Author: Kajoyan Gevork

EUROVISION
Ce soir pour la finale de l’Eurovision, votons l’Arménie !

Ce soir à 21 heures nous suivrons la 58e édition de l’Eurovision en
direct de l’Arena de Malmö (Suède) diffusée sur France 3 ainsi que de
nombreuses chaînes de télévisions étrangères -dont la chaîne publique
d’Arménie- qui sera suivi par près de 120 millions de téléspectateurs.
Dans cette « grande messe » de la chanson européenne, nos yeux seront
rivés vers les représentants de l’Arménie, le groupe Dorians avec son
chanteur Gor Soudjian accompagné de Tony Ayomi le guitariste du groupe
Black Sabbath avec la chanson « Lonely Planet ». Le vote sera réalisé
pour 50% par un jury et 50% par les téléspectateurs.

L’Arménie passera en 12e position, l’Azerbaïdjan 20e et la Géorgie 25e
sur les 26 pays représentés en finale de cette 58e édition de
l’Eurovision.

Ci-dessous l’ordre de passage des pays :
1 – France Amandine Bourgeois – L’enfer et moi
2 – Lituanie Andrius Pojavis – Something
3 – Moldavie Aliona Moon – O mie
4 – Finlande Krista Siegfrids – Marry me
5 – Espagne El Sueño De Morfeo – Contigo hasta el final
6 – Belgique Roberto Bellarosa – Love kills
7 – Estonie Birgit Ã-igemeel – Et uus saaks alguse
8 – Biélorussie Alena Lanskaya – Solayoh
9 – Malte Gianluca Bezzina – Tomorrow
10 – Russie Dina Garipova – What if
11 – Allemagne Cascada – Glorious
12 – Arménie Dorians – Lonely planet
13 – Pays-Bas Anouk – Birds
14 – Roumanie Cezar – It’s my life
15 – Royaume-Uni Bonnie Tyler – Believe in me
16 – Suède Robin Stjernberg – You
17 – Hongrie Bye Alex – Kedvesem
18 – Danemark Emmelie De Forest – Only teardrops
19 – Islande Eyþór Ingi Gunnlaugsson – Ég á là – f
20 – Azerbaïdjan FÉ’rid MÉ’mmÉ’dov – Hold me
21 – Grèce Koza Mostra & Agathonas Iakovidis – Alcohol Is Free
22 – Ukraine Zlata OhnevyÄ? – Gravity
23 – Italie Marco Mengoni – L’essenziale
24 – Norvège Margaret Berger – I feed you my love
25 – Géorgie Nodi & Sophie – Waterfall
26 – Irlande – Ryan Dolan- Only love survives

André, les sÅ`urs Inga et Anoush Arshakian ou Eva Rivas les
représentants de l’Arménie aux précédentes éditions de l’Eurovisions
chantaient en arménien ou intégraient le folklore arménien dans leurs
chansons et musiques. Malheureusement ce ne sera pas le cas du groupe
Dorians. Le représentant de l’Arménie chante -plutôt bien d’ailleurs-
en anglais.

Votons l’Arménie !!!

Car ce concours de la chanson européenne dépasse les enjeux
artistiques. Les votes par affinités politiques ou culturelles des
pays prouvent que nous sommes sur le terrain non pas de la chanson
mais de la politique ! Avec des enjeux. Nous l’avons vu l’an dernier
la récupération de l’Eurovision par l’Azerbaïdjan pour une promotion
politique du pays et du pouvoir dictatorial d’Aliev. L’Azerbaïdjan qui
surveillera jalousement de très près le vote pour l’Arménie…

Ce sera la 6e participation de l’Arménie au concours de l’Eurovision.
En 2006 c’est le chanteur André avec « Without Tour Love » qui avait
pris pour l’Arménie la 8e place. En 2007 l’Arménie était représentée
par Haygo et la chanson « Anytime You Need » finit également à la 8e
place. En 2008 Sirousho avec « Qele Qele » prit la 4e place, la
meilleure de l’Arménie à ce jour. En 2009 les sÅ`urs Inga et Anoush
Arshakian se classèrent 10e. En 2010 la superbe Eva Rivas et son non
moins super « Apricot Stone » prirent pour l’Arménie une très
honorable 7e place. En 2011 malheureusement Emmy et sa chanson « Boom
Boom » n’eurent pas l’occasion d’exploser en finale, étant éliminée en
demi-finale. L’an dernier, l’Arménie avait décidé de ne pas participer
à l’Eurovision qui se déroulait à Bakou en Azerbaïdjan. Cette année,
l’Arménie revient. Et elle est en finale de l’Eurovision.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 18 mai 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

Glendale News Press, CA
May 17 2013

Intersections: A short visit to Fresno brings things full circle

Columnist Liana Aghajanian

I’ve been determined to go to Fresno for a long time. When I was
younger, I used to browse through shipping labels at swap meets, and
came across beautifully designed orange and peach labels from forever
ago that hailed from the San Joaquin Valley.

It was probably at that point that my curiosity about the mysterious
“middle” of our state solidified. What was this place that provided an
entire country’s bounty of fruits and vegetables? Who lived there, and
why didn’t I know anything about it?

I’ve driven up California on several occasions, and that long, arid
drive has become a pastime of mine – part therapy, part adventure.
I’ve visited Gorman, Weed, Yreka and made sure to stop at “Pea Soup
Andersen’s” in Santa Nella on every visit.

But this time, as I made my way up to Oakland last week for a story, I
was determined to make a stop in Fresno.

Why Fresno? As my host for the night said, “In Fresno, there’s nothing
to see and nothing to do.”

She might be right, considering that Fresno has one of the highest
unemployment rates in the country and pretty dismal air quality, among
other things. However, even her genuine statement couldn’t put a
damper on my excitement about being there, an excitement that seemed
to stem from my affection for obscure cultural discovery.

Lest you think that Armenian immigration to America began and ended
with Glendale, Fresno has more than 100 years of Armenian history.

The first wave of immigration came in the mid-1890s and rapidly grew.
Armenians became involved in agriculture, excelling in the production
of raisins, melons and figs – their presence was often met with
discrimination, bringing about assimilation.

Fresno’s most famous son is William Saroyan, author and playwright who
famously refused a Pulitzer Prize, an award that most writers,
including this one, covet. He refused on grounds that commerce should
not be judging the arts.

One of the first places I ventured into was Valley Lahvosh, a
91-year-old family company founded in 1922 by Gazair Saghatelian, a
master baker who became well-known for creating different Armenian
cracker breads.

This humble bakery, which provides cracker bread to venues across the
United States, was tiny. Even with only two people in it, the walls
felt like they were on the verge of closing in, but this added to its
charm.

No liberation without struggle – Zhirair Sefilyan – Video

TERT.AM
23:18 – 17.05.13

The Armenian Preparliament has started its rally in Freedom Square in Yerevan.

The organizers state that a process of creating a republic of new
quality is under way in Armenia now.

After the current regime has been removed, the issues of forming a new
government and involving the people in a national liberation struggle
will be discussed.

`Our government, president and prime ministers failed to lay the
foundations for a secure country,’ a Preparliament member, Vardan
Hakobyan, said.

The current policy is focused on the country leader’s interests, which
is unacceptable, he said.

The result is regularly rigged elections and people that are not
masters of their homeland. `We have colonized Armenia, and our
strategic partner Russia has laid its hands on everything,’ he said.

The Preparliament member Garegin Chukaszyan stated that the ruling
Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) has once more proved that its
political leaders are not ready listen to the people.

`We need a new way. We must realize that the opposition is life, the
people. The number of people attending this rally shows that the
problem of social tension has not been resolved in Armenia, and
political revival is high on the agenda. The political stalemate the
Preparliament warned of last year is a reality now. We are struggling
against the bankrupt political system. The country is in a pit, and no
political forces or individuals can take it out,’ he said.

The country needs employment of democratic principles, which means
citizens’ immediate involvement and formation of an active opposition
network throughout the country.

The present political stalemate creates conditions for extremes and,
on the other hand, an atmosphere of despair, which forces more people
into emigration.

`We are sure of our people’s wisdom and we deny the claims that the
people supported the authorities by voting for them. No doubt, the
people have come down to abject poverty, and we must speak of those
responsible,’ he said.

Speaking at the rally, Tigran Khzmalyan noted the major problem is
emigration. Armenia’s authorities are the only ones responsible.

`Our country has lost 50% of its population in recent 20 years. We
have lost half of our cities and villages. The population of a village
leaves the country every day,’ he said.

When the people succeed in reaching a crucial moment by means of
elections, the authorities open fire at their own people, use batons
and go on occupying the country by means of money and frauds.

Armenia’s authorities do not take the opposition into account, so they
must be shown real opposition. `We must liberate our country. That’s
why we have united round Alek Yenigomshyan [an ex-member of
theArmenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia – ASALA], and
Zgirair Sefilyan [former commander of the Shushi battalion]. We are
not representing any party nor are we going to become a party because
parties split the country. We will create real power rather than a
party,’ he said.

The people are not resisting because the authorities know the way of
dealing with them – keeping the people hungry like it was during the
Genocide, Khzmalyan said.

Honored Actress of Armenia Siranush Azaryan spoke at the rally in
behalf of all the residents of Gyumri.

The people of Gyumri were able to ensure so the entire Armenian people
will be able to.

`Quite a few people attended the Preparliament’s rally in Gyumri on
May 9. A hope sprang up. But how many times can we let a hope spring
up and fade? This is typical of our people,’ she said.

`We give our children the best. But they are now living in a country
without future,’ Azaryan said.

If all people join the struggle, they are sure to win victory.
Alek Yenigomshyan welcomed the end of elections in Armenia, which
inaugurated a real struggle.

He presented the plans for the foreseeable future, namely, creating a
parallel government system and a state of new quality.

“We must think so to overcome this reality. We thus winned all of our
victories throughout our history,’ he said.

He noted that the forces that has now come onto the political scene is
not a party. `We have no right to change power and leave everything,
which was the case in 1988. That cruel system was replaced by a
similar cruel system’ he said.

There must not be reports to the people once in five years, but there
must be daily reports.

The Preparliament member, ethnographer Hranush Kharatyan said that the
initiative members do not have any ambitions or `civilization
complex.’

`These people are very busy. But they realize the disastrous situation
in the country. Who knows about the tasks of our authorities at
different levels? When you elected the Yerevan mayor, did you know
about his plans for this or next year? You do not know. But elections
are not programs of pledges,’ she said.

She hopes the people will join the Preparliament’s struggle for Armenia.

The environmentalist Yeghya Nersisyan quoted Garegin Nzhdeh, saying,
`It is more difficult to live a hero than to die.’

`I was in Byurakan, where Armenia’s Prosecutor General is building one
more death-dealing hydro-power plant. The villagers are ready to die
but they will not have the hydro power plant work,’ he said.

`Condemned are the authorities of a country where freedom fighters
stage sit-down protests,’ he said.

`We are ready to die for life, but they will live and dream of dying,’
Nersisyan said.

The Preparliament member Zgirair Sefilyan noted that the ruling regime
has for years retained power.

However, it is not because they are strong, but because the opposition
forces, to put it mildly, committed mistakes.

‘Our country is occupied. The ruling administration has declared an
open war on the people. So the homeland will not be liberated without
struggle,’ he said.

Twenty-five years ago the Armenian people succeeded to unite and
liberate Nagorno-Karabakh. The same must be done for establishing an
independent state.

He stressed the need to realize that any movement, especially an
opposition movement, cannot achieve results without support. Although
the Preparliament has a well-thought-out program , it will remain on
paper unless life is breathed into it.

He also stressed the need for organization in the Armenian Diaspora.

The Preparliament will hold its next rally on July 12, with
semimonthly meetings and discussions to precede it in Freedom Square.

`We realize our program is a complex one. It must be so because we
want to create a state, but we have a perception problem. We want to
listen to our people,’ he said.

Sefilyan called on `honest’ freedom fighters, who have endured for 25
years, to join the Preparliament. He also called on young people not
to leave Armenia and on the Armenian Diaspora to join the struggle.

Azerbaijani television slams Sweden for bad organization of Eurovision

May 17, 2013 | 18:36
By Ivan Gharibyan

YEREVAN. – Azerbaijani state television has showed a video about
allegedly bad organization of Eurovision 2013 song contest.

The journalists of Haberlar news program broadcasted on the television
controlled by the Azerbaijani administration were assigned to compare
this contest with last year’s Eurovision hosted by Baku.

The reporters used arsenal of provincialism combined with a desire for
self-affirmation which ahs been cultivated for two decades. The story
began with a remark that `cold’ Swedes cannot compete with hospitable
Azerbaijanis. AzTv team claimed the journalists were not provided with
a high quality internet connection.

It was `astonishing’ to hear that many journalists are hungry because
of high food prices and there is an impression that `Sweden simply
wants to earn money at the expense of the song contest.’

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

Glendale schools declare April 24 as a non-work day

12:26 17.05.2013

The Armenian National Committee of America – Glendale (ANCA-Glendale)
welcomed the Glendale Unified School District announcement that it had
reached an agreement with the Glendale Teachers Association on
designating April 24, 2014 as a student free/non-work day.

`We commend the Glendale Unified School District and the Glendale
Teachers Association on their willingness to support the desire of
their students to properly pay tribute to the victims of the Armenian
Genocide without having to be absent from classes,’ stated
ANCA-Glendale Chairman Berdj Karapetian.

The ANCA-Glendale Education Committee chairperson Hilma Balaian
thanked the School Board members for their leadership and efforts to
find a balanced solution that addresses the needs of the students,
community, employees, and administration.

Balaian added that a large number of students and employees have been
absent or taken time off in the past when April 24 has fallen on an
instructional day.

Karapetian encouraged community members to attend next week’s School
Board meeting to express their appreciation to the Board members,
administration, teachers, and other employees of the GUSD.

The ANCA-Glendale advocates for the social, economic, cultural, and
political rights of the city’s Armenian American community and
promotes increased civic participation at the grassroots and public
policy levels.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apost. Church of America and Canada
H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan
Prelate, Easter Prelacy and Canada
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
Web:

May 16, 2013

NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY CONVENES

Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, where the 2013 National
Representative Assembly is taking place.

The Eastern Prelacy’s National Representative Assembly (NRA) convened
this afternoon and will conclude at noon on Saturday. The Assembly is
hosted by Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland. The clergy
conference began yesterday.

Concurrent with the Assembly the National Association of Ladies Guilds
(NALG) is once again convening their annual conference.

The Assembly opened officially at 1:30 pm with a prayer by His
Eminence Archbishop Oshagan. The first session included the
appointment of temporary co-chairs and secretaries, credentials
report, election of a nominating committee, and welcoming remarks by
Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian, pastor of the host parish, and Dr. Zareh
Soghomonian, chairman of the Board of Trustees.

FLAG BLESSING AND PRAYERS FOR THE REPUBLIC
WILL TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY, MAY 26

Prelacy parishes will offer prayers and bless the Armenian tricolor
flag on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of the first Armenian
Republic, and the 22nd anniversary of the current Republic of Armenia,
on Sunday, May 26. Requiem services will be offered for the souls of
the fallen heroes
of Sardarabad, Bashabaran, Gharakilise, and the martyrs in the freedom
of Artsakh.

`With holy heart and firm faith let us stand up together in
prayer and glorify the Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ. Let us thank him for he gave a visit with his mercy to the
Armenian nation and the holy Armenian Church, saving them from all the
tribulations of our homeland by the re-establishment therein of the
throne of our sovereignty.

Therefore, let us supplicate wholeheartedly that he may preserve the
Republic of our nation, and shine forth his Holy Church; that he may
increase the wisdom and ability of the leaders of our nation and all
laborers for the edification of our homeland; that he may assist all
our generals, armies and the soldiers who willingly offered their
persons as sacrifice to the altar of the salvation of our nation, in
the wars against the enemies; that he may strengthen us in our pursuit
of love and good works; that the Almighty God may revive us and have
mercy upon us.’
(From the `Prayer of Thanksgiving for the Republic of Armenia,’
prepared in 1920 by Archbishop Torkom Koushagian.

IN MEMORIAM
BEDROS GIVELEKIAN

It was with a deep sense of loss that His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan,
Prelate, and the Religious and Executive Councils received the news of
the passing of Bedros Givelekian, a beloved son of the Armenian Church
and nation, a Knight of Cilicia, an Eagle of the Prelacy, a Pillar of
the Prelacy, a former member and treasurer of the Executive Council,
and a former and long-time chairman of the Board of Trustees of
St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York. Mr. Givelekian died at home
on Monday, May 13.

The vigil took place on Tuesday evening at St. Sarkis Church attended
by hundreds of mourners. Funeral services took place Wednesday morning
at St. Sarkis Church, with the Vicar General, His Grace Anoushavan
Tanielian, officiating. Interment followed at Cedar Grove Cemetery,
Flushing, New York. The Memorial Luncheon (Hokejosh) took place at
St. Sarkis Church.

Mr. Givelekian is survived by his wife, Sonia (nee Donikian), his
children Mr. & Mrs. Arthur and Annette Givelekian, and Mr. &
Mrs. Berdj and Lucy Kazanjian, and four grandchildren, Ariana, Thomas,
Aris, and Lara.

May he rest in eternal peace in heavenly bliss.

Bedros Givelekian was born in 1933, in Negu Voda, Romania, to Krikor
and Dicranuhi Givelekian. He came to the United States in 1965 where
he continued his studies in accounting that he had started in
Bucharest.

He was actively involved in a number of important events in the
Armenian American community, including Pontifical Visits by His
Holiness Vasken I (Mother See of Etchmiadzin) in 1969; His Holiness
Karekin II (Holy See of Cilicia) in 1990; and His Holiness Aram I
(Holy See of Cilicia) in 1997.

Since 1980 he served St. Sarkis Church in a number of leadership roles
including chairman of the Board of Trustees and treasurer of the
Building Committee for the new Saint Sarkis Church. He was chairman of
St. Sarkis
during its most challenging years between the time the Bayside church
was destroyed by fire and the new church in Douglaston was built and
consecrated. In recognition of his outstanding service, Mr. Givelekian
was awarded the Knight of Cilicia insignia by the Holy See of Cilicia,
and the Eagle of the Prelacy by the Eastern Prelacy. He was an active
participant in the Knights of Vartan, and the Romanian Armenian
community.

Archbishop Oshagan decorates Bedros Givelekian with the `Eagle of the
Prelacy,’ the highest honor awarded by the Eastern Prelacy, during a
testimonial dinner in his honor on November 1, 2003, alongside his
wife Sonia.

DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM

St. Gregory of Datev Institute will hold its 27th annual Summer
Program for youth ages 13-18 at the St. Mary of Providence Center in
Elverson,
Pennsylvania, from June 30 – July 7, 2013. The Program is sponsored by
the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC). For
registration and information, please contact the AREC office at
212-689-7810 or at [email protected] or click here
().

BIBLE READINGS

Bible readings for Sunday, May 19, Pentecost (Eve of the Fast of
Elijah), are: Acts 2:1-21; John 14:25-31.

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one
place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a
violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were
sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a
tongue rested on each of them.
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in
other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in
Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered,
because each one heard them speaking in the native language of
each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, `Are not all these who are
speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own
native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of
Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia,
Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya
belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
Cretans and Arabs-in our own languages we hear them speaking about
God’s deed of power.’ All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one
another, `What does this mean?’ But others sneered and said, `They are
filled with new wine.’

But, Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed
them, `Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known
to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you
suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what
was spoken through the prophet Joel: `In the last days it will be, God
declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons
and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see
visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves,
both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they
shall prophesy. And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs
on the earth below, blood,
and fire, and smoky mist. The sun shall be turned to darkness and the
moon
to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. Then
everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts
2:1-21)

For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings click here
().

FEAST OF PENTECOST: The Descent of the Holy Spirit

This Sunday, May 19, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of
Pentecost (Hokekaloust), the descent of the Holy Spirit to the
Apostles, and the birth of the church. Jesus had commanded his
apostles to `Go therefore to all nations and make them my disciples,’
(Matthew 28:19). Recognizing the difficulty of this great
responsibility, Christ had advised his disciples not to begin their
teaching mission until after the =80=9Cdescent of the Holy Spirit.’

In the Acts of the Apostles, we read that on the day of Pentecost the
apostles gathered in one place, and suddenly a strong wind seemed to
fill the house in which they were assembled, and they were filled with
the Holy Spirit (see reading above). It was the Jewish feast of
Pentecost (Shabuoth) commemorating the giving of the law on Mount
Sinai and many people from different lands had come to Jerusalem. They
marveled that they could understand the Apostles’ words. This day when
the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles marked the beginning of
the mission of the Church to spread the Good News throughout the
world.

In a sense Pentecost is the opposite of what occurred in the Old
Testament story of the Tower of Babel when God disapproved of the
building of
a tower to reach the heavens and he created confusion by having the
workers suddenly speak in different tongues, and unable to understand
each other.
At Pentecost he gave the disciples the ability to speak other tongues
and thus be able to be understood by everyone everywhere.

Life-creating God, Spirit and lover of mankind, with tongues of fire
you enlightened those united with one accord in love; therefore we
also celebrate today your holy descent.

Filled with joy by your coming the holy apostles began in
different-sounding tongues to call into unity them that had been
divided from each other; therefore we also celebrate today your holy
descent.

By spiritual and holy baptism through them you have adorned the
universe in a new and radiant garment; therefore we also celebrate
your holy descent.

(From the Canon for the First Day of Pentecost according to the
Liturgical
Canons of the Armenian Church)

ASSEMBLY OF CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES MEETS WITH CATHOLICOS

The Executive Committee of the Assembly of Christian Communities in
the Middle East met with His Holiness Aram I on May 10 in
Antelias. Headed
by Maronite Bishop Samir Mazloum, the Assembly was created six years
ago to coordinate the activities and the human and material resources
of Christian communities in the region in order to contribute
effectively to their societies. The Holy See of Cilicia is represented
by Mr. Jean Salmanian and the Very Rev. Masis Choboyan.

During the meeting with His Holiness they discussed the situation in
the region and assessed the impact of the `Arab Spring’ on Christian
communities, particularly in Syria. Bishop Samir invited His Holiness
to attend the conference that will take place in October to which
representatives of the diasporas of local Christian communities will
be invited.

His Holiness thanked the members of the committee for their visit, and
he encouraged them to work towards strengthening the Christian
presence
in the region by advising people not to emigrate. The Catholicos urged
them to promote Christian-Muslim dialogue, despite difficulties, and
he also discussed the continuing efforts to obtain the release of two
kidnapped Metropolitans of Aleppo.

SAINTS COMMITTEE MEETS

The Saints Committee for the Armenian Genocide Victims, jointly
appointed by His Holiness Karekin II, Holy See of Etchmiadzin, and His
Holiness Aram I, Holy See of Cilicia, met for the fifth time on May 7
and 8 in Holy Etchmiadzin. The co-chairs, Archbishop Yesnik Bedrossian
(Holy See of Etchmiadzin) and Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian (Holy See
of Cilicia), presided over the meeting. In accordance with
recommendations by the two Catholicoi,
the members of the committee discussed the basis on which the victims
of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 will be canonized.

GENERAL SECRETARY OF MECC MEETS WITH CATHOLICOS

Dr. Michel Jalkh met with His Holiness Aram I, in Antelias, on May
3. Dr. Jalkh was recently elected as the General Secretary of the
Middle East Council of Churches (MECC). The General Secretary wanted
to discuss the situation in the region and the issues challenging the
MECC with His Holiness who is one of the Presidents of the MECC and a
church leader with wide ecumenical experience. His Holiness stressed
church unity and cooperation by
the member churches as important concerns, as well as the urgent need
of Christian-Muslim dialogue.

Birth of Hamo Bek-Nazarian (May 19, 1892)

Hamo (Hambardzum) Bek-Nazarian was one of the pioneers of Armenian
cinema. Born in Yerevan in 1892, he moved with his family to Tashkent
(currently the capital of Uzbekistan). He first became a cyclist, and
then a wrestler. He participated in competitions outside the Russian
Empire and even wrestled in the circus with the pseudonym of Maroni.

In 1914 he started his career in Russian cinema. His first role was a
minor one in a film, significantly titled Enver-pasha – predatel’
Turtsii (`Enver Pasha, Traitor of Turkey’), released in 1915. He
appeared with the artistic name of Hamo Bek in more than 70 Russian
silent movies, where he met his future wife, the actress Sofya
Volkhovskaya (1888-1956).

He graduated from the Commerce Institute of Moscow in 1918. In 1921
he headed the movies section of the film studios of Georgia and then
became a film director of the State Film of Georgia. In 1923 he moved
to Armenia
following an invitation by the government and founded the Armenfilm
(Haifilm)studios. This was a real challenge, as there were no grounds
for cinema in Armenia and Bek-Nazarian had to start everything from
scratch. Two years
later, he directed the first Armenian feature film, Namus (The Honor),
based on the homonymous play by Shirvanzade (1858-1935). He also
directed other important films, such as Zare (the first movie on
Kurdish life) and the first Armenian comedy, Shor and Shor Shor, in
1926. He wrote the scenario of
Shor and Shor Shor in one night and filmed it in eleven days. He also
filmed three Georgian movies in 1924-1925, and would later film two
Azerbaijani
movies (1927 and 1941).

By 1935 Bek-Nazarian had written (alone or in collaboration) and
directed sixteen films, both features and documentaries. He achieved
another
feat in that year: he directed the first Armenian sound film
(`talkie’), Pepo, also based on a

classical play by Gabriel Sundukian (1825-1912). This was four years
after
the release of the first Soviet sound film, at a time when less than
one out of a hundred film projectors in the Soviet Union were equipped
for sound. Pepo became his masterpiece, as well as one of the
masterworks of the Armenian movie industry. He earned the title of
Popular Artist of Soviet Armenia in the same year.

He produced two other important films among his works: Zangezur
(1938), which received the Stalin Prize of second degree in 1941, and
David Bek (1943). The latter was based on the Armenian rebellion
against Persian domination in the eighteenth century. However, he
suffered a very big disappointment with his film Yerrort karavan
(Third Caravan), dedicated to the subject of the repatriation to
Armenia in 1946-1948, which was probably set to become his
masterpiece. The filming of the movie, which was halfway, was
forbidden and the production was shut down in 1951, probably as part
of the
change of heart of the Soviet regime with regards to repatriation and
repatriates. Bek-Nazarian, deeply upset and disillusioned, abandoned
both Armenfilm and Armenia, and went to work in the Central Asian
republics, such as Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. He passed away on April
27, 1965, and was buried
at the Armenian cemetery of Moscow beside his wife. His work was
posthumously acknowledged and the movie studios of Armenfilm were
named after him.

CLICK FOR INTERVIEW WITH PETER BALAKIAN

If you have not listened to the interview of Peter Balakian by Vipp
Jaswal of Fox News Radio, we urge you to do so now. In the interview,
Professor Balakian discusses the Armenian Genocide, the United States
response,
the relevance of the word `Genocide,’ and the current situation in
Turkey vis-Ã -vis the human rights movement that is taking place.

As we encouraged last week, forward it to your friends and family
members, and ask them to do the same.

()

THE GREEDY SPARROW RECEIVES AWARD

The Greedy Sparrow: An Armenian Tale, retold by Lucine Kasbarian and
illustrated by Maria Zaikina, has won the 2013 Nautilus Silver Award
in the Children’s Picture Book category. The book was published by
Marshall Cavendish (now Amazon Children’s Books).

The Greedy Sparrow is an English-language retelling of a traditional
Armenian folk tale about a bird that travels the countryside,
encounters natives practicing traditional folkways, and gets a
comeuppance for his trickery. Author Kasbarian and illustrator Zaikina
convey ethnic authenticity in the adaption of this tale from the
Armenian oral tradition.

The Nautilus Awards recognize books that promote positive social
change, spiritual development and conscious living as they stimulate
the imagination and inspire the reader to new possibilities for a
better world. Formal announcements of the Nautilus Award winners will
be made at BookExpo America that will take place in New York City from
May 30 to June 1. The Greedy Sparrow was also named a 2012 Honor Book
in the Storytelling World Awards.

Copies of The Greedy Sparrow can be purchased from the Prelacy
Bookstore. For information contact the bookstore by email
([email protected]) or telephone (212-689-7810).

OPENING OF EXHIBIT AT QUEENS COLLEGE

The opening of the `Ladies from Your Past’ exhibit organized by the
Anthropology Museum of the People of New York and the Armenian
Cultural Educational Resource Center Gallery at Queens College will
open tomorrow evening, May 17, at 7 pm. The exhibit is at the
Rosenthal Library Rotunda at Queens College, 65-20 Kissena Boulevard,
Flushing, New York. The exhibit will be on display through September
30.

The exhibit brings to light contributions of women to world history
and events that includes famous, and some infamous, women in science,
politics, and the arts. More than 200 women from Africa, the Middle
East, Asia and the Americas are represented with displays of
photographs, biographies,
and figurines.

A reception will follow the ribbon cutting. For information and
reservations contact the Museum at 718-428-5650.

>From THE BOOKSTORE

THE ARMENIAD
Visible Pages of History
Text and Illustrations by Boris Baratov

This richly illustrated volume offers a panoramic view of the ancient
civilization of Armenia and into the 20th century. Beautiful color
photography accompanies the informative text based on the work of
scholars and historians utilizing the latest research. The oversize
format accommodates the photographs perfectly. The Armeniad was
printed in Italy, which is noted
for its exceptional production of art books. This is a lovely addition
to your own library or a very distinctive gift for a special person.

336 pages
$170, plus shipping & handling

To order this book, or for information about other books, contact the
Prelacy Bookstore by email ([email protected]) or by telephone
(212-689-7810).

PLEASE DO NOT FORGET OUR ONGOING RELIEF EFFORTS FOR THE ARMENIAN
COMMUNITY
IN SYRIA WHERE CONDITIONS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT.
THE NEED IS REAL.
THE NEED IS GREAT.

DONATIONS TO THE FUND FOR SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF CAN BE MADE ON LINE.
TO DONATE NOW CLICK HERE () AND
SELECT SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF IN THE MENU.

The Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief is a joint effort of: Armenian
Apostolic Church of America (Eastern Prelacy); Armenian Catholic
Eparchy; Armenian
Evangelical Union of North America; Armenian Relief Society (Eastern
USA, Inc.); Armenian Revolutionary Federation.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

May 2 to June 30-`History of Armenia: Past, Present, Future,’ a series
of eight seminars presented on Thursdays, 7 pm to 8:30
pm, at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York
City. Sponsored by the Cathedral and the UN Armenian
Mission. Facilitator:
Artur Martirosyan, Ph.D.

May 16-Movie Screening, `Orphans of the Genocide’ by Bared Maronian, 7
pm, at the AGBU offices, 55 E. 59th Street, 7th floor,
(between Park and Madison Avenues), hosted by AGB&U-YPGNY and
ANC-NY. Free
admission. RSVP to

May 17-Opening reception of `Ladies from Your Past’ exhibit at the
Rosenthal Library Rotunda at Queens College, 6-20 Kissena
Boulevard. Flushing, New York sponsored by the Anthropology Museum of
the People of New York and the Armenian Cultural Educational Resource
Center Gallery. Exhibit will continue through September 30. For
information/reservations contact the Museum at 718-428-5650.

May 16, 17, 18-National Representative Assembly hosted by Soorp Khatch
Church, Bethesda, Maryland.

May 16 and 17-National Association of Ladies Guilds (NALG) Conference
in conjunction with the National Representative Assembly, hosted by
Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland. This year’s raffle drawing
will benefit the Mother and Child Clinic in the Akhorian region of
Armenia and the Syrian-Armenian Relief Fund. To purchase ($10 each;
three for $25) contact NALG Executive (Sharke Der Apkarian at
[email protected] or 978-685-7243.

June 2- Strawberry Festival & Sunday Brunch hosted by the Ladies Guild
of St. Sarkis Church at St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church, 38-65
234Th St. Douglaston, NY. A delicious array of American and Armenian
dishes. Donation: $15.00. For More Information contact the church
office at 718-224-2275 or visit www. stsarkischurch.net and

June 7-Concert dedicated to the 300th Jubilee of Sayat Nova featuring
Elie Berberian (Canada) and his band performing songs by Sayat Nova
and
other favorite minstrels, 8 pm, at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th
Avenue,
Woodside, New York 11377. Donation: $25, includes post-concert
reception. For tickets: [email protected] or 212-689-5880.

June 9- St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church and Douglaston School
Of Music And Art present Aram Khachaturian: 110th Anniversary Concert
by faculty members and students of Douglaston School of Music & Art on
Sunday, June 9th 2013 1:30 pm at the Chaderjian Hall of St. Sarkis
Church, 38-65 234th St. Douglaston, NY. Donation: $10.

June 9-Father’s Day Dinner and Comedy, sponsored by Armenian
Compatriotic Union of Ourfa, featuring renowned comedian Vahe
Berberian with a new repertoire, with the participation of violinist
Souren Kahvedjian, Ya Hala Restaurant, 45 Main Street, Wallington, New
Jersey. Adults $60; children under ten $30. Proceeds to Syrian
Armenian Relief Fund. For information: (732) 970-5207.

June 13-St. Gregory Church, North Andover, Massachusetts, 4th annual
Cigar Night & Dinner in Blessed Memory of Rev. Fr. Vartan
Kassabian. Surf & Turf dinner, open bar, cigars, live & silent
auction, raffles. Tickets must be purchased in advance by sending a
check for $150 payable to St. Gregory’s Mens Club, 158 Main Street,
North Andover, Massachusetts 01845, or contact Greg Minasian at
[email protected], or 978-470-3075.

June 24-Holy Trinity Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, 10th Annual
Golf Outing at Sterling National Country Club, Sterling,
Massachusetts. Join us for a great day of golf including golf, cart,
breakfast, prizes, gifts, and dinner for $140 per golfer. Tee off at 9
am. Shotgun start and scramble format. For information contact Rich
Tashjian at [email protected]
or 978-422-7600.

June 30-July 7-27th Annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute, at St. Mary
of Providence Center, Elverson, Pennsylvania, sponsored by the
Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Cou8ncil (AREC). For
information contact the AREC office3 by email
([email protected]) or phone (212-689-7810).

July 4-11-4th Annual Summer Camp for Orphans will take place in
Dzaghgztazor, Armenia, sponsored by the Eastern Prelacy. Orphans ages
13 to 16 who are enrolled in the Prelacy’s Orphan Sponsorship program
are eligible to attend to learn about the Armenian Church and
history. The week
long program includes Bible study and prayers and meditation combined
with
summer fun activities and fellowship with other campers. For more
information contact Archpriest Fr. Aram Stepanian by email
([email protected]) or by phone (508-865-2454).

July 8-19-St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church 8th Annual Summer Camp
Program. For More Information contact the church office at
718-224-2275
or visit www. stsarkischurch.net and

July 14-`A Hye Summer Night VII’ Dinner Dance sponsored by Ladies
Guild of Sts. Vartanantz Church and Armenian Relief Society
`Ani’ Chapter of Providence, Rhode Island, at the Providence Marriott
Hotel, One Orms Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02904, 6 pm to
1 am. Featuring: Joe Kouyoumjian (oud), Brian Ansbigian (oud), David
Ansbigian (oud), Leon Janikian (clarinet), Ken Kalajian (guitar),
Jason Naroian (dumbeg), Armen Janigian (Daf). For tickets ($50 per
person) and information: Joyce Bagdasarian (401-434-4467); Joyce
Yeremian (401-354-8770).

August 18-St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan, Blessing of the
Grapes and Homecoming Picnic, at Lakeshore Park, 601 South Lake Drive,
Novi,
Michigan. Food, music, dancing, magic show, volleyball, soccer, tavlou
tournament, mountain biking, swimming.

Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacy’s web
site.

To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox,
add
[email protected] to your address book.

Items in Crossroads can be reproduced without permission. Please
credit Crossroads as the source.

Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about
their major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
Ararat and Masis Ararat Armenian Cemeteries
Frank H. Balekian, Jr. , Administrator
1925 West Belmont
Fresno, California 93728-2625
Tel: 559.292.2415
Fax: 559.486.2415
Email: [email protected]

15 May, 2013

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA ARMENIAN CHURCH CLERGY TO CONDUCT
MEMORIAL DAY ARMENIAN HOKEHANKIST MEMORIAL SERVICES
AT ARARAT AND MASIS ARARAT ARMENIAN CEMETERIES

The Clergy from the Armenian Churches of the Greater San Joaquin Valley will
conduct Armenian Hokehankist Memorial Services, on Monday, May 27, 2013, at
the Ararat and Masis Ararat Armenian Cemeteries of Fresno, California.

The first Hokehankist Memorial Service will take place at 10:00 a.m. at the
Armenian Martyrs Memorial near the Yazijian Memorial Building Administration
Office in the Ararat Armenian Cemetery, 1925 West Belmont Avenue, Fresno,
California. A second Hokehankist Memorial Service will follow at
approximately 10:30 a.m. at the Soghomon Tehlirian Monument in the nearby
Masis Ararat Armenian Cemetery, 250 North Hughes Avenue. The Armenian
Community of the Greater San Joaquin Valley and the general public are
invited to attend and participate.

The Hokehankist Memorial Services will remember the men and women fallen
while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States of America, the
several generations of departed members of the American-Armenian Community
of Central California, and those 1.5 million Martyred Armenians of the
Armenian Genocide of 1915.

Additional information is available by calling the Administration Office of
the Ararat and Masis Ararat Armenian Cemeteries at [559] 292.2415.

Members of the Armenian Community and youth from the youth organizations of
the Armenian Churches in the Armenian Community will be volunteering to
place the American Flag at the gravesite of all the known veterans who have
served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

Armenian-language video clip airs for first time on Turkish-state-run
music television (VIDEO)

May 16, 2013 | 14:42

ISTANBUL. – The video clip of Istanbul-Armenian singer Erlin
Tomaoglu’s song, titled `Snow Flake,’ began to be aired on TRT Muzik,
which is the state-run music television of Turkey, as of May 11.

The video clip of this song in Western Armenian is aired on TRT Muzik
for the first time, Haberturk News Agency of Turkey reports.

Tomaoglu had applied to TRT Muzik to have her clip aired, and she
received a positive a response ten days later.

Upon the singer’s request, Turkish-language subtitles were added to
the music clip, so that the Turkish public can understand the lyrics
of the song.

`Snow Flake’ is a song that is included in Erlin Tomaoglu’s album
entitled `Years Later.’

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

Major fire destroys the facilities of cargo transporting company in Yerevan

14:09 16.05.2013

Spayka cargo transporting company’s building at 252, Arshakunyats
Street, Yerevan, caught fire shortly before midnight on May 15.

The firemen continue the efforts to put out the fire in the
three-storey building. There are no casualties, the Ministry of
Emergency Situations said.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Spayka Ltd., founded in 2001, is a leading cargo transportation
company rendering international shipping services in Armenia. It did
not immediately comment on the development.

Zhoghovurd: Republican MPs did not attend celebration held by Tsarukyan

10:34 16/05/2013 » DAILY PRESS

Not all members of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) attended the
opening of PAP leader Gagik Tsarukyan’s Pharaoh (Paravon) complex and
the following banquet, according to Zhoghovurd. Members of the RPA
young guard, Eduard Sharmazanov, Armen Ashotyan and Karen Avagyan and
a number of Republican ministers did not attend the banquet, which was
not left unnoticed.

NA deputy speaker Eduard Sharmazanov told Zhoghovurd that he attended
the consecration ceremony of the church but missed the evening banquet
as he left for Zvartnots Airport as a member of the official
delegation meeting and seeing off Belarusian President Alexander
Lukashenko.

Source: Panorama.am