Author: Maghakian Mike

Westwood Press, MA
June 30 2005
Residents enjoy Sommerfest
By Priscilla Yeon/ Staff Writer
Thursday, June 30, 2005
In 95-degree boiling heat, hundreds of people gathered at the
German-American club in Walpole for its annual Sommerfest, a
weekend-long German celebration at the Boylston Schul-Verein, on
Rte. 109.
Commonly referred to as the German-American club, the Boylston
Schul-Verein hosted about 1,500 guests who enjoyed German draft
beers, sausages, sauerkraut, potato pancakes and baked goods this
past weekend.
“Sommerfest is a German ‘gemutlichkeit,'” said club director Jack
Achmakjian, who described the German word as a “friendly and pleasant
atmosphere.”
Throughout the 10-acre property, people gathered at a large pavilion
to listen to Almdudler, a German band that played traditional music
with musicians dressed in their national costumes.
Children also had their corner of entertainment filled with games,
balloons, popcorn and a clown.
On the other side of the club’s lawn, vendors were selling German
jewelry and hand-crafted artworks, like framed edelweiss flowers,
home ornaments, earrings and necklaces.
Due to the heat, the turnout for the event was below expectation,
said club manager Gustav Scheer, of Westwood. He said usually a total
of 2,000 people attend the Sommerfest weekend while their annual
Oktoberfest, which takes place on the second week of September,
brings a crowd of about 4,000.
“This is the warmest Sommerfest we’ve had,” said Scheer.
At 1 p.m. on Sunday, people stood up to sing the German and the
American national anthems.
Although he is a German native, Scheer said the event had not only
a German aspect, but an American one as well. “This is our home,”
said Scheer, who moved to Westwood in 1966.
Currently there are about 530 members at the German-American club,
out of which two-thirds are German descendents.
Achmakjian, who is of Armenian descendent, said he joined the club
because he lived in Germany after World War II and enjoyed his
time there. “Now I consider myself more German than Armenian,” said
Achmakjian, half jokingly.
For him, Sommerfest is a weekend for people to enjoy the Munich-type
festival.
Norwood’s Norbert Zimmermann, a member since 1958 and a current
trustee of the club, said Sommerfest brings a lot of non-Germans to
the Walpole facility.
“They like to come for some German food and drinks,” said Zimmerman.
Longtime member Max Kosin, of Dedham, said he serves beer during most
of the Sommerfest events. The German native said he came to America
in 1959 and joined the club in 1960. For him, the weekend not only
brought him back to Germany, but also made him nostalgic.
“It’s part of me when I was young,” said Kosin.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

The Daily News, Lebanon
June 30 2005
Byblos International Festival presents world-class music for all
tastes
Ancient Phoenician town to be transformed in late July, August by
top-notch jazz, pop and classical sounds
By Ramsay Short
Daily Star staff
Thursday, June 30, 2005
BEIRUT: It hasn’t been easy for Naji Baz and his Buzz Productions
company to put together the Byblos International Festival in the
northern Lebanese town of Jbeil this year. First his preferred dates
to hold the festival in the cooler month of June had to be dropped in
favor of late July due to Lebanon’s four-week long elections, thus
bringing him into direct competition with the Beiteddine and Baalbek
Festivals making it more difficult to put bums on seats.
Second, he has had to face – like all the other festivals – questions
of ensuring his acts’ safety after the spate of bombings which began
with the Valentine’s Day killing of former Premier Rafik Hariri and
the weeks of political uncertainty that have ensued. Persuading some
acts that Lebanon was a safe place has not been easy.
Third, Baz dealt with the most painful situation for any promoter and
that was the confirmation of the Scottish punk-rock band Franz
Ferdinand for the festival and then, as word spread, the announcement
of their cancellation due ostensibly to recording commitments.
Finally, on the day of the Byblos Festival Program announcement last
Tuesday, the Lebanese politician George Hawi was brutally murdered in
a car bomb and though no one would ever give more importance to a
musical event over the assassination of a respected man, the press
conference was cancelled. The same had happened on the day of the
Beiteddine Festival’s program announcement when the outspoken
journalist Samir Kassir was similarly killed.
And so rather than the excitement normally generated by the
announcement of the summer festivals’ line-ups, in 2005 the programs
have gone off with a mere pop.
Despite all of this, Baz and his team have come up with a festival of
world music that, though not on par with last year’s hugely
successful edition featuring reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, pop-rocker
Bryan Ferry and glam-rockers Placebo, is still a celebration of music
that is rarely witnessed in Lebanon.
“It has been a nightmare but I am confident we have put together now
a tight line-up that is worthy of the Byblos Festival brand,” Baz
told The Daily Star.
For the two nights of July 22 and 23 a Lebanese audience will have
the opportunity to witness the popular rock of Roger Hodgson, the
lead singer and guitarist of 1970s and 80s band Supertramp. They will
have the chance to listen to the brilliant abstract jazz of pianist
Brad Mehldau and his trio, (July 24), as well as the Cuban sounds of
Omara Portuondo – one of the few remaining living stars and only
female one, of the now legendary Buena Vista Social Club (July 29).
Add to that the 20-string Armenian Serenade Chamber Orchestra with a
deep and haunting classical program (July 31), and the oriental jazz
of the stunning Azerbaijani pianist and singer Aziza Mustafa Zadeh
(August 4) followed by a Rahbani family musical based on Gibran
Khalil Gibran’s famous book “The Prophet” (August 17-20).
Baz is also putting on, as he does every year, a show of the Arab
Star Academy kids though this is not strictly part of the Byblos
Festival on July 15.
Perhaps the best thing, though, about Byblos is the setting. All the
performances take place in the heart of the ancient town’s old
quarter with the backdrop of the fantastic Crusader Citadel magically
lit against the night sky. The whole experience of Byblos, like
Beiteddine and Baalbek, is one of elegant beauty and singular moments
with the buzz of the modern-day souk surrounding the festival and
fine foods available at the restaurants in the old port and town
center. Go for a weekend, stay the night and enjoy the city’s beaches
during the day. A great advantage of Byblos is that it is just
half-an-hour’s drive from Beirut, a much shorter journey than those
to Baalbek and Beiteddine.
In the end, however, it is for the music that you will go and though
the caliber of performers this year is second to none in their
fields, the lack of a superior name may well affect sales. The
program is also not one that will attract the younger generation that
Byblos has so actively pursued in recent years. That plan was dented
by Franz Ferdinand’s cancellation, although Baz and the band’s agent
at Helter Skelter in London insisted they would come in 2006 fresh
off the release of their new album later this year.
The highlights of Byblos 2005 though, without question are Mehldau
and Portuondo. The former is an American jazz piano virtuoso who can
fill venues as prestigious as London’s Wigmore Hall and with his trio
is reminiscent of a quietly reflective Ahmad Jamal. Mehldau makes no
concessions to the audience, rarely communicates with them and simply
plays brilliant original music. There are no electronics, fusion or
smooth-jazz singers, just powerful composition and long
improvisations. On the Byblos stage it is likely to be an immensely
satisfying performance.
The septuagenarian Omara Portuondo will be very different and perhaps
more accessible to an unquestioning audience – a diva of great
presence, she will perform with 12 Cuban musicians and transform
Byblos into Havana for a night of traditional Latin sounds. In the
1940s and 1950s hers was the velvet voice of the jazz/bossa
nova-inspired genre known as filin. Today Portuondo’s show is a
translucent one made up of 5 decades of Afro-Cuban artistry seasoned
with strings, woodwinds, guitars, and background vocals, all about
love.
Aziza Mustafa Zadeh, though less well-known, has been performing for
many years and has played to audiences around the world. Her father
was the leader of the Azerbaijan Jazz movement until he died in 1979
and she has continued his legacy playing a brand of world jazz on her
piano, scatting like Ella Fitzgerald and incorporating the
traditional Azerbaijan form of Mugam into her jazz. A highly
improvisational style, Mugam refers to a modal system of music of
which there exist over 70 types, all defined by their specific
pattern of intervals, range, as well as direction of melodic movement
and rhythm. This will be a fascinating show.
For lovers of classical music the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra
presenting the Serenade Chamber Orchestra from Yerevan will be an
elegant evening of pure string pleasure, while Oussama, Mansour and
Marwan Rahbani’s latest musical play telling the story of Gibran’s
“The Prophet” features the artwork of over 80 Lebanese artists.
The show that will pack the Byblos Festival, however, will be that of
Hodgson. Famed for his unique alto voice, Hodgson’s former band
Supertramp achieved global fame with the soft rock of songs like
“Dreamer” and “Breakfast in America,” and his many fans in Lebanon
are unlikely to let him leave the stage without at least three
encores.
For more information or tickets for the Byblos Festival go to
or contact the Virgin Megastore Ticketing
Office on +961 1 999666

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Fr. Untzag Nalbandian
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 21; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
June 29, 2005
___________________
ANNUAL GRADUATION AND AZKATROSHM CEREMONIES AT SAINT VARTAN CATHEDRAL
FOR KHRIMIAN LYCEUM: “THE JEWEL OF THE DIOCESE”
In 1898 on the occasion of the establishment of the Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America the Catholicos Khrimian Hayrig in his
encyclical advised the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America to take
care of the religious and cultural needs of the Armenian people living
outside their fatherland. The Jewel of the Diocese the “Khrimian Lyceum”
is the perfect example of the many achievements of our Church in this
role.
Saturday, June 11, 2005 was an exciting day for all those who are
involved and interested in the Khrimian Lyceum work and accomplishments.
At 4:30 am the plaza of the Church and the sidewalks were filled with
proud parents, curious guests and happy student who had come to take
part in the “Graduation” and “Azkatroshm” Ceremonies.
The “Azkatroshm” ceremonies started with “Oorakh Lehr” by Maro
Partamian, the international opera singer as well as one of the
instructors at the Khrimian Lyceum, accompanied by the organist Florence
Avakian, while the former Primate of England Archbishop Yeghisheh
Gizirian and his entourage entered the church. The Alumni member of the
Khrimian walked down the aisle holding silver plates with the
certificates, gold charms and flowers and stood on both sides of the
alter ready for the ceremonies.
In her opening remarks Mrs. Shakeh Kadehjian, the Mistress of
ceremonies, said: “The Khrimian Lyceum, established in 1987 by the
Diocesan ALLARC, is an extensive Six-year Program for the graduates of
Armenian schools from 12 to 18 years old. It aims to prepare them to be
well-rounded and knowledgeable leaders, teachers administrators of the
Armenian churches and various communities. The Diocesan Khrimian Lyceum
aspires to be an Ivy League type of an Armenian private institution
where Armenian school graduates, with common interests learn in a highly
friendly, formal and intellectual environment. The curriculum requires
from the, along the formal courses, a selection of particular community
services and internships as well as extracurricular activities such as;
computer skills, one-day symposiums on various subjects, educational
tours, art & crafts, chorale, orchestra, dance, choir, drama and book
club, organization of the annual “Gala des Amateurs”, reading of the
Holy Scriptures and singing Badarak on Christmas & Easter eves and on
Tarkmantchats day, the official opening day of the Armenian Schools, as
well as Christmas Tea party, Strawberry Festival, A Touch of Class
Dinner, and a series of awards: Role Model, Abrik and Perfect
attendance.
The Khrimian Lyceum graduates are also required to participate in the
Four Eight-Day Accredited Summer programs of the Diocese. Participants
learn the mechanics of working in various communities, the process of
organizing cultural and religious programs for all ages, as well as the
specific areas of academic discipline. Their training includes teaching
the various grades and organizing educational, religious and cultural
programs.
After her remarks, the Instructors of (Naruhntchakooyn Tasaran): Shakeh
Kedehjian and Karine Barsoumian called upon each Azkasans/sanoohies and
Azkahayrs/mayrs to come forward to pledge and receive blessings of
Surpazan Hayr. The students were; Apanossian Anita, Aiazian Sharis,
Aydin Talar, Barikian Gabrielle, Babikian Armine, Chahinian Philippe,
Dabaghian Lori, Esenyan Sibyl, Hamparsoumian Gayane, Kudyan Haig,
Krikorian Markrete, Keurian Ani, Mikaelian Tamar, Nigdelian Taline,
Oganisyan Nareg and Panoyian Ani.
Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian, Rev. Fr. Untzag Nalbandian, Director of
the Department of Youth and Education, and Deacon Levon Kirakosyan of
St. Vartan Cathedral performed the three parts “Azkatroshm” ceremony.
1. The Presentation: Each student “azkasan/sanouhy” accompanied by
his/her in this case “azkahayr and azkamayr” (equivalent to
godfather/godmother) were presented to Surpazan Hayr. After installing
the “Stole of Duties” on their azkasans/sanouhis’ shoulders, they
requested that he blessed them so that, with the Grace of the Holy
Spirit, they become the worthy children of the Armenian Church and
Armenian Nation. After the presentation, the Askahayrs received the
Primate’s Certificate of Merit and Azkamayrs red roses, for accepting to
take the responsibility of the Religious and Cultural education of their
azkasans/sanouhies.
2. the Pledge: The students pledged to be faithful to their Armenian
Faith and Armenian Nation.
3. the Blessings: Special prayers from “Mashdots” book were said. Each
azkasan/sanouhy received medallions called “Az-ka-nuh-shans” a golden
charm representing the Map of Armenia and a Cross right where Holy
Etchmiadzin is, as a reminder of their nation and faith. They also
received the Certificate of Merit of the Khrimian Lyceum for attending
the first three year courses and completing their internship.
The Second part of the program was devoted to students who completed the
Khrimian Lyceum studies and will be heading to prestigious
Colleges/Universities; Armagan Ari, Baydar Jacqueline, Kherlopian Ani,
Kayserian Andrew, Manoukian Lori, Minassian Christine, Nalbandian Ani,
and Nisanyan Lori.
Lucy Martayian, Instructor of the graduating class (Yerevan Tasaran)
spoke about the Vision of Mesrob Mashdots, who 1600 years ago invented
the Armenian Alphabet and gave us the “Golden Age of Armenia” for which
we are all so proud. She praised the students for their achievements and
encouraged them to continue to learn, to be involved in their Armenian
communities and touch the heart and mind of every single Armenian and
promote the Armenian riches.
Prof. James Jacobson, Chairman of the Educational Department of St.
Peter’s College and the Director of the Khrimian Lyceum presented to
each graduate a letter from St. Peter’s College attesting their hard
work and achievements.
The Primate’s gifts, The “Stole Of Duty” and the prayer book “Nareg”,
were presented to them as a reminder of their duties towards their
Armenian Nation and their Armenian Church and the power of prayers.
On behalf of the Graduates, Lori Manoukian, the assistant coordinator
and recipient of the “Role Model” award spoke in Armenian and Lori
Nisanyan in English. They both thanked the Primate for supporting
Khrimian Lyceum and encouraging the students in their endeavors. Then
they recited poems thanking their parents for helping them to go to an
Armenian School and enrich their knowledge by attending the Khrimian
Lyceum.
Archbishop Yeghisheh Gizirian, impressed by the participants
seriousness, gave his fatherly advice and encouraged them to be the
active leaders of the Armenian Church and Communities and remain
concerned with the well being of their Nation and people.”
After the singing of Hayr Mer the ceremonies ended with a joyful note
with cymbals and music of “Sion”. Group pictures were taken after which
the Clergy, graduates, instructors and parents headed to Waldorf Astoria
Hotel, on Park Avenue, NY, to celebrate The Special Day Of The Khrimian
Lyceum with a sumptuous dinner at the beautifully decorated “Bull and
Bear” restaurant.
“I cannot explain my feelings, I don’t know what to say, but today the
ceremonies touched me. I know this will last in me forever. I promise
you to bring all my children to Khrimian Lyceum. I want them to get this
memorable experience in participating in this impressive and moving
ceremony. I am certain that our youngsters will always remember this day
that was so tastefully and meaningfully organized” said one of the
Azkahayrs/Azkamayrs, with tears of happiness and pride for belonging to
a Nation that could survive, because of its committed sons/daughters, to
a Nation that is ready to take-up the challenges of the third
millennium. These feelings were shared by all mothers, fathers,
azkahayrs/mayrs and guests.
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): The graduates
PHOTO CAPTION (2): The graduates
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Krimian Lyceum graduates with Abp. Yeghishe Gizirian
and Fr. Untzag Nalbandian
PHOTO CAPTION (4): Participants of “Azkatrosh” ceremony
# # #
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Georgia: Azeri protesters block highway over missing mullah
Kavkasia-Press news agency
29 Jun 05
Tbilisi, 29 June: Ethnic Azerbaijani residents of the village of
Sadakhlo have closed off the main Georgia-Armenia highway since the
morning. Our regional correspondent reports that protesters from the
border village are demanding an investigation into disappearance of
(?Mullah Haji Sabragin Mamedogly Falangov) who was abducted from the
village several weeks ago.
The protesters told journalists that they suspected that the Mullah
was murdered. According to them, a few months ago the Mullah and
his supporters challenged the Sadakhlo police chief Gocha Shubitidze
over bribery and illegal arrests. So, they do not rule out that the
Mullah’s abduction could be linked to the incident.

OSCE PA SUMMER SESSION TO DISCUSS REPORT ON KARABAKH
Pan Armenian News
28.06.2005 03:36
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The summer session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
will be held in Washington for the first time. The participants of the
event will discuss the report on Nagorno Karabakh drawn up by Goran
Lenmarker. Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly of Armenia Vahan
Hovhannisyan will leave for Washington to take part in the session. In
the Vice-Speaker’s opinion, the Lenmarker report is balanced, reported
the Yerkir newspaper.

AZG Armenian Daily #118, 28/06/2005
Education
LARGEST EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM OF SYNOPSIS IS IN ARMENIA
“You have not only technologies, but also a great wish to build the
future and be the leader when new opportunities and challenges appear,”
Mr. Aart de Jees, founder of Synopsis Corporation, chairman of the
board and executive director-in-chief, told the graduate students of
“Synopsis Armenia” educational center. This educational center is
also known as the Chair of Microelectronic Schemes and Systems at
the Yerevan State Polytechnic University. This year the chair gave
the first graduate students.
Aart de Jees came to Armenia for two days and he participated in
the ceremony of handing diplomas and certificates to the graduating
students. He congratulated the students and the professors and
emphasized the importance of the students’ readiness to work that very
sphere. He said that since 1986, their company is cooperating with
many universities of the world, but the largest educational program is
carried out with Armenia. Being impressed with the meeting with the
students, Mr. Jees believes that the talent and skills of the young
specialists will greatly contribute to the development of the sphere
in Armenia. “Having worked for nine months in Armenia, I can say that
we have provided all the program packages made here to our clients.
It’s an unprecedented progress. We and our clients have great hopes
with you,” Aart de Jees said.
Tigran Davtian, RA trade and economy deputy minister, emphasized the
importance of making investments in not only business but also in
the educational system.
By Tamar Minasian

Pan Armenian News
FALSE CALL ON BOMB IN GOVERNMENT BUILDING RECEIVED AT ARMENIAN PM OFFICE
23.06.2005 05:58
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The information that there is a bomb in the building of
the Armenian Government proved to be false, senior official of the
Department of Emergency Situations of Armenia, Chief of the Civil Defense
Board (CDB) Hakob Harutyunyan told journalists. In his words, 2:45 p.m.
local time a call was received at the office of the Prime Minister that a
bomb there is a bomb in the Government building. All CDB detachments were
enabled at once. After investigation they arrived at a conclusion that the
information was false. In Harutyunyan’s words, the situation is under
control now and the telephone hooligan is being searched for, Regnum news
agency reported.

FREE, FAIR AND TRANSPARENT
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
22 June 05

The election to the NKR National Assembly took place. Today we may say
that the election to the National Assembly was held on a high level.
Free elections in Nagorno Karabakh are another progressive step on the
way of democracy and international recognition. As the international
observers stated, the election in NKR passed without irregularities
and in conformity with the law. Particularly, at the polling station
22/41 located in the Embassy of NKR toArmenia absolutely no
irregularities were reported. According to the chair of the election
committee of the polling station Argineh Davtian, the polling station
was opened at 8.00 and closed at 20.00. By 12.00 over 98 of the 129
voters had already voted, and another 15 voted by the additional
roll. The latter werethe persons who were in Yerevan on the day of the
election for some reasons. 149 people voted in this polling station,
111 voted for the Democratic Party of Artsakh, 20 for ARF, 14 for Azat
Hayrenik Party, 1 for the Communist Party.1 person voted against all,
and 2 ballots were declared invalid. In the polling station 22/41 the
election was held under the system of proportional representation
only.
CHRISTINE MNATSAKANIAN.
22-06-2005

Turkish NGOs protest at German embassy over Armenian genocide vote
Anatolia news agency
21 Jun 05
ANKARA
The National Thinking Platform, comprised of 11 non-governmental
organizations (NGOs), left on Tuesday [21 June] a black wreath in
front of the German embassy in Turkish capital of Ankara.
The NGOs are protesting the resolution adopted by the German Federal
Parliament regarding the so-called Armenian genocide.
Speaking on behalf of the platform, Fethi Bolayir, chairman of the
Social Thinking Association, said that the adoption of this resolution
overshadowed Turkish-German relations.
Bolayir added that Turkish people had never carried out a genocide.

Voice of America News
June 19, 2005
Azerbaijan’s Opposition Rallies for Political Change
Azerbaijan’s three main opposition parties have held their second
mass protest in two weeks.
Thousands demonstrated Saturday in Baku demanding free and fair
parliamentary elections in November and President Ilham Aliyev’s
resignation.
Inspired by Ukraine’s peaceful “orange revolution” democracy
movement, an estimated 20,000 Azeri demonstrators chanted slogans in
the capital’s main square. Many wore orange clothing and waved orange
banners.
President Aliyev came to power in 2003 in an election after the death
of his father, long-time ruler Heydar Aliyev. Opponents contend the
election was rigged.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijan’s ethnic Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh region is
holding elections today to fill all 33 seats in a regional
legislature.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress