Author: Boris Nahapetian

AW: Meet the author of Audrina’s 1st Tooth Party

Boris Nahapetian
 Talar Keoseyan Literary Corner 0

Vanda Ayrapetyan, author of Audrina’s 1st Tooth Party

Vanda Ayrapetyan is not just an all-around fabulous human, but also a corporate banker who writes children’s books in her spare time. A force to be reckoned with, Ayrapetyan is filled with enthusiasm and zest for life. Her adorable children’s book Audrina’s 1st Tooth Party, which was published in 2020, offers life lessons and highlights a popular Armenian tradition with vivid illustrations.

Talar Keoseyan (T.K.): Could you tell us a little bit about yourself? Where were you born? What are your fondest childhood memories?

Vanda Ayrapetyan (V.A.): I was born in Vanadzor, Armenia. I’m very proud of that fact. I always go back and visit when I go to Armenia. I was only a year old when we emigrated to America. We settled in Hollywood and then the San Fernando Valley. I say I did my adulting on the east coast. I went to school at George Washington University and then went to New York. My parents were questioned by people since it wasn’t that common at that time. When I was on the east coast, I met so many people and learned about new cultures. I asked for a transfer back to Los Angeles, because I missed my family and the accessibility to Armenian culture. In DC and NY, you have to seek out Armenian culture. I missed having a piece of Armenia in a big city. I grew up in Hollywood in a building where everyone was Armenian, and we would play outside. My grandfather made us a table, and we would have picnics. We would go and bring things from our homes like tomatoes, cheese, bread, and this was our picnic. We connected personally. We were outside and had to use our imagination. During Christmas, we would have a visit from Santa Claus. It was our neighbor’s friend, and he would come on Christmas morning and would give us gifts that our parents had given him. They were such fond memories. My sister Ani and I loved those traditions. We also loved how our mom would take us on public transportation, and we would have field trips that always ended at the bookstore. She wanted us to have a love of books. She felt the magic of books and wanted us to experience that as well.

T.K.: What was your inspiration behind Audrina’s 1st Tooth Party?

V.A.: I’ve been in finance for the last 10 years. I always joke that if you get creative in finance, you would end up in jail. I’ve always had a creative streak in me, having grown up with the arts. I had a knack and a passion for storytelling. Children’s books have a lot of soul. I wanted to do storytelling but with children’s books, because it’s less inhibited. You can go wild with your imagination. I’ve always had dreams. In my twenties, I had a series of dreams, and I would see a very active child that had a passion for art. The name Audrina even came to me in a dream. The dream was the inspiration for the main character, and I wanted to infuse her love of art into the story. I was once talking with a friend about dreams that we have as youngsters and how we sometimes lose sight of them due to societal impositions. I used our tradition of atamhatik as an example; it’s as conditional as it gets. I thought I’m going to use the tradition of atamhatik with a whimsical angle and use the personification of the heart, who was this witty, sassy outspoken character. I wanted a cultural angle with my Armenian identity, but this topic could be impactful on a soul level to everyone.

Handmade Audrina character set by artist Tsovinar from Armenia

T.K.: How has the book been received by children? 

V.A.: It’s interesting when I do the readings, the children always gravitate to a character. For instance, Coco the dog is very relatable to children. Kids jump in and give their experiences with pets. The book contains primarily adult characters, but Audrina is the main character, as well as her heart and her sidekick Coco. It symbolizes innocence. Most adults come to an atamhatik with wanting the baby to choose something they want. I added Coco because he says that he just wants Audrina happy. The children love the heart and how the heart guides Audrina. The children love the characters and artwork, but adults get the message of the book. It took me four attempts to find an illustrator. I had to do character designs, and everything was from a color perspective. For example, Audrina’s purple dress represents transformation. She has a hummingbird on her dress. Every time I’ve had a major decision to make, a hummingbird has been present. The mother is wearing an Armenian pomegranate. The blocks spell HYE. The Armenian Genocide memorial flower is on an easel to pay homage to our history and ancestors, as well as represent a bridge for our younger generation not to forget their roots. There is a lot of symbolism. The grandparents are my parents, aged. Coco is Nanor Balabanian’s dog. I had the image of the dog drawn out and was going to name him Zeus. It wasn’t clicking. My friend sent me an Instagram story of Nanor and Coco. I sent Nanor a message and showed her the drawing. I asked if I could use the name, and she said yes.

Vanda Ayrapetyan at a book reading of Audrina’s 1st Tooth Party

T.K.: Are there any other books you’re thinking of writing?

V.A.: I have played the piano since childhood. I was at Ms. Vardui Baghdasaryan’s 25th anniversary concert. She was my teacher for many years. I realized that my parents gave me the gift of music. Music allows you to see the beauty in the world even amid destruction. The first story I had was with Audrina seeing music, and she would paint the piano keys in different colors. I’ve learned so much about human psychology in my travels. I want to remember the connections I’ve had. I’m also hoping to work on a collection of all the deeply impactful people that I’ve met. For me, it’s the power of the universe, God, that has me connecting to people. I like conversing with people, and it’s so limited nowadays. But if you’re open to it, God is sending you guidance. I have more stories to write about, not limited to Audrina.

T.K.: What advice would you give to someone wanting to publish?

V.A.: I’m very happy to mentor people through it. But be honest with yourself. What is your purpose or intent? If it’s for monetary reasons, forget it. I’ve done self publishing to have my personal and artistic expressions honored. I have a full time and demanding job as a corporate banker, but I would write at 3 a.m. or on the weekends. I wanted to create something that would leave a legacy. Creating something is so magical. It’s going to take a lot of time. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It took me about a year of research. Reach out to people for guidance. Utilize other people’s research. Community is so important. Pay it forward. Be willing to help. It’s an exciting journey.

T.K.: Is there anything else you would like to share?

V.A.: Anyone can create. It’s a matter of expressing yourself. I never thought I would be in corporate banking. I wanted to be an international journalist or diplomat and do conflict resolution. But I’ve learned that you don’t get to have one label that defines you. You can be whatever you want. You have the magic to create whatever you want. I’ve met the most incredible people in my corporate career. You could do a balance. It took two years to complete my book. I took the time and enjoyed the journey. Don’t let one career define you. Show your layers.

Alen Margaryan (1999-2020)

I also want to add that the book is dedicated to one of our fallen soldiers, Alen Margaryan. Alen was only 21 years old when he died. He had a deep curious nature and had traveled to more than 21 countries. At the age of 19, he was teaching film at the TUMO Center and had volunteered with underprivileged children in Armenia’s villages. He was accepted to Boston University to major in sociology and education with the hopes of returning to Armenia. He was immortalized as a “Hero of Artsakh.”  

Ayrapetyan lives in Los Angeles and continues her job in corporate banking, while organizing local book readings for Audrina’s 1st Tooth Party.

Proceeds from the book have previously been donated to the Children of Armenia Fund for the construction of a new library in the village of Debet in Lori, Armenia. With matched employer funds, the donation reached $10,000.

Audrina’s 1st Tooth Party is available on Amazon and at Abril Books.

  •  Bio
  •  Latest Posts
Talar Keoseyan is a mother, educator and writer. Talar’s book called Mom and Dad, Why Do I Need to Know My Armenian Heritage? is available on Amazon. Tigran’s Song is available at Abril Bookstore. She has been an educator for 25 years and resides in Los Angeles, CA. She can be reached at


H. Hovnanian Family Foundation announces Fellowship Grant availability

Boris Nahapetian

Save

Share

 17:20,

YEREVAN, MAY 12, ARMENPRESS. The H. Hovnanian Family Foundation, in its pursuit of advancing the talent, knowledge and visibility of professional Armenians in all spheres of life, announces the opening of its Fellowship Grant program. The Fellowships are intended to enhance the development and professional networking of Armenians in all cultural, scientific, educational and competitive fields by supporting their participation in prestigious international events. By increasing the visibility of well-educated and talented Armenian specialists actively partaking in important, worldwide events, we raise the stature of Armenians globally and that of the Republic of Armenia. 

Fellowship grants are open to students, professors, NGO leaders, scientists, artists, legal experts, athletes, academics, medical professionals, and other individuals to cover the costs associated with their participation as invited keynote speakers or presenters at academic conferences and forums, educational seminars, as well as literary and scientific competitions. Artists are eligible to apply if invited to showcase their artwork at prestigious art exhibitions. Athletic professionals, who are accepted to international trainings and competitions are also encouraged to apply.  Fellowship grants will help cover expenses associated with event participation including travel, accommodation and meals.

Armenian Fellowship grants will be awarded on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis to individuals of Armenian descent worldwide.   Applicants will be considered based on their level of experience, type and quality of event for which they have been invited to present, academic/professional achievements, financial need, strong third-party recommendations, and evidence of the individual’s motivation, standing and abilities. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year with no deadline other than a requirement for full submission at least 60 days in advance of the event start date. 

For more information, including application and required supporting materials, please visit the U.S. and Armenian Fellowship sections on the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation .

Armenian lawmakers discuss democratic reforms, peace talks with U.S. congressmen

Boris Nahapetian

Save

Share

 10:45,

YEREVAN, MAY 11, ARMENPRESS. Armenian lawmakers have met with United States Congressman Frank Pallone, Nancy Pelosi and other members of the Congressional Armenian Caucus to discuss the democratic reforms in Armenia and the ongoing peace talks.

“Met with Members of the Armenia-USA Friendship Group, the parliamentary equivalent of the Congressional Armenian Caucus,” Pallone tweeted. “We had a great discussion about the democratic reforms taking place in Armenia, the ongoing peace talks, & ways to strengthen the US-Armenia relationship,” he added.

Armenpress: U.S. Treasury Secretary warns of ‘constitutional crisis’ if Congress fails to act on debt

Boris Nahapetian

Save

Share

 09:53, 8 May 2023

YEREVAN, MAY 8, ARMENPRESS. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Sunday warned that a failure by Congress to act on the debt ceiling could trigger a “constitutional crisis” in the United States that also would call into question the federal government’s creditworthiness, Reuters reported.

Yellen sounded the alarm over possible financial market consequences if the debt ceiling is not raised by early June, when she has said the federal government could run short of cash to pay its bills.

The negotiations on the issue should not take place “with a gun to the head of the American people”, Yellen told the ABC program “This Week.”

President Biden has asked Congress to raise the debt ceiling with no conditions. The Republican-led House of Representatives last month passed a bill that would raise the government’s $31.4 trillion debt ceiling, but the measure included sweeping spending cuts over the next decade that Biden and his fellow Democrats oppose.

Biden is preparing to meet on Tuesday at the White House with Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and top congressional Democrats to discuss the issue.

“It’s Congress’s job to do this. If they fail to do it, we will have an economic and financial catastrophe that will be of our own making,” Reuters quoted Yellen as saying.

“And we should not get to the point where we need to consider whether the president can go on issuing debt. This would be a constitutional crisis,” Yellen added, alluding the delineation of powers of the executive and legislature under the U.S. Constitution.

Biden has steadfastly said he will not negotiate over the debt ceiling increase, but would discuss budget cuts after a new limit is passed. Congress has often paired debt-ceiling increases with other budget and spending measures.

Washington regularly sets a limit on federal borrowing. Currently, the ceiling is equal to roughly 120% of the country’s annual economic output. The debt reached that ceiling in January and the Treasury Department has kept obligations just within the limit, but by July or August, Washington could have to stop borrowing altogether.

Under that scenario, shockwaves could ripple through global financial markets as investors question the value of U.S. bonds, which are seen as among the safest investments and serve as building blocks for the world’s financial system.

Alen Simonyan receives the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Yuumi Yoshikawa

Boris Nahapetian

Save

Share

 18:41, 2 May 2023

YEREVAN, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS. On May 2, the RA NA President Alen Simonyan received the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Yuumi Yoshikawa, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

After the exchange of greetings, the parties documented that both sides are concerned about the deepening of political dialogue, the development of trade-economic ties and the expansion of cooperation in a number of other directions.

The RA NA President noted that within the bilateral cooperation the role of the parliamentary diplomacy is great, expressing readiness to further deepen the inter-parliamentary cooperation and activate the contacts between the legislative bodies.

Alen Simonyan documented that our country highlights and highly appreciates the support continuously shown to the health system and in other spheres by the Government of Japan.

Speaking about the preconditions of deepening the Armenian-Japanese cultural cooperation, the RA NA President mentioned the Hanami Festival held in the Park of the National Assembly, which still from 2015 is organized by the Armenian-Japanese Scientific and Cultural Union Arumenia-Nippon by the efforts of the RA NA Armenia-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Group.

At the Japanese guest’s request, the RA NA President gave details about the humanitarian disaster caused because of the Lachin Corridor crisis, stressing that the use of force and the threat of the use of force are the inseparable part of the policy of Azerbaijan and have a goal to essentially destabilize the situation in the region and to undermine the efforts of the intermediary partners aimed at continuing the peaceful negotiations.

He added that despite all challenges, Armenia adopted the path of democracy and continues remaining faithful to reaching peace agenda.

U.S. tries to stop war between Armenia, Azerbaijan in already volatile Eastern Europe

Boris Nahapetian
May 4 2023
Tracy Wilkinson

The Biden administration is hosting risky peace talks this week between bitter South Caucasus rivals Armenia and Azerbaijan, hoping to avert a second major war in Eastern Europe with the two sides far apart.

The talks — the first to bring together the foreign ministers of the two countries in a room for multiple days — started Sunday night and are scheduled to end Thursday.

U.S. officials have been tight-lipped about whether any progress has been made.

“We remain committed to promoting a peaceful future for the South Caucasus region,” State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said on Wednesday. “We believe that peace between these two countries is possible. We believe that there is not a military solution to this.”

But military actions have overshadowed diplomatic gestures in recent months. The two former Soviet republics have disputed territory for years. Fighting in 2020 killed nearly 7,000 soldiers, and deadly skirmishes broke out again just last month.

The crux of the dispute is a breakaway enclave of territory within Azerbaijan that is populated by ethnic Armenians and controlled by pro-Armenian separatists. The contested region is known to Azerbaijan as Nagorno-Karabakh, and to Armenians as Artsakh, a mountainous area slightly larger than Rhode Island.

Russia, the European Union, Turkey and even Iran have had their fingers in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict at one time or another. The United States stepped into the fray late last year when Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, on the margins of the U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York, pulled together his counterparts, Ararat Mirzoyan of Armenia and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, for an initial contact.

Blinken is overseeing this week’s talks with Mirzoyan and Bayramov, who have consistently appeared somber in photographs released from the meeting site just outside Washington.

Ahead of the meetings, Blinken spoke with the top leaders of both countries, urging diplomacy but also scolding Azerbaijan for blocking access to Nagorno-Karabakh by setting up a checkpoint along the Lachin corridor, the lone land route between Armenia and the disputed enclave.

Armenia claims the restricted access has denied the population food, medicine and other humanitarian needs.

“We have not parsed our words about the need for the free flow of traffic and people and commerce through the Lachin corridor,” Patel said. “That continues to be the case.”

The U.S. is often seen as favoring Armenia, primarily because of support in Congress for large Armenian American constituencies in Southern California and elsewhere.

But some U.S.-based pro-Armenia activists criticize the Biden administration for continued military aid to Azerbaijan and what they consider to be insufficient humanitarian aid for the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

“For our government to truly act as an honest broker, they must stop military aid to the aggressor,” Aram Hamparian, executive director of the Armenian National Committee of America, said. He was not optimistic about the outcome of this week’s meetings.

The Azerbaijan Embassy in Washington did not return telephone calls seeking comment.

Alliances in the conflict have shifted over the years. Initially, Russia backed majority-Christian Armenia over majority-Muslim Azerbaijan, which had the support of Turkey.

But Russia is now bogged down in its disastrous war on Ukraine and less able to supply Armenia with weapons and other material support, analysts say. Armenia also came away from the fighting in 2020 with heavy losses and was forced to cede some territory to Azerbaijan under the terms of a Russia-brokered cease-fire agreement.

A report by the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence late last year predicted Azerbaijan would be the “country most likely to renew large-scale conflict” in an effort to “consolidate and expand the gains” from 2020.

“Armenia is less likely to initiate fighting because of the deteriorated state of its military in the aftermath of the 2020 conflict,” the report said. “The Armenian Armed Forces suffered heavy equipment and personnel losses during the conflict in 2020 and have been unable to reconstitute because of funding and procurement issues.”

That may make Armenia more willing to compromise, analysts say, despite what some perceive as having the U.S. in its corner.

While U.S. officials have not discussed details of the meetings, reports in Armenian and Azerbaijan media suggest the two countries will sign a “normalization” pact, which would open the way to renewed ties and broader agreements.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

https://news.yahoo.com/u-tries-stop-war-between-155155655.html

ALSO AT

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/u-s-tries-to-stop-war-between-armenia-azerbaijan-in-already-volatile-eastern-europe/ar-AA1aJZoY

Pashinyan, Rosatom CEO talk construction of new NPP unit in Armenia

Boris Nahapetian
 TASS 
Russia – May 2 2023
The parties also touched upon possible cooperation in the field of nuclear medicine and partnership in the disposal of hazardous waste at the Nairit Plant

YEREVAN, May 2. /TASS/. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and head of the Russian state corporation Rosatom Alexey Likhachev discussed extending the life of the second power unit at the Armenian NPP and the construction of a new one, the press service of the Armenian government reported on Tuesday.

“Today, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received Director General of Rosatom state corporation Alexey Likhachev as well as the delegation accompanying him. <...> The extension of the life of the second power unit at the Armenian nuclear power plant was mentioned. They also exchanged views on the construction of a new nuclear power unit in Armenia,” the statement says.

The parties also touched upon possible cooperation in the field of nuclear medicine and partnership in the disposal of hazardous waste at the Nairit Plant, the press service says.

The Armenian nuclear power plant near the city of Metsamor was put into operation in 1979 and shut down in 1989 after the devastating Spitak earthquake.

In 1995, the nuclear power plant was re-commissioned with the assistance of Russian specialists, after which the industrial operation of the second power unit of the plant resumed.

Nuclear power plants generate about a third of all the electricity in Armenia. In November 2021, work was completed on a large-scale upgrade of the power unit, which made it possible to extend its service life until 2026.

In January 2022, Likhachev and ANPP Director General Eduard Mnatsakanyan signed a memorandum of cooperation on the construction of new nuclear power units. The plan is to start building them in 2026 on the territory of the nuclear power plant in Metsamor, taking into account the existing infrastructure.

Armenia, Azerbaijan must recognize each other’s territorial integrity, says Pashinyan

Boris Nahapetian
 TASS 
Russia –
According to the Prime Minister, “it is vital to form international mechanisms guaranteeing a peace treaty, otherwise a new war or a new escalation may break out the next day after the signing of the agreement”

YEREVAN, April 18. /TASS/. A peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan is possible only if the two countries recognize each other’s territorial integrity, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in the parliament on Tuesday.

“A peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will become real if the two countries clearly, without ambiguities and pitfalls, recognize each other’s territorial integrity and agree on never having territorial disputes in the future. I confirm that the Republic of Armenia fully recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and we expect Azerbaijan to do the same, recognizing the territory of the former Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic as belonging to the Republic of Armenia,” he pointed out.

According to the head of the Armenian Cabinet of Ministers, “it is vital to form international mechanisms guaranteeing a peace treaty, otherwise a new war or a new escalation may break out the next day after the signing of the agreement”.

Armenpress: Armenian President, OSCE Chairman-in-Office discuss issues of settlement of NK issue and security of population

Boris Nahapetian

Save

Share

 21:21,

YEREVAN, APRIL 13, ARMENPRESS. The President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan received the delegation led by the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the office of the President of the Republic of Armenia, welcoming the guests, the President said: “I am sure that your visit will contribute to solving problems in the region. Unfortunately, the situation is not so that we have nothing to worry about in the current process on the way to peace. We are convinced that the OSCE has its role in solving the problems of our region, taking into account both the activities of the OSCE and our long-term working experience with the OSCE.”

Thanking for the reception, Bujar Osmani noted in his speech. “Mr. President, this is my first visit to this region and Armenia. I am here today as the OSCE Chairman-in-Office to discuss the long-standing relations between the OSCE and Armenia. I can say that we have a valuable and effective cooperation based on mutual trust, and we are also ready to open a new page of cooperation, taking into account the changed geopolitical circumstances.”

During the meeting, the President of the Republic presented to the OSCE Chairman-in-Office the approaches and opportunities of Armenia regarding the solution of regional problems. Vahagn Khachaturyan emphasized that Armenia is firm in its position to achieve ssustainable peace in the South Caucasus and establish neighborly relations with its neighbors.

The interlocutors discussed issues related to the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh issue, the humanitarian crisis created in NK due to the illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor, the security and rights protection mechanisms of the NK population.

Bujar Osmani, referring to conflict resolution, noted that the OSCE and North Macedonia in particular have a great experience in solving such problems and are ready to share that experience.

With Artsakh and Armenia in Focus, Assembly Convenes Successful Advocacy Summit on Capitol Hill

Boris Nahapetian

Assembly Meetings with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA), Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), & Rep. Dale Strong (R-AL)


Washington, D.C. – With Artsakh and Armenia in focus, activists from coast to coast came together in the nation’s capital as part of the Armenian Assembly’s successful 2023 Advocacy Summit, reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).


Advocates from California, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, Tennessee, Ohio, Virginia, and Maryland gathered at the U.S. Capitol to hold over 100 meetings with congressional offices in response to the crisis surrounding Artsakh and continued threats against the Armenian people. They stressed the importance of U.S. support for Armenia and Artsakh and the obligation to prevent another Armenian Genocide.


In the Assembly’s meeting with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Assembly Co-Chair Van Krikorian discussed the ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor and ways in which the United States can take concrete steps to end it, along with securing a robust aid package to Artsakh and Armenia.

Participants also raised the community’s deep concerns over the ongoing inhumane blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan, along with the treatment of and failure to release Armenian prisoners of war, as well as the importance of humanitarian assistance to Artsakh and Armenia. They called upon their elected representatives to support for H.Res. 108, “condemning Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) and ongoing human rights violations.”

Elected officials shared their remarks on important issues relating to the Armenian people, particularly the blockade on Artsakh


“As a result of these meetings, we look forward to more Members of Congress joining the Armenian Caucus and supporting legislation condemning Azerbaijan’s blockade of Artsakh,” said Assembly Congressional Relations Director Mariam Khaloyan. “The Assembly thanks the greater Armenian community for its consistent activism and passionate support that resulted in an impactful Summit where we presented pressing Armenian issues to Members of Congress.”


During the culminating Hill reception, Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), alongside Reps. Judy Chu (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), and Seth Magaziner (D-RI), applauded the efforts of the Assembly advocates for forcefully representing their community both on the Hill and in their local districts. They stressed the importance of continuing to raise their voices on behalf of Artsakh and Armenia and keep Congress informed.


Armenian Caucus Co-Chair emphasized the need to continue educating the Administration to formulate policies that take into account the lawless behavior of the Aliyev regime in Baku, while Members of Congress were vocal in their support for Armenia and Artsakh and condemnation of Azerbaijan.


Activists and Members discuss key issues pertaining to the Armenian people


Nagorno Karabakh Representative Robert Avetisyan conveyed his sincere appreciation for the commitment of the Assembly members who traveled to Washington in order to stand up for the rights of Artsakh Armenians. He noted that the debates over geopolitical calculations complicated relations in the region and that the fundamental human needs and rights of the population to not be overlooked.


In addition to the meetings on the Hill, Assembly also had meetings with the Administration as well as an opportunity to meet with former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, Marie Yovanovitch, and presented her with the Morgenthau Award.

Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch with Assembly Leaders


Prior to the Advocacy Summit, the Assembly held multiple briefings and training sessions both in person and online. These educational sessions provided participants with more detailed information about legislation and the legislative process, as well as specific actions to request from their representatives.

Advocates from all over the country participated in the Advocacy Summit


The Assembly offers its thanks and appreciation to our

2023 Advocacy Summit Sponsors and Donors:


Summit Sponsors

David and Margaret Mgrublian


Gor and Sona Adamyan

Anthony and Nancy Barsamian

Vigen and Houry Ghazarian


Supporting Donors

Jason Capizzi

Diran Depanian

Aram Gavoor

Zarema Jaramillo

Michael and Noelle Kahaian

Steven Keytanjian

Armen Meyer

Lisa Nersesian Richardson

Ani Speirs


Donors

Angela Adamyan, Naira Babayan, James Connelly,

Hagop and Marie Ghajanian, Garry Javizian, Anne and Robert Norris, and Sarah Sites

The Assembly’s reception welcomed longtime supporters, newcomers, elected officials, and young professionals to the Advocacy Summit


Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.


###


NR# 2023-14