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The Armenian Weekly; Volume 73, No. 39; Sept. 29, 2007
Community:
1. ANC-ER Banquet Honors Evans, Community Activists
2. ARS Eastern USA Announces 20 Scholarship Recipients
3. An Interview with Painter Henrik Sargsyan
By Andy Turpin
4. ‘Armenian Dissidence’
Research Sets Preconceptions of Ancient Armenian Liberty on Fire
By Andy Turpin
5. Celebrating a Victory, Continuing the Work
NY Hyortiks Celebrate ‘Most Improved’ Honor with Supporters and Friends
***
1. ANC-ER Banquet Honors Evans, Community Activists
NEW YORK (A.W.)-An energetic crowd of 375 gathered at the Waldorf-Astoria on
Sat., Sept. 22, as the ANC held its first annual Eastern Region Banquet.
The affair featured the presentation of the ANCA "Freedom Award" to former
U.S. Ambassador John Evans for his commitment to truth and justice,
especially pertaining to the Armenian genocide.
Speaking to the Weekly about the huge success of the event, ARF Eastern
Region Central Committee chair Haig Oshagan said, "The work of the ANC-ER is
one of the most important ARF activities in this region. The success of this
event is more evidence of the kind of broad support that the ARF enjoys in
the community."
In his welcoming remarks, Banquet committee chair Zohrab Tazian addressed
the audience, saying, "You are truly our partners in the cause of helping
the Armenian nation. As you will hear this evening, our report is a good
one, one that speaks of the many positive accomplishments that have been
achieved during the past year. But you should treat our report for what it
is, a progress report and a report which speaks to all of us about the work
that is yet to be completed in the months and years ahead. There is still
much work to be done. We are ready and willing to man the posts and to go
the full length of the journey. With your continued support we will not and
cannot fail. Our goal is to strengthen the Armenian Nation and the Republic
which exists today, and to work towards that day when the bright sun rises
over a free, united and independent Armenian nation, including all of our
historic homeland."
After giving his welcoming remarks, master of ceremonies Ara Chalian asked
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian from the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic
Church to offer his blessings.
The audience then watched informative video presentation depicting the ANCA’s
activities throughout the Eastern U.S. during the past year. Prior to the
program, a Silent Auction netted nearly $20,000 for ANCA activities, and
overall the ANCA Endowment Fund received more than $125,000 in donations and
pledges from various supporters.
The ANCA also honored one of its own, Vahe Amirian of New Jersey, for his
longstanding activism and devotion to the Armenian Cause. Amirian was cited
especially for his volunteer activities during the ANCA’s formative years in
the 1950s and 1960s. Antranig Kasbarian presented the Vahan Kardashian Award
to Amirian.
Ken Hachikian
ANCA chairman Ken Hachikian presented the Freedom Award to Amb. Evans. "They
say that character is the sum of a person’s choices," Hachikian said.
"Little choices, big choices. Choices of career and of family. The choice to
speak the truth in the face of countervailing power or to remain silent in
the face of injustice. To stand by principle or to sway to political
expediency." Referring to Evans, he added, "Two and a half years ago, our
honoree this evening was faced with one of these choices."
"Our message to the State Department is clear: come clean on the firing of
Ambassador Evans, do not repeat the Hoagland nomination with another
genocide denier, and end the shameless pandering to the Turkish government,"
Hachikian said. "And if the State Department doesn’t have the guts to stand
by one of its own, to honor the man who tried to bring dignity and morality
to American foreign policy, then the ANCA and the Armenian-American
community certainly will."
Amb. John Evans
After receiving the award, Evans delivered the keynote address, commenting
on Armenian political affairs and in particular his own experiences
surrounding his public comments in 2006 acknowledging the genocide.
"No one owes me any thanks for what I said on the subject of the Armenian
genocide," Evans said. "For me it came down to a moral-and ethical-issue. No
one asked me to look into the history of the genocide, which I did in some
detail, or to speak out about it. Doing so was entirely my own decision. It
was not a State Department ‘trial balloon’ or plot. It was definitely not a
slip of the tongue. I knew at the time what the probable consequences would
be, and do not regret my actions to this day."
An important portion of Evans’ speech was on the Republic of Armenia. "An
independent Armenian state has reemerged on the world map," he told the
audience. "Although it may be small, it is a free-market, emerging
democratic state where all political parties-including notably the ARF-are
now free to compete for power, and do so with enthusiasm," he said. Evans
noted how Armenia "not only exists, but is growing stronger in almost every
dimension: economy, population and political maturity. Although still only a
‘teenager’ among states, it is growing up to be strong and healthy."
Kaligian
In his closing remarks, ANCA Eastern Region chairman Dikran Kaligian said,
"As we view the recent activities and accomplishments of the ANC tonight, we
must also remember from where we have come. Some 50 years ago, the ARF
Central Committee had the foresight to form the American Committee for the
Independence of Armenia, the forerunner of the ANC. When the foundation of
ANC work was laid, we had no ANC offices, but rather a dedicated core of
volunteer activists led by the likes of Leo Sarkisian and our Cardashian
honoree tonight, Vahe Amirian."
Kaligian spoke about the ANCA’s accomplishments, noting that "this work
would have been impossible without your support. Your support over the years
and your support tonight allow us to defend the right of self-determination
for the people of Artsakh, to help build Armenia stronger economically and
politically, to denounce Turkey and Azerbaijan’s violations of human rights
and civil rights and international law, and to fight for not just
recognition of the genocide, but for reparations for the lives that were
taken and return of the lands that were stolen from their rightful owners,
the Armenian People."
Bishop Manuel Batakian, Exarch of the Armenian Catholic Exarchate, concluded
the event with closing prayers.
—————————————– ———————————————–
2 . ARS Eastern USA Announces 20 Scholarship Recipients
The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) of Eastern USA, Inc., this year awarded
over $35,000 to 20 students from 11 States. Its Board of Regional Directors
recently announced the recipients of its Undergraduate Scholarships and
Lazarian Graduate Scholarship.
The grants are based on merit, financial need and involvement in the
Armenian community. The recipient must be of Armenian descent and be
enrolled in a four-year college or university in the United States.
The ARS Educational Fund was established through the generous donations of
benefactors who provided the necessary resources to help the ARS assist
Armenian undergraduate students for over three decades.
Additionally, the ARS George and Beatrice Lazarian Graduate Scholarship Fund
has granted hundreds of generous grants to deserving graduate students.
The deadline for scholarship applications is April 1, 2008. The
administrative office address is: Armenian Relief Society of Eastern USA,
Inc. 80 Bigelow Ave, Suite 200. Watertown, MA 02472.
On behalf of its 33 chapters, the ARS Eastern USA, Inc. Board of Regional
Directors congratulates the scholarship recipients and wishes them a
successful academic year.
The 2007 Undergraduate Scholarship recipients are: Michael Garabedian
(Drexel University), Knar Mesrobian (Rutgers University), Nora Najarian
(DePaul University), Kristapor Giragosian (American University), Armine
Thamassian (University of Rhode Island), Shirag Shemmassian (Cornell
University), Simon Beugekian (Northeastern University), Sarah Varadian
(Stonehill College), Haera Manoukian (Azura Pacific University), Melineh
Khanbebian (S. California Institute of Architecture) and Nune Martirosyan
(MIT).
The 2007 Lazarian Graduate Scholarship recipients are: Razmig Haroun
(mathematics, New York University), Emil Avanes (medicine, Chicago Medical
School), Aram Shemmasian (medicine, Tufts School of Medicine), David
Abramian (business, University of Texas, Dallas), Nicholas Katcherian
(business, University of Michigan), Michael Gulian (medicine, University of
California), Sevana Melikian (public administration, University of
California), Lisa Khachaturian (international law, University of Maryland)
and Natalie Manachian (law, Whittier Law School).
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3. An Interview with Painter Henrik Sargsyan
By Andy Turpin
WATERTOWN, Mass. (A.W.)-Artist Henrik Vardeniktsy Sargsyan’s works are on
exhibit in the Contemporary Art Gallery at the Armenian Library and Museum
of America (ALMA) in Watertown until Nov. 4.
Sargsyan was born in 1952 in Vardenik, Armenia. In 1973, he graduated from
the painting department of the Yerevan P. Terlemezian College, and in 1983
from the painting department at the Yerevan Art and Theatre Institute. Since
then he has exhibited his paintings in various halls worldwide including
Moscow, Leningrad, Tbilisi, Canada, the U.S., Germany, France, the Czech
Republic and the UAE.
Sargsyan lives in Yerevan. He spoke to the Weekly about his paintings and
the ALMA exhibition.
Armenian Weekly-How do you think of your art? What do you try and convey in
your paintings?
Henrik Sargsyan-I’m a professional artist. That’s all I can do in life. That’s
my skill, my trademark and my trade. I mostly convey my inner feelings. They
change with time. They’re always evolving.
A.W.-Have any artists particularly influenced your painting style? There
appear to be similarities in your work to Matisse, Degas and Edward Gory.
H.S.-In terms of being influenced, when you do what I do for such a long
time, you’re always educated by other artists. I’m not afraid to be
influenced, but it’s not mechanical. When I’m painting, I’m not thinking
about any particular artist. I’m not even thinking about whether or not I’m
an Armenian. When you’re a professional, you start making every technique
your own.
I mostly trust my subconscious and super conscious. While painting,
especially when I notice all the falsehoods and pretenses in the world, I
try and be extremely frank in my art and as an artist.
I am particularly excited and touched by those artists that convey the same
kind of frankness. Those are the kinds of brushstrokes that excite and touch
the viewer.
For example, Arshile Gorky’s expressionism reflects his soul through the
canvas. Gorky’s style allows other artists to let go of their pretenses,
limitations and complexes.
A.W.-Where does your love of dances and dancer figures originate?
H.S.-It comes primarily from my love of music. I’m using dance to solve
problems in terms of art, using music and art to resolve issues. The beauty
of women represents the ethereal nature of the answers.
A German composer actually composed a piece of music while looking at my
paintings and dedicated it to me. This is like a reverse form of what
artists like Kevork Murad do by creating a piece of art that originates from
the music of Yo-Yo Ma.
In art, it’s more important how you paint something than it is what you
paint. It’s about the how, more than the content.
When you’re looking at a painting, you’re looking for something. You’re
looking to resolve something.
A.W.-Do you consider your paintings to be more sensual than other Armenian
painters’?
H.S.-There are some artists that I like, but I don’t feel as though I’m in
competition with them at all. There’s something of my own about my art.
A.W.-Do you feel you’re pushing any cultural boundaries in your paintings?
H.S.-In terms of boundaries, you must have your own perceptions in mind
already. I’m trying my best to be good. That’s it.
Spoken translation provided by ALMA director Maryam Stepanyan.
————————————— ————————————————– —
4. ‘Armenian Dissidence’
Research Sets Preconceptions of Ancient Armenian Liberty on Fire
By Andy Turpin
BELMONT, Mass. (A.W.)-On Sept. 20, Dr. Seta Dadoyan, visiting professor at
the St. Nersess Seminary in New York, spoke at NAASR on "Armenian
Dissidence: Highlights of an Unwritten History."
Dadoyan opened her talk by quoting Charles Darwin, who described his seminal
work, The Origin of the Species, saying, "The whole thing is just one long
argument for a thesis. My entire work is an argument."
"In Armenian, there’s only one word for dissidence, and it’s not quite
dissidence," Dadoyan said. "Dissidence is the opposition of something
established… Women’s rights, anti-slavery, labor movements-these
progressives were all defending human rights in their dissidence. Da Vinci,
Martin Luther, Picasso, Nietzsche-these were all nonconformists," she
explained.
"In the humanities, by which I mean the social sciences, we use the terms
‘philosophical dissonance,’ we don’t say ‘dissidence.’" Speaking of
Armenians, she said, "Critical thought has not become part of our culture.
This is very sad but true. We still haven’t accepted critical views of our
culture."
Dadoyan cited the Copernican revolution of heliocentric science as proof of
effective dissident behavior by intellectuals. "Not that the universe had
changed, but man had a truer image of it," she said. "This is dissidence."
Calling for further delving into less studied epochs of Armenian history,
Dadoyan clarified, "By dissidence, I mean a sense of course and action that
are liberal in essence. I’m looking for a truer image of Armenians than I’ve
been given… The existing models, in my opinion, have ceased to conform to
contemporary scholarship of writing history. There’s this lagging," she
added.
According to Dadoyan, "These models do not provide explanations for odd
phenomenon. We should look at these factors as integral and review our
accounts. Many cases did not find their way into the mainstream narratives
because Armenian histories served political parties-and they still do."
Speaking about the gaps and suppression of adequate information in old
Armenian sources, Dadoyan said, "If I want a piece of specific information,
I don’t know really where to look. It’s not in the Armenian historical
record."
She stated vehemently, "The Armenian scholar must really know everything.
You must know the cultures of the region. You will never know anything
Armenian if you don’t know other cultures. We’re much more cosmopolitan than
we think."
Dadoyan critiqued the nationalism that permeates Armenian history writing,
saying, "No nation is pure in essence. There is a lag and the idea is a pure
abstraction.
In contrast to zealots that cry generational assimilation and the collapse
of Armenian Christianity, Dadoyan suggested instead that "We are returning
to ancient times."
Dadoyan explained early Armenian-Christian thought that "Christ was born as
a man, but he was so good, he was adopted by God." She stated, "Armenian
‘Lutheran’ tendencies are as old as Armenian Christianity itself. But they’ve
been left out of the story."
Countering the synchronized claim that Armenia’s populous accepted
Christianity in 301 A.D. full stop, Dadoyan explained, "It took 10 centuries
to be accepted by the people. It did not take place all at once and whoever
practiced their own interpretation of the faith was anathematized and made
heretics [by the Church]."
"The inferiority of women was rejected. So was slavery," she went on. "Do
you see the roots of Armenian feminism in dissidence?"
Dadoyan spoke to the high period of Armenian dissident groups, saying, "The
entire 10th century is a mystery, and it’s an incredibly interesting period.
At this time the Armenian dissidence really became powerful."
She cited a 10th-century Armenian tribal lord who chronicled, after raiding
a dissident stronghold, "I destroyed their entire literature. I went to
every corner and made sure nothing survived." She then noted, "But the
Byzantine sources mention them."
Dadoyan culminated by discussing the damage caused by 19th and 20th-century
nationalist histories, stating, "I believe nationalism abstracted and
weakened the more radical ideas of the Enlightenment. As we come to the 20th
century, I’m afraid the genocide covered the century. There’s no
self-reference. These are nothing but nationalists. They are not
dissidents."
She said of today’s nationalist paradigm of Armenian history, "These are
modern words. We cannot implement them into the old stories. It was a
different world."
Dadoyan suggested, "Let’s change the hypothesis and use other sources. This
thing is methodological. There are better paradigms. The older formulas are
out."
Asked by an audience member about how far she believed she could take her
research, at the St. Nersess seminary in particular, Dadoyan quipped, "I don’t
know, how much can I ruin?"
————————————– ————————————————– —————-
5. Celebrating a Victory, Continuing the Work
NY Hyortiks Celebrate ‘Most Improved’ Honor with Supporters and Friends
NEW YORK-On Sept. 14, the N.Y. "Hyortik" AYF Chapter celebrated the Most
Improved Chapter award honored to them at the conclusion of the recently
held AYF-YOARF Senior Olympics.
In contrast to their less-than-satisfactory performance in previous years,
this year the Hyortiks came in sixth place (out of 12 chapters), earning 26
points and trailing Granite City by only two points. This athletic prowess
reflected the chapter’s hard work throughout the year.
After the Olympics, with just a few days of planning and preparation, over a
hundred families, friends and members of the chapter gathered at the
Armenian Center in Woodside, Queens, to observe a short program compiled by
the Hyortik members, and to enjoy a lavish mezze prepared by parents and
friends.
The program began with the singing of the "Mer Hairenik" led by the evening’s
master of ceremonies Sossi Essajanian. In her opening remarks, she noted
that it was for its work on and off the field that the chapter earned the
Most Improved Chapter award. Essajanian also praised the community for their
encouragement, support and strength. She then invited chapter president
Justin Kaladjian to read a letter from Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan,
congratulating the group on their accomplishments and encouraging them to
continue their work in all avenues. "We wish you more success in your
dedication to the AYF and the Armenian people at large," read the letter in
part.
Nvair Oranjian, president of the Hyortik’s Junior chapter, took the stage to
recite Hovannes Shiraz’s poem "Karabaghi Voghpuh." Following the
inspirational poem, Mher Janoian spoke on behalf of the chapter, noting that
the group’s work this year had laid the foundation for future successes. He
spoke about the chapter’s participation at various seminars, meetings and
cultural programs throughout the year, including the Columbia Armenian
Students’ Summit; the Armenians and the Left Conference at Harvard
University; and New York Hamazkayin events and productions. "This year we
also initiated a monthly AYF board [at the Armenian Center] around different
themes and are currently organizing many lectures that will be taking place
at various universities in New York," he added.
Continuing to highlight the AYF’s work this year, Janoian pointed out that
in April the Hyortiks organized a one-day seminar at the Armenian Center
dedicated to Hai Tahd and participated in April 24th events around New York
City, also helping out at an all-day ANC of New York phone banking
initiative in support of the Genocide Resolution.
During the summer, the Hyortiks helped put together a two-day program
dedicated to the memory of the Lisbon 5. A group of ungers also visited
Armenia, where they met with the Artsakh AYF. In June, the chapter held a
fundraiser Bar Party raising $1,500 for the ARS Javakhk Fund that will be
used to help renovate a school. Chapter members also attended AYF World
meetings and panagooms in Montreal and Armenia, four members became
acolytes, and a group participated in the ARS walkathon.
"We drive our work forward under the idea of returning to our roots, to our
culture, our Armenian language, history and anything that is connected with
the foundation of being Armenian," Janoian said. "All of these things have a
place in our everyday lives."
He dedicated the Most Improved Chapter award to everyone-to the "New York
Armenian community, the churches, schools, cultural centers, sister
organizations, Armenian organizations and parents, because without all of
your sacrifices and patience, we could not have gotten to this point." He
noted that the award is also dedicated to all the Armenian political
prisoners because "our successes are the success of everyone. When we fail,
we all fail." Continuing on the theme of unity, Janoian talked about AYF as
a place for everyone. "The AYF’s door is open to everyone without
distinctions and we are prepared to work with any organization," he said.
In conclusion, Janoian said that the AYF comes to the Armenian youth with a
message: "Go and work within the Armenian centers, churches and schools. If
we do not take ownership of our cultural riches, who will? We have a lot of
work to do in the diaspora and in Armenia. Before anything else, we are
Armenian. One people, one nation, whose name is Armenia." He ended his
speech with the words of AYF founder Karekin Nejdeh: "Nations live as long
as they have two things: the natural will to struggle and the determination
to sacrifice."
Essajanian then led a short awards ceremony, during which all Hyortik
athletes were formally congratulated and those who received medals were
recognized. The spirit of the team soon took over as members led every
single person in the hall to sing "Hyortik."
Der Mesrob Lakissian concluded the program with a short message: He told the
youth to continue their work with the spirit and energy that they have
utilized thus far. He said, "Today is truly a day of victory and happiness.
Like you said in your letter of invitation, you want to share this joyous
occasion with the church and the entire Armenian community. I am happy to
see today that many members, supporters and friends have come to encourage
you. We are very happy, and pray for you so that you continue these
achievements because you won the most important and biggest award at the
74th Annual AYF Olympic Games."
He continued, "Today I have one piece of advice for you, participate in
Armenian life, participate in church life, fill your childhood and youth
with those key letters that are church, nation, Armenia, family, literature,
school and Armenian center. ‘Whoever is brave, what does he wait for? The
time has arrived, let them come.’"
Lakissian talked about the next AYF project, which will be held jointly with
the church. "Exactly one month from today, on October 14, these same youth
will be hosting a very important program in our church hall," he told the
audience. "As we know, the Catholicos has announced this year as the Year of
the Armenian Language. And on that day these youth will be hosting a
beautiful presentation dedicated to the Armenian language."
Singing, eating and dancing proceeded shortly after the program’s
completion. Thanks to the many parents and supporters of the chapter, the
food that accompanied the song and dance was of plentiful portion and
flavorful.
Throughout the night, two walls of the center’s main hall were ablaze with
slideshows of photos taken from the Olympics weekend.
The evening drew to a close as families, friends, supporters and well
wishers of the Hyortiks departed for the evening leaving only the Hyortiks
there to continue their celebration as a chapter. "The music and dancing was
as endless as the mezze offered to us earlier in the night," said Hyortik
member Toros Asadourian. "To look around the room at each of the members in
the audience would be to see a never ending smile from person to person.
Though we did not win first place, the recognition of our chapter’s hard
work and dedication, though the odds were shockingly against us, was enough
for us to celebrate."
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