Author: Badalian Vardan

Language and Loss: Russian schools in Armenia raise concerns

SOCIETY | 18.10.13 | 16:34

By JULIA HAKOBYAN
ArmeniaNow Deputy Editor

The news on Armenia’s accession to the Customs Union, voiced during
the September visit of President Serzh Sargsyan to Moscow, has given
place to speculations in Armenia, that Moscow will take serious
efforts in the promotion of the Russian language in Armenia.

While some in Armenia may treat such developments indifferently, many
others perceive the possible `revival’ of Russian as a threat to
Armenian language in particular, and to Armenian national identity in
general. The concerns are not misplaced, given the fact Russian is the
official language of the Customs Union and Russia top officials
repeatedly voice the idea of Russian language popularization in
Armenia.

At the meeting with the Armenian counterpart in September, Russia’s
President Vladimir Putin spoke about cultural initiatives that Moscow
will realize in Armenia in the near future, including the opening of
Russian lyceum in Armenia and a branch of Moscow State University.

Earlier in September Yerevan hosted a roundtable “Russian Language as
a Basis for Creation of Civilization and Development of the Eurasian
Union,” during which its participants from Armenia, Russia, Kazakhstan
and Belarus spoke about Russian as the language of economics and
security. The Russian officials also spoke about steps in
strengthening the position of Russian language in Armenia.

The language issue has been in the center of public attention in
Armenia since 2010, after the adoption of the controversial
government-proposed bill on opening of foreign language schools in
Armenia.

The bill factually removed the 20-year-old ban on foreign-language
education in the country, imposed during the first years of
independence. It cleared the way for opening of (11private) foreign
language schools in Armenia.
The amendments, which many considered as an attempt to restore
primarily Russian language education, stirred a great controversy in
the Armenian society with opponents claiming that existence of foreign
language schools in Armenia would be damaging to national identity.
(During Soviet times, about 30 percent of schools in Armenia offered
education in Russian language)

A civil movement `We are against the Reopening of Foreign-Language
Schools’ was created in Armenia, which had staged a series of protest
actions against the changes. The posters were spread throughout the
city saying `Keep your gene and your language”, `No to colonization.’

The pressure group failed to prevent the ratification of the bill, but
due to its efforts instead of 32 foreign schools in the bill (as it
was firstly proposed,) the number was reduced to eleven.

`In fact the steps on spreading Russian language in Armenia is not
taken now, but started a few years ago, primarily, with the amendments
to the law and founding of Russian agency `Rossotrudnichestvo’, says
Aram Apatyan, member of the `We are against the Reopening of
Foreign-Language Schools’ initiative.

`As our initiate stated before (during the protests against the bill
ratification) the same we would say now — the programs aimed at the
popularization of foreign languages should not be done at the expense
of the native language,’ he says.

Apatyan brings example of the Russian lyceum to be opened soon in
Armenia, saying that the graduates of the lyceum will know Armenian
superficially.

`The language becomes part of the culture when it is actively used in
all spheres of life. Any foreign language school, be it Dilijan
International School or Russian lyceum is a threat to the Armenian
language. The educational system in Armenia must be in the Armenian
language for all Armenian citizens,’ he says, adding that the
accentuating of the `inferior’ nature of Armenian as compared to other
languages involves numerous risks, including loss of identity.

However, the supporters of foreign language education argue that
Russian is the language of the regional powerhouse and thus is
essential for Armenians.

Many parents in Yerevan prefer that their children attend schools with
a Russian language bias, (as well as English); some parents resort to
various tricks to enroll their children to the Russian schools or
`Russian classes’. To enroll a child in such class, one of the parents
should have foreign citizenship. Many parents give guardianship of
their child to a relative who lives in Russia, to enroll a child in
the Russian class. (There are 1400 schools in Armenia; 42 of them
offer `Russian-language classes’. Besides, there are five Russian
schools which are in jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense.)

Andranik Nikogosyan, Chairman of the Youth Union of the Commonwealth
of Independent States (CIS), believes that the Russian language is an
integral part of Armenian culture, as for centuries the Armenian
people have had close ties with the Russians.

“We have a common history, a common past and I am sure that we have a
great future,’ says Nikoghosyan. `Russian is the regional
international language, and we should also take into account that
Russian is the language of the Customs Union. How can we be part of an
economic union without knowing a common language?

Two years ago, at the initiative of the Youth Union of CIS a first
Russian language training center was opened in Yerevan. Now there are
about 100 such centers that operate throughout the republic, of which
ten are located in the capital.

Now about 7,000 people are studying Russian at the training centers;
another 3,000 have completed the courses. The education is free of
charge; 140 Russian language teachers work in the centers. Since 2011,
three Russian publishing houses were opened in Armenia.

`Within last two years over 100,000 Russian books were sold though our
stores. Another 20,000 people will be enrolled in the Russian training
courses by December. The facts are obvious- the number of people
willing to study Russian is so high, that the centers are overloaded
and we are thinking on opening more. People decide by themselves what
they need,’ says Nikogohosyan.

Ruben Parumyan, a member of “We are against the reopening of foreign
languages schools” says he does not doubt that Moscow will take more
steps in spreading the Russian language, but for him it is obvious
that English is in a higher demand as compared to Russian in Armenia.

`I would say that parents who stake the future on Russian language
play with their children’s destiny,’ Parumyan says. `Don’t let your
children lose the mother language, because it would mean losing
culture.’

Boursorama, France
18 oct 2013

Comme Leonarda, Khatchik veut revenir en France

Le Point le 18/10/2013 à 20:21

Après Leonarda Dibrani, c’est au tour de Khatchik Khachatryan de
livrer son témoignage aux chaînes de télévision. Comme l’adolescente
remise à la police lors d’une sortie scolaire dans le Doubs pour être
expulsée au Kosovo, le jeune homme de 19 ans a été renvoyé en Arménie
samedi dernier.Après avoir été arrêté pour vol à la tire au centre
commercial des Halles, dans le premier arrondissement de Paris, et
n’ayant pas de papiers d’identité, Khatchik Kachartryan a été placé
dans un centre de rétention administrative à Vincennes. Il y a alors
passé trois semaines avant d’être expulsé.”Ils m’ont attaché”

Joint par téléphone, il a raconté son histoire à BFMTV. “Ils sont
venus et ils m’ont dit ‘tu as un vol, on part à l’étranger’. Après ils
m’ont attaché, il y avait quinze policiers. Après j’ai crié que je ne
voulais pas rentrer dans l’avion, mais cinq policiers m’ont pris et
m’ont mis dans l’avion de force”, a-t-il expliqué avant de préciser:
“je ne peux rien faire avec cinq policiers. En plus, ils m’ont attaché
les pieds, les mains. Après dans l’avion, avec un truc ils m’ont fermé
la bouche pour que je ne parle pas”.Khatchik Kachartryan n’a pas
seulement tenu à raconter son arrestation et son expulsion à la chaîne
de télévision, il a également donné les raisons pour lesquelles il se
trouve en France. “Je suis étudiant en CAP au lycée Camille Jenatzy
dans le 18e à Paris, je fais ça pour trouver du travail”.”Je veux
revenir…

The Armenian Church is Held Hostage by Its Hierarchy: Part 2

00:42, October 21, 2013

Vosgan Mekhitarian

Part 1

Let us consider for a moment the letter of protest by the Patriarch of
Jerusalem, His Beatitude Archbishop Nourhan Manougian – addressed to his
Holiness Karekin II – and its impact on the psyche of the clergy.

According to historical accounts, the Armenian Patriarchate of
Jerusalem was established almost at the same time as the Mother See
Holy Etchmiadzin. The Patriarchate had its own special position as
ecclesiastical/spiritual center in the Hierarchy of the Armenian
Church. In an environment, frequently hostile to Armenians, it was
able to retain its preeminent position among all other Christian
denominations, and because of the politically favorable conditions,
was able to become a fortress of enlightenment where our church
traditions were kept safe.

However, under ne-political conditions, the Armenian Patriarchate of
Jerusalem is struggling to keep its own traditions, independence and
identity, and is ill-prepared to guide new generations of priests.

Today, as a nation, we live under tragic conditions. Our laissez-faire
approach to addressing issues and solving problems within our
communities puts us face to face with very serious dangers such as
dysfunction, corruption, and ultimately, the loss of identity.
Unfortunately, however, we have no grasp of these dangers. The
theatrical performance of our clergy has found more ground in our
hearts than in understanding of the laws, which are the foundations of
a healthy church.

Let us examine and understand these laws.

The law of the jungle–a place where there are no principles, other
than `might makes right’.
The law of nature – inherent balance and regularity between all living
entities in nature.
The law of the mob – where the accused is judged by the mob and not in
a court of law, and is summarily sentenced to death.
The constitution – the law that governs the relationship between the
government and its citizens.
International laws – those that govern the relationships between
countries and define their duties to each other.
Civil law – body of laws which sanction the supreme authority of the state.
Criminal laws – hose enacted to preserve the public order by defining
offenses against the state and public, and imposing a penal sanctions.

Furthermore, there is another incomprehensible and unacceptable
condition in life whereby man impugns all laws and creates his own
scheme of rationalizations to impose his will upon all others.

Having looked at the various types of law that govern the human
condition, how should one regard the relationship between the Holy See
of Etchmiadzin and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem? We maintain the
public be the judge.

Before analyzing Nourhan Patriarch’s letter of protest, it is
important to pay attention to the sentiments and discontent of our
readers, i.e., that the relationship between the two patriarchates of
Jerusalem and Istanbul is in a state of discord. During the last
Jerusalem patriarchal elections, Catholicos Kareken II attempted to
interfere and manipulate the situation but was thwarted.

Furthermore, while late Torkom Patriarch was the Locum tenant in
Etchmiadzin, he attested to the corruption of the Nersisyan clan and
was courageous enough to express his opinions and make
recommendations, which were not cordially received by Archbishop
Karekin Nersisyan and his clan.

Let’s return to the protest letter dated August 3, 2013, and analyze
the impetus for Nourhan Patriarch to officially pen and submit such a
letter.

Foremost, the letter was written in a brotherly spirit, a letter
addressed to his big brother, Catholicos Karekin the II.

Second was the final decision of the Supreme Religious Council to
accept Archbishop Norvan’s resignation from his post as Primate of
France. The non-elected and irresponsible members of the Religious
Council, did not have the courage and integrity to question His
Holiness Karekin the II and under duress and pressure, took the
degrading decision to accept the resignation of Archbishop Norvan.
What would they think if, instead of Archbishop Norvan, one of them
had their own integrity questioned and their spineless `brothers’ took
such a heartless decision? They would probably curse the day they
joined the ranks of the clergy.

It is understandable and only just that a brother should be able to
advice his older brother to be lenient and considerate of another
brother, even though there are some misunderstandings, and that the
latter deserves punishment commensurate with his transgression. But in
a situation like this, where there is injustice perpetrated, it is
unconscionable to stand by and let a brother be sacrificed and become
the target of vengeance. After mentioning in his letter that the
decision was `unacceptable and unjust’, Patriarch Nourhan suggests
that his Holiness should act with forgiveness towards his younger
brothers.

` Two years ago you tried to convince Torkom Patriarch to elect
Co-adjutor and when Archbishop Aris Shirvanian objected saying that
there is no such Article in the Jerusalem Patriarchal constitution,
you were furious and declared `I will defrock all of you’, and
furthermore you repeated the same to me and my answer was `Is this how
you will threaten every one? Don’t you know anything else’?’

It is very likely that this threat has seriously affected all members
of the Jerusalem Patriarchate. Indeed it is very sad, but it reflects
a reality, a reality that is unlawful, unjust and non-Christian, and
unfortunately this kind of behavior is practiced in both
Catholicosates–Etchmiadzin and Antelias.

The last piece of advice given by Nourhan Patriarch, where he says
that `it is impossible to bring up and prepare a healthy- minded new
generation of clergy under pressure and dictatorship’, is a sad
commentary on the state of affairs in the church, which is not only
widely expressed in the general newspapers, but is also expressed by
members of the clergy, who are currently suffocated and muzzled under
the dictatorship of the Catholicos.

The bishops that participated in the conference, especially those who
grew up in the Jerusalem Patriarchate, knew all these facts, but did
not have the courage to bring this subject up for discussion at the
Bishops’ conference. What will the young generation of clergy think?
One can only shudder to imagine what the impact of that letter will be
on the psyche of the clergy.

Some people adhere to the belief that such subjects should not be
discussed openly. We disagree completely. It is time to address all
issues openly and publicly if we are to believe that the Armenian
Church should be governed democratically-of, by, and for the people.

The Armenian Church is becoming dictatorial institution, ignoring all
democratic laws and canons. Even though there is a small contingent of
humble clergy that opposes these unjust practices, they do not have
the power to voice their opinions, and regrettably, are relegated to
self-imposed isolation.

Do we have to constantly reiterate this one indisputable truth: that
the Armenian Church is the sole force that led our nation throughout
the troubled years when we lost our political independence? The
Armenian Church molded the spiritual character of our nation and kept
our identity in tact to parallel the exercise of our political powers.

Although this is the sad reality of our times, we should,
nevertheless, declare openly that some leaders are hesitant to uphold
our religious constitution by criticizing the lifestyles of corrupted
clergy and admonish them to stay within the boundaries of their vows.

The ultimate authority in the Armenian Church is the Catholicos, who
is obligated to uphold the constitution down to its very detail. The
absence of such practice is an insult to democracy and the sacred
rights of the Armenian people.

to be continued

OCT. 20, 2013

Official on ups and downs of Armenia’s tourist industry

12:25 – 20.10.13

Mekhak Apresyan, Head of the Department of Tourism, Ministry of
Economy of Armenia, cannot yet report the exact number of tourists
that visited Armenia this summer.

However, his personal monitoring suggests a dynamic increase.

`I can say it is promising. Each year shows a dynamic increase both in
domestic, inbound and outbound tourism. It is realistic for us to
ensure a 10% increase in inbound tourism, a 7% to 10% increase in
domestic tourism and an increase of about 10% in outbound tourism,’ Mr
Apresyan told Tert.am.

He does not think that, in contrast to the neighboring states,
Armenia’s tourist industry shows a low- rate increase. Armenia is `too
young’ in terms of tourism development as it was not until 1996 that
tourism development was on the agenda as Armenia was unable to host
tourists before for well-known reasons.

`It was not until 1996-1997 that we started thinking of tourism. In
1997, Armenia joined the World Tourism Organization and drew up a
relevant agenda. In 2000 we started keeping statistics on tourism –
45,000 tourists visited Armenia during that year,’ Mr Apresyan said.

`A more than 18-fold increase in just 12 years. In 2000, we had only
three or four hotels that could receive tourists, with all of them
located in Yerevan. Now we have 250 to 300 hotels, besides holiday
centers, with 60 percent of them located in Armenia’s regions. This is
real progress. Tourist industry in Armenia’s individual communities,
new jobs,’ he said.

The right tourism promotion policy is the result of coordinated
efforts by all the interested sides.

With respect to the tourist industry’s problems, Mr Apresyan said:

`Although we have a more or less developed infrastructure and other
achievements, we need further infrastructure development. Of course,
we have made progress in the recent ten years. On the other hand, we
cannot say that we have perfect roads, especially country roads,’ he
said.

Armenian News – Tert.am

REVUE DE PRESSE
Ariane Ascaride : Simon (Abkarian) m’a fait un beau cadeau

Programmée pour deux soirs (mardi 8 et mercredi 9 octobre) au Cratère
thétre d’Alès, `Le dernier jour du jeûne`, pièce écrite, mise en
scène et jouée par Simon Abkarian, permet à Ariane Ascaride de livrer
une nouvelle interprétation enjouée et lumineuse.

Comment êtes-vous arrivée sur `Le dernier jour du jeûne’ ?

Je connais Simon (Abkarian) depuis un certain temps : on s’était
rencontré sur le `Voyage en Arménie’ (film de Robert Guédiguian sorti
en 2006), je l’avais vu au thétre, notamment sur sa pièce `Pénélope,
Pénélope’. Je crois qu’il y a eu une vraie rencontre entre nous. Après
Simon a tourné `L’armée du crime’ avec Robert. Et je lui ai dit que
j’avais envie de travailler avec lui.

De travailler avec un bel auteur…

Et une belle personne ! Un très bel auteur. J’adore la langue de Simon
qui me donne la sensation étrange de jouer une pièce française et j’ai
l’impression que c’est un spectacle étranger… Peut-être parce que
nous faisons un thétre populaire, assez absent des scènes françaises,
dans cette forme-là, cette parole-là, pleine de sensualité et qui
demande un travail d’incarnation et, aussi, un travail sur la langue
française…

Marseille, où la pièce a été montée, était un point de départ idéal ?

Ce n’est pas tant Marseille, mais la Méditerranée qui sert de point de
départ à l’histoire. Simon transporte en permanence son `arménité’
(sic !) et son côté libanais (Simon Abkarian est d’origine arménienne
et a passé une partie de sa jeunesse au Liban, NDLR). Il est très
attaché à cette culture et la rencontre entre nous s’est effectuée
également autour de cette culture méditerranéenne. Je dis souvent que
ce sont les Grecs qui ont fait l’Europe, pas l’inverse ! Surtout en ce
moment…

Simon Abkarian parle de sa pièce comme d’une `tragi-comédie de
quartier’. Pagnolesque, elle est aussi shakespearienne, non ?

C’est une pièce complètement géniale à jouer. Je viens de trouver au
thétre le pendant du travail que je fais avec (Robert) Guédiguian au
cinéma. Là, je parle de mon village. Et quand vous dites que c’est
shakespearien, avec cette pièce, je pense tous les soirs au `Songe
d’une nuit d’été’. J’ai cette formule tchekhovienne : `si tu veux
parler du monde, parle de ton village’. C’est ce qui touche les gens.
Après Marseille, je voulais la voir ailleurs. Et à Amiens, ça a
fonctionné pareil ! C’est jubilatoire et réconfortant.

`Le dernier jour…’ est aussi une pièce où les femmes tiennent un
rôle central, avec de beaux rôles…

Ce sont des rôles magnifiques de femmes écrites… par un homme ! Je
tiens à le souligner. Simon, au cinéma, on en a une vision de l’homme,
du mle. Or, pour lui, ce sont les femmes qui font tourner le monde.
Ça aide… (elle rit de bon c`ur). Je crois aussi que Simon est un
véritable auteur et que, bientôt, en entendant ses textes on dira
`c’est du Abkarian !’. Et en tant que metteur en scène et aussi
acteur, il a un profond respect pour ses acteurs. Il les emmène vers
la petite porte qui leur permettra de s’épanouir dans leur rôle.

Un mot sur votre personnage et le rôle de Nouritsa, la mère…

Que voulez-vous que je vous dise ? C’est ma mère, ma grand-mère, ma
tante, ma cousine, c’est… moi ! Avec elle, à travers elle, j’essaye
de rendre hommage à ces femmes qui ne sont qu’inquiétude et amour pour
ceux qui les entourent. Vous en croisez tous les jours dans la rue.
Avec Nouritsa, Simon m’a fait un beau cadeau.

,767695.php

dimanche 20 octobre 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com
`910

LIBAN
Histoire du Taron et de ses régions

Sa Sainteté Aram I continue à superviser la publication de la nouvelle
série de livres d’histoire qui témoignent des atrocités du 20e siècle
commis contre les Arméniens dans les villes et villages de l’Arménie
et de la Cilicie.

Suite à la publication du volume sur Adana, le volume actuel est
consacré au Taron et ses régions. Le livre a été édité et publié par
le regretté professeur et historien, Garo Sassouni en 1957. Le volume
actuel a été ré-édité par Jirayr Tanielian, critique littéraire et
éditeur de la revue « Kamar ». Tanielian a réussi à ramener à la vie
la littérature et des traditions de Mouch, Sassoun et leur
environnement épique.

Les histoires futures seront consacrées à Ayntab (deux volumes),
Hadjin, Vaspourakan et Gurun.

dimanche 20 octobre 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

ARMENIE
Le Chef de la défense arménienne loue la nouvelle culture de
planification stratégique au sein des forces armées

Seyran Ohanian ministre de la défense considère sa nomination au
printemps de cette année comme une obligation à la fois pour lui-même
et l’ensemble du personnel, en promettant de continuer à travailler
avec une énergie doublée.

Seyran Ohanian considère les cinq dernières années comme une période
où une nouvelle culture de la planification stratégique a été formée
dans les forces armées, dans le cadre duquel un certain nombre de
réformes ont été réalisées.

« Ils visaient à garantir la poursuite de notre développement. Une
revue de la défense stratégique a été la chose la plus importante au
cours de cette période et après son achèvement nous avons un plan de
développement pour les forces armées qui dans le moyen terme assurera
la poursuite de leur progression », a déclaré le ministre lors d’une
conférence de presse à Noyemberyan.

Seyran Ohanian, qui a d’abord été nommé ministre de la Défense en
Avril 2008 a annoncé que la deuxième phase de l’examen stratégique de
défense sera lancé l’année prochaine. « Elle assurera le passage de
cette étape du développement à la prochaine étape couvrant 2016-2020
», a-t-il ajouté.

Le ministre a indiqué qu’un programme d’Etat sur l’armement et le
développement de matériel militaire pour les forces armées a été
développé. Aussi, a-t-il dit, le concept approuvé par le gouvernement
du système militaro-industriel a été approuvé par le Conseil national
de sécurité.

« Nous voulons promouvoir une production [militaire] locale », a
déclaré Seyran Ohanian. « Dans le cadre du budget et de la coopération
militaire et militaro-technique nous avons une occasion d’accroître
notre efficacité et les capacités de combat en acquérant des armes
modernes ».

En parlant des morts dans les rangs et d’autres incidents dans les
forces armées, Seyran Ohanian a déclaré que, malheureusement, ils se
produisent à la suite de relations interpersonnelles. Il a dit que des
efforts sont en cours, y compris le travail éducatif et de formation
afin que les commandants s’attaquent à ce problème.

« Au moins, personne ne reste impunie. Je suis responsable de
l’ensemble de la hiérarchie du commandement militaire. Les commandants
des unités militaires où se passent des incidents seront punis par moi
» a déclaré le ministre. « Au cours des cinq dernières années, environ
25 commandants des forces armées ont été renvoyés, rétrogradés ou
punis autrement. Environ 40 commandants d’unités militaires ont été
démis de leurs fonctions ou nommés à d’autres postes, sans lien avec
des activités éducatives » .

S’exprimant sur l’incident du 1er juin près de la maison de l’ancien
gouverneur de Syunik, au cours de laquelle l’ancien candidat à la
mairie de Goris Avetik Budaghyan a été tué et son frère, commandant de
l’unité militaire d’Askéran, le colonel Artak Budaghyan a été blessé,
le ministre Ohanian a déclaré qu’il condamnait la violence.

« Je trouve que cet incident s’est produit à la suite de relations
interpersonnelles difficiles. Je ne pense pas que cette affaire
pourrait devenir une occasion pour le déshonneur de l’armée.
Aujourd’hui, nos officiers de l’armée effectuent des tches qui
méritent la reconnaissance. Au cours des dernières années, je vous
assure, le climat d’impunité a été réduite au minimum » a-t-il dit.

Parlant de missions de maintien de la paix possibles dans lesquelles
les troupes arméniennes pourraient être impliqués dans l’avenir, le
ministre Ohanian a dit qu’il est possible que des casques bleus
bientôt arméniens, en plus de leurs missions en Afghanistan et au
Kosovo, seront également déployés au Liban ainsi qu’en Afrique du Nord
.

Gayane Lazarian

ArmeniaNow

dimanche 20 octobre 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

ARMENIE-PATRIMOINE
Le Festival « Renaissance culturelle » à Dilidjan mettra à l’honneur
les tapis traditionnels et la cuisine arménienne

A l’amphithétre de Dilidjan (Arménie) se déroulera aujourd’hui le
Festival « Renaissance culturelle » (Mchagoutayin veradznount en
arménien) dédié au tapis et à l’art décoratif. Selon le service de
presse du ministère arménien de l’Economie, ce festival présentera en
plus des tapis traditionnels arméniens des objets de décoration ainsi
que la cuisit arménienne avec exposition et dégustation. En parallèle,
un concert sera donné. Le Festival « Renaissance culturelle » est
organisé par le ministère de l’Economie et la ville de Dilidjan. Il
vise à promouvoir le patrimoine traditionnel arménien tant dans
l’artisanat que de la cuisine traditionnelle arménienne.

Krikor Amirzayan

dimanche 20 octobre 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com
‘088

Vient de paraître
Les Arméniens dans le « Dictionnaire des étrangers qui ont fait la France »

Au moment où la société française traverse une crise identitaire,
secouée par la question de l’immigration et les expulsions de familles
étrangères en situation irrégulière, vient de paraître « opportunément
» un Dictionnaire des étrangers qui ont fait la France, sous la
direction de Pascal Ory. Un ouvrage qui met à l’honneur celles et ceux
qui, « étrangers », ont intégré le pays des droits de l’homme pour sa
plus grande gloire.

L’ouvrage de 992 pages relève les 52 communautés qui ont rejoint la
France à un moment donné de son histoire. Et à ce titre figurent bien
évidemment les Arméniens.

De la page 69 à la 75, Éric Vial brosse le portrait des premiers
arrivants, « souvent des individus isolés », écrit-il, comme
Saint-Grégoire de Tallard, évangélisateur de ce bourg (vers 400) des
Hautes-Alpes figurant à l’inventaire des monuments historiques. Et
aussi Grégoire de Pithiviers, qui introduisit le pain d’épices en
occident, vers l’an 1000. Ou Pascal Haroukian, à qui l’on doit
l’ouverture du premier café à Paris en 1672.

L’auteur s’attache à décrire les situations historiques et
l’itinéraire qui ont conduit les Arméniens à être accueillis en France
comme il se doit dès 1870 ; puis en 1909 en passant par 1894 à 1896,
marquant les massacres perpétrés par la Sublime porte. Ceux qui fuient
le communisme et autres coups d’État en Syrie, Irak ou Égypte. La
Turquie avec les émeutes de 1955, les tensions à Chypre, la guerre
civile au Liban et la révolution islamiste en Iran.

On y apprend, en outre, qu’une plaque à Verdun salue les 35 000
arméniens morts pour la France durant la Grande Guerre, avant que tout
ne bascule à partir de 1915, année de la Grande catastrophe, un
génocide qui a fait « au moins un million de morts », écrit Éric Vial.

S’ensuit la cohorte des personnalités arméniennes qui ont marqué de
leur empreinte la société française, accompagnée de leurs biographies.

Si des noms tels que Serge Avédikian et Hélène Ségara sont cités,
oubli de Georges Leroy (Claude Topakian), journaliste à Europe N°1 de
1955 à 1974, alors directeur de la rédaction et de l’information, et à
déplorer des lacunes criantes dans ce « dictionnaire » comme
l’absence, parmi d’autres, de noms tels Simon Abkarian, Daniel
Bilalian, Alain Boghossian, Patrick Devedjian, Youri Djorkaeff,
Patrick Fiori, Alain et Pierre Terzian, Charles Villeneuve, etc. Des
noms qui font la France.

En revanche, j’ai été très étonné d’y découvrir mon premier patron
dans la photo de presse, Boris Lipnitzki, photographe attitré de la
danse classique, et de notamment Serge Lifar, en passant par Picasso,
Chanel et Sartre.

Jean Eckian

Collection Bouquins – Robert Laffont (30 euros), avec le Musée de
l’histoire de l’immigration (Palais de la Porte dorée)

dimanche 20 octobre 2013,
Jean Eckian ©armenews.com
‘087

Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee – Western USA Names Aroutin
Hartounian Executive Director

By MassisPost
Updated: October 18, 2013

LOS ANGELES – The Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee – Western USA
(AGCC-WUSA), composed of all major Armenian political, religious and
civic organizations, unanimously voted to appoint Mr. Aroutin
Hartounian to the position of the Committee’s Executive Director.

`We are excited to welcome Aroutin as the Executive Director of the
Genocide Centennial Committee. While there are many challenges ahead,
having a highly qualified person as Aroutin in such an important
position will bolster our ongoing campaign for justice. The Committee
can now move forward with full speed to implement its plans for the
Centennial,’ the three co-chairs of AGCC-WUSA, Mr. Garo Ghazarian, Mr.
Harut Sassounian, and Ms. Talin Yacoubian indicated in a jointly
issued statement.

`I am honored and privileged to have been appointed to this position.
For over a year, the members of the AGCC-WUSA have worked hard to lay
the foundation for a successful centennial commemoration. We are
committed to bringing justice for this crime against humanity
committed by Turkey. We Armenians as a collective owe it to our
forefathers who fell victim to the genocidal campaign of Ottoman
Turkey. Despite persistent Turkish denials, numerous nations and
international organizations have recognized the Armenian Genocide,
have properly condemned Turkey and have lent their support to the
Armenian people’s just calls for recognition and restitution,’
Hartounian stated.

Aroutin Hartounian is an attorney and Chairman of the Unified Young Armenians.

The Centennial Committee is composed of the following organizations:
·Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America
·Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church
·Armenian Catholic Church
·Armenian Evangelical Union of North America
·Armenian Revolutionary Federation
·Armenian Democratic Liberal Party
·Social Democrat Hunchakian Party
·Armenian General Benevolent Union, Western District
·Armenian Relief Society, Western USA
·Armenia Fund, Western Region US
·United Armenian Fund
·Armenian Assembly of America
·Armenian National Committee, Western Region
·Armenian Rights Council
·Armenian Council of America
·USC Institute of Armenian Studies
·Armenian Bar Association
·Unified Young Armenians

The AGCC-WUSA was established on August 9, 2012 to steer and
coordinate the multifaceted commemorative activities in the Western
United States in preparation for the 100th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide on April 24, 2015.

The AGCC-WUSA’s mission, as adopted by its member organizations declares:

The 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide signifies a global
demand for justice by Armenians worldwide and all people of good will.

The Centennial marks one of the 20th century’s greatest crimes against
humanity. In 1915, the Turkish Government began a premeditated and
systematic campaign to uproot the Armenian population from its
ancestral homeland and slaughter 1.5 million defenseless men, women
and children.

Turkey must finally acknowledge its responsibility for the Genocide
and make appropriate moral, financial and territorial restitution, as
mandated by the fundamental norms of international law and civilized
society.

Mr. Garo Ghazarian, Co-Chair
Mr. Harut Sassounian, Co-Chair
Ms. Talin Yacoubian, Co-Chair
Ms. Tomik Alexanian, Treasurer
Ms. Lena Bozoyan, Secretary

Executive Committee
Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee – Western USA