The Armenian Weekly On-Line: AWOL
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AWOL (Armenian Weekly On-Line) Volume 73, No. 1, January 6, 2007
1. The ‘No!’ of a Historic Community
By Shahan Kandaharian
2. Political Tourism?
By Garen Yegparian
3. King of the Mesa
Artist Richard Tashjian Talks of a Life Well Lived,
from Watertown to the Crimea and Beyond
By Andy Turpin
4. Letters to the Editor
Harut Sassounian
Anthony P. Mezoian
Mitch Kehetian
5.Haik the Smiling Vendor
By Tom Vartabedian
6. For Verse Junkies – Your Weekly Fix of Poetry
Christmas
By Tatul Sonentz
7. His Holiness Aram I Pays Visit to Fort Wayne
By Dr. Bedros N. Nersessian
8. ACAA Armenian Heritage Tours: A Family-Friendly Way to Visit Armenia
9. ‘The Passion of Scrooge’ Does it Again
10. FIDE Names Andriasian Chess Grandmaster,
Armenian Central Bank Honors Chess Champs
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1. The ‘No!’ of a Historic Community
By Shahan Kandaharian
The united statement issued by the three Armenian political parties active
in Lebanon, though extremely relevant to current events, also stands to
create greater discussion in the long term.
This rare initiative extends our communal horizons and invites all strata of
the community to stand together on a vital national issue and to work
together to overcome the challenges we face.
Much has been said about creating unity within our community and presenting
a united front when faced with outside challenges. But a lot has also been
said about showing this unity through more than political statements read on
podiums during April 24 commemorations.
Unfortunately, we were to develop such a united front in much of our past.
Today, however, the international political climate and the so-called "rules
of the game" have once again forced us to consolidate our stance and react
in the appropriate manner.
Our community is now faced with a significant obstacle. In order to overcome
it, it needs the combined force of all its components and parties.
Responding to the current challenge, the three Armenian political parties
have adopted a united stance that rejects the participation of Turkey in its
attempts to resolve the political crisis in Lebanon.
This unity is reflected in the joint statement made in the three parties’
official publications. The Armenian community’s press is also displaying a
united stance by rejecting any political initiatives by Turkish officials in
Lebanon.
This unity disproves rumors of internal discord within the Armenian
community. Not only is there unity in the way we view the issues, but
agreement on the priority of the issues, as well.
There is no need for surprise. The issue is clear because it relates to a
genocidal government and its representative. There is no gray area when
dealing with the Prime Minister of a government that denies genocide. There
can be no compromise when the issue is Turkish participation in Lebanese
affairs. This stance stems from the following political arguments:
-Turkey has no right to play peacemaker, since it has signed a military and
strategic alliance with Israel, one of the warring sides in the recent
conflict.
-Turkey itself has the status of an occupier. It invaded and occupied parts
of Cyprus, which forced the international community to send peacekeepers to
the island.
-Turkey is still regularly accused by European organizations of violating
the rights of its ethnic and religious minorities. A government that
persecutes its own citizens cannot possibly assume the role of an impartial
peacemaker in another conflict.
-Turkey continues to deny the Armenian Genocide. And this issue is not only
relevant from the viewpoint of Lebanese-Armenians. Various religious and
ethnic communities co-exist in Lebanon, where balance and equality is
maintained among all. In 2000, the Lebanese Parliament condemned the
Armenian Genocide in its strictest terms and demanded that the Turkish
government recognize it in order to prevent future genocides.
It is not a coincidence that the Armenian community chose the main artery
between New Hajen and Bourj Hamoud to make its views and rejection of
Turkish participation known and, under the banner of its united political
parties, once again said "No" to the Turkish Prime Minister.
Shahan Kandaharian is the editor in chief of Aztag Daily, the official
newspaper of the ARF Central Committee in Lebanon.
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2. Political Tourism?
By Garen Yegparian
Isn’t this a great title? Wish I could take credit for it! But it came from
a friend who left last week for Lebanon saying, "You’ve heard of tourism and
eco-tourism. Well, we’re going political tourism-with two cameras, in case
one is confiscated."
But, inspired by a discussion at an ARF meeting, I’ve got in mind another
destination and time. Armenia, May 2007. Let’s get people to go as observers
for Armenia’s parliamentary elections. Not half-cocked and on their own, but
rather through whatever agencies and NGOs do this sort of work.
By helping keep the elections clean, we’d be contributing to Armenia’s
credibility in the world’s eyes. And we’d even help the efficacy of the
whole election-watching proposition, because unlike the Europeans and
Americans who’d otherwise end up there, we know the language.
What a great project this would be for the AYF, not just in North America,
but throughout the Diaspora. The ARF Shant Students Association and its
equivalent could provide the impetus on college campuses and their Armenian
clubs, where, I suspect, the largest pool of potential poll watchers is to
be found.
I imagine election observer/watchdog groups could provide training. This
would look great on any resume. What great exposure! What great potential
for future use of this experience! Hell, we might offer to teach Floridians
and Ohioans how to run a clean election!
Another interesting angle might be to secure Jimmy Carter’s participation in
this project. He’s done work in election observation before. And while he’s
in Armenia, he could give one of his other projects, Habitat for Humanity, a
boost. They too have worked in our homeland.
Perhaps we could even prevail on our elected representatives in the state
and federal governments to help subsidize part of the travel costs of those
who can least afford the trip.
This strikes me as a great way to help shore up democracy in Armenia and
demonstrate the Diaspora’s commitment to Armenia in a critical,
non-financial realm. Let’s pin down which organizations will be conducting
this oversight and how many people are needed, and then strive to be at
least 25 percent of that labor pool.
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3. King of the Mesa
Artist Richard Tashjian Talks of a Life Well Lived, from Watertown to the
Crimea and Beyond
By Andy Turpin
WATERTOWN, Mass. (A.W.)-Acclaimed Armenian landscape artist Richard Tashjian
recently spoke with the Armenian Weekly via phone from his home outside of
Santa Fe, N.M.
Tashjian, 81, opened his most recent exhibition of landscape paintings this
past fall at the Editions Gallery in Santa Fe. He titled them, "Along the
Rio Grande."
Tashjian spoke about the many paths he has traveled over the years. He grew
up in Dorchester and Watertown during the 1930’s, after his family-like so
many Armenian families-came to the United States to escape the Genocide. "In
1918, my family came from Kharpert. My mom, her father, her brother and her
young sister were all massacred. The only ones that survived were one
brother and one sister. But that brother became a well-known Rockport School
artist. His name was Geragos Der Garabedian, and he opened an art gallery
right across from the Prudential Center. His son still runs the gallery. .
My father’s side lost no one. They all came here. He married my mother from
a photograph. My dad was a shoemaker, a cobbler. We moved when I was young
from Dorchester to Watertown. My dad had a shoe repair shop on Dumar St."
Tashjian described how he spent his free time as a child fascinated by art.
"I was influenced a great deal by my uncle [Geragos]. I’d go to the Museum
of Fine Arts and sketch the Greek casts there. I learned proportion doing
these charcoal drawings. That was way back. From that point on I went to the
Children’s Art Center in Roxbury, and that was great. I used to go there
every Friday. I’d sketch and do whatever I wanted. It was kind of a free
thing. That was the beginning."
When asked whether his family had always been supportive of his becoming an
artist he said, "Oh sure!" He paused, and then said, "Well, they were, until
we found out that it was tough making a living, you know? When I went into
the Service I took free classes through the G.I. Bill [following WWII]."
He immediately enrolled in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and graduated
in 1950 after having served in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1944 to 46.
"I took a four-year course. It was a combination between doing illustration
and advertising. I had a separate course for drawing and painting." At that
time, he got married and was getting a monthly subsistence from the WWII
Naval Reserve."
I asked him whether his career as a Navy aerial photographer had any bearing
on his career as an artist. "Well, let me put it this way," he replied. "To
make a living, it put me in contact with a number of advertising agencies in
Boston. I ended up working for the promotional department of the Boston
Herald Traveler. And they ended up doing a full page spread of my travels to
Armenia. That was a knockout in those days."
He went into detail about his "bread and butter" days, when he worked for
various advertising agencies before being able to devote himself fully to
his desired field of landscape painting. He said, "I don’t know how many
people remember, but they used to have color postcards. My first job was not
coloring, but airbrushing these postcards. We would do what was called "four
color separations. . From there, I worked for the Boston Gear Works in
Quincy doing illustrations. These were mechanical and engineering
illustrations. Then I worked for Mount Sorrel Reality. They built a bunch of
homes in Framingham that were bought through the G.I. Bill. I was the art
director there for about four or five years. It was when they folded that I
ended up working for the Herald Traveler promotional department."
Backtracking to his days in the Navy, Tashjian related, "At that point I was
stationed in Road Island and when I got into the photo lab, Henry Fonda was
the aero-logical officer. I met him probably about two or three times. That
was another experience. When the A-Bomb dropped I was lucky. I was set to be
sent over to the Islands [Japan and the Philippines]. After that, I decided
to go home and that was it." But he had the opportunity to go on an aircraft
carrier, the Roosevelt, to go all around the world and come back. "Now that
I think about it, that wouldn’t have been a bad idea."
Remembering how he met his first wife, Gladys Zevart Tashjian, who passed
away in 1983, Tashjian reminisced, "In Harvard Square, they used to have
dances every Friday or Saturday. She lived in Watertown. I met her then. We
got married at an early age, but this was after I got out of the service,
around 1946. They had Artie Barsamian and all the orchestras from around
here played at these dances. Kids today don’t have that kind of stuff. Those
were the good old days. But that was where you met. You could find an
Armenian gal and if you had the interest you got married. That was it."
Tashjian then spoke about his heyday as an artist and art promoter in the
late 1960’s and 70’s. "I have a long history. In 1973 I organized the
Armenian Artist’s Association of America and that went on until 1990. It was
comprised of artists of Armenian-American descent and we exhibited all over
the United States. But in particular two exhibits-one in 1979 and the other
in 1986-were of importance and all the artists donated their paintings to
the museum in Yerevan at the time." The 1979 exhibition was at the Artist’s
Union Gallery and the 1986 show was presented at the Museum of Modern Art,
both in Yerevan, Armenia.
In 1976, he was with William Saroyan in Armenia.
He went on to describe his past work in bringing greater public exposure to
Armenian artists through broadcasting. "In 1974 I created an audio visual
presentation of my trips to Armenia and of contemporary artists there. This
was broadcast on WBGH-PBS in 1974. From 1969 to 90, I traveled to Armenia
off and on. I also owned and operated a gallery on 57 Bigelow Ave. in
Watertown from 1975 to 90."
Tashjian published a book on his travels through Armenia in 1980. "It was
just drawings and sketches that I made. I only published about 500 of them.
It was called, My Travels Through Armenia. They were charcoal and lithograph
drawings. Some of the originals are in the Armenian Library and Museum of
America in Watertown."
He was humble about his achievements as an artist and only offhandedly
mentioned that he is listed in the German Artistic Encyclopedia as one of
the "cultural artists of all time," in 1983 in Munich.
Of greater significance to him was the fact that when he was in Europe he
visited Vincent Van Gogh’s gravesite. "That was a great thing for me. Not
too many people get an opportunity to do that. I took a train from Paris to
Auvers-sur-Oise to the site, and did a tribute painting. I’ve still got it."
Tashjian’s work has been featured in private collections all over the place:
Watertown Public Library, Jamaica Plain Art University Hall, UMass, the
Museum of Modern Art and the Hovannes Aivazovsky Museum in Feodosia,
Crimea."
In 1990, he was invited to be a part of the 100th anniversary celebration of
the artist Hovannes Aivazovsky in Feodosia. "We all received a bronze medal.
They invited artists of Armenian descent from all over: Greece, Iran,
France, England. From the U.S., they picked me. I had hoped because of all
the colorful things that I’d done." He was there for a month, and painted on
location. "I donated three paintings to the Feodosia Museum in Crimea. One
painting is in the Aivazovsky Museum in Yerevan."
We then switched gears and discussed his more recent career as a landscape
painter in New Mexico, where Tashjian has resided since the early 1990’s.
When he first traveled to Santa Fe, he still owned property in
Massachusetts, and had to decide whether or not to move. "I came here on a
sojourn for two to three to four years. Then my new wife and I decided to
come to Santa Fe permanently. I made one contact with a gallery, things
started to move along, and the decision was made to come to New Mexico." He
had remarried in 1986 to Aelieta Tashjian of Yerevan. "My second wife is a
poetess who studies Armenian and Russian literatures," he said.
Tashjian considers his later years in life just as important. In New Mexico,
he said, "You wouldn’t believe it-the weather is tremendous. The mountains
here are extremely similar to Armenia, and that’s what blew my mind coming
out here. Where are you gonna go in Massachusetts to find scenery like that?
Everywhere you turn here, there’s something to paint! That’s the reason I’m
here. You get cloud formations you won’t see anywhere and sunsets that just
glow. You have to physically see these things to believe them."
His heart is still in Massachusetts, he said, "but I’m enjoying it out West
and taking every day as it comes. I like it though. People say hello to you
out here."
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4. Letters to the Editor
Dear Sir:
I fully concur with your excellent editorial (Dec. 30, "Preemptive
Recognition: We Will Not Go Home"). It clearly explains that "Genocide
recognition" is not an end in itself-a concept I have been advocating in my
own columns for many years.
I just would like to add that we do not need to get Genocide recognition
before pursuing the other two R’s (Reparations and Return of territories).
We need to pursue these two R’s independent of Turkish recognition of the
Genocide and without waiting for the Turks to recognize the Genocide before
pursuing our real goals.
If the Turkish government were to recognize the Genocide today, that by
itself would give us nothing except some psychological relief. In fact, the
recognition of the Genocide would benefit Turkey much more by rehabilitating
its international image and facilitating its entry into the European Union.
Armenians would gain absolutely nothing from Turkey’s recognition of the
Genocide.
Armenians should consider the Genocide already recognized (a long time ago)
and go on pursuing their real goals (reparations and return of the occupied
Armenian territories)!
Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
***
Dear Editor,
My deepest sympathies to the Tashjian family for their loss.
Jim Tashjian was my mentor.
At the age of 18 he encouraged me to write. While in the U.S. Army stationed
in Kokora, Kyushu, Japan, I took a course in short story writing through the
USAFI. My tour of duty was with the U.S. Occupational Forces. I auditioned
and won a spot as T/4 Snare Drummer in the famed 24 Infantry Division Band.
We toured all over southern Japan-thus the material for my short stories.
I sent editor James Tashjian my first short story, "The Little Red
Shoes"-yes, written in long hand! He published it in the Armenian Weekly
(1948).
The short story was picked up by Houghton Mifflen’s annual "Best Short
Stories," edited by Martha Foley. It received "Distinctive Honors" (seconded
by James Tashjian).
This paved the way for more short stories for the quarterly Armenian Review
and, through Jim’s encouragement, for my weekly column, "As Maine Goes," for
the Hairenik in the 50’s and 60’s.
Even as a Fulbright Exchange teacher in the UK (1958), I sent articles to
the Weekly from Europe: from Manchester, London, Paris and Brussels.
James Tashjian was a good Armenian and gave me much inspiration to write. It
was an honor to have known him over the past 50 years.
Jim Tashjian was my mentor.
Anthony P. Mezoian
***
Dear Editor,
The loss of James H. Tashjian is a loss we share deeply.
If any one person was responsible in motivating me to seek a career in
journalism, it was Jimmy Tashjian.
He’s now in the company of Reuben Darbinian and James Mandalian, and a long
line of other Armenian journalism giants who wrote for the Hairenik
publications.
Through Jimmy’s influence, I launched my career writing for the Weekly
during my early AYF years, and the creation of a weekly column he tagged
"Motor City News." As time progressed, he encouraged me to express my
editorial opinions and profile feature stories about Armenians.
Any success I’ve achieved after 53 years as a journalist, I must credit to
Jimmy Tashjian.
When Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan said Jimmy Tashjian was "a beloved son of
the Armenian Church and nation," he expressed the thoughts of all Armenians.
And he did so in a truly deserved expression of the Armenian Church.
Jimmy’s years of service at the Weekly and Armenian Review, and his
masterful work in publishing a book that profiled Armenian-Americans who
served during World War II, will remain etched in the "hall of fame" of
Armenian journalism.
He was a mentor who served the Armenian cause, and inspired many to seek
lasting careers in journalism.
Thanks Jimmy, from all of us.
Mitch Kehetian
Allen Park, Mich.
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5.Haik the Smiling Vendor
By Tom Vartabedian
I’d like to wish someone a very happy and prosperous Armenian Christmas. His
name is Haik, and he’s the smiling vendor on Sayat Nova Street in Yerevan.
You’ll find him every day peddling his wares in front of the Ani Hotel,
oblivious to his impoverished state. He’s there every morning, noon and
night, whether you want to avoid him or not.
How about a nice Armenian cross to bring you luck? That’s his gimmick. Or
perhaps an authentic Armenian bracelet for the love of your life? He’s got
the perfect sales pitch for a street guy. The grin on his face is automatic.
He greeted us upon our arrival in Armenia this September. The bus had
disposed of its passengers at 10 o’clock on a Sunday night, and there was
Haik like an official ambassador.
The vagabond greeted us with one hand and had trinkets in another.
"My name is Haik," he proclaimed. "I have souvenirs of Armenia."
If you know Armenian folklore, the name comes from an Armenian king of
prominence after whom the country (Hayastan) is named. He never gave his
second name, but it didn’t matter.
We were famished after a long plane ride and hankering for a bite to eat.
Without knowing the layout of the city, we were somewhat wayward-just like
Haik himself.
"You like lahmejun?" he suggested. "I take you to the finest lahmejun
restaurant in Armenia."
There we were, a group of 20 from Merrimack Valley with Haik in the
forefront, leading the way. In short order, we arrived at a place called
"Mer Kughe," or "Our Village," for what was to be the best tasting lahmejun
this side of the Caspian Sea.
We invited our self-proclaimed tour guide to join us for dinner and he didn’t
refuse. He had a voracious appetite-probably his first decent meal of the
day-and kept us entertained with one amusing story after another. He even
sang for his supper.
He was a fun-loving guy, the type you would write home about, or package and
preserve for a gloomy day. Haik certainly brought a ray of sunshine to our
midst.
In the days that followed, there he would be in front of that hotel, hawking
his wares. One sale led to another and another. One morning I got a little
personal.
"Where you from, Haik?" I asked in Armenian.
"Eer, Etchmiadzin," he replied.
"That’s the Holy Motherhouse. Nobody lives there except priests, bishops,
seminarians and the Catholicos."
"It’s also a city," he confirmed. "People live there like they do in Yerevan
and other places."
He told me he got a free ride to the Ani Hotel every day from a friend in a
taxi, and I had difficulty believing him. On the afternoon of our visit to
Etchmiadzin, there he was, sure as Ararat, playing the crowd with his
merchandise in hand.
"I decided to stay home today," he said. "Would you like to buy one of my
lucky Armenian crosses?"
"Okay, okay," I said, relieved just to get him off my back. The $3 couldn’t
have been better spent, considering what we gave away to other street
beggars during our stay.
I put the small wooden cross around my neck. It came with a black string and
showed the crucifixion.
In the weeks that followed, wonderful things began to happen in my life. I
began playing a more competitive game of racquetball. My stories at the
paper were making a bigger impact than usual, especially the ones about
Armenia. People were donating extra money to the Santa Fund I helped
promote.
One son called to say he was promoted to senior engineer. Two other children
were also blessed with their own success stories.
The flu that hit me suddenly disappeared. And the fall my 95-year-old mother
took a day after my return failed to get her down. She recovered just fine
from hip surgery and is doing well in a nursing home. There is happiness at
every turn.
I don’t know whether all this is attributed to the cross Haik sold me or
whether it was just serendipity. I do not place my faith in charms like
rabbit’s feet and lucky pennies.
But this cross will continue to remain around my neck because it came from a
very special man named after a king in Armenia who brought some joy to our
visit. For that, I am eternally grateful.
Merry Christmas, Haik, wherever you may happen to be, and may every day be
better than the next.
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6. For verse junkies – your weekly fix of poetry
Christmas
By Tatul Sonentz
Walking
down Main Street
you can see the postman
deliver greeting cards
junk mail and bills
to double- and triple-deckers.
You can see a boy on a bike
wearing a red Santa hat
delivering pizza to the recluse
and young men
with cans of beer and ale
in their idle hands.
You can see a cop tagging
an illegally parked
van displaying dried bird droppings
and a green bumper sticker
that says "Nature Knows Best".
Over there
a mangy dog sniffs the crotch
of a poodle on a leash
attached to the door handle
of a shiny, vintage Cadillac
parked in front
of a pawn shop.
Further down
you see people
in their Sunday best enter
the Community Church carrying
or dragging kids and toddlers
bundled against the cold
and the snow and sleet
as forecast.
Way way back in time far far
from Church street
and Main
a woman-child delivers a manchild
in a manger. He will wear a crown
of thorns and before his demise
will teach us
to pray for deliverance from evil-
for ours is no kingdom of angels
or a place of power and glory.
It is just a small town
among so many.
2006
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7. His Holiness Aram I Pays Visit to Fort Wayne
By Dr. Bedros N. Nersessian
Photos by John Escosa II, Stedman Studios, Fort wayne, Ind.
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (A.W.)- In early Nov. 2006, the Eastern Prelacy of the
Armenian Apostolic Church in North America announced the visit of His
Holiness Catholicos Aram I to the Midwest from Dec. 1-7. The itinerary
included the states of Michigan, Indiana and Minnesota. On Dec. 2 and 3, the
Catholicos visited his flock in Dearborn, Mich., where he led
Armenian-American youth from various communities in the United States and
presided over a hrashapar service at St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church.
>From Dec. 4 to 5, the Vehapar visited Notre Dame University in South Bend as
the keynote speaker at an interdisciplinary conference titled "Faith and
Health: The Dynamics of Religious Coping," co-sponsored by Notre Dame and
the Indiana University School of Medicine. En route to Notre Dame, the
Vehapar paid a cursory visit to Fort Wayne, the second largest city in
Indiana. His arrival at noon on Dec. 4 was a joyous event for the city’s
small Armenian community, comprised of roughly 10 families. Since no such
important Armenian dignitary had heretofore frequented Indiana, his visit
elicited genuine excitement locally from Armenian-Americans and hoosiers
alike. (A hoosier is a common nickname for someone from Indiana, derived
from an early Scottish-Irish insult for someone from the "hill country" or
"hill shire.") The occasion was prominently covered by both the Fort Wayne
Journal-Gazette and the News-Sentinel, the latter splashing a front page
headline that read, "Armenian Spiritual Leader Visit City."
The Catholicos was accompanied by Archbishops Oshagan Choloyan and Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelates of the Eastern and Western Prelacies of the U.S.,
respectively; Rev. Shahe Papazian, dean of the Antelias Seminary; Jack
Mardoian, Esq., chairman of the Executive Council of the Eastern Prelacy;
judge Sarkis Tshoian, ex-chair of the Executive Council; and Father Daron
Stepanian of St. Sarkis Church.
The Catholicos was met at the Michigan state line by the Indiana State
Police. He was then escorted to Fort Wayne to the residence of Zohrab
Tazian, a prominent businessman and civic leader, who arranged the visit and
furnished hospitality with exceptional generosity. Arriving at Tazian’s, the
Vehapar performed a traditional Armenian "blessing of the house" with bread
water and salt, and was warmly received by a crowd of 100 guests. These
included a number of religious, civic and business personalities, notably
Bishop John M. D’Arcy, head of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South
Bend; Congressman Mark E. Souder of the 3rd Congressional District; Indiana
House Representative Randy L. Borror; and heads of the local Lutheran,
Episcopal, Trinity Episcopal, Greek and Syriac Orthodox churches. The clergy
of two non-denominational congregations were also present.
The Catholicos, noted for his longstanding track record as leader of the
ecumenical movement within the World Council of Churches and his Christian
brethren, enthusiastically received the Oriental Orthodox-Eastern Orthodox
Dialogue, etc. Bishop D’Arcy and Father Paul Bebis of the Holy Trinity Greek
Orthodox Church in Fort Wayne spoke highly of the Catholicos’s significance
as promoter of Christian ecumenism.
Bishop D’Arcy was quoted as saying that "Aram I’s words on faith and healing
are starting to be heard in the medical community. More doctors are
realizing the connection. It is a great code of Christian education." Father
Paul Bebis shared with the Journal Gazette that "His Holiness’ visit is
‘huge.’ He is a spiritual leader for all of us. That is why we are here."
Tazian welcomed the Catholicos by stating that "The Sheppard had found his
flock." He expressed a special gratitude for the honor bestowed on the City
of Fort Wayne, the local Armenian community, and not least, himself, his
wife Naomi, three of their children and four of their grandchildren. On a
more sentimental note, the host shared that since his childhood in Musa Dagh
(located in historic Armenian Cilicia) and through his parent’s religious
teachings, learning hymnals and seminary studies he has come to relish the
Mother Church. Tazian concluded that since his arrival almost 50 years ago
to Fort Wayne, and to this day, he has remained firmly committed to his
Armenian faith, heritage and people.
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan introduced His Holiness, referring to his
longstanding spiritual leadership. He emphasized that early on as Prelate of
more than 250,000 Lebanese Armenians, the Vehapar played a crucial role in
the interfaith and communal reconciliation efforts during the turbulent
Civil War in Lebanon. After his elevation in 1995 to Catholicos, Aram I,
besides his prolific literary record, has assumed a prominent role in the
world ecumenical movement and gained international acclaim as a Christian
scholar.
Bishop D’Arcy then addressed the Pontiff. The Bishop stated that he felt
honored to welcome such illustrious Christian brethren. Mark Souder, freshly
reelected to a 7th term in Congress and a noted advocate of Armenian causes,
greeted the Catholicos in turn, commenting on the large role the small
Armenian community in Fort Wayne played in his reelection. Thereafter, Rep.
Borror read a proclamation by state governor Mitch Daniels declaring the
Vehapar "an Honorary Hoosier," which was followed with thunderous applause.
His Holiness thanked the gathered for their warm reception. Evidently
missing the salutary Mediterranean weather, he jokingly contrasted it with
the winter gloom, and mused that while there are few Armenians in town,
quality matters more than sheer numbers. He remarked that Armenians have
been and remain active and productive U.S. citizens. Their unique
experiences, skills and abundance of talents are committed to benefiting the
United States, as well as maintaining a vibrant Armenian-American Diaspora.
Emphasizing that the preservation of Armenian heritage is fully congruent
with developing an American identity, he reminded the audience that the
cataclysmic changes resulting from September 11 should reenergize all
Armenian-Americans, intensifying their contributions to this great country.
In this, he pointed to the significance of renewal through the missionary,
evangelical and educational outreach of the Church of Christ. He concluded
by elaborating on the connection between spirituality and healing, and that
mind, soul and body form an inseparable holistic totality.
After attending the University of Notre Dame conference, the Vehapar
ventured to St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn., where he received
the 2006 Pax Christi Award. He returned on Dec.7 to Antelias, Lebanon.
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8. ACAA Armenian Heritage Tours: A Family-Friendly Way to Visit Armenia
WATERTOWN, Mass. (A.W.)- The Armenian Weekly recently spoke with Maro
Asatoorian, a representative of the Armenian Cultural Association of America
(ACAA), about its Armenian Heritage Tours and its growing popularity among
Armenian-Americans.
Tour members depart from both Boston and Washington to travel to Armenia via
Air France. Once in Armenia, they spend time visiting various locations,
including Yerevan, Khor Virap, Noravank, Areni, Haghpat, Sanahin, Lake
Sevan, Dilijan, the Amberd Fortress, the Etchmiadzin Cathedral, Sardarabad,
Tsaghkadzor and Garni. There is also an optional excursion to Karabakh.
This is the Armenian Heritage Tours’ fifth year in operation. "It started
out with the Heritage Cruises," said Asatoorian. "Then it was decided that
we wanted to find a way to introduce our homeland to Armenians in the U.S.
The first group we took was a small group of about 20 people. People enjoyed
it so much that by our second group there were 85 people."
Asatoorian noted that the majority that joins the tours are already educated
about Armenia beforehand. "Everyone that has attended has had so much
enthusiasm and engagement with our history and culture," she said.
As for travel itineraries planned for future Heritage Tour groups, she said
that they try to implement new destinations into the tours every year. "In
the future, we hope to have shorter, three to four-day excursions into
Historic Armenia." The tour would cross the Georgian border and visit the
ruins of Ani, Akhtamar and Lake Van.
Asatoorian tells group members to avoid comparing Armenia to the United
States. "They know that not everything will be normal there. But no one has
complained on any of the tours."
She praised the ACAA staff and tour guides, who are primarily Armenian
history students from Yerevan State University, fluent in English and
Armenian. "When we go to various museums, arrangements are made with the
resident guides there and they use their own people," she said.
Karabakh has always been an optional tour. "Not everyone can go," said
Asatoorian, "and it is tiring for some people. Usually the tour consists of
about 10-15 people. It has its own specialized guide that we pick up in
Yerevan, and the trip goes for three days and two nights."
As for the nationalities that comprise the average tour, Asatoorian recalled
that "During the last tour, we had mainly Armenian-Americans that were of
professions like teachers and doctors. There have been six to eight
Armenian-Canadians over the years. One such family brought their sons along.
It was really wonderful because the whole family enjoyed everything so much
and everyone was able to have their fun at nights, too." For their July
tour, Asatoorian said they are trying to attract families, especially those
with teenagers. "It is wonderful when people can travel as a family."
For more information on the ACAA Heritage Tours, visit
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9. ‘The Passion of Scrooge’ Does it Again
BOSTON, Mass. (A.W.)-Richard Dyer’s review appearing in the Boston Globe of
last year’s performance of Jon Deak’s "The Passion of Scrooge" could have
been written for this year’s production at Emmanuel Church on Dec. 16. The
players were the same brilliant musicians that comprised the Firebird
Ensemble, and the talented Aaron Engebreth played Scrooge.
The venue was the intimate hall of the church on Newbury Street in Boston.
that has served as the setting for several events hosted and presented by
the Andreassian Music Fund (AMF), one of the major supporters for this year’s
"Passion of Scrooge." Armand Andreassian has been meeting and planning with
Kate Vincent, director and principal violist of the Firebird Ensemble, to
present a performance next year in a west suburb venue to introduce the
production to a new audience.
Vincent, originally from Australia, is the associate principal violist for
the Boston Modern Orchestra project, and has performed as both principal and
associate principal violist for numerous groups, including Emmanuel Music,
Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra and Opera Boston. In 2004, Vincent received an
award from the St. Botolph Club Foundation on behalf of the Firebird
Ensemble and was recently appointed co-director of Longitude at the Longy
School of Music.
Engebreth (Scrooge) has been acclaimed for his "exemplary diction and rich
baritone voice." He has an active career in opera, oratorio and recitals. He
is the co-founder and director of the Floristan Recital Project and
frequently collaborates with composers such as Daniel Pinkham, Lucas Foss
and Jon Deak. He performs regularly with Emmanuel Music in their Bach
cantata series.
Engebreth has served on the music faculty of Brown University and Tufts
University, where he was a two-time recipient of a faculty development grant
to study music of the French Baroque in Paris. He currently serves on the
faculty of the Boston Conservatory. He lives with his wife, Katherine, and
two children in Portland, Maine.
Richard Dyer said of this performance: "Engebreth’s performance was a
triumph, resonantly sung over the entire range of his voice, vigorously and
variously characterized. The playing of the instrumentalists, energetically
coordinated by conductor Chris Kim, was first-rate, and the musicians really
got into their multitasking."
The Boston Globe named Firebird Ensemble’s performance of "The Passion of
Scrooge" a critic’s pick for the holiday season. Those who attended this
performance certainly agreed. Jeanne Steinberg of Waltham remarked that she’d
want to see the performance every year.
The Firebird Ensemble’s untraditional productions have been presented in
some unusual venues, as in the case of last February’s performance at the
barbeque restaurant Redbones. The program was called "Meat the Composer."
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10. FIDE Names Andriasian Chess Grandmaster
Armenian Central Bank Honors Chess Champs
YEREVAN (A.W.)- The 2006 World Junior Chess champion Zaven Andriasian
received the Grandmaster title from the International Chess Federation
(FIDE). Andriasian (b. 1989) is currently ranked 14th among Armenian chess
players and is the youngest Armenian Grandmaster.
In honor of the Armenian victory at the 37th World Chess Olympiad in Turin,
Italy, in 2006, the Central Bank of Armenia put in circulation a
commemorative golden coin. The nominal price of the coin amounts to AMD
10,000 (approx. US$20).
Along the edges of the coin are the names of the chess players who
represented Armenia at the Olympiad. They are: Levon Aronian, Vladimir
Akopian, Karen Asrian, Gabriel Sargissian, Smbat Lputian and Artashes
Minasian.
Armenia had clinched the gold in the Turin Olympiad with 36 points after 13
rounds. China won the silver with 34 points and the United States settled
for 3rd place with 33 points.
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www.ACAAArmenianTours.com.