Author: Maghakian Mike

Daily Iowan , IA
March 7 2005
The land where lemons taste like almonds
Film Review: Vodka Lemon
By David Frank – The Daily Iowan
Published: Monday, March 7, 2005
** out of ****
Vodka Lemon opens on an amusing shot of a sick geezer lying on his
bed as it’s being pulled along a snowy road. This extreme bed
sledding concludes at the village’s cemetery, where the man removes
his dentures and begins playing a squawky wind instrument for a
funeral. Quirkiness and misery butt heads throughout Vodka Lemon as
the film’s characters carve out meager livings in a poverty-stricken
Armenian village that’s but a speck on the barren white landscape.
Hamo (Romen Avinian), a leather-faced widower, spends his days
selling the sentimental belongings of his past for chump-change and
visiting his wife’s tombstone. Even outside the graveyard, he still
talks to his wife’s portrait located on his otherwise bare
living-room wall. Hamo lives a lonely existence with only a few
neighbors, a lowlife son, and an apathetic granddaughter to keep him
company while they all eagerly wait for Hamo’s other son to send
money from Paris.
Nina (Lala Sarkissian), a middle-aged widow and single mother, also
treks to the cemetery on a daily basis. She works at a roadside booze
stand (that looks similar to a Dairy Queen) that specifically sells
Vodka Lemon – the almond-flavored drink of choice for the film’s
characters. Why does it tastes like almonds? Because that’s the
Armenian way, according to Nina. Yet, even with a job, Nina still
finds it difficult to pay bus fare for her daily graveyard venture.
After taking notice of Nina’s inability to shell out cash for bus
rides, Hamo begins to pay her way. Eventually the two characters
begin smiling and glancing at one another like two sheepish kids with
a schoolyard crush; it’s a romance of small gestures.
However, Vodka Lemon meanders into half-baked and separate subplots
involving Hamo’s granddaughter getting hitched and Nina’s pianist
daughter secretly whoring herself out to a fat boar of a man. Not
only do these scenes overstay their welcome with their extraneous
nature and labored construction, they also cut the legs out from
underneath the film with surprising violence.
>>From start to the finish, Vodka Lemon stuffs oddity into its
narrative – such as an unidentified horse rider who gallops in and
out of frame during unexpected moments. And it seems director Hiner
Saleem desires to run two opposing atmospheres throughout the film –
one fluttering with whimsy and the other sunk deep into unyielding
gloom – but he never finds a way in blending them so the quirkiness
isn’t forced and unnatural when placed next to the morose. What we’re
left with is an oil-and-water tone in which neither of the two
elements are compelling.

Today, Azerbaijan
March 5 2005
Araz Azimov: “Illegal Armenian settling facts in Lachin, Kelbejer,
Zangilan, Jebrail and Gubadli” were confirmed

05 March 2005 [16:47] – Today.Az

Deputy Prime Minister Araz Azimov who was on a visit to Prague with
Minister for Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov has held press
conference on results of the visit today.
A.Azimov stated that, though the visit failed to realize due to
Minister for Foreign Affair of Armenia Vardan Oskanyan’s illness
E.Mammadyarov got in touch with him by telephone. Araz Azimov
considered the meetings held with co-chairman of Minsk group and
members of FactFinding Mission of OSCE on March 2-3 fruitful.
The deputy Minister said of the lecture made by the Mission to be
consisting of 36 pages, though he didn’t inform about the details of
the lecture he said that, illegal settling facts were confirmed in
Lachin, Kelbejer, Zangilan, Jebrail and Gubadli. “The mission
didn’t come across population in other regions however they saw newly
repaired houses, ploughed soils.” A.Azimov told that, it can be
estimated that, Armenians had done some work, given proper
instructions to the population before the Mission arrived the
territory. He generally considered the lecture to be based on
reality.
A.Azimov replied the question “Whether the territory of Lachin region
will be given to Armenia as a corridor” as Azerbaijan side offers to
make use of this road both by Azerbaijan and Armenia, after the peace
treaty achieved, “We offer this road to be used for visits and load
carrying from both the Upper Garabagh to Armenia and from Armenia to
the Upper Garabagh and Azerbaijan to use it for visiting Nakhchivan.”
As to the matter that peaceful forces might be placed in the
border-line of Armed Forces of Armenia and Azerbaijan A.Azimov this
can lead to the freezing of the condition and will have no use,
“Azerbaijan wants the conflict to be solved not to be frozen. Such
forces can be placed only after peace treaty is achieved and the
population returns to their previous settlements.” A.Azimov said of
the delayed meeting between E.Mammedyarov and V.Oskanyan to be
realized next month. /APA/
URL:

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
March 5 2005
ANNUAL MEETING OF UNESCO GOODWILL AMBASSADORS ROUNDED
[March 05, 2005, 16:27:15]
On last day of the Annual Meeting of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors,
March 4, discussed was the question `Education for everybody’. In
debates, the Goodwill Ambassadors expressed concern with illiteracy
among the children, noting majority of children in Africa and Asia
cannot even read and write. The Ambassadors condemned involvement of
children in hard works, underlined growth of offences and crimes
among the juveniles, serious impact of famine on destiny of the
children in some countries. They called on the UNESCO to jointly act
with the media to remove the problem, noting the developed countries
should render humanitarian assistance to the countries facing food
crisis.
Director General of UNESCO Matsuura Koichiro summed up the meeting,
stating that the next gathering would be held in March 2006. He also
updated on preparatory activities related to 60TH anniversary of
UNESCO, and wished success to the Goodwill Ambassadors.
***
After the meeting, Azerbaijani masters of art gave a concert in
Paris. UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mehriban Aliyeva greeted the
visitors and spoke of the useful work of her colleagues. Noting that
a special program on Azerbaijani mugham is under realization, Ms.
Aliyeva said inclusion of mugham to the cultural heritage has been
estimated as an important event for the country.
Taking the floor, the renowned musician Mstislav Rostropovich said he
felt proud of his Baku origin. The Maestro spoke of rich musical
history of Azerbaijan and informed the audience on mugham.
The People’s Artist of Azerbaijan Firangiz Alizade, who currently
lives in Germany, has performed mugham pieces in piano.
After the concert, Mr. Matsuura Koichiro has presented to Ms.
Mehriban Aliyeva the medal of the Organization and his newly
published book.
In answer to the question of Azerbaijani journalists on the activity
of Mehriban Khanum as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Mr. Koichiro
noted her activity in protection and preservation of mugham, taking
care for the ill, deprived children. The UNESCO Director General said
he has invited Ms. Aliyeva to the international exhibition in the
frame of UNESCO to be held in June in the city of Nogaya, Japan. A
mugham group will take part at the event, he said.
To the question `Whether UNESCO will undertake any measure towards
the Armenians’ `archeological excavations’ in the occupied
Azerbaijani city Shusha?’ the Director General of UNESCO said the
Organization supervised by him is not a political structure and
cannot impose any sanctions. At the same time, he condemned
destruction of the historical monuments.
After the meeting, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, president of Heydar
Aliyev Foundation and the Fund of the Friends to Azerbaijan Culture
Mehriban Aliyeva answered to questions of media representatives.
Q. Mehriban Khanum, this was Your first participation in the annual
meeting of the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors. How can You regard your
joint work with the colleagues?
A. I consider, the meeting passed at high level. Along with common
meetings in the frame of the Annual Meeting, I had also private
meetings. I met with Mr. Director General, who accepted my invitation
to visit Baku. I have invited all Goodwill Ambassadors to Baku. Such
meetings will be useful from the point of view of close
familiarization by the Ambassadors with the realities of Azerbaijan.
I also informed on our programs, held numerous negotiations. I think
it was useful.
Q. Election of the Azerbaijan citizen for the first time as UNESCO
Goodwill Ambassador is an important event. This is high trust in
Azerbaijan by UNESCO, an authoritative global organization. What are
Your plans for development and strengthening cooperation with the
structure in the years coming?
A. In my statement, I noted the close relations between Azerbaijan
and UNESCO. We have several good projects to be jointly implemented.
For example, presentation of the project on mugham was in Baku. We
have also some projects to be coordinated with UNESCO. The relations
develop in good side. Such links are necessary and important for
Azerbaijan.
Q. Is it possible to discuss with UNESCO the question of destruction
of the cultural monuments in the occupied Azerbaijan territories?
A. You know, UNESCO is non-political organization. However, this
painful issue needs to be focused. In have informed on the matter in
the meetings with both Director General and my colleagues, who had no
presentation on presence of one million refugees and IDPs in
Azerbaijan. Inviting the Goodwill Ambassadors to Baku I plan to take
them to the refugee camps and familiarize them with plight of our
country fellows.
As you know, today’s meeting was devoted to the problem `Education
for Everybody’. Informing my colleagues on education conditions of
our children, they were surprised. They promised me to visit
Azerbaijan and in particular, the refugee camps to be eyewitnesses of
their plight.
I all the meetings I spoke of the destroyed monuments of Azerbaijan.
Of course, we have a lot to do and I have some ideas related to the
problem.

ArmenPress
March 3 2005
MODERNIZATION OF ARMENIAN FOIL PLANT AHEAD OF SCHEDULE
YEREVAN, MARCH 3, ARMENPRESS: Georgy Avetikian, the chief manager
of RusAl-ArmenAl foil mill facility, told Armenpress the
modernization of the biggest manufacturer of a wide range of aluminum
foil in the region, started in October 2004 is continuing ahead of
schedule. He said the modernization is aimed both at improving the
quality of its foil products and boosting the plant’s profitability
-in helping the mill to become one of the world leading foil
producers.
German engineering firm Achenbach was selected to execute the
program, scheduled for completion in 18 months at an investment cost
of US $70 million, of which $20 million are the share of RusAl, which
owns 100 percent shares of the mill.
The modernization program, which will also provide for a major
upgrade in foil rolling equipment and also the establishment of a
full production cycle, will lift the plant capacity by 25,000 tons of
foil per year, including 18,000 tons of highly profitable thin foil
in 6-9 micron gauge-increasing ArmenAl’s profitability by 150%. On
completion of the project, RusAl-ArmenAl’s market share of thin foil
production will reach 2.5% by 2008.
Avetikian said some 30-35 percent of $70 million (around $20) will
be paid as wages to Armenian workers and specialists and part of that
money will be used to buy some equipment in Armenia.
The modernization program, apart from a full-scale upgrade in
rolling equipment, includes the installation of new casting machines
and direct rolling mill, as well as an upgrade of hot rolling mills,
to create a full cycle of production. As part of the modernization
program the main foil rolling equipment will be refitted with control
and automatic management systems. High- and low-pressure ancillary
system hydraulics will also be upgraded.
Elaboration of the program will raise the quality and
profitability of RusAl-ArmenAl products and enable the manufacturing
of new product ranges, as well as securing a continuous supply of raw
materials by switching from coil to foil ingot, and set up a
recycling loop for foil scrap.

Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
March 2, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY RALLIES CONGRESSIONAL, COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR
“ARMENIAN GENOCIDE” DECLARATION BY AMB. EVANS
Rep. Pallone Tells Congress Remarks Are In Keeping With Previous
Statements by U.S. Officials
Washington, DC – The Assembly acted today to galvanize congressional
and Armenian-American support for U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John
Evans’ self-evident declaration that “the Armenian Genocide was the
first genocide of the twentieth century.” The Ambassador made the
statement repeatedly during public forums with Armenian-American
community groups throughout the U.S. last week.
Assembly leaders launched a comprehensive campaign that hinges on the
support of the community and others of goodwill to join Ambassador
Evans in properly characterizing the attempted annihilation of the
Armenian people under cover of WW I as genocide. In its ongoing
effort to bury the facts of history, Turkey will rely on its friends
in the Bush Administration, Congress, the media and think tanks to
disrupt ongoing and growing U.S. reaffirmation of the truth.
As part of that campaign, the Assembly sent an urgent memorandum to
Senate foreign affairs staff for their members to support the Evans’
declaration and to all Armenia Caucus members in the House to
encourage their members to follow the lead of Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues Co-Chairs Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone,
Jr. (D-NJ).
Pallone is the first U.S. official to publicly address Evans’ comments
and add his name to all those who have accurately described the facts.
In a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives last night,
he said: “Ambassador Evans’ statements did not contradict U.S. policy,
but rather articulated the same message that the Bush Administration
has sent to the public, the only difference in this case is that
Ambassador Evans simply assigned the word to the definition that was
already provided by President Bush as well as members of his
administration.” [The full text of Pallone’s comments are attached
below.]
Additionally, the Assembly this week began mobilizing its nationwide
network of grassroots activists, asking them to promptly contact
President Bush and Members of Congress to support the historical
truth.
“The Assembly commends Ambassador Evans for accurately labeling the
attempted annihilation of the Armenians as Genocide and urges the
President to follow his example and properly characterize the
atrocities in his remembrance statement next month,” said Assembly
Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian. “In fact, the Ambassador
has provided everyone in our community who has worked long and hard on
this matter a remarkable opportunity to see that the truth is told
during the community’s yearlong commemorative activities of the 90th
anniversary of the Genocide.”
Hovnanian also said that by employing the term Armenian Genocide, the
Ambassador is building on previously made statements by Presidents
Reagan and Bush, as well as the repeated declarations of numerous
world-renowned scholars. In effect, Evans has done nothing more than
succinctly name the conclusions enunciated by those before him.
In 1981, for example, Ronald Reagan issued a presidential proclamation
that said in part: “like the genocide of the Armenians before it, and
the genocide of the Cambodians which followed it – and like too many
other persecutions of too many other people – the lessons of the
Holocaust must never be forgotten…” President Bush himself has also
carefully set forth the textbook definition of the crime of genocide
as it applies to Armenians in his successive April 24th statements of
remembrance.
Furthermore, Evans’ characterization conforms to the publicly stated
declarations of over 120 renowned Holocaust and Genocide scholars who
signed a statement in 2000 affirming that the Armenian Genocide is an
incontestable historical fact and so urge the governments of Western
democracies to likewise recognize it as such. The petitioners, among
whom is Nobel Laureate for Peace Elie Wiesel, also asked the Western
democracies to urge the Government and Parliament of Turkey to finally
come to terms with a dark chapter of Ottoman-Turkish history and to
recognize the Armenian Genocide.
Evans’ characterization also conforms to the summary conclusions of
the International Center for Transitional Justice on the use of the
term Armenian Genocide, which states that: “The Events, viewed
collectively, can thus be said to include all of the elements of the
crime of genocide as defined in the Convention, and legal scholars as
well as historians, politicians, journalists and other people would be
justified in continuing to so describe them.”
“Clearly there is sufficient context and validation for Evans’ use of
the term, which in our opinion is part of a natural progression
building on the U.S. record towards an inevitable, full and
irrevocable U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide,” continued
Hovnanian. “That said, it is now up to us to come together as a
community and reach out to Armenia’s friends on the Hill, as well as
those in the public policy sector, to encourage further affirmations
of the historical truth.”
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
of Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership
organization.
### NR#2005-018
Editor’s Note: Below is the full text of the comments delivered by
Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) on the floor of the House of
Representatives on March 1, 2005.
STOP DENIAL OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE BY TURKEY
(House of Representatives – March 01, 2005)
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. PALLONE: Mr. Speaker, Ambassador Evans, the U.S. Ambassador to
Armenia, recently when meeting with Armenian Americans during visits
in several U.S. cities referenced the Armenian genocide. In a series
of public statements, Ambassador Evans who has studied Russian history
at Yale and Columbia and Ottoman history at the Kennan Institute
stated, “I will today call it the Armenian Genocide.”
Mr. Speaker, Ambassador Evans’ statements did not contradict
U.S. policy, but rather articulated the same message that the Bush
administration has sent to the public, the only difference in this
case is that Ambassador Evans simply assigned the word to the
definition that was already provided by President Bush as well as
members of his administration.
Breaking with a pattern on the part of the State Department of using
alternative and evasive terminology for the Armenian genocide,
Ambassador Evans pointed out that “no American official has ever
denied it.”
Now, Ambassador Evans was merely recounting the historical record
which has been attested to by over 120 Holocaust and genocide scholars
from around the world. In so doing, he was merely giving a name, the
accurate description of genocide, to this very administration’s
statements on the issue.
President Bush on April 24 of each of the last four years when
commemorating the Armenian genocide used the textbook definition of
genocide with words and phrases such as “annihilation” and “forced
exile and murder.” Before him, President Reagan used the word
“genocide” in 1981 when describing the annihilation of over 1.5
million Armenians.
In the day of the genocide, our U.S. ambassador, then Henry
Morgenthau, had the courage to speak out against the atrocities which
he stated were a planned and systematic effort to annihilate an entire
race.
In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I just want to add my name and my voice to
all those who, like Ambassador Evans, know the truth and speak it
plainly when discussing the Armenian genocide.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

REPUBLIC PARTY INTENDS TO COOPERATE WITH ANY POLITICAL FORCE IN
ARMENIA AWARE OF THE NECESSITY OF SERIOUS REFORMS IN THE COUNTRY
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 26. ARMINFO. The Republic party intends to cooperate
with any political force in Armenia aware of the necessity of serious
reforms in the country. Armenian MP representing the opposition bloc
Justice, Head of the Political Council of the Republic party Albert
Bazeyan says at the Discussion Club Azdak, today.
He says that the party is glad for the leader of New Times party Aram
Karapetyan who has understood the necessity of reforms and change of
power, first of all, as yet a year ago he was speaking quite of the
opposite. As regards Leader of the National Unity party Artashes
Geghamyan, who has recently expressed intention to start revolution,
Bazeyan says that Geghamyan is an experienced politician having a
considerable electorate and has a right to act as he think
necessary. He adds that revolutions are not declared they are made in
practice.- M-

Athens News Agency, Greece
February 24, 2005
TENSION IN 53RD ASSEMBLY OF THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE
‘EU-TURKEY’
PARIS (ANA/O. Tsipira) – Religion, Armenia and Cyprus were the three
issues which prevailed in the meetings of the 53rd Assembly of the
Joint Parliamentary Committee “”EU-Turkey” which concluded in
Strasbourg on Thursday
During a press conference which closed the sessions, Dutch Committee
President Joost Lagendijk explained that the meetings of the Joint
Committee constitute a platform of dialogue and not a space of
decision-taking
“It is an opportunity for the Turkish deputies to understand why the
European Parliament continues to pressure for a solution to the
Cyprus issue, or for a recognition of the genocide of the Armenians.
At the same time, it was useful for the European deputies to see
better how the Turks deal with the issues and the solutions which
could found. From this point of view our meeting was successfull, not
because we reached some conclusions, but because we understood and
saw where the probems are exactly located and on which we will talk
about in the future,” Lagendijk said.” The problems appeared from the
first hours of the meeting, creating tension in the atmosphere,
something which outraged certain Eurodeputies, such as the German (of
Turkish origin) Vural Oger, to declare that “they poisoned the
dialogue.” French Eurodeputy Jacques Toubon asked whether the Council
and the Commission would take into consideration, before a final
decision on Turkey’s EU accession is taken, a European Parliament
resolution calling on Ankara to recognise the genocide of the
Armenians
Tension was also created by Cypriot Eurodeputy Marios Matsakis who
claimed that Turkey is accountable for three genocides, of the
Armenians, Kurds and Greeks.

PanArmenian News
Feb 23 2005
WEBSITE DEDICATED TO 90-TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE TO BE
CREATED
23.02.2005 16:43
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ About 50 specialists on the problem of the Armenian
Genocide will take part in organization of various measures dedicated
to the 90-th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Armenpress news
agency reports. According to the group director, pro-rector of the
Yerevan State University Aram Simonian, exhibitions of photos and
documents testifying of the Genocide of 1915 will be opened, audio
and video cassettes with the records of those who witnessed that
crime will be issued as well as materials from German, Russian and
French archives will be published. On the initiative of the working
group a website, which is to be continually replenished with
corresponding documents, will be created. A scientific conference
with the participation of student and the teaching staff will be held
in the Artsakh State University in mid-April.

Boston Globe, MA
Feb 20 2005
A fresh new TV face at 70
By Donna Goodison
Years ago, Lorraine Seymourian was at one of the Armenian picnics
frequented by her family on Sunday afternoons, and her parents
couldn’t find her.

“There I was in the middle of a whole crowd of people, with dollar
bills all over me, because if they liked you, they put dollar bills
on you,” said Seymourian, who was about 5 at the time. “I was dancing
around, having a wonderful time and just doing my own little thing.”
Seymourian still has that flair for the theatrical today, at age 70.
“I’m always on stage in public life, no matter what I do,” said
Seymourian, stylishly dressed last week in flowing black pants slit
to the knee, a long black coat with fur collar and cuffs, and a
matching fur hat. “People never forget me, never.”
With a radio program already to her credit, the Newton resident last
month introduced her latest project — a television show. Taped
before a live audience, “Lorraine Entertains” airs at 7:30 a.m.
Fridays on Boston’s WBPX-TV (Channel 68), part of the PAX network.
The show doesn’t adhere to the typical sit-down talk show format,
according to its host.
“I don’t want that, and it’s not me,” said Seymourian, who prefers an
action-filled half-hour.
Tomorrow, she’ll tape a show at the West Suburban YMCA in Newton.
Mystery writers Kate Flora of Concord, Hallie Ephron of Milton, and
Jan Brogan of Westwood will read an original story they just created.
The mystery has a basic premise, protagonist, and suspects, but the
audience will have input on the direction it takes and guess the
murderer.
Other upcoming shows will feature the Massachusetts Film Bureau’s
Academy Awards Gala, and Armenian dancing and music at the Armenian
Library and Museum of America in Watertown.
Seymourian works 12- to 15-hour days and handles all aspects of her
shows — from signing advertisers to finding guests, locations, and
audiences.
“If they see me in person, I get the sponsor,” Seymourian said.
“Meeting them in person gives them the confidence in me of who I am.”
Indeed, Seymourian comes off as a dynamo whose vigor belies her age.
“I don’t believe in this age business,” she said. “I may not look it,
but I feel like I’m 35 years old.”
She still likes to flirt and date, she says, and ends many of her
thoughts with bursts of giggles. She’s not afraid to be outlandish or
open, even about her recent facelift.
“The camera can be very cruel,” she said. “With radio, you can get
away with it, but not video. I said, ‘Lorraine, you can’t be on the
air. You look horrible.’ ”
Seymourian got her start with Channel 68 a little more than a year
ago, when she started taping humorous celebrity vignettes for
one-minute spots that aired 10 times a week.
Many of those celebrities also were guests on her “Rendezvous With
Lorraine” radio show, which is broadcast online at
from 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays. To make an
impression on the radio station’s owners, Seymourian arranged an
interview with Regis Philbin as her first guest three years ago.

“I called up, and I asked,” Seymourian said. “It was as simple as
that.”
Other celebrity guests have included Glenda Hatchett of the “Judge
Hatchett” television show, Mike Wallace, Harrison Ford, Sarah
Ferguson, and Cosmopolitan magazine founder Helen Gurley Brown, whom
she coaxed to perform an impromptu tap dance in her Gucci dress.
“I want to discover what nobody else knows about them,” Seymourian
said of her guests. “I want to know what makes them human. I’m not
out to get them.”
Hitting “below the belt” doesn’t fit the beliefs ingrained in
Seymourian since childhood, she says.
“I have my own rules: Be honest and never tell a lie,” she said.
“Honor my father and mother’s name. That’s very, very crucial to me.
That’s maybe why I didn’t become an actress. Professionally, I don’t
like to play the game.”
Seymourian grew up in Newton and headed to New York City to pursue an
acting career after studying drama at Emerson College.
“My father never liked the theater, and he didn’t want me to go to
New York, but he couldn’t stop me,” she said.
Seymourian studied in New York under renowned acting coach Stella
Adler, who recommended her for a spot in the midnight theater classes
taught by director Harold Clurman.
“People came from Broadway shows with their makeup on to take the
classes,” she said. “It was very exciting. I was the only novice
there.”
She appeared as the lead in an off-Broadway production of “Stage
Door” and made a national television appearance as a secretary in a
skit on the “The Bert Parks Show.”
Seymourian remained in New York only for a few years, though, before
returning home to work as a secretary for her father, founder of
Seymour’s Ice Cream company in Dorchester.
“I knew I wasn’t getting anywhere, and Daddy said, ‘Come and work for
me,’ ” Seymourian said. “I worked for him and wrote plays from 7 to 9
every night, because I couldn’t get theater out of my mind.”
Seymourian finally had a children’s play produced at the Charles
Playhouse in Boston, a musical adaptation of “The Wind in the
Willows,” for which she wrote the book and lyrics. In 1974, she
served as assistant choreographer and producer of the Boston Ballet’s
world premiere of “Tubby the Tuba” by choreographer Ron Cunningham.
She never married, although it’s something Seymourian says she might
consider in the next 10 years, noting that men like assertive women
with creative ideas who “go for it.” Meantime, she’ll do just that
and work on bringing her television and radio shows to the next
level.
“Someday, I’d like to be syndicated around the country with my
shows,” she said. “I love it and I’m good at it.”
To appear in the studio audience of Seymourian’s television show
tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. at the West Surburban YMCA, contact Caryn
Surkes at 617-244-6050, ext. 3014. The event is free and open to the
public.

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Feb 22 2005
Health condition of 3 Azeri captives normal

Baku, February 21, AssA-Irada
Health condition of three Azerbaijani soldiers, who lost their way
close to Hasangaya village of Terter District and passed to the
Armenian side of the frontline on February 15, is normal, the ANS TV
quoted head of the mission of the International Committee of the Red
Cross in Khankandi, who recently visited the captives, as saying.
Talks on releasing the Azerbaijani soldiers – Hikmat Taghiyev, Khayal
Abdullayev and Ruslan Bakirov – from captivity are underway, a source
from the Ministry of Defence told AssA-Irada.*