Author: Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS

Film: One Land Explored, Others Warned in ‘Motherland’

Emil Lazarian
Sept 1 2022

By CV Weekly on September 1, 2022



By Mary O’KEEFE

“Motherland” is a new documentary by Vic Gerami, journalist and editor/publisher of the web magazine “The Blunt Post.”

The film is described on IMDB (Independent Movie Data Base) as “following the 2020 unprovoked genocidal attack against Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Armenians by Azerbaijan and Turkey that killed 5,000 Armenians. Journalist and activist Vic Gerami travels to Armenia to document his ravaged Motherland.”

But the film is so much more than this explanation. It is a history lesson, a tale of war and a warning for the future.

It begins with a history lesson of Artsakh, Armenia and the Armenian people. The first thing shared is that these people have been fighting to keep their culture for well over a millenium. They have faced foes from just about every border including Turkey and Russia.

The landscape that Gerami walks through takes the audience into the beauty of this land and the rich history that has been scattered among the warring parties that seem to attack without warning. This has been going on for years but the people of Artsakh continue to pick themselves up and keep going. Then in 2020 things changed.

It began in September 2020 when Azerbaijan’s forces attacked Nagorno-Karabakh. Gerami pulls the audience into the political battle of this region and the world’s seemingly indifference, except for a few voices, as the attacks escalated and became more brutal.

“I was just covering it the best I could,” Gerami said in an interview with CVW. “The international community was so cavalier about it.”

If this film were seen prior to the attack by Russian forces in Ukraine it would have been impactful; however, seeing it now, with the coverage that has been given to the Ukraine battle so fresh in people’s minds, it is even more powerful.

“Motherland” includes several interviews with journalist experts in the region and elected officials who have been longtime supporters of the region and its people. It also spotlights those in government and business who have turned their backs on the atrocities that have been well documented.

But it is the interviews with those who served in battle that brings the humanity to this most inhumane attack. Those interviews bring a personal face to the war zone.

Make no mistake: This film has a definite point of view; however, the evidence that is presented is compelling. There are disturbing images of torture and even beheadings of those defending Artsakh. Then there are stories of those fighting for Azerbaijan, many of the fighters hired mercenaries, taking phones of the dead and tortured, taking photos and sending those images to victims’ families. The more the audience listens the more familiar it all sounds. It’s not just the genocide focus of this culture but also the stories of how this war played out. It’s the hired mercenaries, the indiscriminate bombing of schools and churches and the connection to Russia that makes it seem it is not a coincidence that what happened in 2020 Artsakh is what is happening in Ukraine now. This type of warfare may be happening a world away but, in truth, it is a warning sign for all.

With Russian support, a ceasefire was brokered in November 2020 but that doesn’t mean there is stability in the region. Armenia and Azerbaijan are still in conflict, and Azerbaijan holds several prisoners of war.

“Armenia is very vulnerable,” Gerami said.

The end of the film poses a question: If you are a witness to war crimes, will you speak for people robbed of their voice?

Ensuring the security and rights of Artsakh Armenians a milestone for achieving stability and peace in the South Caucasus – MFA

Emil Lazarian
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia – Sept 2 2022
September 2, 2022, 16:14

 1 minute read

Ensuring the security and rights of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh as well as a comprehensive and lasting resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by using the experience and potential of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship, continue to be a milestone for achieving stability and peace in the South Caucasus, the Foreign Ministry of Armenia said in a statement on the 31th anniversary of proclamation of the Republic of Artsakh.

On September 2, 1992, the joint session of the deputies of all levels of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region and Shahumyan region adopted the declaration of independence of Nagorno-Karabakh. 

This step was the logical consequence of the policy of ethnic cleansing against Armenians by the Azerbaijani SSR, which is still manifested today. 

“In contrary to the constant statements by the authorities of Azerbaijan that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the Nagorno-Karabakh territorial unit no longer exist, it is a fact that around one hundred and twenty thousand Armenians continue to live in Nagorno-Karabakh, and as a member of the international community, they have equal and inalienable rights, and the conflict cannot be considered resolved until the core needs of the Armenians of Artsakh are not addressed,” the Foreign Ministry said.

“The Republic of Armenia continues to be committed to providing all the necessary conditions for the secure life of the people of Artsakh in their homeland,” the statement reads.

Borrell welcomes recent trilateral meeting between Pashinyan, Aliyev and Michel in Brussels

Emil Lazarian

Save

Share

 17:29, 1 September 2022

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell welcomed the recent trilateral meeting between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and President of the European Council Charles Michel.

“Welcome 4th meeting between @CharlesMichel, @azpresident & @NikolPashinyan. Important to keep working to advance on a peace treaty & continue with efforts on humanitarian & connectivity areas. EU continues to be fully engaged in support of peaceful, secure & prosperous South Caucasus,” Borrell tweeted.

Justice Minister comments on proposal of Prosecutor General to impose death penalty for high treason

Emil Lazarian

Save

Share

 18:05, 1 September 2022

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. The Council for Constitutional Reforms definitely discusses and pays attention to all opinions and proposals together with the Constitutional Reforms Commission, Minister of Justice of Armenia Karen Andreasyan said in an interview to ARMENPRESS, asked what is his position on the proposal of Prosector General Artur Davtyan to use death penalty for committing high treason and whether this issue will be discussed at the Council for Constitutional Reforms.

“The Council for Constitutional Reforms, jointly with the Commission, is definitely discussing and paying attention to all the opinions and proposals made, but no opinion could predetermine the outcome of the discussions”, the minister said. 

Earlier today, Prosecutor General Artur Davtyan proposed to create constitutional-legal basis that will allow using death penalty for committing high treason.

Armenpress: Armenian Deputy PM highlights UN engagement in works on addressing needs of NK population

Emil Lazarian

Armenian Deputy PM highlights UN engagement in works on addressing needs of NK population 

Save

Share

 21:20, 1 September 2022

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Mher Grigoryan received UN Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and Americas, Miroslav Jenča, the Deputy PM’s Office said. 

The meeting was also attended by Acting UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia Lila Pieters Yahia. 

Issues relating to the regional developments were discussed at the meeting. 

Touching upon the humanitarian consequences of the 2020 44-Day War, Deputy PM Grigoryan highlighted the UN ’s engagement in the works on addressing the needs of the population of Nagorno Karabakh.

Asbarez: Armenian Educational Benevolent Union Announces 2022-2023 Scholarship Recipients

Emil Lazarian
by Contributor

 

 September 1, 2022

 

in Community, Latest, News, Top Stories

Armenian Educational Benevolent Union representatives with the 2022-2023 scholarship recipients


PASADENA—The Armenian Educational Benevolent Union Scholarship Fund Committee announced its 2022 to 2023 scholarship recipients in the United States, Armenia, and Lebanon. 

The AEBU Scholarship Fund Committee received a large pool of applications from highly qualified candidates nationwide and from overseas. The selection process was rewarding but very challenging. Five recipients in the United States, two recipients in Armenia, and two recipients in Lebanon were selected.

Recipients in the US were presented with their awards on Sunday, August 14, during a benefit brunch held at the AEBU center in Pasadena, California in the presence of AEBU Scholarship donors, friends, and family members.

Mrs. Katia Kermoyan-Khodanian, committee member and the event’s master of ceremony, welcomed the attendees to the 4th annual scholarship awards ceremony and invited everyone to the beautiful brunch.

The formal ceremony began with a brief history of the mission of the AEBU in general and the Scholarship Fund in specific by Mrs. Kermoyan-Khodanian which was followed by a violin performance by Dikran Melikian, a promising young artist who played Minuets 1 and 2 from Partita No. 3 by Bach.

Dr. Linda Guergerian-Meguerditchain enchanted the attendees with her warm recital of an Armenian poem, ‘Dariners’ (My Years) by Hamo Sahian.

The keynote speech was delivered by Dr. Gagik Melikyan, Professor of Chemistry at the California State University of Northridge. Professor Melikyan shared his insights about the Armenian presence in scientific international communities, and the social/political impact Armenians can have through scientific work and research. Dr. Melikyan addressed many issues and gave us some serious questions to think about and act upon.

Dr. Rosine Der-Tavitian then led the award ceremony. Referring to the AEBU vision to improve lives through education, Dr. Der-Tavitian explained how the Scholarship Fund contributes towards encouraging youth to pursue higher education and giving back through community engagement.

The recipients of the AEBU 2022 to 2023 Scholarship Fund Awards are:

United States:

  • Maral Gurgenian, Los Angeles, California – GPA 4.02. Attending the University of California, Santa Barbara, Maral Gurgnenian will be studying Pre-chemistry in pursuit of a career in medicine, specifically Pharmacy. Ms. Gurgenian has been an active member of the Armenian and non-Armenian communities. She has been engaged in many activities at St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church in Van Nuys, such as toy and food drives during the holidays and beach cleaning during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
  • Gregory Mazmanian, Sierra Madre, California – GPA 4.4. Attending the University of California, Los Angles, Gregory Mazmanian will be majoring in Electric Engineering. Mr. Mazmanian has been serving through many activities at the St. Gregory Armenian Church Youth Organization in Pasadena, AGBU scouts, Pasadena High School Armenian club, and volunteering at the Sierra Madre Public Library Summer Reading Program.
  • Karina Messerlian, Fresno, California – GPA 4.3. Attending the California State University of Fresno, Karina Messerlian will be majoring in Liberal studies. Ms. Messerlian has been involved in ‘Homenetmen’ as a scout and athlete, the Holy Trinity Apostolic Armenian Church youth group, as well as a teacher’s aide, camp counselor, and officer of the Armenian club throughout high school.
  • Edgar Sahakian, North Hills, California – GPA 4.5. Moving on to his third year in Psychobiology at the University of California, Los Angeles, Edgar Sahakian has been a member, leader, and camp counselor at Gevorikian Dance Academy. Mr. Sahakian has been serving on several committees in the Armenian Students’ Association and the Pre-Health Society at UCLA.  
  • Macyn Topoozian, Fresno, California – GPA 4.22. Attending Fresno State University, and majoring in Liberal Studies, Macyn Topoozian has been a member of the Armenian Church Youth Organization, serving in many capacities and organizing many events, most notably a recent fundraising for the soldiers of Armenia fighting in the Artsakh war. Ms. Topoozian organized a Farmers Market with the proceeds of which they distributed apparel to local children, as well as poor villages in Armenia where they helped build a home for a needy family.

Armenia and Lebanon:

Scholarships will be presented to the selected recipients in Armenia and Lebanon, in the coming weeks, by AEBU local chapters in Yerevan and Beirut. 

  • Arousiak Seropyan, Yerevan, Armenia. Attending Yerevan State University, Finance/Economy college, Ms. Seropyan will be studying Management.
  • Misak Kouyoumjian, Yerevan, Armenia. Attending the American University of Armenia, Mr. Kouyoumjian is enrolled in the Master-in-Law program.
  • Gassia Norshahian, Bourj Hammoud, Lebanon. Attending Lebanese American University, Lebanon, and majoring in Nursing, Ms. Norshahian is a graduate of Sahagian Levon Meguerdichian College in Beirut, Lebanon.
  • Karine Tankian, Beirut, Lebanon. Attending the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, and majoring in Nursing, Ms. Tankian is a graduate of Sahagian Levon Meguerdichian College in Beirut, Lebanon.

AEBU Southern California Chapter grants annual scholarships to qualifying undergraduate students of Armenian descent, enrolled at an accredited four-year university across the United States. This year, the scholarship was also available to Armenian students studying in Lebanon and Armenia.

Armenian Educational Benevolent Union logo

The AEBU Scholarship Fund’s mission is to invest in the future of our youth and in turn, the future of our Armenian nation. This is made possible with the support of our donors. 

The Armenian Educational Benevolent Union is a California-based charitable organization, exempt from Federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Tax ID # 95-3798531. For more information and to donate, please visit the website.

AW: Applications open for IALA’S grants in creative writing and translation

Emil Lazarian
September 1, 2022 International Armenian Literary Alliance Announcements 0

The application period is now open for the International Armenian Literary Alliance’s two $2,500 grants, one for a translation from Armenian into English, and one for contemporary creative writing. Applications will be accepted from September 1-30, 2022. 

IALA’s Creative Writing Grant will award $2,500 annually to one Armenian writer whose work-in-progress shows exceptional literary and creative ability. In 2022, the grant will be awarded for a work of fiction, and in the coming years, to works of poetry and creative nonfiction, as well as other mixed genre forms. The 2022 grant will be judged by Raffi Wartanian, Aline Ohanesian, Aida Zilelian and Nancy Agabian.

The Creative Writing Grant is meant to foster the development of contemporary Armenian literature in English through an annual monetary award. Additionally, IALA will support grant recipients in promoting their publications through marketing on our website and social media channels, through book reviews and readings and discussions.

IALA’s Translation Grant will award $2,500 to one translator working from Armenian source texts into English. In 2022, the grant will be awarded for any work of prose written in Western Armenian by a female author. Although preference will be given to more recent (post-20th century) works, we welcome works from any time period. The 2022 grant will be judged by Tatevik Ayvazyan, Gagik Stepan-Sarkissian and Garen Torikian.

Given the traumatic history of the Armenian diaspora, many readers are unable to read works in the original Armenian, and therefore, have centuries of literature inaccessible to them. Translators working with Armenian texts have traditionally lacked resources in the publishing world, as well as access to other funding, due to the overwhelming influence of so-called “majority languages.” IALA’s Translation Grant is meant to foster the development of contemporary Armenian literature in English through a monetary award. 

Additionally, in partnership with the Armenian Institute and Mashtots Press and with funding from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, IALA will support the grant recipient in publishing and promoting the selected work. As Western Armenian is on UNESCO’s endangered languages list, we believe that it is imperative to bring more attention to Western Armenian literature. As female authors producing Armenian literature are a minority within a minority, it’s also necessary to highlight the works of these writers.

Please read the eligibility criteria and guidelines in full before applying. 

Both grants were made possible by a generous donation from the Armenian Allied Arts Association, an organization based in Southern California that discovered, encouraged and promoted new talent of Armenian descent for over 80 years. 

  •  Bio
  •  Twitter
  •  Latest Posts
The International Armenian Literary Alliance is a nonprofit organization launched in 2021 that supports and celebrates writers by fostering the development and distribution of Armenian literature in the English language. A network of Armenian writers and their champions, IALA gives Armenian writers a voice in the literary world through creative, professional, and scholarly advocacy.


CivilNet: Pashinyan proposes major university complex near Yerevan

Emil Lazarian
CIVILNET.AM

01 Sep, 2022 10:09

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said his government would pursue wide-ranging educational reforms, including establishing a major university complex in the town of Ashtarak.

Prosecutor General Artur Davtyan proposed introducing capital punishment for treason.

Armenian-born Russian businessman Ruben Vardanyan said he renounced his Russian citizenship and moved permanently to Karabakh.

Olesya Vartanyan, the International Crisis Group’s senior South Caucasus analyst, talked with CivilNet about this week’s Brussels meeting between the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Court approves arrest of former Artsakh army commander

Emil Lazarian
Panorama
Armenia – Sept 1 2022

A court in Yerevan has granted a motion filed by the Investigative Committee to remand former Artsakh army commander Mikayel Arzumanyan in pre-trial custody, his lawyer Yerem Sargsyan said on Thursday.

"As expected, the court fulfilled its mission and arrested Mikayel Arzumanyan. The show continues," he wrote on Facebook.

Lieutenant-General Arzumanyan, who has been charged with criminal negligence during the 2020 Artsakh war, currently serves as an advisor to the Artsakh president.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Investigative Committee claimed that Arzumanyan failed to properly perform his official duties after being appointed as commander of the Artsakh Defense Army on October 27, which led to “severe consequences”.

The law enforcement agency particularly blamed him for the capture of the town of Shushi by Azerbaijani forces, which left many Armenian soldiers dead and wounded.

436,494 people living with dementia in Armenia, study reveals

Emil Lazarian
Panorama
Armenia – Sept 1 2022

At the start of World Alzheimer’s Month, Alzheimer’s Care Armenia (ACA), and Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), the global federation for over 105 Alzheimer’s and dementia associations across the world, are calling on the World Health Organization (WHO), governments and other public health bodies to urgently put in place the necessary post-diagnostic support for those living with dementia in light of the striking new prevalence forecasts.

Research from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation has shown that currently 436,494 people are living with dementia in Armenia, a number expected to rise to 1,501,050 by 2050, an extraordinary increase of 244%. While these figures are striking, it is likely that they underestimate the true scale of the problem, with evidence emerging that the COVID-19 may increase the risk of developing dementia later in life, in conjunction with poor diagnosis rates for dementia in many countries, Alzheimer's Care Armenia said in a statement on Thursday.

ADI CEO, Paola Barbarino, says that most governments around the world are not prepared, and while time is running out, there is still time to act. “Dementia experts around the globe have demonstrated that we are on route for an extraordinary increase in the prevalence of dementia over the coming years. We know that any other disease, which had predicted to increases of 244% in less than 30 years would most certainly have the attention of the government.  Frustratingly, however, most governments still do not have dementia plans in place, despite committing to developing them in 2017. And sadly, we know that the stigma and discrimination, which still exists around dementia, means that many people still do not come forward for a diagnosis, excluding millions of people around the world from vital treatment and support.”

World Alzheimer’s Month is an annual awareness raising campaign which unites people from all corners of the world to raise awareness and to challenge the stigma that persists around Alzheimer’s disease and all types of dementia.

The theme for this year’s World Alzheimer’s Month is Know Dementia, Know Alzheimer’s and is based on the power the knowledge, with a particular focus on post-diagnostic treatment and support for those living with dementia. In Armenia, post-diagnostic support is severally lacking with many people diagnosed with condition unable to access the treatment and support that they require․

Dr. Jane Mahakian from Alzheimer’s Care Armenia (ACA) said “There is an increase in dementia prevalence in Armenia which exemplifies the importance of mitigating the risks as well as post-diagnostic support for those living with dementia and their carers in Armenia.”