Author: Badalian Vardan

CA’ ZENOBIO DEGLI ARMENI

Citta Nuova

17 Febbraio 2012
Italia

Nello splendido palazzo veneziano, gia sede del Collegio Armeno,
aleggia la memoria del poeta armeno Daniel Varujan, tra le prime
vittime del genocidio del suo popolo. Un grande, tutto ancora da
conoscere

Uno dei più imponenti edifici di Venezia e tra i più significativi
esempi del tardo Barocco veneziano è Ca’ Zenobio, nel sestiere
di Dorsoduro. Principale punto di attrazione di questo palazzo,
gia sede, dal 1850 al 1997, del Collegio Armeno Moorat Raphael,
ma tuttora appartenente ai padri armeni mechitaristi, è il sontuoso
salone da ballo, i cui grandi specchi ampliano la magnificenza dello
spazio. Ma l’emozione maggiore l’ho provata appena entrato, quando
nella penombra dell’ingresso al pianterreno ho scorto una lapide con
un nome e un volto noti: “A Daniel Varujan, martire e poeta educato
sotto questo tetto ai sublimi ideali della fede e della patria…”.

Proprio quel Daniel Varujan, di cui ogni bambino armeno conosce
a memoria qualche poesia, soggiornò a Venezia, ospite dal 1902 di
questo palazzo per i suoi studi liceali. Divenuto uno dei grandi
rappresentanti del Simbolismo europeo, riuscì a fondere i diversi
orizzonti poetici entro cui si formò (la nativa dimensione orientale
e quella occidentale) in una sintesi originalissima.

Nato a Perknik, villaggio dell’Anatolia, il 20 aprile 1884, dopo i
primi studi a Costantinopoli, proseguì la sua educazione a Venezia,
dove pubblicò la sua prima raccolta di poesie, Fremiti (1906). Di
nuovo in Turchia, si sposò e trovò lavoro come precettore nel Paese
natale. La sua fama di letterato e poeta crebbe dopo la pubblicazione
de Il cuore della stirpe (1909) e Canti pagani (1913). Nel 1912 si
trasferì a Costantinopoli, dove si dedicò con tutte le sue energie
alla rinascita della cultura e della lingua armena, diventando l’anima
del movimento che faceva capo alla rivista Navasart. Tre anni dopo,
arrestato con altri scrittori, intellettuali e uomini politici armeni,
Varujan venne deportato verso l’interno e ucciso il 28 agosto 1815,
nel pieno della sua splendida maturita.

Di lui mi tornano in mente questi versi tratti da Il canto del pane, il
suo capolavoro incompiuto: “Dolce notte estiva. La testa abbandonata
sull’aratro/ l’anima sacra del contadino riposa sull’aia./ Nuota
il grande Silenzio tra le stelle divenute un mare./ L’infinito con
diecimila occhi ammiccanti mi chiama./ […] È dolce per me sollevarmi
sulle ali del silenzio,/ ascoltare soltanto il respiro imperturbabile
dello Spazio,/ finche i miei occhi si chiudano in un sonno magico,/
e sotto le mie palpebre rimanga l’Infinito con le sue stelle”.

La tragica vicenda di Daniel Varujan mi aveva suggerito tempo fa
queste righe – quasi un colloquio col poeta – che la visita a Ca’
Zenobio mi riporta ora alla memoria: “Era maggio, splendore di natura
anatolica. Nessuna nube in cielo a minacciare uno di quei temporali
passeggeri? Niente che facesse presagire l’orrore imminente, come
accade talvolta quando stanno per aprirsi le cataratte del male? No:
le stesse venerande chiese ottagonali, cristalli di fede, dovettero
sembrare eterni a chi allora, candidamente, aveva sperato nel
prevalere della ragione, dell’umanita, della pacifica convivenza. Ma
quella notte tra il 23 e il 24 aprile 1915 a Costantinopoli, notte
per tutto un popolo e vergogna d’Europa, tolse ogni illusione. Tu,
Daniel, fosti strappato alla tua famiglia, alla giovane moglie e ai due
teneri figli, un terzo in arrivo. Facesti giusto in tempo a cacciare
in tasca, con poche altre cose, il manoscritto del poema a cui stavi
lavorando, Il canto del pane: vero inno gioioso alla vita e al lavoro
dell’uomo, legato alla sua terra da una misteriosa sacralita. E via,
verso l’ignoto.

“Stupisce come riuscissi, anche in uno squallido carcere e nelle
angosciose trasferte, a scrivere qualche verso. Non occorre calma
alla poesia, serenita contemplativa?… Ma no: l’apparente idillio dei
campi da te cantato era gia bagnato dal sangue dei papaveri, segnato
dalle ferite inferte dalla falce… Chissa come andò, e quali furono
gli ultimi tuoi moti e pensieri! Fra le cose di cui fosti derubato,
ti trovarono nelle tasche quel manoscritto, finito poi negli archivi
polverosi di qualche funzionario della censura turca, ignaro del
tesoro che custodiva.

“Dopo la guerra, furono necessarie le più avventurose ricerche e una
fortuna in denaro per riscattare quelle pagine gualcite. Vennero
pubblicate tali e quali nel 1921, a Costantinopoli. Oggi anche in
italiano. Veniva alla luce il tuo capolavoro, come altro tuo figlio:
non di carne e di sangue come quello che non avevi potuto vedere. Ma
anch’esso, a suo modo, perfetto. Reso tale dal tuo sacrificio, Daniel”.

US AZERBAIJANI AND TURKISH DIASPORA START CAMPAIGN AGAINST IRAN’S PRESSURE ON AZERBAIJAN

APA
Feb 17 2012
Azerbaijan

To support Azerbaijan’s independence and sovereignty, the Azerbaijani
and Turkish Diaspora in the US have started an immediate campaign
against Iran’s pressure on Azerbaijan.

The US Azerbaijani Network, a main organizer called an action, to
make sure the Congress and US media are more aware about the recent
events and stand strongly with their regional ally.

“The past weeks saw a rapid deterioration of relations between
the international community and Iran, which has adversely affected
regional allies of the United States, Israel, and the West. Iran
stepped up aggressive rhetoric and propaganda against Azerbaijan,
a staunch US and Israel ally”, read the letters.

The authors remind that, Azerbaijan, which is the size of the state
of Maine, and itself a victim of armed aggression, occupation and
genocidal policies by Armenian military (such as in Khojaly in
February 26, 1992), has been trying to be on good terms with its
powerful southern neighbor, as Iran has a significant population
of ethnic Azerbaijanis living there (up to 30% of the population),
who are persecuted and discriminated for their ethnic and linguistic
“differences” with the ruling Persians. Nevertheless, Azerbaijan
wants peace and stability on its borders and has centuries of bond
and friendship with all people of Iran, after all, Azerbaijanis have
ruled Iran and other adjacent lands for a millennium.

“However, Iranian government TV and radio’s illegal broadcasts continue
into Azerbaijan, its pseudo-religious and pan-Iranian propaganda does
not seem to subside, and it continues to make threats and various
unfriendly gestures towards Azerbaijan, that include killing of
journalists such as Rafik Tagi in Baku in November 2011 and attempting
to blow up Israeli embassy in Baku in January 2012”, they note.

According to the Diaspora members, “one should consider the
reasoning behind Iranian government’s thinking, succinctly put by
Michael Eisenstadt: “Iran tacitly supported Armenia in its war with
Azerbaijan” – because Iranian government wants to see Azerbaijan weak
and failed. Armenia and its enterprises, which have been previously
sanctioned by the U.S. Government for nuclear proliferation and
weapons trading with Iran, are occupying Karabakh region, which is
16% of Azerbaijan on the border with Iran, turning Karabakh into an
uncontrolled area and a black hole for drug trade, weapons trafficking
and other illegal activities”.

“And when, as we recently learned from media interviews, the chief
of Azerbaijan’s Border Service requested to meet with his Iranian
counterpart, over the unnecessary killing of an Azerbaijani border
guard by Iranian border guards in July 2011, the Iranian general
has not responded, for several months now. It is hard to maintain
peaceful and healthy relations when officials cannot even meet,
or when one side’s generals make various unhealthy and unheard of
racist statements about Azerbaijanis’ “blood in veins”, or about the
12th century great Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi”.

The letters also remind that there are numerous statements in
official state Iranian media since 1991 breakup of USSR about annexing
Azerbaijan to Iran, and other attempts to deny Azerbaijan its right
of existence and its own history – just like it is being done to the
ethnic Azerbaijanis in Iran itself.

“As a consequence, it is the moral responsibility of the US Government
and all branches of government is to show their support to their
strategic ally in that turbulent region and stand strong with
Azerbaijan. Such support should range from statements and resolutions
in support of sovereign and independent Azerbaijan, to supplying it
with defensive systems such as Patriot air-defense systems to protect
Azerbaijan’s energy infrastructure”, say the Diaspora.

ACTIVISTS CONTINUE STRUGGLE IN MASHTOTS PARK, THE POLICE RELEASED A MESSAGE

As it was already reported yesterday the situation inMashtots
Parkcontinues to remain mixed and hot. Activists continue their
protest action against the constructions in the Park also today.

On February 17, yesterday the police tried to remove the ecologists
and let the workers restart the constructing actions. The activists
struggled as they could.

A representative of theYerevanmunicipality Zaven Araqelyan met
the activists at the park and tried to negotiate with them. He
presented documents which according to him show the legality of the
construction. Activists among them Deputy Zaruhi Postanjyan from
~SHeritage~T party get acquainted with the documents and concluded
that those papers did not prove anything.

The activists seemed would never give up. Even two of them lied on
the ground and did not let the lorry to approach the territory.

During the whole day the activists sang Armenian patriotic songs,
song aboutYerevan. They also shouted mottos such as ~SLeave Yerevan
to its masters~T, ~SGreen nice Yerevan~T, ~SShame, shame~T, “The park
belongs to us”, “We claim Yerevan Mayor” and so on.

Actor Yervand Manasyan also follows the action and participates in it.

Head of the Yerevan Chamber Theatre Ara Yernjakyan wanted to negotiate
with the activists, but he did not manage. The activists just asked
him to leave the territory.

Despite of all this struggle and strong actions the workers yesterday
continue the constructions in the park.

Today the activists spread some information about the situation in
the park. We have learnt from the notes of activists that nearly 20
policemen closed the constructing territory and the constructions
are going on at this moment. Nearly 25-30 ecologists are now in
the Park and they do nothing at this right moment. They just clean
the territory. As well-known ecologist Mariam Sukhudyan wrote on
her Facebook wall, activists from Vanadzor and Gyumry also jointed
them just now. ~SThese are civilians with whom we liberated Trchkan
waterful. Remind that since yesterday Qajaran governor jointed us
well. ARMENIA WITHOUT ANY BORDERS~T, she writes. In her another note
Sukhudyan informs that a BBC correspondent approached them, shot
everything and held an interview with the activists. ~SThe issue is
being transferred to the international sphere~T.

At the same time Police of RA presented an announcement about the
events inMashtots Park, which especially says:

~SA group of civilians try to prevent the constructions at the
territory nearMashtots Avenueon February 16 and 17.

Armenian Police led by the RA law ~SAbout Police~T must provide social
discipline and security for the civilians. Armenian Police must hold
appropriate measures let the constructions be fulfilled and also to
prevent the security of the activists. ~T

The release by Armenian Police warns that such actions can cause
administrative responsibility. In order to escape further problems
RA Police calls on the civilians let continue the constructive works
and express their dissatisfaction appropriately with the law ~SAbout
meetings~R freedom~T.

Photo from tert.am

EXPERT: SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN ARMENIA ARE NOT IN A GOOD STATE

arminfo
Thursday, February 16, 22:47

The small and medium enterprises in Armenia are not in a good state,
Director for Corporate Banking of Ameriabank Gagik Sahakyan said at
today’s press conference in Yerevan when commenting on the current
state of SMEs in the country.

According to him, over the past few years the state of the small and
medium enterprises has been considerably improving, however now the
situation is far from being good. “SMEs are not a priority direction
now”, Sahakyan said. He added that the monopolies and the high level
of market concentration continue hindering the development of SMEs
in Armenia. The statistics demonstrates, however, that the market
concentration level is declining, Sahakyan said.

In order to improve the state of SMEs in Armenia, one should remove
the administrative burden, i.e. to switch to a differentiated policy
towards SMEs and large business, he said. Most representatives of
SMEs often lack the relevant documents when applying to the bank,
whereas today the banks are interested in lending to SMEs. Sahakyan
added that the bank’s internal regulations with respect to SMEs are
being simplified, the problem still remains unresolved.

To note, according to the data of the Agency of Rating Marketing
Information (ArmInfo), received on the basis of the analysis of the
financial reports of Armenian banks, the quality of the summary credit
portfolio of “nontrade” financing of SMEs considerably worsened over
the past year.

IS TIGRAN SARGSYAN ASHAMED?
Naira Hayrumyan

Lragir.am

Published: 12:49:25 – 17/02/2012

Prosecutors want Germany’s president Christian Wolff’s immunity lifted
in order to investigate the scandal relating to the loan he took.

Most probably, the German parliament will meet the request of the
prosecutors, following the resignation of the minister of defense who
“left” only because used the ideas of other authors in his thesis.

The Western scandals, no matter what they are related to, are based
on the simple human feeling of shame. Shame is the feeling that a
human being has after breaking a moral norm. And if the person is
incriminated of a crime, it should cause shame.

In Armenia, shame is not a political category, so scandals are
practically impossible here. The breaches of officials are bluntly
pointed out, they are accused of protectionism and theft but no
scandals follow because officials are not ashamed.

Yesterday, something sensational happened in Armenia. The minister of
energy stated that one of the major plants of Armenia, Nairit chemical
plant of Yerevan, became the property of a bank about which hardly
anyone had heard. Since last November, Harutiun Arakelyan, a citizen of
Armenia, has been publishing materials proving that the government and
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan sent Nairit into bankruptcy on purpose,
some people gained a fortune by way of machinations involving the
plant and the plant is mortgaged in the Interstate bank and Armenia
may lose it.

The prime minister who was accused of an economic crime did not
even sue him for slander. Apparently, he did not want to appear in
court. A safer method has been chosen. The prime minister appealed
to the Prosecutor General’s office requesting to launch criminal
proceedings into the facts. The Prosecutor’s office somehow handed the
materials to the police which does not have a department of economic
crimes but Arakelyan was never invited there for an interrogation.

In fact, what Harutiun Arakelyan had been stating for months on was
yesterday confirmed by the minister. The plant was really passed
to the CIS Interstate Bank. But the issue brought up by the citizen
needs to be addressed.

There is no clear line separating “economic mistakes” and economic
crimes in Armenia. The absence of such definitions enabled the
authorities to state that the decision on the privatization of Nairit
was part of the policy but who can be insured from mistakes. The fact
that thousands of people suffered in the result of this policy is
not taken into account. The government reserves the right to commit
mistakes, at the same time depriving the others of this right.

But along with the legal side of the issue, there is also another
on the simple human shame. Democracy is built on public control of
the government which should be based on the ability of the society to
make those in power feel ashamed. If the authorities are not ashamed,
there will be no public control. Although there may also be the reverse
of this. The feeling of shame will come as soon as the society poses
claims to the government openly.

ZHOGHOVURD: BUSINESSWOMAN SILVA HAMBARDZUMYAN TO BID FOR PARLIAMENT

Tert.am
17.02.12

The paper says it has learned from sources that businesswoman Silva
Hambardzumyan is determined to join the parliamentary campaign
and is planning to propose her candidacy in one of the 41 majority
constituencies in Armenia.

Speaking to the paper, the businesswoman confirmed her plan to run for
election, but declined to say which constituency she will represent.

“Yes I am going to propose my candidacy, and will make a statement
one of these days to say in which constituency I will be nominated. I
am also going to join a political party, but I will not now say which
one. I will announce that at a news conference, ” the businesswoman
was quoted as telling the paper.

Citing its sources, the paper claims that the businesswoman is going
to join the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA).

ARMENIA DETERMINED TO CONTRIBUTE TO INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS AIMED AT ERADICATING THE ILLICIT DRUG PRODUCTION

armradio.am
17.02.2012 10:58

On February 16, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian
participated in the Third Ministerial Conference of the Paris Pact
Partners dedicated to the fight against opiates trafficking from
Afghanistan. The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and
the high-ranking delegations of about fifty countries attended the
conference and delivered speeches.

Speaking at the conference, Minister Nalbandian stated, in part:

“Although a decade has passed since the Paris Conference on Drug
Routes from Central Asia to Europe and international efforts in this
respect have increased, the risks posed by the illicit production of
opium in Afghanistan have not been reduced.

We have come together to express our support for the continuation,
further enhancement and broadening of the scope of this initiative,
to identify and recommend targeted interventions for mitigating the
trafficking and consumption of Afghan opiates, to enhance further the
coordination of technical assistance and cross reference of Paris
Pact activities with those of the UNODC Rainbow Strategy and other
related initiatives.

The successful implementation of the adopted strategic decisions cannot
be insured without coordinated action and support of other regional and
international organizations dealing with transnational crime, and most
importantly, the extensive bilateral cooperation between all countries
along the main trafficking routes. Regional initiatives and cooperation
in the fight against opium and heroin trafficking from Afghanistan
is gaining more importance as it allows to better synchronize the
efforts of different countries and amplify their efficiency and impact.

Since the launch of the Paris Pact Initiative, Armenia has fully
aligned itself with the priority goals set by the Paris Statement
and Moscow Declaration. We fully acknowledge the social and human
impact of illicit drug trade and drug abuse which increase the
human insecurity and create further impediments to the stable and
sustainable development.

While the cases of drug trafficking through Armenia are insignificant
in comparison to those countries on the main routes of Afghan opiate,
the Government of Armenia has adopted strategies and implemented
policies aimed at increasing its capacity to stop the illicit drugs
from crossing through the country. Despite the two decade-long blockade
of Armenia by its neighbors to the west and east, has at the same time
blocked the drug trafficking from those countries, the borders in the
north and south can still be attempted to be used by drug traffickers,
and Armenia has spared no effort to apply preventive measures against
it in cooperation with our partners.

The Armenian National Programme on Combating Drug Addiction and
Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs for 2009-2012 identifies all those
necessary measures to address the illegal trade and the consumption
aspects of the problem. Twice a year an assessment of the measures
undertaken under the Strategy is carried out and the results are
made public.

The fight against transnational crimes requires effective
international cooperation. As a member of the Collective Security
Treaty Organisation, Armenia actively participates in its anti-drug
operations. The multinational operation “Kanal” brings together not
only member states, but also representatives from around two dozens
of states and international organizations. As a result of these
operations carried out since 2003 several tons of drugs in the area
of CSTO member states have been confiscated. In 2008 this operation
was given the status of a standing regional antidrug operation.

In conclusion, I would like to reaffirm Armenia’s determination
to continue to bring its active contribution to the international
efforts, including the Paris Pact and other international initiatives,
which aim at reducing and eradicating the illicit drug production,
trade and trafficking.”

SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE IN STEPANAKERT DEDICATED TO THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF NKR PROCLAMATION

armradio.am
17.02.2012 13:31

An international scientific conference dedicated to the 20th
anniversary of proclamation of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic kicked
off in Stepanakert. The two-day event has brought together political
scientists, representatives of scientific and political structures
from Armenia and NKR, as well as experts from Great Britain, Greece
and the Netherlands.

The Armenian delegation headed by Deputy Speaker of eth National
Assembly Edward Sharmazanov has left for Karabakh to participate in
the conference.

The participants will discuss issues related to the legal bases
of proclamation of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, the historic and
political components.

On February 19 NKR President Bako Sahakayn is expected to meet the
participants of the conference.

LA MAISON DE TOUMANIAN A TBILISSI SERA BIENTET LA PROPRIETE DU MAIRE DE GUMRI ET DE SON FRERE
Gari

armenews.com
vendredi 17 fevrier 201

La vente de la maison a Tbilissi du grand ecrivain armenien Hovannes
Toumanian serait imminente et il semble que cette transaction
immobilière qui avait emu la communaute armenienne de Georgie et failli
provoquer un incident diplomatique entre l’Armenie et la Georgie
ait obtenu un denouement heureux, a meme de dissiper les tensions
qu’avaient suscitees les projets d’achat de la maison par une societe
mixte turco-georgienne. Un contrat de vente devrait en effet etre signe
le 22 fevrier, au benefice du maire de la ville armenienne de Gumri,
Vartan Ghukasyan, et de son frère, qui se porteraient acquereurs de
la maison de Toumanian pour la somme de 145000 dollars, a fait savoir
Levon Ananyan le president de l’Union des ecrivains d’Armenie qui
s’etait mobilisee contre les menaces qui pesaient sur cette maison,
devenue le symbole de l’eminente contribution des Armeniens a la vie
intellectuelle de Tbilissi, l’ancienne Tiflis, qui fut par ailleurs
l’un des principaux foyers de la culture armenienne au 19e siècle.

Le mois dernier, le maire de Gumri avait annonce qu’avec son frère,
il projetait de racheter cette maison dont une partie appartenait au
fils d’un riche homme d’affaires georgien qui prevoyait de ceder son
bien a une societe mixte turco-georgienne. Non seulement la maison
risquait de disparaître du patrimoine armenien de Tbilissi, mais pire
encore, les nouveaux acquereurs projetaient de la transfomer en hôtel
pour les travailleurs turcs habitant dans la capitale georgienne.

Les frères Ghukasyan quant a eux, avaient fait part de leur intention
de mettre la maison a la disposition de la communaute armenienne de
Tbilissi, qui peine deja a preserver son patrimoine religieux dans la
capitale georgienne, et d’en faire une maison-musee dediee au grand
ecrivain armenien.

Une bonne action, aux forts accents patriotiques, qui pourrait faire
oublier en tout cas les vives critiques qu’a suscite l’ouverture en
grande pompe, dernièrement, par le meme maire de Gumri, d’un hôtel de
luxe degoulinant de dorures et de stucks a rendre jaloux les nouveaux
riches de Miami et qui avait ete denonce comme une insulte au bon
goût comme aux habitants d’une ville qui porte encore les stigmates
du terrible seisme de decembre 1988 et dont une partie attend toujours
d’etre relogee dans des logements decents.

Une delegation comprenant notamment M.Ananyan, mais aussi un cousin
des Ghukasyan, le depute Artom Ghukasyan et deux representants de la
mairie de Gumri s’est rendue a Tbilisi le mardi 14 fevrier. M.Ananyan
a indique que la delegation, a laquelle s’est joint l’ambassadeur
d’Armenie en Georgie, Hovhannes Manukyan, a rencontre l’actuel
proprietaire de la maison de Toumanian le lendemain et il semblait
plutôt optimiste quant a l’issue des discussions et a la signature
imminente de l’acte de vente.

L’Union des Armeniens de Tbilisi avait attire l’attention sur le
sort de la maison de Toumanian en decembre 2011 et avait diffuse un
communique a ce sujet.

“Le bâtiment historique est la propriete d’un home d’affaires depuis
les annees 1990. L’homme d’affaires a mis son bien en vente et la
compagnie turco-georgienne ‘GeoTuran’ cherche a l’acquerir en vue de
le transformer en hôtel pour les travailleurs turcs. La direction
de la compagnie a meme demande a l’arrière petite fille du poète,
Alina Toumanian, qui habite l’autre aile de la maison, de lui vendre
son bien, mais elle a categoriquement refuse”, indiquait notamment
le communique.

Lors d’une conference de presse a la fin 2011, M. Safrazbekyan avait
regrette que l’Armenie n’ait pas rachete ce bien quand il en etait
encore temps, a un prix qui aurait ete d’ailleurs bien inferieur. Les
autorites armeniennes avaient invoque des raisons financières pour
justifier leur inaction.

ST. VARTAN AND THE BATTLE OF AVARAYR

Haytoug Magazine

Feb 16 2012

Many of us are beginning to think that February is an empty month
in the Armenian calendar. Or that Saint Valentine’s Day is the only
significant holiday. However, the idea that this is traditionally
an Armenian festival is incorrect. In fact, for those unaware,
the Armenian equivalent for celebrating love and affection between
companions takes place on February 4th, under the Saint Sarkis
(Õ~MÕ¸O~BO~@Õ¢ Õ~MÕ¡O~@Õ£Õ”Õ½) name. More to the focus of this
article though, is the commemoration of the Battle of Avarayr
(Ô±Õ¾Õ¡O~@Õ¡ÕµO~@Õ” Õ³Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¿Õ¡Õ´Õ¡O~@Õ¿Õ¨) on February 16th.

This battle came to be out of necessity for continuity as a People:
the Persian Empire wanted Armenians to abandon their faith. Their
king, King Yazdigerd II, loathed Christianity and wished to destroy
their individuality on the whole.

Those who grew up going to an Armenian school have undoubtedly heard
of Vartan Mamigonian (Õ~NÕ¡O~@Õ¤Õ¡Õ¶ Õ~DÕ¡Õ´Õ”Õ¯Õ¸Õ¶Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶), and the
epic battle during which he led the Armenian forces against a vastly
outnumbering Persian army. Vartan, who was later canonised, was of
noble lineage whose family tree includes Saint Gregory the Illuminator
(Õ~MÕ¸O~BO~@Õ¢ Ô³O~@Õ”Õ£Õ¸O~@ Ô¼Õ¸O~BÕ½Õ¡Õ¾Õ¸O~@Õ”Õ¹). His father,
however, was General Hamazasp (Õ~MÕºÕ¡O~@Õ¡ÕºÕ¥Õ¿ Õ~@Õ¡Õ´Õ¡Õ¦Õ¡Õ½Õº)
and, like him, Vartan became a soldier. He was a highly respected
soldier at that, with integrity and wisdom: in addition, he had a
strong Christian belief. The fact that he had Holy Communion with his
soldiers; prayed, recited the 23rd Psalm and shared food with them,
all prior to the commencement of battle, can attest to these.

It was in this period immediately before the battle when Vartan
was quoted as saying “We have served until now mortal kings… now
it is time to serve the immortal king”. Vartan’s speech instilled
inspiration and stimulated his troops towards defending not only their
religion but also, in the wider scheme, their culture and entire way
of life. Finally, the battle commenced on May 26th, 451 AD, on the
Avarayr Plain (Ô±Õ¾Õ¡O~@Õ¡ÕµO~@Õ” Ô´Õ¡Õ·Õ¿). Vartan Mamigonian led
66,000 Armenians against an army outnumbering them almost 4-to-1 and
consisting of war elephants too.

Many Armenian martyrs were made that day – Vartan Mamigonian
included – but, while the battle was lost, their sacrifice was not
in vain. The Persian king, astounded by the valour of his opponents
and acknowledging that this could only stem from their passion for
their beliefs, developed a great respect for Armenians and put an
end to his attempts at converting them. In this way the Armenians
of the time lived on in relative peace, their traditions safeguarded
for another period.

We’ve suffered countless episodes such as this where, for one reason or
another; our rights, customs, traditions, faith, freedom and uniqueness
have been challenged. We’ve endlessly endured stiff oppression, but,
as a brilliantly proud and zealous People, we’ve largely staved off
assimilating.

1600 years have since passed, our identity all the while maturing, and
we’ve spread across the globe achieving many things. As a persevering
people we must continue to uphold our identity in whichever corner
of the world we find ourselves. Wherever we may be and whatever we
pursue we all share a common history: a story of constant struggles
for peace which unites us and enriches our lives. As Hrant Dink, Serj
Tankian and Monte Melkonian (to name a few) have done, by digging
deep towards our roots we can find and adopt the same spirit with
which Vartan’s soldiers fought in defending our heritage.

Heros Jojaghaian

AYF London “Khanasor” Chapter