Month: December 2023

The media currently is saturated with references to hostages but not in the context of Armenians. The term hostage refers to an abduction or forced incarceration, usually for the purposes of leveraging something in return. The Armenian military personnel, civilians and Artsakh government officials illegally detained against international protocols by the Azerbaijani government must be referred to as hostages and not prisoners. Last week, it was reported that a “prisoner exchange” took place, with 32 Armenians released for two Azerbaijani soldiers. Most of those released were detained during one of the fabricated Azeri “counter-terrorism operations” in late 2020 in Hadrut, Artsakh after the negotiated end of the 2020 Artsakh War.

The media has reported the exchange as a confidence building measure resulting from direct negotiations. This, of course, supports the narrative that Azerbaijan and Armenia are mutually engaged in peace negotiations. Although the release of Armenian hostages is a positive development, it is important to note that the exchange coincided with the visit of U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James O’Brien to Baku. It is reasonable to assume that Aliyev’s agreement was the result of western pressure, specifically from the United States. Given the racist and volatile position of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev towards Armenia, it would be naive to view this as an olive branch. Aliyev has been more isolated from the west in recent months, due to his continued aggression and refusal to participate in trilateral peace negotiations. Armenia has compromised, at the urging of the west, in order to entice Azerbaijan to participate in talks. Shortly after the prisoner exchange, it was rumored that both countries were open to discussing pulling their troops back from the border. Azerbaijan quickly refused to agree to such a proposal and is engaging in rhetoric around delimitation and demarcation of its border with Armenia. For its part, Armenia also removed its objection to Azerbaijan hosting the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). In return, Azerbaijan supported Armenia’s candidacy to the COP Bureau of the Eastern European Group. Outside observers, eager for good news, view these as confidence building measures, but they are generally a continuation of Azerbaijan’s policy of committing only to minor moves.

Western actors are forcing Azerbaijan to choose between the east and the west. Western nations, such as France and the United States, view the South Caucasus through the prism of the new Cold War with Russia. The end game for the west is to build a western-leaning support base in the southern backyard of Russia. Putting aside the rhetoric of supporting democracy, it is in the interests of Europe and the United States to bring the South Caucasus into the western sphere. Taking a page from their Turkish cousins, the Azeris have built their foreign policy on playing both ends of the east/west divide. Given the complex and volatile dynamics, Azerbaijan will find it difficult to leave the Russian orbit. Although Azerbaijan’s family dictatorship creates a value dilemma for the west, Azerbaijan’s energy leverage has enabled it to burn both ends of the candle with measurable success. 

Aliyev will continue attempting to buy time until the geo-political environment is more favorable. His recent decision to hold snap elections in early 2024 illustrates this point. Azerbaijan is a rogue, corrupt dictatorship with no democratic institutions. Parliamentary snap elections, in reality, are a mechanism for delay and can only have one outcome. It would be easy for Aliyev to postpone any further agreements and wait for the will of his people. Delay tactics are Aliyev’s primary weapon, given the trending support for Armenia in the current process. For decades, Armenians have asked when the Azeri abuse of power and lack of respect for international law will run their course. The tolerance of the west was on full display during the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh, but its patience has been depleted with Azeri aggression towards Armenia. The west senses an opportunity with the Armenia/Russia tension to alter the regional dynamics. It remains to be seen whether the western overtures will translate into security for Armenia, but some interesting options have been defined.

Recent history tells us that Azerbaijan has never implemented any bilateral agreements with Armenia and continues to hold hostages illegally and occupy sovereign territory of Armenia. Human rights advocate Siranush Sahakyan reported that Azerbaijan officially still holds 55 Armenian detainees, including 41 military personnel, eight former members of the Artsakh government and six civilians. Some unofficial reports claim the list of those held is as high as 80. Against all rules of civility, Azerbaijan offers little insight into the hostages’ current status. The recent release of the 32 Armenians is gratifying, but no credit should be given to the Azerbaijani government. It should not be interpreted as an act of benevolence, humanity or confidence building. Azerbaijan was forced to make a move to relieve some of the pressure of isolation. While the private negotiations continue, the Armenian public should have renewed focus on the outrageous nature of the incarceration.

Among the remaining hostages are political prisoners from the former Artsakh government. The eight Artsakh detainees are: David Babayan, former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Arkady Ghukasyan, former President; Arayik Harutyunyan, former President; Davit Ishkhanyan, chairman of the National Assembly; Davit Manukyan, deputy commander of Artsakh forces; Levon Mnatsakanyan, commander of the defense forces; Bako Sahakyan, former President; and Ruben Vardanyan, former State Minister.

During the time of the Artsakh government, Armenians held a variety of opinions on these state politicians. This is expected when people are in office and are experiencing the trials and tribulations of national life. Whatever your opinion, we need to focus on the humanity and patriotic element of their captivity. They were deported from Artsakh like the rest of the 120,000 Armenians, the difference being that the Azeris arrested them to demonstrate the subordination of Armenians and retain negotiating capital. We must remind the world of their captivity until they are free. These are the people who created a functioning democracy with a market economy within a blockaded state and without the benefit of global recognition. This is a remarkable accomplishment, and their courage and valor will always be a source of inspiration. Forget your disappointment and disagreements long enough to advocate for fellow Armenians in need. 

The character of a nation is often defined in times of adversity. The Azeri government has an obvious disdain for all Armenian hostages, but it holds particular contempt for those from Artsakh. They consider the Artsakh soldiers as rebels and the government officials as traitors. This is outrageous and must be vigorously opposed until their freedom is secured. A genocidal assault on the peaceful people of Artsakh under the false pretense of an “anti-terrorism operation,” which resulted in the deportation of all Armenians, can only produce victims. There is no legitimacy to holding any Armenian as a result of the Azeri campaigns of atrocity. A vicious dictatorship has violated international law, destroyed a functioning democracy and detained military and political personnel. This is why the debate between “territorial integrity” and “self-determination” is biased to support the status quo. All powers maintaining the need for territorial integrity began with a struggle for self-determination sometime in their history. As Armenians, we must resolve that there is no difference between detainees from Armenia and Artsakh, nor does it matter if they are common soldiers or political figures. They are all victims of illegal detention.

Protesters in Geneva demand the release of Armenian POWs and other detainees held by Azerbaijan, April 2021 (Iskender.Giragossian/Wikimedia Commons)

Freeing the remaining Armenian hostages in Baku prisons is an intersection of the regional geo-political dynamics with humanitarian empathy. In our cynical world, the latter is often a casualty of the bigger picture or subordinated from our view. Ruben Vardanyan is a visionary leader of our people. He took significant personal and political risk by surrendering his Russian citizenship and moving to serve Artsakh. After his brief tenure as state minister, he stayed to work for the nation in other ways. These men did not use their influence to abandon Artsakh. They are more than deserving of our respect and admiration. Who among us should judge them from our comfortable box seat in the diaspora while they are subjected to “Azeri justice”? Vardanyan, along with his partners, has brought much-needed vision to our global nation. Some of these illegally held soldiers were 18 or 19 when detained. While our children are home from university semester breaks, these young men are sitting in Azeri prisons because they faithfully served their nation. We should think about these people with families and dreams of a better life. We must translate the cold realities of political jousting into the names and faces of those impacted.

Next week we will celebrate western Christmas, and shortly thereafter Armenians will remember His birth and baptism. During our family celebrations of a religious and social nature, save some time to pray for our hostages. It is also an opportunity to respect anyone who serves our communities both in the diaspora and the homeland. It is one of the lessons of Artsakh. Unity starts with respect for each other. 

On March 6, 2023, I was accepted into the College of the Holy Cross Washington, D.C. Semester Program. The program entailed participating in a public policy seminar, writing a thesis and interning at an agency of my choice in Washington during the fall 2023 semester. I knew from the moment I was admitted that I wanted to spend my time in Washington working to advance Hai Tahd at the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and grew up in a very large and prominent Armenian community, attending Armenian day school and staying very connected to my culture and heritage while living within the diaspora. One of the first questions people ask me when they find out I attend Holy Cross is why I chose to go to school in Worcester, Massachusetts. The answer for me is always an easy one and one I am proud to talk about. I knew I wanted to attend a liberal arts college on the East Coast, and Holy Cross had much to offer. More importantly, however, moving away from home at 17 years old was intimidating, and I wanted to make the right choice. Worcester is the birthplace of the Armenian-American diaspora, and from the moment I stepped foot in the city, I knew it would be home for the next four years. It is a privilege to be part of the oldest Armenian community in the United States.

Madeline Bogdjalian (bottom left) with the Fall 2023 Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program post-graduate fellows and undergraduate interns at the ANCA Aramian House

As a Worcester “Aram” AYF Chapter member, I have gotten to know so many wonderful Armenians in Worcester and feel at home. Since joining the chapter in my freshman year of college, I have become treasurer and an involved member of the Worcester Armenian community. My involvement in AYF has raised my awareness of the challenges facing our community, both here in the United States and in our homeland. I believe diasporan Armenians have a responsibility to play a role in the Armenian cause however they can.

When I had the opportunity to spend my semester in Washington, I wanted to continue to be an involved member of the Armenian diaspora and push forward Armenian advocacy initiatives in the nation’s capital. From the moment I arrived in Washington, D.C., I knew the next three months would be filled with meaningful advocacy for the Armenian community.

My semester in D.C. took place during a tragic and turbulent time for our homeland and the Armenians of Artsakh. On my second day as an intern at the ANCA, I attended my first-ever congressional commission hearing—the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission emergency hearing—to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Artsakh. I remember sitting in the hearing room, surrounded by fellow ANCA team and community members, listening to U.S. representatives and former ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo discuss Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of Artsakh Armenians. From that day on, every day I spent at the ANCA office focused on Artsakh justice and Armenian advocacy. We attended multiple hearings, posted updates and encouraged members of Congress and presidential candidates to speak up for Artsakh. We used our voices to amplify the Armenian cause in the American political sphere.

Reflecting on my semester in D.C. and my time at the ANCA, I could not be more grateful for the opportunity to work at an exceptional organization. The ANCA does unparalleled work for our community and puts Hai Tahd at the forefront of its goals. The grassroots advocacy power of the Armenian community and consistent work done by the ANCA are inspiring and a testament to the Armenian diaspora’s impact in the political sphere. During my time as a Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Intern, I met with several distinguished politicians, attended congressional committee and commission hearings and even sat in Congress for a historic moment as His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, led the opening prayer in the U.S. House of Representatives. These experiences were truly formative in my understanding of Armenian advocacy and the workings of Washington and made my time in D.C. very special.

Madeline Bogdjalian and fellow Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program fellows and interns join ANCA Programs Director Alex Galitsky in thanking Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) for spearheading the unanimous passage of legislation (S.3000) cutting U.S. aid to Azerbaijan and demanding accountability for the genocidal ethnic cleansing of Artsakh

Spending my semester in D.C. as a Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Intern has been very rewarding. I have been able to contribute to the Armenian cause in the political sphere and tie my undergraduate education with my passion for Armenian advocacy. I wrote my thesis on the Armenian lobby’s influence on United States foreign policy, largely inspired by everything I learned during my internship at the ANCA. My research and thesis would not have been possible without the resources, network and interviews the ANCA provided me.

While in D.C., I worked with fellow Capital Gateway interns in the office and Capital Gateway fellows living in the Aramian House. The community fostered by the program is second to none. They make D.C. feel like home and offer great support, guidance and mentorship. I have made wonderful connections and lifelong friendships through the Capital Gateway Program.

I encourage anyone who can spend a semester in Washington, D.C., to apply to the Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program university internship. It is a fantastic way to engage in Armenian advocacy and activism while pursuing an undergraduate education. I cannot speak highly enough about the program and my time working at the ANCA. This has been my favorite semester in my undergraduate education, and I hope to return to Washington and the ANCA as a Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway fellow post-graduation to explore career opportunities and continue advocating for the Armenian cause.

Patil Toutounjian ziplining in the homeland

Patil Toutounjian and I had “known” each other virtually, but we finally got to meet in person in late November. We had a delightful time at My Cafe LA on Artsakh Street in Glendale, California, and our conversation was tremendously enlightening and uplifting.

Toutounjian was born and raised in the Armenian community in Aleppo, Syria. In 2011, when she was 17, the family immigrated to Toronto, Canada. Moving at the age of 17 was very difficult for Toutounjian, as she was trying to find herself and her purpose. She focused on her education and career, and after graduating with a degree in business marketing, she started working as the marketing manager for a commercial real estate company in Canada. After five years, she did some self reflection and realized that something was missing in her life. She craved the sense of belonging that she had felt in Aleppo, surrounded by the Armenian community.

In 2018, she resigned from her job and got a one-way ticket to volunteer in Armenia with the Birthright Armenia program. She had no idea what to expect. “Feeling a little nervous but a lot more excited, I arrived in Armenia to begin this new chapter of my life,” Toutounjian said.

After four months of volunteering, she was given the opportunity to work for the Birthright Armenia organization as the alumni coordinator. She enjoyed being a part of every volunteer’s journey and making connections with Armenians from around the world.

In 2020, she visited Canada, planning to visit her family for a month. However, when the  coronavirus pandemic started and everything was shut down, she was not able to return to Armenia.

In April of 2020, she was at a crossroads—she could either return to her previous job in Canada or find a way to virtually stay connected to Armenia and the community she had there. She decided to put all of her marketing and e-commerce experience into play to support Armenian artists around the world. Thus, Tatik Streetwear was born. Tatik, meaning grandmother in Armenian, brings the work of Armenian artists to life through streetwear.

Artsakh is always near and dear

This work was fulfilling for her, not only because it empowers Armenian artists, but also because it helps tell the Armenian story around the world. During the 2020 Artsakh War, Toutounjian donated 100-percent of profits from the website to Armenia and Artsakh. “Artists from around the world donated their designs, designs that told our story, and brought the international community’s attention to what was happening. Together, they were able to donate over $85,000 USD,” Toutounjian said.  

As soon as the borders opened up and Toutounjian was able to travel again, she got on the first plane to Armenia. After her arrival, she received a lot of questions on social media regarding the current state of Armenia, travel restrictions and requirements from Armenians who were keen to travel to Armenia. She decided to make a small video to answer all these questions while showing the world her day-to-day life in Armenia. With every video she posted, she received many more travel questions like: “Is Armenia safe?” “Do I need a visa to travel to Armenia?” “What’s the average cost of living?”

She realized that there is a lot of need to show the world the beauty of Armenia and Armenian diaspora communities and spread awareness. This is when her YouTube channel was officially born, the Armenian Traveler.

“My channel is still very young, but my aim is to continue visiting Armenian communities around the world to shed light on their work, empower one another and grow the community together,” Toutounjian said.

Over a year ago, I uncovered a relatively forgotten story on the transfer of William Saroyan’s ashes from the United States to Yerevan, Armenia, where they were subsequently buried at the Komitas Pantheon. My report was based on research I conducted using online and print sources. This was when I discovered that my great-grandfather, Armenian playwright Aramashot Papayan, had been a part of this historic transfer and was one of the leaders and members of the Yerevan delegation that went to Moscow, Russia to greet the U.S. delegation tasked with bringing the urn to the homeland.

At the time, I did not know that I would, over a year later, have the unexpected chance to personally speak with a key figure of the U.S. delegation who brought Saroyan’s urn from the United States to Armenia. 

William Saroyan with the Jendian family: Allan Jendian and his wife Rosemary Jendian with their children Matthew and Megan (Micah not pictured). Witnessing William Saroyan’s will being signed. April 11, 1981. Fresno, CA. Photo captured by Penny Console.

Just a few weeks ago, as I sat celebrating my birthday at a Lebanese-Armenian restaurant, I received an excited text from Dr. Tony Saroyan, a distant relation of William Saroyan and a doctor of psychology, someone I had interviewed in the past about his family’s history and relation to William Saroyan. “Allan Jendian,” the text read as my phone lit up. “I met him right now. He was in charge of transporting William Saroyan’s ashes. He has amazing stories.”

“What are the chances?” I thought to myself. I immediately asked Dr. Saroyan to ask Jendian if he had any memories of my papik. “He said in a briefcase [Papayan] had a burner and coffee,” was Dr. Saroyan’s reply. “Yep,” I thought, smiling to myself. “That was definitely my papik.”

A few days later I got in touch with Jendian, who was gracious enough to lend me his time and shared a more revealing perspective of this historic moment. Jendian was born in Boston and raised in Watertown, Massachusetts. He graduated from Fresno State University in 1967 with a degree in accounting and worked as a Revenue Agent for the IRS until his retirement. 

Jendian has been, and still is, very active within the Armenian community. He is an ordained deacon and has been involved with organizations such as AGBU, the Armenian Assembly, ACYO Central Council, Knights of Vartan and many more. 

As a Fresno resident, his path crossed William Saroyan’s on several occasions. Jendian first met Saroyan at a laundromat, where Jendian approached him to hand him a booklet on the writer himself, one that had been created during his time at the United Armenian Commemorative Committee, on which he served as chairman for 15 years. 

They subsequently had coffee, and their relationship sparked from there. Years later, Saroyan asked Jendian to witness the signing of his will. This was the last signing of Saroyan’s will, which took place on April 11, 1981, a month before his death. Saroyan called Jendian and personally asked him to be present at the signing, insisting that he not forget to be there.

“I can’t forget, because April 11 is my daughter’s birthday,” said Jendian.

Jendian arrived at the signing with his wife and two of his three children. Saroyan had a book prepared and signed for Jendian’s daughter, Megan, in honor of her birthday.

After Saroyan passed away, a tribute committee was created by community members, of which Jendian was the acting chairman. The tribute was held in Fresno, California and attended by Vardges Petrosyan, president of the Writers Union of Armenia, and Lusine Zakaryan, beloved Armenian lyrical soprano, both of whom had hoped to return to Armenia with Saroyan’s ashes.

U.S. and Yerevan delegation arrive at Yerevan airport with William Saroyan’s urn. From left: Aramashot Papayan, Vardges Petrosyan, Vardges Hamazaspyan (chairman of Spurk), Robert Demir, Allan Jendian and Dr. Dickran Kouymdjian. 1982.

Due to the time pressure of the Armenian Orthodox tradition of conducting a requiem at the one-year mark of a person’s death, the organization agreed to create a delegation to transfer the ashes to Armenia. 

The delegation consisted of Jendian, William Saroyan’s attorney Robert Demir and Dr. Dickran Kouymdjian, former director of the Armenian Studies program at California State University, Fresno. Later, the Committee for Cultural Relations Abroad (Spurk) chose Osheen Keshishian, former editor of the Armenian Observer, to join the delegation in representation of their organization. The four of them garnered the endearing nickname, “Saroyan Quartet.”

Members of the Writers Union greet the arriving U.S. and Yerevan delegations. From left: Mkrtich Sargsyan, Vardges Petrosyan, Razmik Davoyan, Aramashot Papayan, Robert Demir and Allan Jendian. Yerevan airport. 1982.

When the U.S. delegation arrived at an airport in Moscow, a delegation from Yerevan was waiting to greet them. The Yerevan delegation consisted of Papayan, Petrosyan from the Writers Union, Perch Zeytuntsyan, Karlen Mikaelyan, Robert Galustyan, Albert Gasparyan and Garo Atoyan. 

The urn was revealed at the foot of the plane, and members of the Yerevan delegation took turns holding it. Following their arrival, the two delegations had dinner at the Budapest Hotel, which went on for hours as the writers took turns eulogizing William Saroyan. 

“You could see that Saroyan meant so much to them,” said Jendian. “They were all very somber. [Papayan] more so because they both had the same make-up as individuals. There was a lot of likeness. For them, being Bitlisian meant the world.”

Yet the urn was not officially transferred to the possession of the Writers Union until the group reached Yerevan and an event took place for the transfer. Until then, Jendian was primarily tasked with protecting the urn.

Writers Union event of William Saroyan’s urn transfer. Vardges Petrosyan and Vardges Hamazaspyan carry William Saroyan’s urn. Allan Jendian stands in the center. Yerevan, Armenia. 1982.

Early the next morning the delegations boarded the plane for Yerevan and were taken to Armenia Hotel, now known as Armenia Marriott Hotel Yerevan. Later, at an official event, the urn was transferred to the Writers Union. 

Over the course of the next few days, the Yerevan and U.S. delegations explored the city together and attended many events. They went around the city in free taxi rides, this being a luxury bestowed particularly upon the Saroyan Quartet on behalf of the generosity of the taxi drivers. Every time Papayan visited their hotel, he pulled out his briefcase, stuffed to the brim with ingredients and tools for coffee, and made everyone cups of coffee.

William Saroyan’s urn is presented to the Writers Union at the official event. Photo includes Vahagn Davtyan, Allan Jendian, Robert Demir, Dr. Dickran Kouymdjian, Vardges Petrosyan, Hrachya Hovhannisyan, Vardges Hamazaspyan and others. Yerevan, Armenia. 1982.

A day after watching one of Papayan’s plays at a theater, the group decided to visit one of the writer’s homes. There happened to be no taxis out at this time, so Papayan hailed a bus instead and earnestly explained who they were and the unfortunate predicament that had left them with no transportation. “The bus driver, then knowing this was the Saroyan Quartet, went off the route and took us,” said Jendian.

Several days later, on May 29, 1982, the burial of the urn took place at Yerevan’s Komitas Pantheon. The observance lasted two hours and consisted of numerous speeches. Jendian stood on the dignitaries platform along with the Writers Union Members, First Secretary of the Armenia SSR Karen Demerdjian, and other dignitaries, alongside thousands of admirers who came to honor Saroyan’s life and cultural contributions. 

The burial of William Saroyan’s ashes at Komitas Pantheon. The dignitaries’ platform. Vardges Petrosyan and Vardges Hamazaspyan stand behind the microphones, alongside First Secretary of the Armenia SSR, Karen Demerdjian (left). May 29, 1982. Yerevan, Armenia.

Jendian visited Armenia several more times after this event. In 1995, Jendian returned to Armenia as a delegate representing the National Ecclesiastical Assembly for the election of the Catholicos of All Armenians. At this event, 13 years after the burial of Saroyan’s urn, when Jendian entered the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin during a procession, his eyes met Papayan’s. 

The burial of William Saroyan’s ashes at Komitas Pantheon. The dignitaries’ platform, including the U.S. and Yerevan delegations, Writers Union members, Armenian government officials and other dignitaries.

“It took me back to when I first met him,” said Jendian. “Many years later, neither of us forgot each other. [Papayan] was a really nice man. Very bubbly. Somewhat reminds me of Bill.”

William Saroyan was the reason Jendian and Papayan met. Dr. Tony Saroyan was the reason Jendian met me, Papayan’s great-granddaughter. Life has a way about it sometimes, as it delicately weaves the past and present together into images of unforgettable people. Jendian and I are a snapshot of such moments. When worlds collide and memories revive, they help us breathe life into the photos in our possession. Through his own memories, Jendian helped me gain a clearer understanding of my great-grandfather.

“He was a warm, very gentle person. With his white wavy hair and all, you can’t miss him. Even today while we are talking,” said Jendian, “I could just picture him.”

Dignitaries and citizens gather around in Komitas Pantheon to mourn William Saroyan.

The following remarks were delivered at the AYF Washington DC “Ani” Chapter’s “Service to the Community and Homeland” event, marking the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Youth Federation, held on December 9, 2023. Sune Hamparian recently completed a summer internship at the Yerevan office of human rights lawyer Siranush Sahakyan, organized through the Armenian Legal Center.

Sune Hamparian

It was in this church, this very hall, among so many of you gathered here today, that I first heard the human rights lawyer Siranush Sahakyan. The 44-day Artsakh War still fresh in my mind, I felt at that time what I think a lot of us felt—hopeless. As larger and more powerful forces attacked our lands, we watched the rest of the world stand silent to the atrocities our people faced. Each day brought knowledge of new tragedies, unable to prevent the crimes we were presented with each and every day.

Siranush seemed to be the light in the darkness. A candle in the night. In this hall, hearing Siranush talk, I felt for the first time that someone was answering my midnight questions. How could justice possibly be found? She talked about the prisoners of the Artsakh War. For the first time, I heard all the facts, the cruel truth, the reality on the ground. I remember listening, enraptured by her words, jotting down each and everything that she said. Not only did I see the problems more clearly, but I saw a course through which action could be taken—international courts. Siranush, with the support of the Armenian Legal Center, was not one of the people who idly stood by and watched. She stepped up to the plate and found a way to change the situation.

The opportunity to work with Siranush was the highlight of summer and will continue to inspire me throughout the rest of my life. During the war, she started the process of taking human rights violations to the international courts. She collected evidence, from video recordings to individual accounts, sifting through and purposefully putting herself in front of the cruelest aspects of humanity, each day hearing the painstaking accounts and visuals of tortured, mutilated and murdered individuals.

In the time between that first meeting and the internship, Siranush became my idol—and not some distant icon, a movie superhero—but a real hero, a human hero, an Armenian hero. I hoped to be just like her, but that’s easier wished for than accomplished.

When I first began the internship, reading through the collections of evidence tore me down. Some nights I didn’t know what to do but cry. The stories of each soldier stayed with me. Their lives stayed with me. Their service, their sacrifice, their suffering. Their age, the same as mine, but their lives so vastly different.

Siranush’s strength, her power and her perseverance pushed me to continue the work, to understand that while it was hard, getting to know each soldier was necessary to deliver the justice they deserved and that each of their families so desperately needed.

I’m not a lawyer. But through the internship, working with Siranush, and with the help of law students, I was able to play a part in that justice. I learned to turn the evidence I had spent so much time reviewing into structured evidence and draft case summaries. I studied laws here in the U.S. to learn about sanctions as a possible remedy.

Through the entire process, I learned there are ways. There are countless ways we can help, whether that is through going to a protest, pressuring members of Congress, doing service projects or writing a case summary. Because each of us is part of the solution. Each of us a single candle that together lights the night. And when the path ahead is not clear, when there is no way, we make a way.

Because Երբ չի լինում ելք ու ճար, խենթերն են գտնում հնար.

WASHINGTON—The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has opened applications for its broad-based Washington, D.C. career services and pro-Artsakh/Armenia student advocacy programs, as it gears up to welcome hundreds of youth to the nation’s capital in 2024.

“Empowering the next generation of Armenian American leaders is not just a goal; it’s our duty,” said ANCA Communications Director Elizabeth Chouldjian. “Each of our job placement and internship programs nurture talent, fostering growth and providing opportunities to strengthen the Armenian American voice in the nation’s capital, as well as campuses and hometowns across the U.S. To all students and recent graduates, we encourage you to apply today to explore new paths to personal development and strengthen the Armenian cause.”

Meet the Fall 2023 Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program fellows and interns—many starting their careers on Capitol Hill—all adding to the vibrant and growing Armenian American professional network in Washington, D.C.

ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program

Recent university graduates are invited to apply to the ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program (CGP), which helps secure permanent employment and professional internships in Washington, D.C. for young Armenian American professionals and students interested in careers in policy, politics and media. The CGP offers three months of free housing and enrichment seminars, connects participants with mentors and much more.  

Spring 2024 career services session: April 8 – June 8; Application deadline February 16, 2024
Summer Internship session: June 17 – July 26; Application deadline April 15, 2024
Fall 2024 career services session: September 9 – December 9; Application deadline July 12, 2024
Learn more and apply at: https://anca.org/gateway

ANCA Semester-in-DC Internship Programs

In addition, the ANCA encourages students who attend universities that offer Semester-In-Washington programs (UCDC, USC, Pepperdine, AU, Holy Cross, etc.) to take advantage of these opportunities and consider interning at the ANCA. The ANCA is happy to work with participants to ensure their ANCA internship meets university requirements. Students can apply through the ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program portal.

ANCA Rising Leaders with Congressional Armenian Staff Association members following an interactive briefing on careers on Capitol Hill, held during the Lucine Kouchakdjian Capitol Hill Day.

ANCA Rising Leaders

Offered in two sessions in March, the ANCA Rising Leaders is a three-day seminar in Washington, D.C., offering expert advice on careers in government, development and media. The program includes the Lucine Kouchakdjian Capitol Hill Day—a full day of Capitol Hill discussions with legislators and staff on strengthening U.S.-Armenia ties, demanding accountability for Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of Artsakh and securing justice for the genocides committed against Armenians. The program is organized by the ANCA, in conjunction with the Armenian Youth Federation Eastern and Western U.S. Washington, D.C.-area Armenian American high school seniors are also welcome to participate. ANCA group housing accommodations are available for youth 18 and over.

Rising Leaders Session 1: March 10 – 12, 2024
Rising Leaders Session 2: March 24 – 26, 2024
Application Deadline: January 26, 2024
Learn more and apply: https://anca.org/risingleaders/

ANCA 2023 Leo Sarkisian, Maral Melkonian Avetisyan and Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Summer interns prepare to head to Capitol Hill to advocate for Artsakh justice and Armenia security.

ANCA Leo Sarkisian Internship and Maral Melkonian Avetisyan Fellowship

During the summer, the ANCA invites university students to participate in the Leo Sarkisian Internship, a six-week intensive program designed to give them the tools necessary to effectively advance issues of concern to the Armenian American community on the federal, state and local level. The Maral Melkonian Avetisyan Fellowship runs parallel to this program.  

The 2024 ANCA Leo Sarkisian Internship Program Dates: June 17 – July 26, 2024
Application deadline: March 29, 2024
Learn more and apply at: http://anca.org/internship 

The ANCA’s Alex Galitsky and Tereza Yerimyan prepare 2023 Kasparian Summer Academy participants for a day of pro-Artsakh/Armenia Capitol Hill advocacy during this early morning session at the Aramian House.

ANCA Haroutioun and Elizabeth Kasparian Summer Academy

High school students ages 17 to 19 are invited to participate in the Haroutioun and Elizabeth Kasparian Summer Academy, a one-week, intensive program that brings a select group of high school students with proven community leadership experience to Washington, D.C. to learn more about the Armenian cause and how our policy priorities are advanced within the framework of America’s federal government. High schoolers have two sessions to choose from:

Kasparian Summer Academy – Session 1: August 5 – August 9, 2024
Kasparian Summer Academy – Session 2: August 12 – August 16, 2024
Application deadline: May 17, 2024
Learn more and apply at: https://anca.org/summer

The ANCA’s Tereza Yerimyan and Alex Galitsky speak with Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School eighth graders about the vital role Armenian students of all ages can play in advocating for Artsakh and Armenia.

Junior High School Class Visits to the ANCA Washington, D.C. Headquarters

The ANCA welcomes hundreds of students from Armenian American junior high schools during their annual trips to the nation’s capital for an interactive discussion on the important role they can play in advocating for pro-Artsakh/Armenia priorities in their hometowns, while offering an early introduction to Washington, D.C. career opportunities in policy, politics and media.

Schools or parents interested in scheduling a “Pizza and Politics” session with the ANCA Washington, D.C. team, email [email protected] or call (202) 775-1918.

For more information about these programs, visit anca.org/youth or email [email protected].

A multi-generational packed house at the AYF 90th anniversary program held on December 9 at the Soorp Khatch Armenian Church Arabian Hall

WASHINGTON—The Armenian Youth Federation – Youth Organization of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (AYF) Washington, D.C. “Ani” Senior and “Sevan” Junior chapters rallied support for Artsakh’s forcibly displaced Armenian population at the “Service to the Community and Homeland” event marking the 90th anniversary of the hallowed youth organization.

AYF D.C. “Ani” Chapter “Service to Community and Homeland” emcee Nayiri Shahnazarian

“Ninety years ago, the ARF leadership in North America invited General Karekin Njdeh to travel to communities across the United States and Canada with a mission—to inspire Armenian youth to organize a powerful force for Armenian freedom. A force—built on the pillars of education, Hai Tahd, culture, athletics and socials—which would become a worldwide youth movement building toward the ultimate goal of a free, independent, united Armenia,” stated AYF “Ani” Chair Nayiri Shahnazarian, who guided attendees through an evening of empowering stories of youth activism locally and in the Armenian homeland.

Tsoghig Hekimian offers an alumni perspective on the AYF’s youth empowerment programs

Held on Saturday, December 9, at Soorp Khatch Armenian Apostolic Church Arabian Hall, AYF alumni and current members offered anecdotes of their time in the organization. They regaled attendees with how their participation in the AYF Internship and Homenetmen Jamboree—both in Armenia this past summer—and local activities educated them and motivated expanded community service initiatives.

Offering an alumni perspective, Tsoghig Hekimian shared stories of university activism to ensure proper representation of the Armenian Genocide at Los Angeles’ Museum of Tolerance and how the AYF has served as the foundation to her ongoing service to the ARF, Armenian Relief Society and the Armenian National Committee of America.

AYF “Sevan” Chapter member Alek Tekeyan offered a powerful presentation of Vazgen Ovyan’s “Այս Ղարաբաղն է” (This is Karabakh), after which Maria Stepanyan led attendees in singing “Zartir Lao” while her brother Sevak accompanied on guitar. AYF “Sevan” Junior Chapter chair Karine Najarian and secretary Meghri Aguilian offered an update on an impressive array of junior chapter accomplishments in 2023. A moving presentation on the 2023 Homenetmen Jamboree in Armenia was offered by Mary Markarian, Meghri Aguilian and Sebouh Kassardjian.  Attendees delighted in the musical talents of Alexandra and Lilia Yaralian, who enthralled with their playing of the kanun. 

AYF D.C. “Ani” Senior Chris Huth discusses how the AYF Summer Internship in Armenia further connected him to the Armenian homeland

The evening concluded with Chris Huth’s overview of his unforgettable moments of connecting to the homeland and cause through the AYF Internship in Armenia and Sune Hamparian’s life-changing summer of service interning with international human rights lawyer Siranush Sahakyan in Yerevan in the ongoing international campaign to secure justice for Armenian POWs and political prisoners held illegally by Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan’s genocidal ethnic cleansing of Artsakh’s indigenous Armenian population, coupled with the corrupt Aliyev regime’s ongoing occupation of sovereign Armenian land and illegal detention of Armenian POWs and political prisoners, prompted Washington AYF supporters to donate over $2,000 to assist Artsakh refugees, bringing the local AYF chapter closer to honoring its annual commitment to raise $10,000 for Artsakh youth-related projects. To support the AYF “Ani” Chapter’s Artsakh-related programs, visit https://givebutter.com/dcani and put “Anniversary Dinner for Artsakh” in the comments.

A special thank you to our AYF “Ani” Seniors and “Sevan” Juniors who served the evening’s delicious buffet dinner catered by Vache Abkarian and his family-owned Sasun’s Cafe

Additional video from the AYF “Service to Community and Homeland” event will be posted to the D.C. chapter’s social media channels.

The gathering of AYF members at the ARF Aram Manougian Youth Center in Yerevan, Armenia for distribution of the first backpacks filled with school essentials

On Sunday, December 17, through the AYF-YOARF Eastern Region’s “Sponsor a Student” initiative, 54 Juniors from five different regions of Artsakh gathered at the ARF Aram Manougian Youth Center in Yerevan, Armenia to receive their backpacks.

The “Sponsor a Student” initiative was launched in response to the crisis in our homeland. The AYF-YOARF Eastern Region decided to raise funds to provide supplies to school-aged children who were displaced from their homes in Artsakh. Since the launch, the campaign has raised nearly $18,000. With these collected funds, the AYF-YOARF purchased backpacks, filled them with school supplies and distributed them to displaced children this past Sunday. 

The New Jersey “Arsen” Junior Chapter shares a special video Christmas message with the Artsakh AYF Juniors

The backpacks include all the essentials to help alleviate the students’ transition to starting school in Armenia. This includes notebooks, pens, pencils, pencil cases, rulers, protractors, erasers, sharpeners, drawing compasses, pins and water bottles. ARF Youth members of Armenia also participated in the program to help facilitate new introductions and ensure organization of the distribution. The morning began with announcements from the Artsakh AYF Central Executive and a special video from the New Jersey “Arsen” Junior Chapter wishing the Artsakh AYF Juniors a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. This gathering was an opportunity for the youth from Artsakh to come together, and while for some it was a reunion, for others it was an opportunity to meet new friends. 

Artsakh AYF Juniors singing together

After the introductions, the Juniors were split into teams to play games, which was followed by singing songs and reciting poems. At first, only a few Juniors were willing to sing, but by the end of the second song, everyone was volunteering to sing and recite their favorite poems. The program concluded with distributing backpacks to the youth members. Everyone left feeling excited for the upcoming events and reunions that the Artsakh AYF Central Executive is planning alongside other regions. 

Throughout the event, the beautiful dialect of Artsakh echoed in the room, whether it was through the games, the whispers between reunited friends or the parents’ encouragement and guidance of their children. The Artsakh dialect was not the only way the room was filled with Artsakhtsi spirit—it was evident in every opportunity throughout the event. The team names selected by the Juniors were: “Artsakhtsiner,” “Artsakhi Oujer,” “Avo,” “Monteapert” and “Artsakh” (Արցախցիներ, Արցախի ուժեր, Աւօ, Մոնթեաբերդ, Արցախ). 

Artsakh AYF Juniors enjoy delicious traditional Artsakh food, including Jingalyov hats and gurgut

The trivia game included questions about Artsakh’s history, geography, architecture, heroes, culture and songs. The poems and even the delicious traditional Artsakh food, like Jingalyov hats and gurgut, served as reminders of Artsakh’s resilience and the undying hope of return to the homeland. 

A donation of $50 sponsors a backpack and supplies for one student. The Central Executive has set a Round 1 goal of $25,000 to sponsor 500 students. Upon reaching this goal, future rounds will be announced to continue providing additional support to those children who have not yet received supplies. Future donation rounds will be aimed at delivering backpacks to those Artsakhtsis living outside of Yerevan and throughout the entirety of Armenia. 

Artsakh AYF Juniors show off their new backpacks filled with essential school supplies thanks to the AYF “Sponsor a Student” program

As the youth organization of the ARF, the Central Executive finds it important and necessary to support our fellow youth of Artsakh and ensure that we maintain their access to education through these extremely difficult times in our nation’s history.

To fund successive rounds of backpack deliveries, we need your continued generosity and support. If you would like to make a donation, please visit givebutter.com/artsakhfund to support this extremely vital initiative.

Cabinet meeting on December 14, 2023 (Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia)

YEREVAN—In a recent Cabinet session, the Armenian government approved the procedure for organizing and conducting joint working meetings between bilateral commissions on state border delimitation and security with Azerbaijan.

Armenian Deputy Minister of Justice Ara Mkrtchyan, who introduced the draft of the procedure, emphasized that the adoption of this procedural framework will empower commission members to establish the groundwork for border delimitation and demarcation processes. This framework aims to cover legal and technical aspects, ultimately leading to the development and signing of a pertinent document demarcating the national border between the two nations.

According to Mkrtchyan, the time, date and venue of these sessions will be mutually agreed upon by the commission chairpersons. The sessions will occur alternately in Armenia and Azerbaijan’s territories, along their shared border, in third-country territories or through video conferencing. “If conducted in either country’s territory, the hosting side will ensure all necessary conditions, including participants’ safety,” highlighted Mkrtchyan during the December 14 cabinet meeting.

Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan underscored the document’s current role in regulating organizational matters and facilitating bilateral interaction between the two sides. Grigoryan said that the next step in the process will be to create another set of rules that would focus on defining specific methodologies. This would include detailed descriptions of crucial terms like the definition of a map and what exactly qualifies as a document with legal significance. Once consensus is reached on these methodologies, the plan is to move forward with concrete documents and engage in discussions specifically centered around topographic maps.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stressed the necessity for reciprocal approval from the Azerbaijani side, asserting: “The institutionalization of the border delimitation process marks a historic milestone. Its transparency is crucial. It’s not a confidential document. It will be open to the public.” Pashinyan urged an intensified collaborative effort to propel the ongoing work forward and achieve tangible progress.

Pashinyan also unveiled the “Crossroads of Peace” initiative during the Ministerial Meeting of Landlocked Developing Countries on December 14. The PM’s presentation emphasized the regime’s readiness to actively engage in re-establishing communication channels with Azerbaijan.

Addressing the potential for signing a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the near future, Pashinyan highlighted that if Baku upholds its agreements, the prospect of a peace treaty will “increase in probability.”

Expressing Armenia’s intent, Pashinyan stated, “The Republic of Armenia is committed to reinstating railway connections between Azerbaijan and Armenia, utilizing the pre-existing railway infrastructures.” The proposed routes include the northern track connecting Azerbaijan’s Kazakh district to Armenia’s Tavush province and the southern track linking various regions of Azerbaijan, including its exclave Nakhichevan.

Pashinyan also addressed the recent exchange of 32 Armenian POWs for two Azerbaijani soldiers on December 13, regarding it as a starting point for potential progress. He stated, “I consider the recent developments as a baseline from which we can strive to ensure that forthcoming updates signify an increased likelihood of signing a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, not the contrary.”

However, concerns persist, as dozens of Armenian prisoners and the military-political leaders of Artsakh are still detained in Baku.

Former Artsakh State Minister Artak Beglaryan highlighted the return of 32 Armenians from captivity in Baku as a positive step, yet drew attention to the unresolved plight of at least 23 confirmed prisoners who remain detained in Azerbaijan. Among them, 14 are civilians who were captured between 2020 and 2023, with approximately 20 originating from Artsakh. “It is imperative that all these individuals be released, and international pressure is needed to ensure their freedom,” Beglaryan said. 

Beglaryan’s remarks shed light on the continuing concerns regarding those who remain imprisoned in Azerbaijan, urging concerted efforts to secure the release of these detainees, particularly emphasizing the civilian status of a significant portion of the captives.

In the midst of negotiations, during a joint press conference in Baku, significant remarks were made following a meeting between Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Bayramov said that a recent package of draft proposals for a peace treaty from Armenia indicates “certain progress.”

However, contentious points on a peace treaty persisted, notably Baku’s dismissal of Yerevan’s proposition to withdraw troops from the border. As a consequence of Azerbaijan’s aggression against Armenia in May and November of 2021, and September 13, 2022, Azerbaijan has seized control of over 150 square kilometers of sovereign Armenian territory. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan had recently mentioned the withdrawal of troops as an important confidence-building measure that would prevent new escalations.

Bayramov dismissed the suggestion during a press conference with his Turkish counterpart, claiming that the Azerbaijani army remains within its territory. Bayramov denied that Azerbaijan occupies Armenian territory, highlighting the complexity of the undelimited Armenian-Azerbaijani border. 

Amid intensified diplomatic efforts, including Azerbaijan’s bid to involve Turkey in talks with Armenia, and evolving proposals, members of the international community have expressed their anticipation for forthcoming meetings. They pin hopes on these discussions to yield substantial advancements toward securing enduring peace and stability between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The European Union has taken a significant step by engaging with both Baku and Yerevan to organize a forthcoming meeting in Brussels. This development follows confirmation that Azerbaijan accepted a proposed meeting initiated by the United States. The meeting, scheduled for January, is set to bring together the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Washington. This follows Azerbaijan’s recent refusal to participate in high-level talks organized by the United States and the EU.

Head of the press service at the U.S. State Department Matthew Miller has extended a warm welcome to Turkey’s involvement in negotiations. He highlighted the shared stance between Washington and Ankara in backing direct talks between Yerevan and Baku and their mutual support for achieving lasting peace in the region.

In an interview with ABC Media, Turkish expert Tiran Lokmagyozyan underscored that such steps by Azerbaijan and the statements emerging from Turkey suggest the imminent signing of a peace agreement within a notably short span.

Lokmagyozyan cautioned that the primary objective of this agreement might not solely revolve around achieving peace. He suggested that the agreement may include provisions aligning with the interests of Azerbaijan and Turkey. He referenced EU Council President Charles Michel’s remarks about the importance of signing a peace treaty, which he argued signifies a synchronized effort between the Armenian government, the West and Azerbaijan.

Political scientist Artur Martirosyan has criticized the reliance on guarantees or agreements for lasting peace in Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiations, highlighting the challenges of proposed mechanisms and the lack of an arbitrator to enforce international norms. He expressed doubts about the forthcoming meeting between the foreign ministers in Washington, arguing that Azerbaijan could manipulate it for political advantage in its upcoming snap presidential elections. Martirosyan also suggests that Armenian concessions may not lead to peace due to potential hindrances from Azerbaijan and Turkey.