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The Armenian Weekly; Volume 73, No. 31; August 4, 2007
Community:
1. Armenians Big Hit at Lowell Folk Festival
By Tom Vartabedian
2. ‘Lisbon Five’ Commemoration in NY
By Ani Zarifian
3. From One Armenian to Another
By Tom Vartabedian
4. Carly and Lindsey Haroutunian: Armenian Ancestral Strength Paving Their
Path to Success
By Betty Apigian-Kessel
5. New Law on Licensing Taxis Causes Protests in Armenia
By Zaruhi Shushanian
***
1. Armenians Big Hit at Lowell Folk Festival
By Tom Vartabedian
LOWELL, Mass.-The Lowell Lousintak ARS Chapter, together with the popular
Aravod Ensemble, stole the show at this year’s Lowell Folk Festival July
27-29 in this restored mill community.
The Lowell ARSers, known for their succulent losh kebab patties, served up a
thousand plates while catering to lines 50 deep. Also on the menu were
delicious desserts and other delicacies.
Leading the charge was Sossy Jeknavorian, who also recruited the help of
several Gomideh members and church faithful.
The Aravod Ensemble, a four-piece Armenian band popularized by the Kzirian
brothers, put on three 45-minute shows of vintage and popular hits as the
crowd danced away. A brief rainfall Saturday failed to dampen any spirits.
ARSer Pearl Bargamian Teague appeared on stage before the Aravod’s opening
act and lauded her chapter’s dedicated efforts in what has always been
considered a true "labor of love." Applause rang forth with the words,
"Welcome back, Armenia." Sunday’s Lowell Sun carried a large feature story
of the ARS with a headline that read: "Taste of Armenia-taste of charity."
The story went on to immortalize the losh kebab, calling it "food morsels"
with a history. Lowell Community Television also documented the Armenian
contribution. An interview with chapter veteran Rose Narzakian told of her
mother narrowly escaping execution during the genocide. The chapter is named
for her mother Lousintak. Her grandmother wasn’t so fortunate.
"They shot her at the border," said Narzakian, 85, a Lowell native. The ARS
appearance at this festival came after a year’s hiatus in which members took
time off to refuel their jets, only to return by popular demand. In some
way, it memorialized the untiring efforts of Harry Narzakian (Rose’s twin
brother) who passed away earlier this year.
Harry was considered the "chef personified" when it came to manning the
grill. His familiar blue apron was turned over to good friend Steve
Dulgarian, who resumed the charge.
"Harry’s spirit hovered over us the entire weekend," said Dulgarian. "The
rain is probably Harry crying from heaven because the kebab wasn’t cooked to
his satisfaction. He was a perfectionist when it came to grillwork."
Proceeds go toward maintaining a community center that’s 35 years old and
other assorted charities, including the maintenance of a hospital in
Armenia. Selling food at the folk festival is their way of helping the less
fortunate both here and abroad. The chapter boasts some 20 members, many of
whom have long and distinguished careers.
"It’s our way of staying connected to the community and allowing people on
the outside to share our culture, whether it’s food or music," said
Jeknavorian. "When people come together and work toward a common cause, that
says a lot for teamwork. There were three generations inside the tent."
Certainly in her element was 14-year-old Aghavni Bebirian, who was dressed
in an Armenian costume after helping to prepare the food. She has remained a
fixture at this festival for many years, like others from her generation.
One gentleman sporting a beard said it all.
"I’ve waited in line for 20 minutes because there’s nothing like a losh
kebab," said Ed Mackness of Lowell. "This festival wouldn’t be the same
without the Armenians."
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2. ‘Lisbon Five’ Commemoration in NY
By Ani Zarifian
NEW YORK (A.W.)-On July 27, 1983, five brave Armenian youth named Ara,
Simon, Sarkis, Setrag and Vatche sacrificed themselves for their country and
its people. Every year, Armenians all around the world commemorate the
Lisbon Five and their heroism.
This past Saturday, July 28, Armenians from the New York area commemorated
the event at the Armenian Center in Queens, which also doubles as an
Armenian Day School. At 11 a.m., there was a brunch service, during which a
nine-minute clip about the Lisbon Five was shown. Shortly after brunch, the
program began with a 30-minute video telling the incredible story of the
five young men. This video showed actual footage from the Lisbon operation
with a narrative, followed by the biographies of each of the five heroes.
This portion of the clip was followed by highlights of a video in which the
Lisbon 5 talk and pass their message on to their families, friends and the
Armenian youth in general. While watching this, I gained even more respect
for the Lisbon Five than before. While speaking about what they were going
to do, they had no reservations and no doubts about what had to be done.
They wanted to take a giant step forward for the Armenian people in getting
recognition for the genocide, and they accomplished that.
After this incredible video, Jirayr Beugekian talked about the Lisbon
operation. He started by presenting the atmosphere surrounding the Armenian
Question in the 1960s and 1970s as well as the atmosphere and activities by
various national liberation movements during that period all over the world.
Looking at the Armenian armed struggle from that perspective he talked about
the right of all nations and states to arm and defend themselves considering
that many issues in the world are still resolved by military means. Based on
this, he clearly differentiated between the Armenian youth’s decade long
struggle starting 1975 for national liberation, independence and its most
basic right of recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and terrorism which was
used – but failed – to tarnish the just struggle of dedicated Armenians such
as the Lisbon 5.
While thinking about Armenians who lived and died for their country, a few
people, including myself, decided to visit the grave of Arshavir Shiragian,
who assassinated one of the Turkish leaders of the Genocide, Saiid Halim
Pasha. After laying the flag of the ARF near the grave, we were all silent
for a while. This was a very emotional moment for all of us while we prayed,
sang, and admired the memory of a great man devoted to his nation.
Beginning with the program on the Lisbon Five and ending with visiting the
grave of Arshavir Shiragian, the day was full of mixed up emotions of
happiness, sadness, pride, hope, admiration, etc. Remembering what so many
brave men did for the love of their country and its people, assures to me
how lucky we are as Armenians to have and have had people like this. People
so devoted to their nation that they would do anything and everything to
help its cause, all in the name of Armenia.
Ani Zarifian is interning at the Armenian Weekly.
—————————————— ————————————————– —-
3. From One Armenian to Another
By Tom Vartabedian
It all started out as a typical day to the beach.
Here we were, a group of Armenian friends, engaged in Keftime at Cape Cod
over Independence Day weekend, when someone suggested a trip to the ocean.
It was a picture-perfect day, lots of sun and warmth, and spirits riding a
"hye" crest.
So which beach would it be? We were within proximity of six from our hotel
in Hyannis but chose Craigville Beach in what turned out to be a crapshoot
really. We piled into two cars and ventured forth. Before long, we found our
way in a gridlock entering the gate. There were two separate entrances and
the cost was $15 a car. We made a random choice and circled the area four
times before a parking slot opened up. Same with the other car.
Out came the blankets, chairs and umbrellas, a tavlou board, cooler and
totebags. The beach was packed to the gills with sunbathers and we settled
upon a spot near the water that had apparently just been vacated.
We settled down like Columbus staking his claim when all of a sudden, my
friend Armen Jeknavorian notices a blue ticket protruding from the sand. It
turned out to be a season’s pass to a town beach in Sutton, Mass., dated
2005. The name unveiled an Armenian who went by Markarian, living at 15 Old
Tavern Lane in Sutton. How it got to Craigville Beach was a mystery. But
then, so is any message in a bottle, any buried treasure in the sand.
You may know Jeknavorian. He’s recognized as Hawkeye in our Merrimack Valley
community by the way he can spot a quarter from a hot air balloon. He
survived Vietnam and earns a living as a pretty good locksmith in Lowell-a
business he inherited from his dad Abraham.
The guy doesn’t have much of an Armenian identity. Outsiders get him
confused with his brothers Aram and Ara-and he’s often caught correcting
them. In Merrimack Valley, he’s an activist who would sell his soul to keep
Armenia stabilized. "I wonder who this Markarian fellow is," he told me.
"What are the odds of finding a personal belonging to an Armenian on Cape
Cod? And something that was two years old?"
So Jeknavorian went to work playing detective. He typed the name Markarian
into the computer and out came Andre living at that address. The only Andre
he knew was a seal until someone reminded him it was the first name of a
prominent Armenian tennis player (Agasse) now retired.
Soon his wife Sossy butts in. Upon hearing the name, her eyes lit up. Turns
out Sossy knew the guy as an NRA delegate from Whitinsville and earlier that
morning, she had seen him in the same hotel and given the guy a hug-when
Armen wasn’t looking. There’s another connection. Andre turns out to be the
son-in-law of popular musician Johnny Berberian and married to his daughter
Christine. Now Jeknavorian secures a telephone number and gives Andre a call
out of the clear blue. The two wouldn’t know one another if they bumped on
the street. The phone rings.
"Hi, this is Armen Jeknavorian and I may have something that belongs to you.
Did you by any chance lose a blue beach pass dated 2005 at Craigville Beach?
If it’s yours, I found it buried in the sand."
After all was said and done, it was indeed Markarian’s and it fell out of a
bag one of the children was carrying.
Jeknavorian felt it was God’s way of introducing two Armenian strangers.
Since then, he’s told the story a dozen times to anyone willing to listen
and still gets a hoot out of it.
"Andre also happens to be very religious," said Jeknavorian, who has chaired
the trustee board at St. Gregory Church in North Andover. "From one Armenian
to another, we met by the strangest of coincidences.
"We could have picked any beach, chosen any spot and arrived at any time.
What led us to that spot? And how did we become so connected with one
another?" Like Saroyan once said, when two Armenians meet, no matter where,
an instant bond is made. Fate often works miracles, in this case a beach
ticket that one man lost and another decided to investigate.
Last we heard, they’re hoping to get together some night for dinner, maybe
get their children introduced, and who knows, travel to Armenia together.
—————————————- ———————————————–
4 . Carly and Lindsey Haroutunian: Armenian Ancestral Strength Paving Their
Path to Success
By Betty Apigian-Kessel
They are devoted sisters, very young, very attractive and imbued with the
spirit of their Armenian ancestors. They have been groomed by the
encompassing love of caring parents, grandparents and many successful
relatives. Meet Carly, 21, and sister Lindsey, 18, daughters of Dr. Michael
and Laurie (Pelifian) Haroutunian of Bloomfield Hills, Mich. They are
granddaughters of area residents Millie and the late Michael Pelifian and
Rosemary and the late John Haroutunian.
No glass ceiling will ever present an obstacle for these two charmers. They
graduated high school at one of the area’s award winning centers of
education, Lahser High, while achieving academic excellence and being
important participants in athletics. Carly is in her final year at the
University of Michigan Ann Arbor and is a Communications major. She played
for the U. of M. Club soccer team, which succeeded in clinching the 2004
national championship.
Is Carly ambitious? Read on. She is a graduate of the St. Sarkis (Prelacy)
Armenian Church Sunday school program which her attorney mom, Laurie headed
as principal for many years. She was part of the Encompass Dance Group and
belonged to the Armenian youth Federation (AYF) Kopernik Tandourjian Chapter
as well as the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA). In
college, she is a member of the Armenian Students Association. Her father
Dr. Haroutunian helped organize the group while a student there in the mid
1970’s.
At the University of Michigan Lindsey is producer and anchor of a news show
on WOLV-TV. For the uninitiated, you better know WOLV can only mean one
thing: THE MICHIGAN WOLVERINES! As in football, Big Ten championships, the
maize and blue, etc.
Carly interns at ABC news this summer
Carly’s career goal is to become a news anchor for the ABC network and is
spending this summer interning for ABC News "Nightline" in New York City.
All this while just returning from a trip touring Italy for two weeks.
Family vacations have always been important part of this family’s itinerary
including ski vacations in Colorado.
One of Carly’s proudest achievements is she studied West Armenian language
and history with Prof. Kevork Bardakjian at Michigan. Is it any wonder the
lovely brunette says, "Being Armenian, I know I can conquer anything just as
my ancestors did. There isn’t anything that I cannot achieve. My background
and history have taught me that me being an Armenian, I can reach whatever
goals I pursue. Armenians have a long history of a strong culture, great
perseverance, a long line of educators, and an indestructable faith in
Christianity, and that is what I will carry with me always." Hearing
encouraging words such as these from such promising youth certainly gives
hope to those of us connected to Armenian activities that there will indeed
be others to take our place in the fight for Armenian Justice.
Lindsey in the limelight too
Lindsey just graduated from Lahser High School and to honor her, her parents
gave a wonderful party at their Bloomfield Hills home catered by Gary
Reizian of Uptown Catering. I told Dr. Mike, "Both girls going away to
university will leave you with a strange, empty -house feeling." He just
laughed and pretended it would finally be peaceful in the house, but
personally knowing his late father John’s and mom Rosemary’s attitude about
responsibility to children, I know it was an act. Both Michael and Laurie
have given their beloved daughters every opportunity to flourish. No one can
count the miles they have traveled together as a family to soccer events or
back and forth to Ann Arbor. Grandpa John has nothing to worry about. His
son and daughter-in-law have proven to be the best of parents.
Lindsey as of this writing is competing in the U.S. Youth Soccer
Championship tournament in Dallas, Texas. She has been involved with the
Michigan Olympic Development program (O.D.P.) for soccer the past eight
years and has competed in the past two national O.D.P. championships for her
age group. She has played the sport for her travel team, the Bloomfield
Force for ten years. The Force is currently ranked number one in the nation.
She is entering Villanova University in Pennsylvania in the fall. It’s
another feather in her cap. The talented athlete was recruited to play for
the Villanova women’s soccer team. Several other prominent schools vied for
her enrollment but she chose the Big "V." Seems there will be much more
traveling for the Haroutunian clan.
There is much more to Lindsey than soccer. She has a love for music and
"hanging out with friends." She too attended the St. Sarkis Sunday school
program and was a memeber of the junior K.T. Armenian Youth Federation.
While at Villanova, she plans on joining its’ Armenian Students Association.
She says, "I love knowing that even though I will be far from my family when
I go away to college, I will still be among Armenians and will feel right at
home." Her career goals include Business and Communications.
It should be noted that while Laurie Haroutunian was a student at Michigan
State University in Lansing, Mi., in the ’70’s, like her husband, she too
helped organize the Armenian Students Association. Michael and Laurie met as
teens in the the Armenian Youth Federation and wed upon his completion of
medical school. We can only hope their ambitious daughters will have the
same good fortune to meet fine and worthy Armenian spouses when the time
comes to wed.
Grandmothers Millie (Manoogian) Pelifian and Rosemary (Sarkisian)
Haroutunian glow with pride about their accomplished grandaughters who are
attentive to them and respectful. At a recent restaurant family dinner,
Grandmother Rosemary was able to convey her feelings of pride as she
addressed the assembled diners with the following words: "I am so proud of
how you two girls developed and grew up to be such respectful and
respectable young adults, bringing honor to our family. I am also proud of
your parents for the love and attention they have lavished on you. Your
grandfather John would be so proud and I know he is content and happy."
As an outside observer, I can tell you it’s a wonderful thing to witness
such behavior from third generation Armenian young ladies. It’s a joy to
see. It would be remiss to omit their aunt Diane (Haroutunian) Bruss’
involvement and attachment to her two nieces. Diane herself is the busy
mother of another family gem, thirteen-year-old Armen Bruss who last year
was bestowed with the honor of representing this country as a student
ambassador to Australia for three weeks. Her husband Robert is Treasurer of
the St. Sarkis Church Board. Diane is also the Administrative Manager of The
Bloomfield Force Soccer Club.
——————————————– ———————————————-
5. New Law on Licensing Taxis Causes Protests in Armenia
By Zaruhi Shushanian
YEREVAN (A.W.)-Armenia’s taxi services and independent cab drivers are to
pay AMD 200,000($590) worth annual state duty for their cars, according to
the RA Government’s 655th law on the taxi licensing. The law was put into
force on June 27.
>From August 1, Armenian taxi drivers must install electronic mileage meters
and pay an AMD 200,000 fee to the government in case their taxis don’t have
yellow numbers. Vehicles produced more than 10 years ago can’t operate in
the system.
The new law led hundreds of taxi drivers last week to protest near the
headquarters of the RA Government, blocking traffic in the Republic Square
with their cars. The organizers of the protest insisted on meeting with RA
Prime Minister Serge Sargsian. According to them, it is unfair that both
private drivers and service owners should be fined the same sum. private
drivers said the government was trying to deprive them of their daily bread.
Arshak Petrosyan, representative of the RA Ministry of Transport, met with
the organizers of the protest on July 26. He said the decision had already
been put into force and that the ministry was unable to help the drivers.
Manuk Topuzian, chief of the RA Government’s staff, assured the drivers that
the government would delay the enforcement of the law until February 2008,
so that "taxi services and private cab drivers could change their old cars
and meet the requirements of the law." Topuzian suggested the organizers of
the protest form a small delegation that would give the Prime Minister a
list of their demands.
The meeting of the Prime Minister with the organizers of the protest took
place on July 30. Serge Sargsian assured the taxi drivers that the new law
would be amended in the near future. According to the government’s decision,
only new cars will be licensed, whereas the old taxis can operate without
yellow numbers until the law is put into force.
The debate about the taxi law is still going on, and thousands of taxi
drivers remain skeptical about the new taxi rules.
Suren Gyulnazarian has been driving a taxi since 1952. After the collapse of
the Soviet Union, taxi parks in Soviet Armenia were all privatized. Like
most taxi drivers, Gyulnazarian also became a private taxi driver. Though
his car was produced 17 years ago, Gyulnazarian assures it is in good
technical condition and "works better than most modern cars."
"I am a pensioner, and if the new law is put into force, I can’t imagine how
I can earn my living and support my daughter who is disabled," he says.
Gyulnazian believes that after carefully discussing the taxi issue, the
authorities will make a favorable decision both for taxi drivers and the
government.
Albert Karapetian, a taxi service driver, says almost all the cars in their
service have been licensed and have installed mileage meters. "Of course,
the law still needs to be amended, but I think its implementation will help
regulate the taxi business in Armenia," he says.
According to the press service of the RA Ministry of Transport, 400 taxi
services had been registered in Armenia by January 2007. Seventy taxi
services have been licensed so far.
Zaruhi Shushanian is a journalist based in Yerevan and is a regular
contributor to the Weekly.
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