Author: Karapet Navasardian

Opposition MP: No limit to ‘rampant illegalities’ committed by current authorities

Karapet Navasardian
Panorama

Armenia – Aug 3 2022

Lawyer Aram Vardevanyan, an MP from the opposition Hayastan bloc, has condemned the rearrest of opposition activist Avetik Chalabyan ordered by judge Mnatsakan Martirosyan on Wednesday.

Vardevanyan recalled that Martirosyan sentenced then oppositionist Nikol Pashinyan to 7 years in prison back in 2010. Pashinyan and his supporters called the judge “puppet”, “executioner”, “Matso”, etc.

“Years later, this man and his team come to power, and the same “judge” not only remains in office, but also aspires to become the court chairman, thus arresting everyone,” Vardevanyan wrote on Facebook.

The deputy also highlighted that film producer Armen Grigoryan died during his trial presided over by Martirosyan on 15 July.

“Today, the prosecutor dealing with Avetik Chalabyan’s case did not object to another measure of restraint, but the “judge” ordered his arrest,” Vardevanyan stressed.

“In a similar situation, when a person is released from custody, the new Criminal Procedure Code doesn’t allow rearrest without new circumstances having emerged, but this was also ignored. In fact, there is no limit to the rampant illegalities committed by the current authorities,” he said.


Asbarez: Top UN Official Bows to Pressure from Turkey and Deletes Tweet About Dzidzernagapert Visit

Karapet Navasardian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Main, Latest, News, Top Stories

UN General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid, lays flowers at the eternal flame at Dzidzernagapert Armenian Genocide Memorial Monument on Jul. 27

The United Nations General Assembly President, who is in Armenia, deleted his Twitter post about visiting the Dzidzernagapert Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex on Wednesday, after reportedly receiving complaints from the Turkey’s Foreign Ministry.

In his now deleted post, Abdulla Shahid, the UN leader who is in Armenia on an official visit, said in his post that he laid a wreath at the monument and thanked the managed of the Armenian Genocide Museum Institute for organizing the tour.

The now deleted post by UN General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid

Armenia’s Deputy Minister Vahe Gevorgyan, Permanent Representative of Armenia to the United Nations Mher Margaryan and the UN Armenia Acting Resident Coordinator Lila Pieters Yahia accompanied Shahid to Dzidzernagapert.

While at the monument, Shahid laid a wreath at the Armenian Genocide memorial and flowers at the Eternal Flame, observing a moment of silence in the memory of the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide.

Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute Director Harutyun Marutyan also presented to Shahid the history of the three cross-stones erected within Dzidzernagapert Memorial Complex, dedicated to the memory of the Armenians who were killed during the ethnic cleansing perpetrated by Azerbaijan against the Armenian population in the end of the last century.

The delegation then visited the Armenian Genocide Museum, with Shahid signing the guest book.

The incident cast a pall over his entire visit, during which he reportedly discussed the issue of Armenian prisoners of war being held captive in Azerbaijan with President Vahagn Khachatryan.

During a meeting with Matevosyan, the deputy foreign minister, the sides “touched on the Armenia-UN partnership, highlighted the necessity of effective implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals in the context of the Agenda 2030,” according to the foreign ministry press service.

According to press reports, Shahid’s visit continued as planned with official Yerevan making no statement—or demands—regarding the suppression of Shahid’s free _expression_ by Turkey, with whom Armenia is engaged in discussions to normalize relations.

‘Nikol the murderer’: Protest held outside Armenian government

Karapet Navasardian
Panorama
Armenia – July 19 2022

Opposition members and supporters on Tuesday protested against PM Nikol Pashinyan outside the Armenian government building in downtown Yerevan.

Chanting “Armenia without Nikol!”, they held pictures of film producer and government critic Armen Grigoryan, who died during his trial in Yerevan on Friday, as well as illegally arrested opposition activists.

Addressing the protesters, opposition Hayastan bloc MP Gegham Manukyan blamed Pashinyan for the public figure’s death, saying his prosecution was politically motivated.

He recalled that a police car escorting Pashinyan’s motorcade struck and killed a young pregnant woman in Yerevan in late April, adding “no one has been held to account to date”.

“Armen Grigoryan was a famous public figure. Many people were shocked by his death, but don’t forget how many of our compatriots’ hearts stopped in the wake of the war, loss of homeland, surrender of hundreds of villages to the enemy, how many parents who had lost their children to the war died, and nothing was said about it. The man in the prime minister’s office, who has brought death and war to the country for four years, is to blame for it all,” the lawmaker said.

“This man brings deaths every day. He will be remembered as “Nikol the murderer!” he added.

The protesters then began chanting “Nikol the murderer!”.

Lavrov, Bayramov discuss Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization process

Karapet Navasardian
Panorama
Armenia –

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday held a phone call with his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported.

The ministers noted the progressive development of bilateral cooperation as part of the declaration on allied cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan signed on 22 February.

“There was a detailed exchange of views on a number of regional and international issues, including the process of normalizing relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

“The sides highlighted the need to continue relevant work in strict compliance with the provisions of the trilateral agreements of 9 November 2020, 11 January and 26 November 2021,” the statement reads.

Turkish press: Turkey does not need permission for counterterrorism ops in Syria: FM

Karapet Navasardian
 ISTANBUL JUL 21, 2022 – 10:41 AM GMT+3

A man carries a Turkish national flag as Turkey-backed Syrian fighters gather along the frontlines opposite YPG forces near the town of Dadat north of Manbij in Syria’s northern Aleppo province, on July 5, 2022. (AFP)

Turkey does not need anyone’s permission to conduct military operations against terrorist groups in Syria, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said Thursday.

“We exchanged ideas, but we never asked and we never ask permission for our military operations,” Çavuşoğlu said two days after a summit in Tehran at which both Russia and Iran urged against Turkey’s proposed new military operation in northern Syria.

He emphasized that Turkey has disagreements with Iran and Russia on the issue of Syria, and that the two countries’ support for the Syrian regime is unacceptable to Turkey.

“It is clear that these two countries are against our operations today as they were in the past. Of course, the statements of these countries are obvious, what we say is important, what our president says is important. We have not received permission from anyone in the past,” he said.

“We paused our operation against the YPG/PKK in the east of the Euphrates, both within the framework of America’s commitments, Russia’s commitments and the agreements we reached. Both of these countries have made a commitment to clear the YPG/PKK terrorists from this region. Since this has not happened so far, these terrorists have started to increase the attacks against our own lands from there, as well as continuing the attacks against the Syrians, the opposition, our soldiers, and our police. What would the U.S. do in such a situation now? What would Russia do?”

“In such a case, the threat will continue as long as these terrorists are here. We can’t keep our hands tied, after all, we have not received permission from anyone in the operations we have carried out so far,” he added.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Wednesday that Turkey’s plan for a new military operation in northern Syria will be on the table as long as the PKK terrorist group’s Syrian branch YPG continues to pose a security threat to his country.

Erdoğan also called on the United States to pull troops from east of the Euphrates River, accusing the NATO ally, once again, of training and helping the YPG terrorists.

Erdoğan made the comments late Tuesday on his return from a visit to Tehran, where he met with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The conflict in Syria was among the topics they discussed, and Erdoğan sought support for a new Turkish operation against the U.S.-backed YPG terrorists.

In May, Erdoğan announced plans for a new military operation in Syria to drive away the YPG that Ankara says is an extension of the banned PKK. The plans include resuming Turkish efforts to create a 30-kilometer (20-mile) safe zone along the border with Syria and enabling the voluntary return of Syrian refugees from Turkey.

Turkey has launched three major cross-border operations into Syria since 2016 and already controls some territories in the north.

“A new operation will continue to be on our agenda as long as our national security concerns are not resolved,” Erdoğan said. “We want Russia and Iran to be on our side in our fight against terrorist organizations.”

He continued: “America is feeding terrorist organizations there. As soon as America withdraws or doesn’t feed these terrorist organizations, our task will become easier.”

Turkey has long been infuriated by U.S. support for the YPG terrorists, who form the backbone of U.S.-led forces in the fight against the Daesh terrorist group.

During the meeting in Tehran, Erdoğan said Turkey was determined to “drive out the centers of evil” that target Turkey’s security, adding that the regions of Tal Rifaat and Manbij – where Turkey has said it plans to send troops – had turned into a “terror bed.”

The three presidents released a joint statement that appeared to refer to Turkey’s concerns. The statement said they “rejected all attempts to create new realities on the ground under the pretext of combating terrorism, including illegitimate self-rule initiatives.”

But Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, at a meeting with Erdoğan earlier, warned Turkey against an operation.

“Any sort of military attack in northern Syria will definitely harm Turkey, Syria and the entire region, and will benefit terrorists,” Iran’s top leader said, stressing the need to “bring the issue to an end through talks.”

Iran and Russia have backed Bashar Assad’s regime, while Turkey has supported armed opposition factions.

Çavuşoğlu also said officials from Turkey, Finland, and Sweden will meet in August to evaluate the progress made in fulfilling Ankara’s counter-terrorism demands from the Nordic countries paving the way for NATO membership.

He said the meeting in August would be the first of a monitoring committee formed under a deal signed last month. He added that Turkey would block their membership bids if Stockholm and Helsinki fail to keep their promises.

Sweden and Finland formally applied to join the transatlantic alliance in June, a decision spurred by Russia’s war on Ukraine.

But Turkey, a NATO member for 70 years, voiced objections to the membership bids, criticizing the countries for tolerating and even supporting terror groups.

A trilateral agreement signed among the countries in June stipulates that Finland and Sweden will not provide support to the YPG nor to the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ), the group behind the 2016 defeated coup in Turkey, and said Ankara extends full support to Finland and Sweden against threats to their national security.

On the ongoing normalization process with neighboring Armenia, Çavuşoğlu said Turkey expects concrete steps.

“We want to see in practice how sincere Armenia is. So far there are messages, and there are explanations. There’s also pressure, it’s true. The (Armenian) diaspora from the outside, fanatic groups from the inside. But when we come to concrete steps, we haven’t seen those concrete steps from Armenia yet,” he said.

He added that Turkey wants to see steps from the Armenian administration under Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian.

“The steps to be taken in the region are in everyone’s interests,” he added.

Ankara and Yerevan last December appointed special representatives for talks on normalizing the ties, with the first meeting held in Moscow on Jan. 14. The parties have held four meetings so far.

As part of normalization efforts, this February Turkey and Armenia resumed commercial flights after a two-year hiatus.

Mourad Papazian denied entry into Armenia over organizing 2021 attack on Pashinyan’s motorcade in Paris

Karapet Navasardian

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 10:29,

YEREVAN, JULY 22, ARMENPRESS. Armenian authorities issued an explanation Friday regarding the grounds for denying French-Armenian community leader Mourad Papazian entry into Armenia.

In response to a query from ARMENPRESS, the Department of Information and Public Relations of the Prime Minister’s Office said that Papazian, the Chairman of the Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations of France (CCAF), a citizen of France, was barred from entering Armenia pursuant to law because he was among those who “organized the attack” on the official motorcade of the Armenian PM’s delegation in France earlier in June, 2021.  

ARMENPRESS: Please clarify the grounds of banning French citizen, Chairman of the Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations of France (CCAF), ARF Bureau member Mourad Frank Papazian from entering Armenia.

PMO: The person you mentioned was denied entry into the Republic of Armenia based on Clause G and Z, Article 8 of the Law on Foreign Nationals. This person is one of the organizers of the attack on the official motorcade – displaying the state flag of Armenia – of the governmental delegation led by the Prime Minister near the Armenian Embassy in France on June 1 last year. Various objects and items were thrown in the direction of the motorcade. The official Armenian flag-bearing car carrying the Prime Minister was attacked and the situation was resolved only as a result of intervention by French police and security forces.

Information showing what happened has been published by many media outlets, and the footage is available online. The other active participants of the attack were also denied entry into Armenia. Moreover, the Republic of Armenia does not have any reservations against any participant of peaceful rallies, while those who organized the attacks and took part in them were banned from entering the Republic of Armenia by law.

***

Article 8 of the Law on Foreign Nationals envisages the grounds for denying a foreign national entry visa, revoking a visa or banning from entering the country.




President of UN General Assembly to visit Armenia

Karapet Navasardian

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 15:42,

YEREVAN, JULY 22, ARMENPRESS. President of the United Nations General Assembly Abdulla Shahid will arrive in Armenia.

Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan signed a respective decision about the expected visit. The decision is posted on e-gov.am.

The delegation led by the UN General Assembly President will pay a three-day visit to Armenia on July 26.

PM Pashinyan gave instructions to a number of agencies over the visit of the UN General Assembly President.

AW: Hai Tahd in the Heart of the Nation’s Capital: Meet the 2022 ANCA Summer Interns

Karapet Navasardian
 ANCA ANCA News 0

Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Leo Sarkisian, Maral Melkonian Avetisyan, and Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program interns and fellows at the Library of Congress

WASHINGTON, DC – It’s been a packed summer of legislative advocacy for the 14 Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Leo Sarkisian, Maral Melkonian Avetisyan and Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program interns and fellows.

Over the course of more than 100 Congressional meetings, these university students, high schoolers and recent graduates joined with ANCA executive director Aram Hamparian and Government Affairs director Tereza Yerimyan in giving voice to the views and values of hundreds of thousands of Americans of Armenian heritage all across the United States. They echoed concerns that were raised over the summer by local ANCA chapters and more than 50-thousand ANCA Rapid Responders, supporting the survival of Artsakh and the security of Armenia, holding Turkey and Azerbaijan accountable for their crimes, and ensuring appropriate Armenian Genocide education in schools across the country.

The ANCA’s signature summer programs coincided with US House and Senate consideration of key legislation, including the Fiscal Year 2023 foreign aid bill and National Defense Authorization Act, two measures that provide the ANCA with legislative opportunities to zero out military aid to Azerbaijan and expand US aid to Armenia and Artsakh.

“We are excited to work with a new cohort of Armenian advocates in the Leo Sarkisian (LSI), Maral Melkonian Avetisyan, and Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Internship and Fellowship programs,” said program director Alex Manoukian. “The experiences the interns undergo over the course of this program will broaden their horizons and open them up to a broad array of new opportunities in Washington, DC and beyond. The skills the interns hone during their six-week stay here will stay with them for years to come, empowering them as effective activists for Hai Tahd.”

The LSI program — named after the late ANCA Eastern US community leader and Hai Tahd advocate — empowers dedicated Armenians in their efforts to achieve justice for the Armenian Genocide, freedom for Artsakh, and a secure and prosperous Armenian homeland. The LSI was established in 1986 and now has hundreds of alumni spread across the world. For the fourth year, the LSI is running concurrently with the Maral Melkonian Avetisyan Fellowship, named in memory of the devoted youth advocate who dedicated her life to helping her Armenian homeland.  They are joined by summer interns participating through the Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program.

ANCA summer program participants are selected through a highly competitive application process with acceptance based on academic excellence and demonstrated capacity for community leadership. While in Washington, DC, summer interns stay at the Aramian House — an eight-bedroom former bed and breakfast located in Washington, DC’s historic Dupont Circle neighborhood, just a short walk from the ANCA headquarters.

The 2022 ANCA Leo Sarkisian interns are Gregory Codilian, Aram Gevorgian, Alex Guldjian, Ani Jamgotchian, Natalia Matossian, Lar Tabakian, Tara Tazian, Victoria Topalian and Christian Yerelekian. Joining them are ANCA Maral Melkonian Avetisyan Summer Fellow Melody Seraydarian and Capital Gateway Program interns Sune Hamparian, Zabelle Hamparian, Aram Hess and Stephen Pidedjian.

Meet the 2022 ANCA Summer Interns:

Gregory Codilian

Gregory Codilian is a rising junior at the University of California, Los Angeles, studying political science. He is the treasurer of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Orange County “Ashot Yergat” Chapter.

“I have been searching for an opportunity to combine my interests in government and law with work that will further Hai Tahd, so this internship seemed like the perfect choice for me. Working with other Armenians while also learning the many skills needed to excel in a professional work environment was another major aspect of the internship that has reinforced my gratitude for this opportunity to learn from the ANCA here in Washington, DC,” explained Codilian.

Aram Gevorgian

Aram Gevorgian is completing his undergraduate studies in international studies and German and beginning his master’s program in international studies at the University of Denver. He is involved in the Armenians of Colorado organization and conducts personal research on self-determination in breakaway states, specifically Artsakh.

“I believe it is the duty of every Armenian to ensure the survival and prosperity of the Armenian nation, and I believe working to advance Armenian interests in DC will give me guidance on how to best serve Armenia and Artsakh, identify new opportunities to advance the Armenian Cause, and how I can contribute to the Cause in the academic world, as well as my future professional career,” stated Gevorgian.

Alex Guldjian

Alex Guldjian is a rising junior at Loyola Marymount University studying business law and marketing. He is the public relations chairperson of the AYF Orange County “Ashot Yergat” Chapter and the events and social chair of the Loyola Marymount University’s Armenian Students Association.

“Working for the ANCA’s Leo Sarkisian Internship Program provides an amazing opportunity for me to apply my interest in law and media to advocate for the Armenian cause in a federal setting in Washington, DC. As my goal is to create a network of high-profile Armenian individuals in the sports, entertainment, and tech industries, the program allows me to develop my networking skills and advance the policies of the Hai Tahd on a federal level,” noted Guldjian.

Aram Hess

Aram Hess is an 18-year-old student from Switzerland, studying law at the University of Bern. “I am eternally grateful for the opportunities this internship has given me. Coming from an Armenian-Swiss background and being raised by politically active parents, my passion for Hai Tahd and socio-political activism has only increased throughout the last years. Therefore, this ANCA program is the ideal outlet for me to fulfill my political potential. I hope to not only help myself but also the Armenian community by gaining valuable insights on how the policy-making world functions,” remarked Hess.

Sune Hamparian

Sune Hamparian is a rising high school junior. She’s been a member of the AYF Washington DC “Sevan” Junior for over six years and was recently elected to serve as chair. She enjoys volunteering at the ANCA and learning about the world of politics. “Having served in the AYF and worked on humanitarian projects in the Armenian homeland, I was eager to bring my time and talents to the ANCA as a summer fellow. I have enjoyed learning about the inner-workings of Congressional politics and, even more so, gratified to have been able to bring my contribution to the ANCA’s policy-driven advocacy here in our nation’s capital,” said Hamparian.

Zabelle Hamparian


Zabelle Hamparian is a rising sophomore at Chapman University, studying business administration, hoping to pursue a career in international business. She is the public relations chairperson of the AYF Pasadena “Nigol Touman” Chapter. “I am thrilled to be volunteering with the ANCA in Washington, DC this summer. My experience with the ANCA and its dedicated staff has taught me how to effectively advance our common cause and in the process, become a better AYF member. This experience has exposed me to the federal policy matters that can strengthen both Armenia and Artsakh. Given the serious challenges facing our homeland, the work of the ANCA has never been more important. For this reason, I am glad to be here at the ANCA. Together, we are working to advance the Armenian Cause with a great team of staffers, interns and volunteers,” noted Hamparian.

Ani Jamgotchian

Ani Jamgotchian is a rising sophomore at the University of California, Davis studying international relations and economics. She is a longtime Homenetmen member and is the vice-president of the University of California, Davis Armenian Students Association.

“My goal in applying for the ANCA’s Leo Sarkisian Internship is to grow my knowledge and experience navigating the corridors of the federal government, as well as understanding how the needs of the Armenian people are brought to and supported by our representatives. These lessons will help me improve my advocacy skills and further the goals of Hai Tahd,” stated Jamgotchian.

Natalia Matossian

Natalia Matossian is a recent graduate of Tulane University. She majored in earth and environmental sciences and minored in marine biology and political science. She is interested in careers in environmental policy.

“Throughout the duration of the Leo Sarkisian internship, I hope to gain a deep understanding of Hai Tahd so that I can educate myself, as well as others, about the importance of Armenian culture, current events, and paths forward. Hoping to work in policy in the future, this internship is the perfect opportunity to learn more about activism, collaborate with like-minded individuals, and gain first-hand insight from leaders about the American political system especially as it relates to the Armenian-American cause,” noted Matossian.

Stephen Pidedjian

Stephen Pidedjian is a rising sophomore from New York, majoring in International Relations and minoring in Finance and Spanish at Tufts University. He is an active member of the Armenian Church Organization of America and the Tufts University Armenian Club.

“I look forward to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the inner workings of the American political system and learn about Armenian lobbying and how it affects the greater Armenian community. Moreover, I am eager to enhance my communication skills, further enrich my cultural background, and expand my Armenian network. I am excited to learn what it takes to effectively influence Congress to enact meaningful change so that I may use these practices to promote efforts that further Hai Tahd in my university community,” stated Pidedjian.

Melody Seraydarian

Melody Seraydarian is a rising sophomore from Los Angeles, majoring in communication studies and political science. She is a former intern of the ANCA-Western Region, serving on the Community Affairs Committee. She is an active member of the AYF Hollywood “Musa Ler” Chapter. She is a columnist for the Armenian Weekly and actively involved in the Armenian Bar Association.

“As Diasporan Armenians, we have a sacred allegiance to the Armenian Cause. Everyday, we must make sure to assist our homeland, and consequently, our people through our work — regardless of what that work may be. In my case, that work is journalism, policy and law, three pillars that are of maximal importance to myself and my career. The ANCA’s internship program has enabled my peers and I to delve into the heart of our country’s systems and ensure Hai Tahd takes center-stage in the United States’ political sphere. I know that there is an immense amount of work to be done, but through the unwavering power of the people and the grassroots efforts of the ANCA, I have no doubt that our work will not only be complete, but it will flourish. The future of our homeland lies in our hands, and it is up to us — the Armenian youth — to tip the scales in the direction that will position ourselves on the right side of history, the side of history that values justice and the truth. Let’s fight the good fight. Let’s get to work,” remarked Seraydarian.

Lar Tabakian

Lar Tabakian is a rising sophomore from Los Angeles, studying Middle Eastern studies with the hopes of becoming a conflict journalist. She is a former participant in the ANCA Rising Leaders Program, an active member of the AYF Pasadena “Nigol Touman” Chapter and the Armenian Students Association.

“Being able to work with the ANCA and do this internship has opened the avenue to activism beyond what I have ever experienced. Working for tangible change in the nation’s capital instills a sense of purpose, urgency, and amplified passion for the Armenian cause and demonstrates the need for the youth of our people to propel our people forward, no matter where we are on any corner of the globe,” said Tabakian.

Tara Tazian

Tara Tazian is a rising sophomore, studying public affairs and communication. She is involved in her school’s Armenian Students Association.

“I am thankful to the ANCA for providing me the opportunity to explore career prospects in Washington, DC and gain valuable experience in the political field to expand my knowledge on influencing US policy and educating elected officials about pro-Artsakh and Armenia priorities. Throughout the program, I look forward to improving my advocacy, public speaking, and journalism skills to further the Armenian cause and become what our nation needs,” noted Tazian.

Victoria Topalian

Victoria Topalian is a rising junior at the University of California, Los Angeles, studying political science. Victoria is a former intern of the ANCA-Western Region, serving on the Government Affairs Committee. She is an active member of the AYF Hollywood “Musa Ler” Chapter.

“I hope to gain knowledge of advocacy and understand how to use my future career in law to further Hai Tahd. With the network I create and the skills I build I hope to influence policy that would help the homeland,” remarked Topalian.

Christian Yerelekian

Christian Yerelekian is a rising sophomore at the University of Notre Dame, studying political science, business economics and Chinese language and literature. He is the president of Notre Dame’s Armenian Students Association.

“I am very excited to be in the nation’s capital, to educate myself on the process of international law, and how I can be an advocate for correcting the injustices brought upon Armenia and Artsakh through this avenue. I am participating in the LSI Program to experience the world of advocacy in our nation’s capital, and learn how to incorporate this sense of advocacy for the Armenian Cause into a career of international law,” stated Yerelekian.

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The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.



Memories of a Maestro: How the Sergei Parajanov Museum came to be

Karapet Navasardian
 Jane Partizpanyan Film, Art, Culture 0

Entrance to the Sergei Parajanov Museum (Courtesy of the museum)

Nestled on the cliffside of Dzoragyugh, a former district of historical Yerevan, stands the Sergei Parajanov Museum, a former workshop of a carpenter. But how did this marvelous museum, in dedication to a worldwide film icon, come to be? Designer and chief architect of the museum, Arshak Ghazaryan, lifts the veil to reveal the difficult journey to immortalize Parajanov’s artwork. 

While initially striving to become a painter like his father, who instructed many of the great Armenian painters of the 20th century, Ghazaryan ended up falling in love with architecture and graduated from Yerevan State Polytechnic University in 1976 with a degree in the field. 

Ghazaryan worked on many projects during his career as an architect. He worked in the ARMSTATE Project Institute, which took on a multitude of projects. In 1983 he became the chief architect for the Dzoragyugh Ethnographic District Project, which operated under the Department of Preservation and Restoration of Historical Monuments, the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. In the future, the Sergei Parajanov Museum would become part of the Dzoragyugh Ethnographic District Project.

In 1988, photographer and director of the Folk Art Museum, Zaven Sargsyan, who later became the director of the Sergei Parajanov Museum, brought Parajanov’s collection of collages from Tbilisi, Georgia to Yerevan. These collages were created by Parajanov during his imprisonment and were said to have saved his life while in captivity. An exhibition was created, and many Armenians and foreign visitors came to view it, including Ghazaryan.

Ghazaryan and many other artists like Sargsyan and Grigor Khanjyan believed in the necessity of a house-museum for Parajanov. After witnessing the exhibition at the Folk Art Museum, Ghazaryan came up with the idea of a site in the Dzoragyugh Ethnographic District.  

Ghazaryan relayed this idea to Khanjyan, the informal advisor of fine art to Karen Demerdjian and the curator for the Dzoragyugh Ethnographic District Project. Khanjyan went to Demerdjian and requested that the cliffside building in Dzoragyugh, only half-built at the time, should be gifted to Parajanov as a house-museum. 

“Demerdjian agreed, and the decision was made,” said Ghazaryan in a recent interview with the Weekly. “After that, Parajanov’s other artwork was brought from Tbilisi [to Yerevan] overnight. It was a major project. We were rushing for that building to be given to him because Parajanov was already sick.”

Parajanov was seriously ill with diabetes at the time, and his health was failing, often struggling to walk. 

Architect Arshak Ghazaryan, filmmaker Sergei Parajanov and former Sergei Parajanov House-Museum director, Zaven Sargsyan pictured outside the work-in-progress museum. Photographer unknown.

Ghazaryan met Parajanov for the first time outside the future house-museum. Even though this was their first meeting in person, Ghazaryan felt as if he had met Parajanov long ago when he first watched Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors on television.  

“My impression of him had already been formed 20 years ago when I was a teenager,” recalled Ghazaryan. “For me, he was a spring of pride, an Armenian and a great artist. The most important element was that even though he had done so much work and had so much knowledge, he had no arrogance whatsoever.”

Together, they toured the building as Ghazaryan explained the vision for the project: a space for an art studio, museum and living area.

Inner courtyard of the Sergei Parajanov Museum (Courtesy of the museum)

“I was anxiously waiting to hear what he had to say. I asked, ‘What would you advise us to do better?’ He said, ‘Continue like this. Whatever you have done is good.’”

As construction got underway in 1988, the Karabakh movement had begun as well. After that, everything began to get complicated.

“But in every situation, Karen Demerdjian, Grigor Khanjyan and city hall were doing everything so that construction could continue. It was going very slowly. Then construction stopped, not because of the movement, but because there was a complaint written to Moscow by a nearby tenant.”

Complaints were issued that the building violated many codes and that it was disturbing those living nearby. This delayed construction until mid-1989, as Ghazaryan and his team worked to garner approval again and prove that they were, in fact, not in violation of any codes.

“We were rushing. We all understood that we had to be quick so that he could live there at least one day for it to become a house-museum.”

Everyone working on the project was in a hurry because in 1989, Parajanov had been diagnosed with lung cancer, and his health was rapidly declining. He underwent a pneumonectomy, a lung removal surgery, that same year in Moscow, but his condition unfortunately did not improve. Despite this, he was still active, even traveling to Germany in 1990 where he received an award and announced the creation of his house-museum and workshop. 

On July 17, 1990, he returned to Yerevan extremely ill and was taken to the hospital.

“The last time I saw him was in the hospital. In three days, he died…on July 20,” shared Ghazaryan. 

Parajanov was a beloved artist, filmmaker, director and a champion for artistic liberation. His artwork still continues to inspire the modern world and has even shaped pop culture in America. He never got to see the museum come into complete fruition and was never able to live in it. Thus, the museum is not considered a house-museum. The museum officially opened in the summer of 1991, a year after his death.

Entrance hall of the Sergei Parajanov Museum (Courtesy of the museum)

“Parajanov would go in and out of the museum during its construction,” said Ghazaryan. “His energy remained in the museum. That is why the museum lives on today.”

While talking about the final moments that he spent with Parajanov, Ghazaryan said, “We didn’t speak. We just looked at each other. Before he died, he kept saying over and over again ‘I will live in Dzoragyugh.’ I told him very quietly, ‘Dzoragyugh is waiting for you.’”

The Sergei Parajanov Museum atop the Hrazdan Gorge in Yerevan (Courtesy of the museum)

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Jane Partizpanyan is a journalism and public relations major at California State University, Northridge. She works as a contributing writer for the Daily Sundial. She’s also a public relations coordinator at the Agency 398 PR firm and a published poet.


Turkish press: Armenian foundation hails Erdoğan, Pashinian phone call

Karapet Navasardian
 ANKARA JUL 13, 2022 – 12:07 AM GMT+3

An illustration of Armenian and Turkish flags. (Shutterstock File Photo)

The Association of Armenian Foundations in Türkiye (ERVAP) on Tuesday hailed the recent phone call between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian to improve bilateral ties.

Commenting on the positive atmosphere revolving around both countries’ relations, the association said in a statement that the discussion between Erdoğan and Pashinian has turned into a development that determines the agenda of the Armenian community in Turkey.


“All institutions and organizations follow the exemplary leadership with hope and appreciation,” the statement said.

While the process of normalization between Turkey and Armenia has led to great expectations recently, the setting created by the direct contact of the two leaders through the phone has added a new dimension to optimism, it said.

Stressing that the normalization of bilateral ties would pave the way for a positive climate, which would benefit social life and institutional activities, the statement further noted that the opportunities for dialogue and empathy to appear in line with the normalization were significant for the future of both peoples.

“Our community, symbolizing the continuity of the tradition of co-existence of two ancient peoples, passionately backs this process of normalization with its rich network of institutions,” it said, adding that the leaders of foundations were determined to mobilize all of their experience in this “historical turning point.”

Bedros Şirinoğlu, the head of ERVAP, said all segments of the Armenian community in Turkey welcomed the phone conversation between the two leaders, adding the steps to be taken by Ankara could potentially not only change the fate of the South Caucasus but also open a gateway to reshape the international balance.

“The anticipated full normalization is the primary goal that requires patience,” he said and called on all pro-peace people in both Turkey and Armenia to support the vision set by the leaders.

In a social media post on Monday, Archbishop Sahag II Mashalian welcomed the leaders’ phone talk, saying it built up people’s hopes for peace at a time when the world was disturbed by warfare.

“I pray that the peaceful methods of diplomacy become the winner, not death and wars,” he said, hoping that the discussion of leaders would open a new chapter in Turkish and Armenian relations.

On Monday, the Turkish presidency said in a statement that Erdoğan and Pashinian expressed their expectations for the immediate implementation of the issues agreed upon during the talks held on July 1 by the special representatives of both countries.


The first round of normalization talks was held in Moscow on Jan. 14, where both parties agreed to continue negotiations without any preconditions, according to a statement released after the meeting.

The Turkish and Armenian envoys met for the second time in Vienna on Feb. 24, and the third meeting was held on May 3 in the same city.

Also, a historic bilateral meeting took place between the foreign ministers of Turkey and Armenia on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on March 12.

As part of the efforts, Turkey and Armenia have also resumed commercial flights as of Feb. 2 after a two-year hiatus.