Author: Kanayan Tamar

EXHIBITION OF ARMENIAN ARTISTS OPENS IN TBILISI

ARMENPRESS
12:39, 21 September, 2011

“Armenian Artists of Georgia” exhibition opens today at the Tbilisi
Shalva Amiranashvili arts museum, press service of the National
Museum reported.

The organizers of the exhibition are Georgia’s culture and monuments
preservation ministry, National Museum and Armenian embassy.

For the first time the visitors of the museum will see 130 samples
of works kept in a number of cultural centers.

“Armenian artists based in Georgia from the first half of 19th century
are actively presenting in their works Tbilisi and urban landscapes.

The Armenian artists integrated into local environment were actively
engaged in the creative life of the society”, the press release says.

The exhibition will last till October 4.

SERZH SARGSYAN VISITS EXHIBITION OF THE ARMENIAN JEWELERS ASSOCIATION

ARMENPRESS
14:00, 21 September, 2011

President Serzh Sargsyan visited today the exhibition of the Armenian
Jewelers Association September 21-23 in Yerevan dedicated to the 20th
anniversary of Armenia’s independence.

President’s press office reported that Armenian jewelers from different
countries including from the USA, Canada, Switzerland, Russia, France,
Italy, Thailand, Lebanon present their works in the exhibition.

Within the framework of the event a conference will be conducted the
goal of which is to create an opportunity to show the achievements
of contemporary Armenian jewelry, reinforce ties between the Armenian
jewelers all over the world.

ANC GRASSROOTS’ WORKSHOP TO ADDRESS GENOCIDE EDUCATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Tert.am
12:23 21.09.11

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region (ANC-WR) has
announced that the Genocide Education Project (GenEd), Dr. Kathy
Fundukian-Thorossian, and genocide education advocate Shant Hagopian
will serve as panelists in the ANC Grassroots workshop on activism
through school and university curricula.

According to a press release by ANC-WR, the workshop is part of the
ANC Grassroots weekend that will take place from Friday, November 25
to Sunday, November 27, 2011, at the Sheraton Universal Hotel.

Teaching junior high and high school students about this dark –
and often neglected – era of history is extremely important to the
Armenian Cause. Education is one of the most effective means of
countering genocide denial and educating teachers and students about
this historic injustice will ensure that the Armenian Genocide and
its lessons are a catalyst for social change.

GenEd is a non-profit organization that provides educators the
instructional materials, resources and educational workshops to
teach about human rights and genocide – the Armenian Genocide, in
particular. GenEd was founded by Raffi Momjian and ANC-WR activist
Roxanne Makasdjian in 1997, when they determined the Armenian Genocide
curriculum in California’s educational framework – available since
the 1980’s – had not been properly implemented.

Momjian presently serves as the Executive Director of GenEd. He and
GenEd education director Sara Cohan will be members on the educational
advocacy panel discussing how activists can work with educators to
implement lesson plans about the Armenian Genocide as part of history
curricula in the junior high and high school levels.

Dr. Kathy Fundukian-Thorossian is currently the Assistant
Superintendent of educational services for the Glendale Unified School
District. She previously served as the principal of Glendale High
School, from 2005 to 2008, and has more than 25 years of experience in
education. Fundukian-Thorossian has continuously contributed to the
Armenian- American community through various organizations including
the Armenian Cultural Foundation. Fundukian has also attended the
Principal’s Center at Harvard University and is currently on the
Board of Directors for the Character and Ethics Project.

Shant Hagopian is a second-year law student at the Southwestern
University School of Law. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley, and an ANCA
Leo Sarkisian Internship alumnus. During his undergraduate studies,
Hagopian worked closely with the ANC-SF Bay Area and GenEd. He has
conducted seminars about the Armenian Genocide for public school
students in 7th to 11th grades.

JAN. 31 IS ENTRY DEADLINE FOR BIENNIAL SAROYAN PRIZE FOR FICTION, NON-FICTION

Targeted News Service
September 19, 2011 Monday 1:05 AM EST

Stanford University issued the following news release:

Stanford University Libraries and the William Saroyan Foundation are
calling for entries for the fifth William Saroyan International Prize
for Writing, awarded to encourage new or emerging writers in fiction
and non-fiction.

A prize of $5,000 will be awarded in each category.

Entries must be received on or before Jan. 31,
2012. Entry forms and rules for the Saroyan Prize are available
()
online.

The fiction category includes novels, short story collections and
drama. Literary non-fiction of any length will be considered for the
Saroyan non-fiction prize. Judges will be looking for strong literary
merit that honors the Saroyan tradition, particularly in non-fiction
memoirs, portraits and excursions into neighborhood and community.

Entries in either category are limited to English language books that
are available for individual purchase by the general public.

The Saroyan Prize was last awarded in 2010, when the fiction prize
went to Rivka Galchen for her novel Atmospheric Disturbances and the
non-fiction prize went to Linda Himelstein for The King of Vodka.

Other notable winners include Jonathan Safran Foer in 2003 for his
novel Everything is Illuminated. George Hagen won in 2005 for his
novel The Laments, and Kiyo Sato won in 2008 for her memoir Dandelion
Through the Crack.

William Saroyan, an American writer and playwright, was the author
of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play The Time of Your Life (1939-40),
the novel The Human Comedy (1943) and many volumes of short stories,
essays and memoirs. Born in Fresno in 1908 to Armenian parents, he is
best known for his short stories about the experiences of immigrant
families and children in California. He died in 1981.

Stanford University Libraries houses the William Saroyan Collection,
()
which includes manuscripts, personal journals, correspondence,
drawings and other material.

JERSEY CITY MUSEUM OF RUSSIAN ART (MORA) IS WORTH CROSSING THE HUDSON
Lia Petridis Maiello.Journalist and editor

Huffington Post
Sept 20 2011

Do you know this feeling, when you unexpectedly stumble upon a hidden
treasure of physical or non-physical nature and it fundamentally
changes, but completes, your day? In this instance this author took
an inquisitive peek into the windows of the building that is 80
Grand Street, across from Paulus Hook Park in Downtown Jersey City,
and decided to find out what the auspiciously illuminated colors mean.

Entering the elegantly renovated rooms of the Museum of Russian Art
(MORA), the secret is revealed quickly. The pieces hanging on the
walls show a refined sense for classical painting technique, extensive
schooling, an eye for historical references, and a strong feel for
European art-symbolism. The Museum of Russian Art (MORA) is exhibiting
two contemporary Russian/Eastern European artists right now that are
taking the viewer on a stunning travel to strangely familiar places…

Voskanjan Andrey Valerevich, in artistic circles better known as
Gasoyan, was born in Yerevan, Armenia, in 1981. A former republic
of the Soviet Union, Armenia is located at the crossroads of Western
Asia and Eastern Europe. Gasoyan graduated from the Yerevan State Art
Academy in 2004 and then continued studying with the prestigious
Moscow State Art V.I. Surikov College, focusing on monumental
painting. Although Gasoyan is constantly producing artwork, he is
also passing on his skills and knowledge by teaching at the Academic
School of Design in Moscow. In 2008 he was named the laureate of the
Art-Week Moscow competition and his works are appreciated by private
collectors and galleries all over Europe and Russia.

Gasoyan noticeably received his main art schooling after the collapse
of the Soviet empire. His education made him a young Russian painter
with a strong appreciation for the great European masters of the
earlier 20th century, away from the doctrine of Socialist Realism that
influenced, voluntarily and involuntarily, generations of Russian
painters. Keeping in mind that the oppression of artistic freedom
in the Soviet Union generated an entire arts-movement. The Soviet
Nonconformist Art with formidable representatives such as Serov,
or avant-garde expressionist Anatoly Zverev.

And to create a haven for these nonconformist artists, who often fled
the Soviet Union or found collectors outside their home country,
in the U.S., the Museum of Russian Art in Jersey City opened its
doors on September 15, 1980 and has been a place of art, politics
and intellectual exchange for thirty one years.

The young, Russian artist Gasoyan borrows. The ability to express
human emotions with basic brush strokes from symbolist painter Paul
Gauguin, the sometimes frantic approach of Vincent van Gogh, Edvard
Munch’s undeniable predilection for themes such as love, fear, death
and anxiety, Wassily Kandinsky’s precision and strong intuition for
colors. What turns these elements combined into “a Gasoyan” is the
artist’s sense for space, surprising perspectives, his unconventional
use of color, and the brave ease with which he introduces loneliness
to his artwork.

The current exhibition at the Museum of Russian art is so
inspirational, because director Margo Grant understands to bring
together two different, but complementary schools of thought.

Udita Leberg-Shapiro was born in the western Ukraine city of Uzghorod
in 1955 and went through early furtherance of her obvious artistic
talent by her parents, and the Soviet government. The Soviet Ministry
of Foreign Cultural Affairs in Moscow featured her prowess in 1965
with a solo exhibition and named her a child prodigy during a press
conference. She went to art schools in Moscow, Budapest, New York
and Jerusalem, immigrated to the USA in 1974, lives now in Fairlawn,
New Jersey and is a devoted art and music teacher.

Leberg’s pieces are of profound elegance, a deep, very timeless
connection to the “old world” and an extraordinary skill to express
life and liveliness in somber colors. Talking to her at the opening,
she seems almost apologetic about the fact that she would have loved
to use more and brighter colors, earlier in her artistic career, but
the political circumstances in her home country taught her to stay
within artistic boundaries. “I would have loved to paint like Joan
Miró, the way he uses colors, but we had very strict teachers.” Leberg
portrays the story of an outstandingly gifted young woman that learned
early to follow the rules, set by an oppressive regime, and still,
“I did my own paintings on the side, but I couldn’t show them at
school,” she smiles astutely.

The exhibition is open every day from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. until September
25.

For more information:

NON-MUSLIM SOLDIERS’ EXPERIENCES IN THE TURKISH ARMY

Today’s Zaman
Sept 20 2011
Turkey

Last year, writer Tuba Candar published a biography of Hrant Dink. In
addition to interviewing a number of people who knew Dink, Candar also
talked to Dink himself for the book: In that interview, he narrated
his memories of his military service.

It was interesting to learn what mandatory military service means
for non-Muslims in Turkey, where the minorities, including Greeks and
Armenians, have been suffering with mistreatment and discriminatory
practices for a long time. Dink said: “I have been subjected to
discrimination my whole life just because I was Armenian. One of
these occurred during my military service. During my service in the
Denizli 12th Infantry Regiment in 1986, all of my friends except me
were promoted to an upper military rank after the military training. I
was an adult with two kids; maybe I should not have cared about it. But
this discrimination really hurt. Everyone was sharing their joy with
their relatives at the ceremony; but I was alone, sobbing behind the
barracks.” This topic attracted my attention after reading Dink’s
account. Recently another book has been published which may answer my
questions. Researcher and writer Rýfat Bali interviewed 80 non-Muslims
who served in the Turkish army, and published the interviews in
a book titled “Gayrimuslim Mehmetcikler: Hatýralar-Tanýklýklar”
(Non-Muslim soldiers: Memoirs-Witnesses). I have just bought the book;
I am still reading it. Some of Bali’s interviews were also published
in various Turkish newspapers. He makes some interesting statements in
these interviews. Below are some excerpts from different interviews
he gave to different newspapers, namely Milliyet, Agos and Radikal,
which I found interesting:

“Perhaps it is no coincidence that most of those who responded to your
call were Jewish and that only a few Armenians told you their stories?

‘Only a few responses came from Armenians. Of course, there are some
differences between the experiences of Jews and Armenians in terms of
the specific problems they met with as well as their relations with
the state. The problems of the Armenian soldiers generally revolve
around 1915 [when Armenians were forced to leave Turkey]. While
enlisted in the army they witness anti-Armenian propaganda relating
to the incidents of 1915, which they find offensive.’

Who are in the most delicate and difficult position?

‘Armenians. They are being tested and questioned because of the 1915
controversy. They have to prove themselves and their patriotism.’

But is not far more difficult for a Jew serving in the army now?

True: they may face offensive remarks about Israel and Zionism. The
answer to such remarks is simple: ‘I am a Turkish citizen; the
disagreements with Israel are none of my business.'” (Milliyet)

“You are saying that Armenians encounter the most serious problems
during their military service; why is that?

‘The 1915 incidents become a matter of discussion every year;
Armenians experience serious problems in their military service
because of this. The difficulties that the Jews encounter because of
the ongoing row with Israel are not comparable to the troubles that
Armenians experience.'” (Agos)

“What changed after the 1990s, and have things gotten better?

Non-Muslims were viewed as dangerous through the late 1970s. They
were considered dangerous particularly because of their commercial
activities. But this changed in the 80s. Now the shrunken non-Muslim
population is enjoying the benefits of affirmative action, which has
been in place for over the last 15 years.” (Radikal)

Below are excerpts from a former non-Muslims soldiers’ memories
related in Balcý’s book:

Yosi Kastoryano says: “When they separated the illiterates, former
convicts and non-Muslims from the rest in the selection of staff for
different positions, I wondered why I was being considered together
with the illiterate and the former cons…”

Arsen Yarman says: “A high-ranking military officer came in, with
a list on his hand. He said: ‘Those whose names I call, take one
step forward.” Then, he called out: ‘Garo Halepli, Agop Yeþil, Ardaþ
Altýnay.’ We were nine soldiers, all Armenian. He said: ‘You others
go get your equipment.’ We were looking at each other, afraid for
our lives. We thought they were going take us to another place and
kill us. It turned out that they had chosen us for appointment as
sergeants. But we were thinking that we were going to be deported.”

I hope that Turkey will someday fully confront its discriminatory
and racist practices, and that this valuable work by Rýfat Bali is
used as a textbook in out children’s history classes.

ALL PUPILS OF ELEMENTARY CLASSES IN STEPANAKERT AND SHUSHI TO RECEIVE XO NOTEBOOKS

Mediamax
Sept 20 2011
Armenia

Yerevan/Mediamax/. All the pupils of elementary classes of 16 schools
in Stepanakert and Shushi will receive XO computers.

“NUR” Program Manager Sebastian Arias Duvall said this during the
“Fruitful Armenia” Forum today, Mediamax reports.

According to him, the notebooks will be provided to pupils by the end
of the year. The teachers are currently being retrained and taught
how to deal with the computers.

“The presence of notebooks doesn’t exclude textbooks,” the Program
Manager said.

He noted that the program will be continuous and in case of connection
to wireless internet it may be introduced in all schools of the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

MORE REFORMS – MORE SUPPORT FROM EU

Panorama
Sept 20 2011
Armenia

If Armenia continues working hard on the implementation of reforms,
this country will meet the EU Eastern Partnership policy – more
reforms, more support, EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule declared
in a meeting with Armenian PM Tigran Sargsyan in Brussels.

The more Armenia implements reforms, the more support will be provided
by the EU, said the commissioner. “More for more condition concerns
to all our neighbors,” Mr. Fule said.

The EU commissioner said Armenian PM has handed the reforms package of
Armenia, and that they have passed agreements towards their further
steps. “It’s very important that Armenian people are aware what is
being done is done for good,” said the diplomat.

US STILL COMMITTED TO PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT

news.az
Sept 20 2011
Azerbaijan

As the co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, US is still committed to
assisting the parties to attain peaceful and fair solution to the
Karabakh conflict.

The statement came from spokesman for the US embassy in Azerbaijan
Keith Bean, while commenting on whether the United States supports
normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations, regardless of progress
in Karabakh settlement.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during the meeting with Turkish
President Ahmet Davutoglu reiterated her country’s interest in
normalizing relations between Armenia and Turkey.

MONETARY BENEFITS TO FAMILIES OF FALLEN ARMENIAN SOLDIERS INCREASED CONSIDERABLY

news.am
Sept 20 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. – As of September 1, 2011, the monetary benefits provided
to 5,300 families of military servicemen who died during Armenia’s
protection, or while carrying out military duties, has become 30,000
drams ($80 US), instead of the previous 10,000 drams ($27), for each
child in the given family, representatives from Armenia’s Social
Security State Service told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

In addition, the families will now receive these benefits as separate
monetary assistance, instead of family benefits, as before.These
benefits have considerably increased on the account of making
corrections in the lists of such families.