Author: Hovik Karapetian

Food: Glendale’s Tiny Mini Kabob Closes, Knowing it Could Very Well Save the Family

Hovik Karapetian
LA Eater, Los Angeles
 
 
Glendale’s Tiny Mini Kabob Closes, Knowing it Could Very Well Save the Family
 
With just three tables, one of LA’s tiniest, and most personal, restaurants is making a difficult decision
 
By Farley Elliott on 3:26 pm
 
 
The Martirosyan family at Mini Kabob Mini Kabob
 
“It’s been super tough,” says Armen Martirosyan of Mini Kabob, the legendary (and legendarily tiny) Armenian-Egyptian restaurant in Glendale. For more than three decades Mini Kabob has thrived on its small footprint, racking up plenty of charming features and television appearances in part because of its spare, sub-300-square-foot space. Now what has always been seen as a feature — with just three tables, it’s basically like letting folks dine in the kitchen of the always-animated Martirosyan family — has become a health liability. “I’m paranoid for my parents,” says Armen.
 
Martirosyan has good reason for his fears, given the fast-spreading novel coronavirus that has clamped down much of daily life in greater Los Angeles. Social distancing is the mandate, while takeout and delivery is the law of the land for the city of Los Angeles. Armen isn’t taking any unnecessary risks; he and his parents decided to close for at least the next week, and will reevaluate even the possibility of takeout later on.
 
The restaurant consists of just three people: Armen, father Ovakim (68), and mother Alvard (64), meaning both Martirosyan parents are near or above the age threshold recommended by California governor Gavin Newsom for self-isolation. Ovakim has had several health scares over the years, but still took some convincing to step away from the stoves, particularly when there were locals pouring in for platters of grilled meat.
 
“It changed in like three, four days,” says Armen. “At first it was a lot of Armenians coming in and saying that the media just likes to blow things up. But I was doing my own research, seeing the percentages, and I’m really worried for my dad. He’s had sepsis, and was in the hospital two years ago for an irregular heartbeat.”
 
Even before the closure, Martirosyan was physically using himself as a shield between his parents/co-workers/partners and the outside world, including asking anyone putting in an order to wait outside. “We have a lot of people come and just gather at the door,” he says. “It just wasn’t safe anymore.”
 
Armen was the only one running food, and the only one handling transactions; he’s gotten a one-star Yelp review for his efforts so far, from someone who didn’t like being told to wait on the sidewalk by the owner of a restaurant whose dining room is less than six feet wide.
 
Martirosyan is taking it in stride. The restaurant has found success in the modern marketing age, and has fans from the nearby community as well as across social media. A few years of stable traffic and extremely low overhead means that the family is able to comfortably take some time off, for now. But without further guidance at the local and federal level about how long the COVID-19 pandemic will last, or any kind of government subsidy, the future is just as unclear with Mini Kabob as it is for anyone else.
 
“I’d rather be a part of what’s happening now,” says Martirosyan of the many closures currently taking place across Los Angeles, “than part of the problem. I’d rather take some time off, make sure my mom and dad are cool, and everyone is safe. We all need to be a part of the effort.”
 

Caucasian connections: Why closer ties with Armenia matter a lot for India

Hovik Karapetian
MoneyControl
March 12 2020
Aditi Bhaduri @aditijan

What can a tiny country, a dot on the map, offer a giant one like India? This has been a recurring thought for me since the tiny Caucasian country of Armenia opened up its embassy in New Delhi a decade ago. It stemmed from something purely personal – the love and warmth that I had received many summers ago when I had visited the place as a student. I have since travelled across the globe. Numerous countries have left their mark for some or the other reason. But tiny Armenia had captivated me with its haunting beauty and ancient if at times melancholic history; the love that people had for India and things Indian were beyond my expectation, besides, of course, the generosity and hospitality (which would require a separate article).

Many Indians still struggle to find Armenia on the map, but Armenians know India well. Small compact nations tend to know their history well. So it was Armenians who told me how their first constitution had been drafted in the city of Chennai; Armenians were away that their diasporas existed in cities as far flung as Kolkata, that one of the oldest hotels there had been built by an Armenian, and that an Armenian school and college still exist there. Bollywood had also done its bit to endear us to the Armenians; children from Armenia come to India each year and do their schooling at the Armenian College in Kolkata. The groundwork for good bilateral ties had already been cemented by history.

Modi-Pashashian meeting

Some high-level bilateral meetings have taken place between the two countries.

Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Armenian President Nikol Pashashian in New York in September on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. “Had extensive deliberations with PM @NikolPashinyan. We talked about expanding India-Armenia cooperation in aspects relating to technology, pharmaceuticals and agro-based industries. PM Pashinyan also referred to the popularity of Indian movies, music and Yoga in Armenia,” he had tweeted after the meeting.

This news gained currency because just days before that Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had stridently condemned India’s recent reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir state. It seemed only natural, therefore, and wise, for India to try and cultivate closer ties with countries inimical to Turkey, of which Armenia is one, because of the genocide of Armenians during Ottoman times, which Turkey has not yet acknowledged, and next, because of Turkey’s cooperation with Azerbaijan during the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

But there are other merits for India to develop relations with Armenia and the Caucasian region in general. For one, Armenia has a full vote in the UN General Assembly and it is important at a time when India is shoring up support for itself in the UN for a seat in the expanded UN Security Council. Moreover, Armenia fully appreciates India’s position on Kashmir, has no diplomatic relations with Pakistan, and has almost total convergence with India on bilateral and multilateral issues. In the words of Ambassador Achal Malhotra who had earlier served as India’s ambassador to Armenia, “It is difficult to identify an issue which can be termed as a bilateral irritant.”

Next, it is a great tourist destination, with ancient sites, delectable cuisine, and home to the famed Armenian cognac. With many Armenian heritage sites in India, some kind of joint heritage tourism can be and should be developed (Armenian heritage sites are interesting for Armenians outside of Armenia too).

Silicon Valley of the CIS

More recent developments, however, demonstrate yet another angle to bilateral relations. Last month, India clinched a deal worth $40 million with the Caucasian country to supply it four indigenously built weapon-locating radars. The SWATHI radars have been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This opens up new vistas of cooperation for both countries and defence cooperation is always long term. Such sales, while helping countries like Armenia as they are cheaper than their European counterparts, also opens up new markets for India and will give a big boost to indigenous defence production in India.

Armenia is considered the Silicon Valley of the CIS, and is a member of the Eurasian Economic Community and also has a partnership agreement with the European Union. Sitting on the threshold of Europe, in the heart of the Caucuses, and having a border with Iran, Armenia’s geo-political location is significant. By deepening ties with the country, India would have everything to gain, and nothing to lose.

Aditi Bhaduri is a widely published journalist and political analyst, tracking West, South, and Central Asia.



Armenia PM isolates himself with family in Sevan, to get tested for coronavirus

Hovik Karapetian
News.am, Armenia
March 13 2020

23:23, 13.03.2020
                  

Nikol Pashinyan and his family have isolated themselves at their mansion in Sevan. Pashinyan stated that he and his wife will get tested for coronavirus tomorrow.

“We had been worried since yesterday since one of the assistants to the President of Brazil had tested positive for coronavirus, the President has also been tested and is waiting for the response. We learned about this yesterday and decided to isolate ourselves. This evening, on the way to Sevan, we found out that the President of Brazil had tested positive for coronavirus. On March 7, Anna had a meeting with the wife of the President of Brazil, and unfortunately, they hugged each other and took a photo. First, we measured our temperature, but we didn’t have a high temperature. However, later, the news about the President of Brazil testing positive for coronavirus was denied. However, we will remain isolated, and tomorrow morning we will get tested to be sure that everything is fine,” Pashinyan said.

ARMENPRESS and Lebanon’s National News Agency to expand cooperation

Hovik Karapetian

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 20:03, 2 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 2, ARMENPRESS.  Director of Lebanon’s National News Agency  Ziad Harfouche received director of ARMENPRESS state news agency of Armenia Aram Ananyan and Ambassador of Armenia to Lebanon Vahagn Atabekyan.

ARMENPRESS reports the news agencies of the two countries expressed readiness to strengthen cooperation and discussed steps for that. The heads of the news agencies talked about technologies and development of the social media, as well as their impact on press.

The sides also discussed the opportunities for signing an agreement aimed at the development of the cooperation.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Human rights activist: Armenian minister crudely violated procedure for referendum campaigning

Hovik Karapetian
News.am, Armenia
March 4 2020

20:19, 04.03.2020
                  

Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia Suren Papikyan crudely violated the procedure for campaigning for the referendum. This is what human rights activist Ruben Melikyan wrote on his Facebook page, touching upon the speech that Suren Papikyan gave during the question-and-answer session with government officials in parliament today.

He particularly wrote the following:

“Acting ex officio, as member of the Government of Armenia, and participating in the procedure prescribed by Article 112 of the Constitution of Armenia (question-and-answer session between deputies and members of government), Suren Papikyan directly carried out the YES campaign for the referendum for constitutional amendments from the podium of the National Assembly.

The possible “explanation” that this happened after the end of the working day (after 6 p.m.) and that this means campaigning was permitted, is completely groundless because if a person acts ex officio (as an official), as in this case, the day or hour doesn’t matter. We state that this is a crude violation of the Constitutional Law “On referendum”. We also state that opposition MP Gevorg Gorgisyan gave an adequate evaluation of the fact.”


Asbarez: UCLA and AUA Announce Concert Tour in Armenia

Hovik Karapetian
March 6, 2020

The UCLA Armenian Music Program has partnered with the AUA for a concert tour in Armenia

In collaboration with the American University of Armenia, the University of California, Los Angeles Armenian Music Program will perform in a concert tour around the Republic of Armenia. The tour will take place from March 18 to 21.

Mezzo-soprano Danielle Segen, of the UCLA VEM Ensemble, will be returning to Armenia for the third time, where she will be joined by tenor Thomas Segen, UCLA Professor and Founding Director of the UCLA Armenian Music Program Movses Pogossian, and acclaimed pianist, composer, and AUA faculty Artur Avanesov. These internationally renowned performers will present the music of Armenian classics such as Komitas, Mansurian, Arutiunian, Hovhannes, and others, in the cities of Yerevan, Gyumri, Dilijan, and Vanadzor.

Sharing the beauty of classical music with audiences in the regions of the country which don’t regularly have access to musical performances, the concerts will take place in the cities where AUA’s Open Education has branches.

True to the mission of the UCLA Armenian Music Program, “to preserve and celebrate Armenian music as an art form,” this concert tour will present the achievements of the Armenian classical tradition to audiences across the country, through the mesmerizing voices of the American-born vocalists who will be joined by the renowned Armenian musicians.

The members of the UCLA Armenian Music program are looking forward to their return to Armenia and to the continued collaboration with their partner and affiliate, the American University of Armenia.

The performances & presentations are set to take place:

  • Wednesday, March 18 at 1:30 p.m. at the American University of Armenia
  • Thursday, March 19 at 5 p.m. at the Gyumri Technology Center’s Concert Hall
  • Friday, March 20 at 6 p.m. at the Vanadzor Music School After Eduard Kzartmyan
  • Saturday, March 21 at 4 p.m. at the UWC Dilijan College, Atrium

To learn more about the UCLA Armenian Music Program please visit the website. To learn more about the American University of Armenia, visit the website.

I Am Not Alone documentary brings Armenian Revolution to U.S. Theaters April 10

Hovik Karapetian

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 10:02, 5 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 5, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian revolution film I Am Not Alone has announced its United States theatrical release.

With unprecedented access to both the revolutionary Nikol Pashinyan and the then-ruler Serzh Sargsyan, the documentary telling the story of the 2018 Armenian Velvet Revolution will now open in theaters across the US: from April 10 in Los Angeles, April 17 in New York and Fresno, and April 24 in Washington, DC, Boston, and more, after having won awards at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), AFI Fest, and Doc NYC, Massis Post reported.

The film has been praised as “masterful” by Vice and “an inspiring portrait of democratic self-determination” by The Hollywood Reporter, garnering 100% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 9.3 audience rating on IMDb. I Am Not Alone is directed by Garin Hovhannisian.

The film is executive produced by Serj Tankian (who also wrote the score), Joe Berlinger (Intent to Destroy), Dan Braun (Wild Wild Country), Raffi Hovannisian, Suren Ambarchyan, and Alen Petrosyan. The producers are Eric Esrailian (The Promise, Intent to Destroy), Tatevik Manoukyan, and Alec Mouhibian, who co-directed with Hovannisian the psychological thriller 1915.

“The mind-blowing experience of Armenia’s velvet revolution is coming to U.S. theaters on April 10”, Tankian said on social media and shared the trailer. 

Edited by Stepan Kocharyan

President Sarkissian Meets with ARF Bureau Chair

Hovik Karapetian
March 3, 2020

ARF Bureau chairman Hagop Der Khachadourian meets with President Armen Sarkissian

President Armen Sarkissian on Tuesday met with Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau chairman Hagop Der Khachadourian, at the latter’s request.

Der Khachadourian briefed the president on the ARF’s International Hai-Tahd conference, which took place in Yerevan and Stepanakert last week and discussed the projects envisioned for 2020 in that sphere.

The two also discussed upcoming events to commemorate the 105th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, as well as plans to mark the centennial of the Sevres Treaty.

During the meeting a discussion also took place about Armenia’s political situation, issues that fall under the national agenda and ways to cooperate in those projects.

Russia interested in pro-Russian forces to have weighty role in Armenia’s domestic political life: Kopirkin

Hovik Karapetian
Aysor, Armenia
Feb 27 2020

Russia is very cautious and careful toward the political developments taking place in Armenia, Russia’s ambassador Sergey Kopirkin told the reporters today.

“We are interested in stability here, wide public consensus and for the forces realizing the significance of the Russian-Armenian relations, strategic partnership play a weighty role in Armenia’s domestic political life,” Kopirkin said.

The stars of Dhaka’s Armanitola [Bangladesh]

Hovik Karapetian
Live Mint
Feb 23 2020
Updated: 23 Feb 2020, 08:14 PM IST Raul Dias

The search for the monument on the 100 taka note leads to the Armenian quarter of Old Dhaka, once home to an Armenian community

Tara Masjid gets its name from the star-shaped mosaic work inside. Photo from alamy

I am pretty sure I made quite a spectacle of myself that sweltering summer afternoon in Dhaka, waving a soiled 100 taka note in front of scores of bewildered passers-by. Even my feeble attempt at mouthing a few Bengali words seemed to fall on deaf ears. After almost giving up hope, my phone’s wavering GPS came through. Finally, I was standing in front of the structure that stared out at me from every 100 taka I spent during my stay in Bangladesh.

I had trekked through the dusty alleys of Old Dhaka for hours, with the sole aim of visiting the rather unusual Tara Masjid. Its four domes are decorated with rare chini tikri (Chinese style) porcelain tile mosaic work in star motifs, giving the mosque both its name and its place of glory on the “tails” side of a 100 taka bank note.

But rather than the end of a quest, the find set me off on a new one. In my search for the mosque, I had unknowingly meandered into Old Dhaka’s Armenian quarter. Called Armanitola, the neighbourhood on the shores of the turgid Buriganga river was once the nerve centre of Armenian life in East Bengal. This was where jute and leather traders from the South Caucasian country decided to set up both shop and home. Today, Armanitola is much like the old part of any South Asian city, densely packed and cacophonic. I found myself dodging everything from cycle rickshaws to the stray grazing goat, while walking under a mesh of power cables linking the tenement buildings. But then, there’s also respite from the chaos.

Just 300m south of Tara Masjid is the Armenian Church, the spiritual centre of this unique quarter. The Armenian Apostolic Church of the Holy Resurrection was built by the traders in 1781 on a plot of land that they had earlier used as a cemetery.

This edifice, with its hexagonal, crucifix-topped steeple and generous narthex, reminded me not just of St Peter’s Armenian Church in my home city of Mumbai, but also of the similarly structured Armenian Holy Church of Nazareth in Kolkata. Several Indian cities besides Mumbai and Kolkata once had thriving Armenian populations and grand churches to cater to the growing congregation that had been settling in India since the 16th century.

There were not one but two separate waves of Armenian exodus to India (which Bangladesh was a part of at the time), according to the book Armenian Settlements In India by Anne Basil, that I found while researching the subject at Mumbai’s Asiatic Library once I was back home. The first was in 1645, when the aforementioned merchants arrived in Bengal, purely for trading purposes. The book references an agreement of 1688 between the English East India Company and Armenian merchants that reads, “Whenever forty or more of the Armenian nation shall become inhabitants in any of the garrisons, cities, or towns, belonging to the Company in the East Indies, the said Armenians shall not only have and enjoy the free use and exercise of their religion, but there shall also be allotted to them a parcel of ground to erect a church thereon….”

The second exodus was more poignant, taking place in the wake of the 1915 genocide of over a million Armenians by the Turkish forces in East Anatolia. Basil writes that “hundreds of children of uprooted families…found shelter and a roof and received sufficient education…” at the Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy in Kolkata. The academy is still functional, a source of pride for the city’s small Armenian diaspora.

I was only superficially aware of this history when Hafiz, the old watchman who had let me into the church at Armanitola, told me the story of the last Armenian in Bangladesh. Speaking in broken English, bolstered by wild gesticulating, he recounted the tale of Mikel Housep Martirossian, the Dhaka-born son of an Armenian jute trader who was not only the caretaker of the Armenian Church until 2014, but also its sole congregant. He would say his prayers daily, sitting quietly in the first pew. After he suffered a stroke, he moved to Canada, where his children live.

But there is still hope for the church. The Armenian embassy in Dhaka that looks after its upkeep has hinted at the possibility of bringing a new warden from Armenia. Till then, it is up to Hafiz to keep the place clean and protected, and to light the altar candles at 7pm daily.

As I leave the church gates, I make sure to squeeze a small tip into Hafiz’s wrinkled palm. And yes, it was one of those same 100 taka notes that started it all!

Raul Dias is a Mumbai-based writer.

https://www.livemint.com/mint-lounge/features/the-stars-of-dhaka-s-armanitola-11582468772877.html