Author: Alex Jidarian

The soul of Armenia: Five essential reads

Alex Jidarian
Aug 5 2023

August 5, 2023

Armenia is one of the oldest countries in the world, known best perhaps for being the first nation to officially adopt Christianity as its religion, in 301 AD. Beyond that, few people outside of the Caucasus can claim to have anything resembling a deep knowledge and understanding of the country.

We aim to put that right with this concise list of five books which offer a glimpse into the soul of a quite remarkable nation. All touch on the subject of the Armenian genocide of World War I, and are a testament to the resilience, cultural heritage, and indomitable spirit of the Armenian people.

The Sandcastle Girls, by Chris Bohjalian

Prepare to be swept away by this historical love story, steeped in the author’s Armenian heritage. Set against the backdrop of the Armenian genocide during World War I, the story follows Elizabeth Endicott, a young American nurse who volunteers to aid Armenian refugees in Syria. Amidst the chaos and tragedy, Elizabeth forms a deep connection with Armen, a young Armenian engineer. Their love story unfolds through letters and reveals the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable horrors.

The Forty Days of Musa Dagh, by Franz Werfel

Step into the pages of this stirring and poignant novel, based on real historical events and true heroes. As World War I rages through Europe, the Turks begin a systematic extermination of their Christian Armenian subjects. In defiance, Gabriel Bagradian, an Armenian officer in the Ottoman army, leads 5,000 villagers to the top of Musa Dagh, the mountain of Moses, where they face a Turkish army hell-bent on genocide. This epic tale of courage and resistance serves as a powerful warning against racism and scapegoating.

Black Dog of Fate, by Peter Balakian

Prepare to be captivated by this memoir that delves into the haunting legacy of the Armenian genocide. Peter Balakian, a poet, takes us on a personal and emotional journey as he uncovers his family’s history and the horrors inflicted upon the Armenian people. Balakian’s powerful storytelling intertwines his family’s experiences with the collision of ancient Near Eastern traditions and American pop culture. Through his poetic lens, he sheds light on the resilience and strength of a people scarred by tragedy.


The Spice Box Letters, by Eve Makis

Indulge your senses in this captivating novel that weaves together the past and present. Katerina inherits a scented spice box from her grandmother, Mariam, which contains letters and a diary written in Armenian. As Katerina unravels her family’s history, she uncovers Mariam’s journey through the Armenian genocide and her subsequent exile. Set against the backdrop of 1915 Turkey and 1985 Greece, this book is a testament to the power of memory, identity, and the enduring bonds of family.

The Art of Armenia, by Christina Maranci

An exceptional book that provides a comprehensive exploration of Armenian art. Maranci’s expertise in the subject shines through as she delves into the rich history and cultural significance of Armenian visual arts. The book takes readers on a fascinating journey through time, starting from the earliest evidence of artistic _expression_ in Armenia to the present day. Maranci skillfully examines various forms of art, including architecture, sculpture, painting, and manuscript illumination, giving readers a well-rounded understanding of Armenian artistic traditions.

https://emerging-europe.com/after-hours/the-soul-of-armenia-five-essential-reads/

The California Courier Online, August 3, 2023

Alex Jidarian

The California
Courier Online, August 3, 2023

 

1-         Jerusalem
Armenian Patriarchate’s

            98-Year
Lease Details Revealed

            By Harut
Sassounian

            Publisher,
The California
Courier

            www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com

2-         Armenian
Gov’t Seems to be Producing

            ‘straight
up legendary’ Snoop Dogg Yerevan concert

3-         Former
Ambassador Armen Smbatyan, Son Sergey

            Arrested
for Large-Scale Real Estate Fraud

4-         Holden
Secures $2M in Funding for AYF Camp

************************************************************************************************************************************************

 

1-         Jerusalem
Armenian Patriarchate’s

            98-Year
Lease Details Revealed

            By Harut
Sassounian

            Publisher,
The California
Courier

            www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com

           

In recent months, I have been contacted by many readers who
asked me to write about the controversy regarding the Jerusalem Armenian
Patriarchate’s lease of around 25% of the Armenian Quarter to a Jewish investor
for 98 years. However, as the details of the lease contract were not made
public, I was unable to write about it.

Trying to learn the facts, I called the Armenian Patriarch
of Jerusalem Nourhan Manougian twice, asking him for a copy of the contract. He
did not respond. I spoke with now defrocked Fr. Baret Yeretzian, one of the
signatories of the contract, who said he did not have a copy of the contract. I
made several unsuccessful attempts to contact some of the lawyers who went on a
fact-finding mission to Jerusalem
and prepared a 184-page report. I was told that the report has not been made
public because it had some sensitive information. I also contacted an Armenian
activist in Jerusalem
and one of the sponsors of the fact-finding mission.

Even though I still have not seen a copy of either the
report or contract, I just read a revealing article in the Keghart website
which posted an interview with a Jerusalem Armenian activist who had a copy of
the 184-page report, including the contract with one of the pages missing. I
decided to write about what I have learned so far, even though I prefer to
review personally copies of the contract and report.

For those who have been following the various scandals
involving the Jerusalem Armenian Patriarchate, there is nothing surprising:
sad, but not surprising. Such covert land leases and sales of precious items
owned by the Patriarchate have been going on for decades.

This current scandal is not just a questionable business
transaction. It has political repercussions given the controversy between
Palestinians and the State of Israel over Jerusalem.
It has also consequences for the survival of the dwindling Armenian community
in Jerusalem.

 

The contract for the lease has been signed by three
clergymen: Patriarch Nourhan Manoughian, now defrocked Father Baret Yeretzian,
and Archbishop Sevan Gharibian. As Fr. Baret, the former director of the
Patriarchate’s Real Estate Office, has come under intense criticism, many feel
that the Patriarch has attempted to shift the blame on Fr. Baret, making him
the scapegoat. Nevertheless, King Abdullah II of Jordan, historically the
custodian of Holy Sites in Jerusalem, and
Mahmoud Abbas, the head of the Palestinian National Authority, in a joint
announcement, blamed the Patriarch and suspended their recognition of
Archbishop Manougian as the Patriarch of the Armenian Church in Jerusalem, the Holy Land and Jordan.

Hagop Djernazian, an Armenian activist in Jerusalem, told Keghart that the
Australian-Jewish investor, Rubinstein/Rothman, plans to build a seven-star
hotel on ‘Goverou Bardez’ (Cows’ Garden), the land leased from the Armenian
Patriarchate. The size of the property leased is 11,500 square meters or
123,785 square feet. The annual payment to the Patriarchate is $300,000.
However, Fr. Baret told me that the income will be 5% of the hotel’s profits
which can vary from year to year. Djernazian said that the leased land
currently includes five Armenian homes, the Patriarch’s Garden, the Patriarch’s
private parking as well as the hall of the seminary. At the end of the first 49
years, the buyer has the option to renew the lease for another 49 years.

Djernazian also explained that the lawyers obtained a copy
of the contract from an unknown third party, not the Patriarchate nor the municipality of Jerusalem, but he insists that the
contract is genuine, as “we were able to confirm it with the Patriarchate.”

Patriarch Manougian, under pressure from Armenians
worldwide, has promised to cancel the contract, but a unilateral cancelation
may result in legal challenges and financial penalties. A representative of the
Palestinian Authority stated that it would be willing to pay the penalty for
cancellation. However, Djernazian does not seem to be aware of that pledge, as
he told Keghart: “If money is needed, I’m sure the Patriarchate, the community
and the Armenian nation will work together to raise the required amount to pay
the cancellation penalty.”

According to Djernazian, there are a couple of problems with
the contract:

1)  It violates the
by-laws of the Patriarchate;

2)  The date on the
contract is altered from July 7 to July 8, 2021, to reflect the date that the
investor’s company, Xana Gardens Limited, was registered in Israel. Fr.
Baret explained the discrepancy as a simple typing error.

It is not clear what the next steps are to resolve this
thorny issue. One way would be for the Jerusalem Armenian community to hire
Israeli lawyers to sue the Patriarch or the Jewish Investor, however, no one
else other than the Patriarch and the Jewish investor have legal standing in
court.

Given the prominence of Jerusalem
in the world and importance of the Armenian presence in the Holy City
starting from the fourth century, this lease is of interest to all Armenians
worldwide as well as Palestinians, the State of Israel, and the King of Jordan.

However, one party we have not heard from is the Government
of Armenia which could officially contact the State of Israel to make its
wishes known. However, Armenia’s
leaders have their hands full right now, given the precarious situation in
Artsakh and Armenia.

 

************************************************************************************************************************************************
2-         Armenian Gov’t Seems to be
Producing

            ‘straight
up legendary’ Snoop Dogg Yerevan concert

 

By Jenny Yettem

The California
Courier

 

On July 28, American rapper Snoop Dogg posted a video to
Instagram announcing, “Armenia,
what it do? It’s your boy big Snoop D-o-double-G with some big news coming your
way. I’ll be rolling through your beautiful city of Yerevan on September 23 for a special show,
yea. It’s not a regular gig—it’s nothing regular about this. It’s gonna be
straight up legendary. Word on the streets is that Armenian people got that
next-level hospitality game. I can’t wait to see y’all and celebrate together.
September 23. At the Stadium. Big Snoop Dogg and Armenia. Spread the word.”

The caption says, “Armeniiaaaa, I’ll be pulling up to
Hrazdan Stadium in Yerevan
on September 23rd for a special show. Head to dopingspace.com for ticket sign
up and on sale info.”

The event is not posted on Snoop Dogg’s official website. It
is also not posted on any of the major ticket sales sites, including
LiveNation, StubHub, Ticketmaster, or AXS.

The last concert dates for the other websites are: August 22
in New Mexico (Ticketmaster); August 25 in Sacramento (StubHub); and August 27 in Irvine, Calif.
(LiveNation and AXS).

The Doping Space website home page states “The event is
being held under the auspices of the Government of the Republic
of Armenia” underneath Armenia’s coat
of arms.

According to an unconfirmed financial agreement posted to
GlobalHye Information Services by Ara Papian—Armenia’s former Ambassador to
Canada from 2000 to 2006—the Armenian government has agreed to pay the
organizers $23 million for a series of three concerts ($6.2 million; $9
million; and $7.9 million, respectively).

The Armenian government has denied these reports.

In a statement released Saturday, the Prime Minister’s
Office said the media reports are “totally untrue.”

It added that soon the Cabinet will adopt a decision in
relation with the upcoming concert and all the details, including its possible
economic impact, will be made public.

The two other event sponsors are Evoca and apparently Jack
Daniel’s. The link to Evoca redirects to the online banking platform whose
vision is “to be the most innovative and progressive commercial bank in Armenia whose
services will be available online without visiting the bank.”

Jack Daniel’s is a popular brand of Tennessee whiskey. The link on the Doping
Space website, however, is not active.

Doping Space by Doping Creative Agency says its “primary
focus has been on promoting creativity and inspiring innovation through our
diverse areas of activities. Today, we are extending our expertise to bring
that same ‘doping’ to the music industry.”

“Our vision is to elevate Yerevan into a thriving hub for international
modern music. And to achieve this, we have assembled a team of seasoned
industry professionals to organize mega-concerts of unparalleled magnitude.”

“Dope” is rap parlance for something being pleasing or good.
It’s also slang for marijuana. While it may be a matter of translation,
“doping” is not used as a verb in English except to mean “the unlawful use of
drugs to enhance or inhibit the performance of an athlete, racehorse, or
greyhound.”

The website has not started selling tickets yet but is
registering subscribers by name, phone number and email to announce when
tickets become available.

Not everyone in Armenia is giving Snoop Dogg the
next-level hospitality he anticipates. “I love Snoop. But they’re trying to
distract the people from noticing the horrible future they’re facing by
spending millions to bring him to Armenia for a concert. They did the
same with 50 Cent around or after the 44-Day War,” wrote Harout Farajian on
Facebook, on July 29. Farajian is a repatriate to Armenia
from Los Angeles.

 

************************************************************************************************************************************************
3-         Former Ambassador Armen Smbatyan,
Son Sergey

            Arrested
for Large-Scale Real Estate Fraud

 

YEREVAN—Sergey Smbatyan, the artistic director, and chief
conductor of the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, along with his father,
Armen Smbatyan, the former ambassador of Armenia to Israel, have been arrested
and accused of engaging in particularly large-scale fraud.

The General Prosecutor’s Office alleges that Smbatyan’s
actions led to a loss of one billion drams for the state, and that the
300-square-meter plot of the Yerevan
Tchaikovsky Music
School was stolen.

The department announced that the “Sochocenter” company
proposed to construct a multi-functional complex called “Book World” in honor
of the 500th anniversary of Armenian printing and Yerevan’s recognition as the world book
capital in 2012.

The company also offered to build a new boiler house and
concert hall for the Tchaikovsky school at its own expense.

Back in 2012, the government granted a central area worth
about 170 million Drams to the “Sochocenter” company, which, according to law
enforcement officers, is owned by the Smbatyan family.

However, instead of fulfilling the proposed project, the
company started constructing a 17-story business center, leading the
Prosecutor’s Office to label the investment project as fraudulent and aimed at
looting the territory.

The former ambassador, Armen Smbatyan, who has held various
positions in Armenia,
allegedly convinced a relative, Avag Smbatyan, to establish the “Sochocenter”
company on behalf of Sergey Smbatyan to avoid linking his son’s name to
business activities. Another co-founder of the company is former minister of
culture and close friend Hasmik Poghosyan, who is currently under
investigation.

Shortly after its establishment, Sokhosetri’s then-director,
now head of the Komitas Museum Institute, Nikolay Konstadyan, presented the
investment project to the mayor. The Mayor of Yerevan forwarded the proposed
plan to the Minister of Culture, Poghosyan, for evaluation. Poghosyan allegedly
knew about the Sochocenter company’s true intention to use the land for
non-educational purposes and build a multi-functional building on it but did
not oppose the investment plan. Consequently, the government approved the
program.

Months later, Poghosyan reportedly signed “Property
Expropriation and Pledge” and “General Lien” contracts with “Sokhocentr”,
intentionally omitting the primary investment obligation defined by the
Government’s decision, which was to construct the “Book World”. This allowed
Sokhocentr’s shareholders to register ownership rights to the plot of land at
36 Koghbatsi Street in Yerevan on November 3, 2016, without fulfilling the
stated obligation, resulting in property damage amounting to 966 million 103
thousand drams for the state.

As of now, the Smbatyan family has not responded to the
accusations, and their lawyers cannot be reached. Hasmik Poghosyan, who is
under investigation, is also considered an accused in this case, and law
enforcement is currently trying to locate co-founder Arman Petrosyan.

It is worth noting that Sergey Smbatyan not only serves as
the head of the symphony orchestra of Armenia and Principal Conductor of
the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra—he was just recently appointed UNICEF Armenia
Ambassador (see page 2). In this role, Maestro Smbatyan will use his passion for
music and dedication to cultural education to advocate for the rights and
well-being of children.

 

**********************************************************************************************************************************************

4-         Holden
Secures $2M in Funding for AYF Camp

 

The Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Camp has secured $2M in
funding from the State of California, thanks in large part to the support of
Assemblymember Chris Holden and the leadership of the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA) National and California chapters who played a
pivotal role in advocating for and securing this significant state funding by
working in collaboration with the AYF Camp board.

This funding will be dedicated to major renovations at AYF
Camp Big Pines and AYF
Camp Twin
Valleys. After years of
tirelessly working on growing and improving the Camp, the AYF Camp Management
Board will move from the planning phase to the execution and engineering phases
of development.

Prior to his election to the Assembly in 2012, Holden was a
mayor and City Councilmember in Pasadena.
Holden currently serves as Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, the most
powerful position after Speaker.

 

***********************************************************************************************************************************************
************************************************************************************************************************************************

California Courier Online provides readers of the Armenian News News Service with a
few of the articles in this week’s issue of The California Courier. Letters to
the editor are encouraged through our e-mail address, .
Letters are published with the author’s name and location; authors are required
to disclose their identity to the editorial staff (name, address, and/or
telephone numbers for verification purposes).
California Courier subscribers can change or modify mailing addresses by
emailing .

New Iranian ambassador to Armenia begins mission

Alex Jidarian
 TEHRAN TIMES 
Iran –

TEHRAN- Mehdi Sobhani, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s new extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador to Armenia, has formally begun his mission in the Caucasus nation after presenting his credentials to Armenian President Vahagn Khachatryan.

The president of Armenia congratulated Sobhani on his appointment as Iran’s ambassador to Yerevan during a meeting between the two officials, the IRNA reported on Saturday.

In reference to his nation’s cordial relations with Iran during the last three decades, Khachatryan expressed optimism that Sobhani’s tenure will similarly see a strengthening and development of such relationships.

For his part, the Iranian ambassador thanked the Armenian president for his gracious hospitality and said he was honored to convey the warm greetings of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to his Armenian counterpart and the people of his friendly country.

Sobhani continued by stating that there is significant room for the expansion of relations between Iran and Armenia given their long-standing historical connections.

Also, in a meeting with Iran’s new ambassador to Turkey, Mohammad Hassan Habibollah Zadeh on Thursday afternoon, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for closer cooperation with Iran in countering terrorism and Islamophobia, and Islamic unity.

Referring to the arrival of the month of Muharram and Ashura, the President of Turkey considered Ashura a symbol of Muslim equality and an excuse for the unity of Islamic societies.

He further mentioned various fields of cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Turkey and emphasized the importance of developing economic and commercial cooperation.

The Turkish leader said the realization of 30 billion dollars of trade between the two countries is within reach and called for efforts to remove trade barriers to realize the figure.

President Erdogan also called for increasing cooperation between the two countries in the field of countering terrorism and Islamophobia and the unity of the Islamic world.

Offering his warm greetings to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and the Iranian president, Erdogan invited Ebrahim Raisi to visit Turkey. He expressed satisfaction with the upcoming visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey to Tehran.

In the meeting, the new Iranian ambassador outlined his plans for boosting Iran-Turkey relations. 

“The main agenda of the institutions of the two countries is to develop relations, especially in the economic and commercial fields, and at the same time, cooperation and consensus in bilateral, regional and international political issues will be one of the most important issues to be pursued,” Habibollah Zadeh said. 

He pointed to the wide range of cooperation and consultations between the two countries in the political field, including the Astana process, quadrilateral talks, the Caucasus, Palestine, the Islamic world, and the fight against terrorism.

He also stressed the need to deepen interactions between two important countries regarding regional issues.

The Iranian ambassador praised the joint positions of Iran, Turkey and a number of Islamic countries regarding the desecration of the holy Quran, and considered it necessary to strengthen the unity and solidarity of Muslims to counter the trend of Islamophobia and insulting religious sanctities.

Iran has taken strong positions against the desecration of the Quran in Sweden and Denmark, including summoning the Swedish envoy.

Yerevan releases agenda of Moscow foreign ministerial with Azerbaijan

Alex Jidarian

 16:43,

YEREVAN, JULY 24, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan will visit Russia on July 25, the foreign ministry announced Monday.

In Moscow, FM Mirzoyan is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and a trilateral meeting with the latter and the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.

The agenda of the meeting includes issues of regional security, normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and humanitarian issues, the foreign ministry said.

Khanandyan speaks about the need for actions by international partners and the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh

Alex Jidarian

 13:15,

YEREVAN, 14 JULY, ARMENPRESS: The severe humanitarian problem in Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of the Azerbaijani blockade requires concrete actions by international partners and they comprehend this, Armenpress reports, Sargis Khandanyan, the chairman of the Armenian National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Relations, said at the press conference, reflecting on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

“The humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is becoming more terrible day by day. We constantly speak out about this in the parliament. Recently I was in France as a member of the National Assembly President’s delegation, and we discussed these issues in great detail with our French colleagues. Concrete actions are needed by international partners and they comprehend this”, said Khandanyan

He assured that the position of the Armenian authorities regarding the protection of the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh remains unchanged. The MP emphasized the need for dialogue between Stepanakert and Baku, within the framework of which security and rights issues should be discussed, and they should have international visibility.

Khandanyan stressed that the provisions of the November 9 declaration must be followed. Now the decision of the UN International Court of Justice is added to that, which was reaffirmed by a recently made new decision.

“Our role is to raise these issues through diplomacy, including parliamentary diplomacy, try to increase the pressure on Azerbaijan and achieve concrete decisions on a number of platforms, including the UN Security Council, which will also imply actions, for example, a wider international presence in Nagorno-Karabakh, which will expressly guarantee the protection of the rights of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians,” the chairman of the committee emphasized.

More international efforts needed to lift 7-month blockade of Nagorno Karabakh to prevent ethnic cleansing – MFA spox

Alex Jidarian

 15:07,

YEREVAN, JULY 11, ARMENPRESS. Since establishment of illegal checkpoint in Lachin Corridor Azerbaijan repeatedly forbids even movement of the vehicles of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which is against the decisions of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Armenia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan wrote on Twitter.

“Since establishment of illegal checkpoint in Lachin Corridor Azerbaijan repeatedly, against ICJ decisions, forbids even movement of ICRC, including medical evacuation.

More international efforts and actions needed to lift 7-month blockade of Nagorno Karabakh to prevent ethnic cleansing”, MFA Spokesperson wrote on Twitter.

USC Viterbi Delegation Visits Armenia for First Time

Alex Jidarian
July 6 2023
USC Viterbi Staff | July 6, 2023

Last month, a delegation from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering visited Armenia. The visit, a first to the Caucasus region for USC Viterbi Dean Yannis C. Yortsos and Viterbi’s Vice Dean of Global Initiatives, Raghu Raghavendra, allowed the school to provide students from National Polytechnic University of Armenia who had taken a USC Viterbi continuing education computer science course earlier in the year, with their earned certificates.

With support from the USC Dornsife Institute of Armenian Studies and the Institute’s chairman Charly Ghalian who helped to organize the trip, Yortsos and Raghavendra were also able to get a close-up look at the country’s academic and tech ecosystems for future collaborations.

Shushan Karapetian, the director of the USC Dornsife Institute of Armenian Studies, describes Armenia as the region’s “Silicon Valley.” Geography plays into this, Karapetian explains. The country is landlocked and not rich in natural resources. “It’s rich in brain power,” she says.  Showcasing the technology and engineering prowess of the country, Karapetian says is aligned with the mission of the USC Dornsife Institute for Armenian Studies, which she emphasized highlights contemporary Armenian studies.

One stop on the visit was the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST), an organization that functions as an incubator for Armenian innovation, including supporting technology startups and research collaborations. AI researcher Aram Galstyan, who is a Research Professor of Computer Science and Principal Scientist at USC Information Sciences Institute, is one such international scholar whose work is supported by FAST.

Another stop on this expedition was the American University of Armenia (AUA) where USC Viterbi’s leadership met with interim President Armen Kiureghian, and the Dean of Science and Engineering Aram Hajian. The founding president of AUA, was Mihran Agbabian, a former Viterbi faculty and former chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering at USC.

The USC delegation also traveled to the TUMO Center, which houses a free after-school program for students, aged 12-18. More than 15,000 students attend after-school programs at the Yerevan TUMO Center. A number of TUMO centers have also been established across Armenia and many cities across the world.

Dean Yortsos said of his experience, “It was exciting to visit these universities and institutions in Armenia and explore possibilities for future partnerships and exchange. We look forward to future collaborations.”

The delegation also visited the Tacori Center, which Karapetian describes as the USC Dornsife Institute for Armenian Studies’ “academic hub” for “research, collaboration and creation.”

https://viterbischool.usc.edu/news/2023/07/usc-viterbi-delegation-visits-armenia-for-first-time/ 

Armenia sees 42% drop in new COVID-19 cases

Alex Jidarian

 11:08, 3 July 2023

YEREVAN, JULY 3, ARMENPRESS. COVID-19 cases have been dropping since the beginning of 2023, and although the pandemic is not over yet, the World Health Organization has reported decrease in both new cases and deaths around the world. 

A significant decrease in new cases has been reported in Armenia as well. Only 2 new cases were confirmed in the country last week.

Romella Abovyan, the Director of the Department of Epidemiology of Infectious and Non-Infectious Diseases at the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, told ARMENPRESS that Armenia too is witnessing a drastic drop in new cases of COVID-19.

Abovyan said that the reproduction number (Re) of the virus is below 1, which means that the pace of spread has slowed down significantly.

The COVID 19 fatality rate in Armenia stands at 2%.

“Less testing is conducted because the situation is more stable around the world,” Abovyan said, adding that regardless of the declining rates the healthcare authorities in Armenia still require all health facilities to test patients who display symptoms of respiratory diseases.

Despite the decreasing numbers, Armenia is conducting testing more actively compared to other countries now and the 4,1% of total tests come back positive, Abovyan said.

“2 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the past seven days, compared to the nine cases of the week before. We had 11 cases in the past 14 days, and 19 cases in the same period before that, which means that we have a 42% decrease,” the expert added.

Armenian Independence Day in Boston

Alex Jidarian
 Ara Nazarian, PhD Community News, Diaspora 0

Boston ARF Sardarabad celebration of the 105th anniversary of the First Republic of Armenia, May 19, 2023, Watertown, MA

WATERTOWN, Mass.—The Armenian community of Greater Boston came together on Friday, May 19, 2023, to mark the anniversary of an important chapter in our nation’s history: the 105th anniversary of Armenia’s independence, declared on May 28, 1918. 

More than 200 community members attended the event organized by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s (ARF) Sardarabad Gomideh of Boston. The event began with the presentation of the colors by the Homenetmen scouts and the singing of the Armenian and American national anthems by the newly-formed Armenian Children’s Choir of Boston, led by choirmaster Artur Veranian. Mistress of ceremonies Nanor Kojanian Nerkizian delivered the opening remarks on behalf of the Boston ARF and invited ARF Bureau representative Hagop Der Khatchadurian to the stage for a conversation. Der Khatchadurian emphasized that victory on May 28 was achieved through the patriotism, realism and sacrifice of the sons and daughters of Armenia, who had lived for six centuries under oppression, having suffered near extermination. He said that thanks to the long-lasting struggle of the devoted leaders of the Armenian republic and the prudent and decisive attitude of the Armenian army, the Armenian people gained their independence. “What happened was not a miracle but the indestructible will of the Armenian people to survive and to live freely,” Der Khatchadurian said. The Armenian people had their republic and statehood amidst poverty, persecution, hunger, disease and ruins. However, tangible social, cultural, economic and political improvements occurred. In a very short time, Armenia was strengthened to boldly stand on its own feet.

Mistress of ceremonies Nanor Kojanian Nerkizian in conversation with ARF Bureau representative Hagop Der Khatchadurian

Der Khachaturian stressed that the First Armenian Republic is the cornerstone of modern Armenian statehood, having survived Soviet Armenia and on to post-Soviet independence. He added that we should acknowledge and appreciate this seemingly impossible and unprecedented national achievement with pride. Yet, this joyous occasion did not last long. During two-and-a-half years of independence, the tricolors waved over the entire territory of the motherland as a symbol of Armenian statehood. The Armenian people became the masters of their national, political, economic, cultural, social, and military destiny. The Armenian people were free. Der Khatchadurian concluded that we should heed the message of the founders of the First Republic, the establishment of a free, independent Armenia to keep alive the spirit of unity, to preserve the independence and statehood of the motherland, to improve the social life of the motherland, and to strengthen the Armenian army.

He emphasized that after the fall of the independent Republic of Armenia and the establishment of Soviet rule, the Diaspora welcomed many of the founders of independent Armenia with an open heart and foresight. With full faith and conviction, the Diaspora embraced the sacred principles of these exiled leaders and founders, believing that the return to the homeland would be achieved, justice would be served, and the tricolor would fly over our homeland again. And so it happened.

ARF Bureau representative Hagop Der Khatchadurian (center) visiting the Armenian Museum of America in Watertown, MA.

Der Khatchadurian’s remarks were followed by a lively hour-long question-and-answer session. He implored all to not be discouraged, to not leave Armenia, to not abandon the Armenian cause, and to stand by our homeland firmly.

The Armenian Children’s Choir of Boston concluded the event by performing four popular pieces: Sardarabad, Zeytountsiner, Yerevan-Erebouni and Gakavik, as their inaugural performance under the capable leadership of Maestro Veranian.

ARF Bureau representative Hagop Der Khatchadurian (center) at St. Stephen’s Armenian Day School in Watertown, MA.

During his trip to the Greater Boston area, Der Khatchadurian visited several Armenian institutions in town, including St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School, where he met Principal Houry Boyamian; Dr. Garine Palandjian, Boyamian’s successor; and Artemis Megerdichian, the school’s Armenian language teacher. He spoke with the students about the significance of May 28 and our need for vigilance at all times. He also visited the Armenian Cultural Foundation at Arlington, where he was given a tour of the the foundation’s literary treasures by its director Ara Ghazarians. National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) executive director Silva Sedrakian and library curator Ani Babaian welcomed Der Khatchadurian to NAASR’s new state-of-the-art facilities in Belmont, showcasing the voluminous collection of the institution. The next stop was the Armenian Museum of America in Watertown, where executive director Jason Sohigian and director of finance and building operation Berj Chekijian offered a great tour of the museum and its remarkable displays. Dr. Alisa Dumikyan, a visiting scholar at the museum, accompanied the staff and offered thoughtful remarks on the museum’s collections.

The final stop was the Tekeyan Cultural Center, where Der Khatchadurian was interviewed by editor of the Armenian Mirror-Spectator Aram Arkun. He also visited the Hairenik Association, meeting with the editors of the Hairenik and Armenian Weekly and visiting the ARF Central Committee of Eastern United States and the administrative offices of the Armenian Relief Society.

Author’s postscript: May 28, 1918 and Artsakh today

It is noteworthy that May 28 holds profound significance, reminding us not only of the resilience of the Armenian nation but also of the power of unity and determination in the face of adversity. In the spring of 1918, amid the turmoil of World War I, our ancestors faced a dire existential threat. The battles of Sardarabad, Karakilisa and Bash Abaran were not just military confrontations; they were decisive tests of our collective will, tenacity and unwavering love for our homeland.

We honor the heroic men and women who, at Sardarabad, turned back the Ottoman army, preventing the complete destruction of the Armenian nation. We remember the defenders of Karakilisia who, despite being outnumbered, fought with exceptional bravery and tenacity, embodying the spirit of sacrifice for our motherland. And we pay tribute to the fighters of Bash Abaran who held the line, demonstrating that the Armenian will could not be defeated.

These battles were a testament to the indomitable spirit of our people, and it was the Armenian Revolutionary Federation that played a pivotal role in mobilizing these efforts, organizing the defense and ultimately leading us toward independence. They rallied our people, instilled hope amidst despair and spearheaded our fight for freedom. Today, we stand on the shoulders of these giants. Their courage echoes through time, reminding us of our duty to preserve and protect the hard-won independence of our homeland.

As we remember our history, we cannot ignore the parallels with the current struggle of our brothers and sisters in Artsakh. The echoes of Sardarabad, Karakilisa and Bash Abaran resonate in the hills and plains of Artsakh today. Their struggle, like ours more than a century ago, is for the right to self-determination, to live in peace on the land that has been theirs from time immemorial.

Armenia’s past, marked by the resilience of its people and their struggle for independence, is mirrored in the present as the people of Artsakh strive for recognition and security. The spirit of 1918 must be kept alive in the hearts of every Armenian.  

The Armenian nation has been complacent, the ARF has made mistakes, and the Armenian authorities have not lived up to the standards they must be held to. A significant portion of the Armenians in Armenia have opted to reconcile with the path of least resistance, a path promoted by the current authorities, even if this path robs their children of a secure and thriving future in their ancestral homeland. The Armenians in the Diaspora have also reconciled themselves to a distant and not fully engaged relationship, all traumatized and beset by the harshness of the events of the past two and a half years.

The situation in Artsakh remains deeply troubling, as the region is continually plagued by unchecked Azeri aggression. The Armenian government, which must act as the guarantor of Artsakh’s security, appears to have abdicated its responsibility to safeguard the rights and security of the Artsakh population. Compounding this crisis is the unfortunate reality of international geopolitics: the US and European nations have shown a reluctance to challenge Azerbaijan’s aggression, seemingly swayed by considerations of oil access and broader strategic objectives, which include weakening regional powers such as Russia and Iran. The plight of the Armenians of Artsakh seems, regrettably, to have been overshadowed by these wider geopolitical games.

Yet, amidst this dire backdrop, the resilience and steadfastness of the Artsakh people shine as a beacon of inspiration. They remain defiant, asserting their right to independence and deep-rooted connection to their ancestral homeland, a testament to their enduring spirit and an unequivocal affirmation of their right to self-determination.

Their courage in the face of adversity is commendable and encouraging, illuminating the path toward hope and justice. Yet, the Armenian nation must reciprocate this courage. The ARF must be steadfast, go back to its roots, take the mantle to inspire, engage and lead the Armenian nation, and hold the Armenian authorities to task to right the nation’s ship.

Anatole France, a Nobel laureate, said: “Armenia is dying, but it will survive. The little blood that it still has left is precious blood that will give birth to a heroic generation. A nation that does not want to die, does not die.” These words ring as true today as they did originally in 1916. It is incumbent upon us all to make sure that this little blood continues to flow.

With that in mind, as we celebrate Armenia’s 108th year of independence, let us remember the sacrifices made, the battles fought and the victories won. Let us stand in solidarity with our kin in Artsakh and Armenia and pledge to support their right to self-determination, security and prosperity. For the same spirit that fueled the victories of Sardarabad, Karakilisa and Bash Abaran courses through our veins today.

  •  Bio
  •  Latest Posts
Ara Nazarian is an associate professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Harvard Medical School. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a degree in mechanical engineering, followed by graduate degrees from Boston University, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and Harvard University. He has been involved in the Armenian community for over a decade, having served in a variety of capacities at the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society, the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center, Armenian National Committee of America, St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation.


Armenia PM wishes Turkey’s Erdogan happy Eid as Azerbaijan targets Nagorno-Karabakh

Alex Jidarian
Diplomatic sources say the call comes amid an ongoing effort aimed at getting Turkey to rein in an increasingly aggressive Azerbaijan.

Amberin Zaman

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday amid spiraling tensions between his nation and Ankara’s close regional ally Azerbaijan, part of what regional diplomatic sources say is an ongoing effort aimed at getting Ankara to rein in an increasingly aggressive Baku. The Turkish presidency said in a statement that Pashinyan had congratulated the Turkish people on the occasion of the Muslim Feast of Sacrifice or Eid al-Adha, an unusual move for the leader of a majority Christian nation.

According to the readout of the conversation, the two leaders also touched upon ongoing normalization talks aimed at restoring full diplomatic relations and reopening the land border between the two countries. Regional officials speaking not for attribution to Al-Monitor said that Pashinyan continues to believe that detente with Ankara is the best guarantee of fending off another full-scale attack by Azerbaijan and is courting Erdogan to that end. Armenian officials hope that former Turkish spy chief Hakan Fidan’s appointment as foreign minister will bring new impetus to the talks.

Pashinyan was among the first leaders to congratulate Erdogan over his May victory in twin polls that saw his right-wing alliance win a majority in parliament as well.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday amid spiraling tensions between his nation and Ankara’s close regional ally Azerbaijan, part of what regional diplomatic sources say is an ongoing effort aimed at getting Ankara to rein in an increasingly aggressive Baku. The Turkish presidency said in a statement that Pashinyan had congratulated the Turkish people on the occasion of the Muslim Feast of Sacrifice or Eid al-Adha, an unusual move for the leader of a majority Christian nation.

According to the readout of the conversation, the two leaders also touched upon ongoing normalization talks aimed at restoring full diplomatic relations and reopening the land border between the two countries. Regional officials speaking not for attribution to Al-Monitor said that Pashinyan continues to believe that detente with Ankara is the best guarantee of fending off another full-scale attack by Azerbaijan and is courting Erdogan to that end. Armenian officials hope that former Turkish spy chief Hakan Fidan’s appointment as foreign minister will bring new impetus to the talks.

Pashinyan was among the first leaders to congratulate Erdogan over his May victory in twin polls that saw his right-wing alliance win a majority in parliament as well.

According to protocol, Armenia’s president, Vahagn Khatchaturyan, should have attended Erdogan’s extravagant inauguration bash. However, Pashinyan elbowed him aside and showed up instead.

Wednesday’s phone call, initiated by Pashinyan, came amid reports that four Armenian servicemen had been killed after Azerbaijan carried out strikes early Wednesday along the contact line in Nagorno-Karabakh. The day prior, Azerbaijan claimed one of its own men had been killed in the zone by Armenian forces. The spike coincided with US-mediated talks in Washington aimed at securing a lasting peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The two countries last went to war in 2020 over the disputed enclave that is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but has an ethnic Armenian majority.

Azerbaijan emerged victorious with Turkey’s and Israel’s help, wresting back all of its territories occupied by Armenia in a previous war over Nagorno-Karabakh in the early 1990s.

Olessya Vartanyan, the International Crisis Group’s senior analyst in the South Caucasus who recently traveled to Yerevan, noted that Armenia has a pretty low bar. “I didn’t get the sense that there are hopes that Ankara can pressure Baku,” Vartanyan said. “Rather, they are maintaining the strategy of engaging Ankara in order to avoid its full-scale participation (on the side of Azerbaijan) in case of a new war.”

Fears of conflict have been brewing since last year when Azerbaijan imposed a blockade on the sole route connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia proper, starving civilians of vital supplies and escalating attacks on Armenian forces inside Armenian territory.

Russian peacekeepers deployed to the region in keeping with a truce brokered by the Kremlin in November 2020 have failed to halt the violence. “Moscow is absolutely useless, no matter whether it attempts to resolve the crisis or not,” Vartanyan observed.  

The International Crisis Group reckons that at least 1,200 military personnel have either died or been wounded since then. The bulk of those killed along the front lines are Armenians. Azerbaijanis constitute the majority injured or killed by landmines.

Turkey-Armenia normalization talks that kicked off in Moscow in January 2022 have yielded little so far, even after Pashinyan formally conceded that Nagorno-Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan.

A first, minuscule reward came a full year later when Turkey lifted its ban on direct cargo flights with Armenia. The sides are still working on the details of allowing third-country nationals and bearers of diplomatic passports to use the land border that was sealed by Ankara in solidarity with Baku in 1993 at the height of the first conflict, which was won by Armenia.

“Erdogan’s position is very clear: ‘Satisfy (Azerbaijani President Ilham) Aliyev’s desires and you will have something tangible on Turkish-Armenian relations,’” noted Benyamin Poghosyan, a Yerevan-based political analyst. As for Pashinyan, “I believe he simply wants to create a positive image of himself in the United States and the EU that, despite Erdogan’s position, he is a constructive guy.”

The United States and the EU have urged Azerbaijan to lift the blockade, but Azerbaijan’s strongman Aliyev has grown ever more intransigent due to growing European dependence on his country’s vast natural gas supplies that are piped to the continent via Turkey. The invasion of Ukraine has further eroded the Kremlin’s influence over former Soviet states, allowing Aliyev to grow ever more aggressive and for Turkey to expand its footprint in Russia’s backyard.

“Baku continues escalating despite (the US-brokered) talks,” Vartanyan said. “The region is left hoping that only US and EU involvement can prevent another war.”