Author: Hovik Karapetian

Asbarez: Armenian Mesrobian School Students March in Remembrance to Montebello

Hovik Karapetian
by Contributor

 

 April 25, 2026

 

in Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

In a powerful act of remembrance and unity, Armenian Mesrobian School’s secondary students participated in a commemorative march to the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument, honoring the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide.

Beginning at campus, students walked approximately 3.7 miles through the streets of Montebello, carrying Armenian flags and symbols of remembrance. The march served as both a physical and symbolic journey, connecting the younger generation to the enduring legacy of their ancestors.

The destination, the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument, stands not only as one of the most significant Armenian Genocide memorials in the United States, but is also recognized as a historical landmark, further solidifying its importance in preserving memory and educating future generations.

Upon arrival, students gathered for a formal program featuring guest speakers and community leaders.

Among them was Alique Artinian, a proud Mesrobian alumna from the Class of 2022, who will be graduating from University of California, Los Angeles this year. Artinian delivered heartfelt remarks centered on identity, resilience, and the responsibility of Armenian youth to carry forward the truth.

Also addressing attendees was Garen Jinbashian of the Armenian National Committee of America, who emphasized the importance of advocacy and the continued pursuit of justice and recognition.

Principal Lena Garabedian also spoke, reinforcing the significance of remembrance through lived experience and education.“Today, our students did not simply learn history, they walked it. Each step taken was a testament to the strength of our ancestors and a promise that their story will never be forgotten.”

The ceremony concluded with a solemn closing prayer offered by Shavarsh Karapetyan, the newly appointed priest of Holy Cross Cathedral, who will soon be ordained. His blessing brought a spiritual close to the program, uniting faith and remembrance in a moment of collective reflection.

Students then approached the monument to lay wreaths, offering a final tribute in honor of the martyrs. The act reflected a deep sense of reverence, unity, and continuity, ensuring that the memory of the Armenian Genocide lives on through the next generation.

Through this meaningful initiative, Armenian Mesrobian School reaffirmed its commitment to cultivating not only academic excellence, but a profound sense of cultural identity, historical awareness, and civic responsibility.

—

Why did Trump avoid the term “genocide”?

Hovik Karapetian

April 25, 2026

US President Donald Trump delivered an annual address on the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, describing the tragic events of 1915 as a Genocide.

“Today we pay tribute to the memory of the countless Armenians who were exiled and brutally killed during the Genocide.

This cruel chapter of human history will remain forever as a testimony of the unbreakable spirit of the Armenian people and the hope underlying Christianity. We pay our respects to the profound strength and determination that Armenians have shown in overcoming the tremendous tragedies of the past and building a better future defined by lasting prosperity, security and peace. We stand by them,” said Trump’s message.

In the address, Donald Trump also spoke about the relations with Armenia and the Peace Council he created, noting that the USA and Armenia will continue working together to build a safer and more prosperous world. “My administration is strengthening our strategic partnership, creating significant opportunities for the Armenian people and promoting long-term stability throughout the South Caucasus region. And now, Americans and Armenians stand side by side in the historic Peace Council, united in our goal to usher in a new era of peace through force,” Trump said.

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  • Currently, for Ankara, the control of the historical narrative is becoming part of not only the internal but also the broad regional strategy. analyst

The Armenian Committee of America has stated that it “strongly condemns President Donald Trump’s continued retreat from America’s recognition and commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.”

According to the commission’s executive director Aram Hambaryan, Trump once again shamefully gave in to Turkish threats, “continuing, for the sixth time, to implement Ankara’s policy of silence against the honest mention of that crime by America, despite the recognition by the White House, Congress, all fifty states and more than a dozen NATO allies.”

“After the ethnic cleansing of the indigenous Armenian population of Artsakh by Azerbaijan, in the background of the ongoing occupation of Armenian territories, the mistreatment of Armenian prisoners, and the destruction of Armenian Christian heritage, the United States is obliged not only to tell the truth about the 1915 genocide, but also to stop its complicity in pan-Turkist attempts to end that genocide,” stated the executive director of the American Armenian Dat Office. By the way, in his April 24th address, Nikol Pashinyan mainly used the term “Great Genocide”, using the term genocide in his reference only once. times.

US President Donald Trump’s avoidance of the term “genocide” and the use of the expression “Great Genocide” is, of course, far from being just a linguistic tact. Avoiding the formulation that implies clear responsibility in the domain of international law, Washington pushes the Armenian issue out of the field of legal claims and moves it to the level of ethnic tragedy. This allows Turkey to avoid historical responsibility and continue its current policy towards Armenia without international legal consequences.

The current American administration’s “mediation” efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan are actually shaping a regional security architecture where the interests of Azerbaijan and Turkey come first.

Trump’s approach implies “peace” at the expense of vital Armenian interests, where Armenia is not considered as a sovereign entity, but as an obstacle in the way of economic deals with the Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem, which must do everything to integrate into that sphere of interests. Such a policy contributes to Azerbaijan’s fundamentalist ambitions by legitimizing Azerbaijan’s preconditions and other demands.

The supremacy of Turkish-Azerbaijani interests by the US subordinates historical justice. By using the term “Great Uprising”, Washington gives a political “green light” for Ankara to continue its pan-Turkist plans, which directly contradict the sovereign development of Armenia. In this context, the American mediation turns into a tool, within the framework of which Yerevan must give up its national ambitions for the sake of energy and logistics projects beneficial for the West.

Ultimately, such a political line leads to the pulverization of Armenia’s international subjectivity. When a superpower avoids legal assessments and adapts to the aggressor’s agenda, it effectively isolates Armenia, leaving it without real alliance guarantees. This is not a mediation of peace, but a preparation for the concession of positions, where the interest of the Republic of Armenia is sacrificed for the sake of strengthening the Turkish hegemony in the region and American short-term pragmatic interests.

—

“Naturally, Public Television had to show everything briefly

Hovik Karapetian

April 24, 2026

Today, on the occasion of the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, accompanied by the congregants of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, visited the Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex in the morning to commemorate the holy martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. His Holiness offered an intercession order for the holy martyrs of the Armenian Genocide near the eternal flame.

The public television company, which broadcasts live from the Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex, broadcast the intercessory order delivered by His Holiness the Patriarch live for a few seconds, without sound. The media working in the memorial complex were able to transmit the full speech of His Holiness only by live connection.

Why shouldn’t the Public Television Company, which is supported by the people’s taxes, broadcast live the prayer of the Most High?

Reverend Ter Psak Mkrtchyan, priest of the Holy Astvastatsin Church of Kanaker in other words, the people are taxpayers, and the Public Television survives at the expense of taxes։

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“The people should raise their righteous voice, the part of the people who consider themselves members, children of the Armenian Apostolic Church, should raise their righteous voice and say that there are equal rights, and the words of His Holiness the Patriarch regarding the church should be raised, because it is the desire of the rights of our believers, believing children, to listen to the words of the pastor of their church. I think this is a fair demand, and no one can say whether it is illegal or illegitimate.” of 168.am Father Psak Mkrtchyan said in a conversation with

According to the priest, the Public Television Company’s way of working fits into the anti-church campaign, it was logical from their side.

“I am sure that His Highness’ speech was and will always be related to patriotism, patriotism, national protection, honoring of values, the issue of Artsakh, the forced displacement of our brothers and sisters, and cultural rioters. Naturally, the Public Television has nothing to do here, because it serves a different agenda. Naturally, he had to show everything briefly, go through the footage, and I am sure that here the speech of His Holiness was more important than the direct showing of the footage,” emphasized Reverend Psak Mkrtchyan.

—

ANN/Groong – Calendar of Events – 04/23/2026

Hovik Karapetian

Armenian News Calendar of events

(All times local to events)

    What: “American Organizations Supporting The Armenian Cause: An Overview”

    a lecture in English is given by Raffi Hamparian

    When: Thursday, April 30, 2026, 7:30 pm Pacific time

    Where: Crescenta Valley Meher & Satig Der Ohanessian Youth Center Hall

    2633 Honolulu Ave. Montrose, CA 91020

    Misc: This presentation will provide a broad overview of American institutions and prominent

    individuals who are working today, in tandem with the ANCA, to advocate for Armenia

    and Artsakh. In his remarks, Raffi Hamparian will address how American organizations 

    provide a powerful force to counter efforts by other lobbies to weaken and break the 

    ANCA’s leadership as it relates to advancing the  Armenian Cause.

    Raffi Hamparian served as the national chairman of the Armenian National Committee

    of America (ANCA). He is currently the chair of the ANCA Endowment Fund.
     We invite the greater community to attend this free public presentation.

    Tel: 818-244-9639

      Armenian News’s calendar of events is collected and updated mostly from

      announcements posted on this list, and submissions to Armenian [email protected].

      To submit, send to Armenian [email protected], and please note the following

      important points:

      • Armenian News’s administrators have final say on what may be included in Groong’s calendar of events.
      • Posting time is on Thursdays, 06:00 Pacific time.
      • Calendar items are short, functional, and edited to fit a template.
      • There is no guarantee or promise that an item will be published on time.
      • Calendar information is believed to be from reliable sources. However, no responsibility is assumed by Armenian News Administrators for inaccuracies and up-to-date-ness..
      • No commercial events will be accepted. (Dinners, dances, etc. This is not an ad-space.)
      • The Week in Review Podcasts
      • The Critical Corner
      • The Literary Armenian News
      • Review & Outlook
      • Probing the Photographic Record
      • Armenia House Museums
      • ..and much more

      © Copyright 2026, Armenian News Network / Armenian News, all rights reserved.

      Regards,
      —
      Armenian News Network / Armenian News
      https://Armenian News.org/

      Los Angeles, CA     / USA

      —

      European striptease in Yerevan

      Hovik Karapetian

      April 21, 2026

      At the beginning of May, the European Political Community summit will be held in Yerevan, which promises to be for CP, and for Armenia, it threatens to become a shock event for the reproduction of the Pashinyan power before the elections. Everyone from Macron to Kalas and other anti-hybrid gurus will come to Armenia. If CP is lucky and Aliyev and Erdoğan arrive in Yerevan by some miracle, Pashinyan can dismiss CEC chairman Vahagn Hovakimyan and declare himself the prime minister of the “era of peace”. Timeless, at least in the span of an era.

      In May 2026, Eurobureaucrats in Yerevan will celebrate the final act of the greatest geopolitical adventure that started on September 27, 2020 with the second Artsakh war.

      It would be fair if today’s “godfather of peace” Donald Trump, who was also the godfather of the Artsakh war that took place during his first presidency six years before signing the lease document of the Armenian territory under his name, would also participate in the event of the century to be held in Yerevan. Not alone, of course. With the connivance of Putin, Erdogan, Aliyev and all those who agreed to sell Artsakh jointly in 2018, not according to the accepted opinion, colored, but those who came to power with a completely black revolution for Armenia.

      What everyone gained from that adventure is measurable, as is the loss of Armenia and the Armenian people: five thousand victims and several thousand square kilometers of thousand-year-old Armenian territory. But in Yerevan at the beginning of May, it will not be our losses that will be measured, but the length of the motorcades of the European delegations and the disrespectful language of the CP members due to them. Because the ladies, gentlemen and the undecideds coming in motorcades will pat Pashinyan’s fragile shoulder so much that a whole returning spouse will not be enough to take the burden.

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      • WHO ARE ALIEV OR PASHINIAN TO CLOSE THE ISSUE OF ARTSAKH? Hakob Hakobyan

      He will be applauded for his tireless efforts in the fight against “hybrid warfare”. Not noticing the efforts with which the northern capital, declared a target of the hybrid war, will try to hide their satisfaction at the opportunity to welcome “their man” with open arms. Europeans’ celebration in Yerevan will be accompanied by brazen statements about human rights, freedoms, democracy and other beautiful concepts.

      The Eurozones, as the deputy of today’s “bastion of democracy” once called them, will make these statements without caring that they are supporting someone who is antithetical to all those values. Their sincerity will be no more than the paid emotions of nightclub strippers. Macron, Callas and others, if the CPs are lucky, will perform a Eurostriptease in Yerevan in the presence of Aliyev and Erdogan, treating the once real, civilized European values ​​the way nightclub operators treat rags if the spectators pay more than usual.

      CP not only paid, but continues to pay for Eurostrip with tips. Already with the small feature that is becoming unimportant for everyone, that it pays at the expense of the last crumbs of Armenia.

      —

      TODAY Hamazkayin W.R. Junior “Nor Shounch” Literary Cafe 4-19-26

      Hovik Karapetian

      Dear Hamazkayin friends and supporters, 

      Hamazkayin Western Region Literary Unit’s “Nor Shounch” presentsLiterary Cafe. Join us for our first Literary Cafe, an open Armenian co-working and co-creating space designed to bring language, culture, and creativity together.

      Come enjoy traditional Armenian coffee and pastries in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Bring along an Armenian book to read or simply let the space inspire you to create. Whether you feel like journaling, writing a letter, composing poetry, or reflecting in Armenian, this is your space to do so.

      Stationery will be provided—just bring yourself, your ideas, and your love for the Armenian language. ☕📖

      TODAY Sunday, April 19, 2026, at 2:00 PM  

      Hamazkayin Cultural Center, 1524 Canada Blvd. Glendale, CA 91208

      “Join us at our first Literary Café, an open Armenian environment where work and creativity mix.

      Let’s enjoy Armenian coffee and delicious sweets together.

      Bring an Armenian book with you and let the atmosphere inspire you.

      We invite you to enrich this creative environment with your ideas and presence.” 

      Warm regards,

      Hamazkayin Western Region Literary Group Junior “Nor Shounch” 

      Glendale, CA, USA

      Stay connected with us:

      Facebook: www.facebook.com/Hamazkayin-Western-Region-Literary-Group-103109858137951

      Instagram: www.instagram.com/hamazkayinwrliterarygroup

      Website: https://hamazkayin.com/en 

      YouTube: www.youtube.com/@hamazkayinwest

      Literary Group: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvdiz1UC_DnRv9lr1178gaIvSPoS1djRL 

      Hamazkayin: www.facebook.com/hamazkayinwr 

      Email: [email protected] 

      —

      Citizen’s well-being depends on the state budget. Pashinyan

      Hovik Karapetian
      Photo: primeminister.am

      The standard of living and well-being of the citizens of Armenia are primarily determined not by personal expenses, but by allocations of state and municipal budgets, and any attempt to discredit the tax system is against the public interest.


      This was announced by the RA Prime Minister at the government session on April 18 Nikol Pashinyandescribing the demonetization of taxes as an anti-state act. The head of the government noted that tax collection and targeted spending ensure the well-being of all layers of society, both the most disadvantaged and the rich. As an example, the prime minister referred to the indispensability of infrastructure, noting that even citizens with the most expensive cars cannot build private highways or airports for themselves, and without roads built by the state, the operation of luxury cars will become impossible.


      Referring to the financial indicators, the head of the executive documented the growth dynamics of budget revenues. According to the data presented by him, compared to 2017, the revenues of the state budget increased by 130 percent in 2025. The Prime Minister emphasized that if 29 percent inflation is subtracted from this index, then the state budget has more than doubled in real terms.

      —

      MIA about the situation on the roads of Armenia

      Hovik Karapetian

      The rescue service informs that the roads in the territory of RA are mostly passable.


      The highways leading from “Amberd” high mountain meteorological station to Amberd Castle and Kari Lake in Aragatsotn Marz are closed.


      Drivers are urged to drive exclusively with winter tires.


      According to the information received from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia and the Crisis Management Center of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs of North Ossetia, the Stepantsminda-Lars highway is open for all types of vehicles.

      —

      The Trap of “French Apologetics”.

      Hovik Karapetian

      Patrolling the information field, social networks. It is enough for someone to suddenly question the real content and effectiveness of the Armenian-French relationship, to suddenly put it under “examination”, and they immediately go to work and present that person as someone who discredited the Armenian-French relationship on Russian orders.


      Well, it’s a standard methodology that’s currently consistently applied throughout the European Union. Well, it’s up to them to enforce it in the European Union. They are in a de facto war with Russia, it is an information war, Moscow considers any other information as a European “order”, the Europeans also consider other information outside of their narrative as a “finger” of the Kremlin.


      For me, the issue is always Armenia, and any irrational and selfish apologetics is undesirable and even dangerous for Armenia. And here I am particular about the relationship with France, because in that sense I consider France to be a special destination for Armenia. And I’ve been talking about this for years. For example, I consider France to be a special destination, not only as an actor in world politics, not only as a cultural and civilizational leader, despite the current, to put it mildly, puzzling circumstances.


      I also consider France special with the institutional presence of the Armenian community there, with its rather deep and effective track. The Armenian community in France is unique and special perhaps in that it was very organized, institutionalized, and what is most important, on the one hand extremely Armenian, on the other hand extremely integrated into the internal life of France.


      And in the last few years, unfortunately, the Armenian government has followed the path of attacks on that institutionalization, at least due to its political conjuncture issues, if I don’t try to consider a deeper reason or reasons, addressing which at this moment can be considered “conspiracy”.


      And, meanwhile, with all that, neighboring Azerbaijan is essentially forming an “Azerbaijani diaspora” in France, and institutionalizing it at a rather large and wide pace.


      Analyst Hakob Badalyan




      —

      The police is the backbone of the state. Pashinyan

      Hovik Karapetian

      Today, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan participated in the solemn session of the collegium dedicated to the 108th anniversary of the Police at the Ministry of Internal Affairs.


      Before the session, Nikol Pashinyan and Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan laid flowers on the plaque placed in the courtyard of the Police building and paid tribute to the memory of the policemen who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the motherland.


      At the session of the collegium, the Prime Minister delivered a speech, congratulated all the police officers on their anniversary, and thanked them for their service. Nikol Pashinyan noted that the police in our country has gone through various stages of establishment and development. “The police is the backbone of the state and that backbone should always be strong, it is in the interests of all citizens.”


      Speaking about the stages of the establishment of the police system since independence, the head of the country emphasized that they were a turning point for maintaining and strengthening law and order. In this context, Nikol Pashinyan highlighted the importance of having a dynamically developing police system. “Basically, with our reforms, we are going that way, but when we started the reforms of the police sector, at that time it seemed from the realm of fantasy, when we thought that there would be a patrol police, completely equipped with new techniques, equipment, cars and so on.” Here, the Prime Minister emphasized that the reforms will be continuous, because life and perceptions are changing disproportionately fast and daily work should contain an element of reform. Nikol Pashinyan noted that this applies to equipment, legislation, uniforms, weapons, and regulations.


      According to the Prime Minister, every official, every person has the scope of his responsibility and authority and it is extremely important that everyone feels personal responsibility within the scope of his functions. “But here is the next problem that we face and realize: the work of the police should be socially guaranteeing, because the work of the police is a very complex work, related to the life and safety of both the police officer and others. And we have to take all these factors into account. We are going in this direction and with this logic. I think that we have police in Armenia such traditions of activity that, based on these traditions, we can constantly ensure this change and strengthen, transform and constantly adapt the identity of the Police of the Republic of Armenia to modern requirements. In my opinion, we are moving in this direction,” the head of the country emphasized.


      Continuing to talk about the importance of individual responsibility and leadership of a police officer, Nikol Pashinyan added: “All police officers must take leadership, because if a police officer is a rank-and-file, it does not mean that he is not a leader, because wearing a policeman’s uniform is a sign of leadership in his area of ​​responsibility, to his extent, and he should never think that others are exercising that leadership. Others, of course, implement it, but each to his own extent.” The Prime Minister emphasized that what he says for the police applies to all systems of state administration, because leadership is conceptually important from the point of view of reforms.


      Summarizing the speech, the head of the country once again congratulated everyone on the occasion of Police Day, thanked for the services rendered to the Republic of Armenia. “I believe in you, I believe in your commitment, I believe in your professionalism, I believe in your potential, that you will be able to solve these problems and we will be able to make it so that not only the police in general, but every police officer is more professional, more responsible, more efficient than yesterday.”


      On the occasion of Police Day, a group of employees of the RA Ministry of Internal Affairs were awarded a commemorative medal and a letter of thanks for their contribution to the protection of legality and public order, as well as for their dedication and high professional training while performing their official duties.

      —