983. In a typewritten note released to the press soon after the occupation of the embassy, they stated, ”We have decided to blow up this building and remain under the collapse. This is not suicide nor an expression of insanity, but rather our sacrifice to the altar of freedom.”

“Although more than 30 years have passed since that fateful day, we still draw inspiration from the Lisbon Five and their commitment to the cause of justice for the Armenian Nation,” said Chicago ARF “Christapor” Gomideh representative Khajak Arakelian.

“The example of their self-sacrifice reminds us all of our own obligations to our nation, and to the pursuit of justice for our people, especially in this Centenary year of the Armenian Genocide,” he continued.

The Lisbon event sent shockwaves around the world and served as a capstone for a period of Armenian militancy that had spanned a decade and whose goal was to raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide. The event caused many in the Armenian community to pause and evaluate their own roles in the Hai Tahd effort, with many redoubling their commitment to pursue justice for the Armenian Nation.

Toumanoff to Teach at Armenian State University of Economics

Dr. Toumanoff (Photo: sentinelsource.com)

MILWAUKEE, Wis.—Dr. Peter Toumanoff, associate professor emeritus of economics at Marquette University, has earned a Senior Fulbright Award to Armenia, and will spend the first part of 2016 teaching at the Armenian State University of Economics in Yerevan. This is his third Fulbright.

Toumanoff, whose father and grandfather were born in Yerevan, is believed to be the first Fulbright scholar slated to teach at the school since it received university status in 2006. He will teach economic theory, mathematical economics, and econometrics at the university.

“We are hoping this will establish a relationship between Fulbright and the university so they will have more Fulbright scholars in the future,” Toumanoff said.

“We are delighted that Peter is the first Fulbright scholar to teach at this university, and wish him well in his appointment,” said Joseph Daniels, chair of the Economics Department. “Peter has had a distinguished career at Marquette, and we are thrilled he has the opportunity to teach in a city where his family has deep roots.”

Toumanoff joined Marquette in 1979 as an assistant professor, and served as chairman of the Economics Department from 1991-94.

In 2006, Toumanoff taught faculty development and curriculum development at the Komsomolsk-na-Amure State Pedagogical University. In 2001-02, he spent six months at the Urals Gold-Platinum Institute International School of Business in Yekaterinburg, Russia. As part of his work, he lectured on executive MBA programs at the private institute, founded in 1995. His research helped establish a database of regional economic information.

The Fulbright Program aims to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries, and is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government. Fulbright alumni have been heads of state, judges, ambassadors, cabinet ministers, CEOs, and university presidents, as well as leading journalists, artists, scientists, and teachers. They have been awarded 53 Nobel Prizes. Grants are made possible through funds appropriated annually by Congress and, in many cases, by contributions from partner countries and the private sector.