Author: nina hovnanian

FRESNO’S ARMENIAN-AMERICANS CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF BLESSING OF THE GRAPES

Merced Sun-Star
Aug 14 2013

Published: August 14, 2013

By Carmen George – The Fresno Bee

It is the music that stays with you.

Hundreds of voices singing together in an ancient language, beneath
the boughs of old oak trees.

They sang to celebrate Fresno’s 100th anniversary of the blessing
of the grapes during a traditional Armenian sermon Sunday morning at
the California Armenian Home.

Woven within the songs is the secret of how the tradition has survived
in the community for a century, said Luceen Chirinian Israelian,
a choir member for Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church in Fresno.

“I feel I’m an Armenian when I hear the music, in my blood,” Israelian
said. “Each word, the way it’s written — the music is exactly the
meaning of the words, that’s why it’s so beautiful.”

To explain, she smiled and sang the word “holy” three times, each time,
with a new richness.

“Our church consists of music,” she said.

Israelian, a resident of Fresno for 20 years, was born in Beirut,
Lebanon, where her family moved during the genocide of 1915 that
killed an estimated 1.5 million Armenians.

Watching the priests in their decorative robes, praying and blessing
the grapes, she said, “We see ourselves in this sermon.”

“I start dreaming,” she said. “I see the pictures of all my history,
from before the massacre … even though I’m not in my homeland in
Fresno, it’s OK, I’m joining with my tradition. I feel I’m in historic
Armenia because what we are doing is coming from there.”

Close to 2,000 people attended Sunday’s grape blessing and festival,
which included live music, dancing and food, said Varoujan DerSimonian,
chairman of the church’s board of trustees.

The blessing of the grapes dates back before Jesus Christ.

Traditionally, priests went into vineyards to bless the fruit before
a fall harvest, asking for protection from the elements and for a
bountiful crop.

Armenians consider grapes the “queen of all crops” because of their
association with wine, symbolic of the blood of Christ, DerSimonian
said.

To honor Fresno for carrying on the tradition for the past 100 years,
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian of the Western Prelacy of the
Armenian Apostolic Church of America led this year’s Holy Badarak,
or “Divine Liturgy,” at Sunday’s blessing of the grapes.

He said tradition based on faith is the “light of the Armenian nation.”

This year also is the “Year of the Armenian Mother,” symbolizing love,
sacrifice, faithfulness, dedication and the role model of all mothers,
the Virgin Mary, he said.

Next Sunday, the church will celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin
Mary into heaven, also the date of another blessing of the grapes to
be held by the St. Paul Armenian Church at California Armenian Home.

For 60-year-old Sam Bagdasarian, a lifelong Fresno resident, the
blessing of the grapes ceremony has survived because of the bond
shared by the area’s Armenian-Americans and their desire to pass
tradition on to the next generation.

“You come out and see family and friends and everyone sharing it
together,” Bagdasarian said as he held the hand of his 3-year-old
granddaughter Lenna. “That makes a big difference.”

As the traditional music began to play Sunday, the youngest
stepped onto the dance floor first — five girls, ages 4 to 6, the
great-granddaughters and great-nieces of a Fresno Armenian grape
farmer, now deceased.

As the girls joined the circle of dancers, swaying with hands linked,
the daughter of the now-gone grape farmer, Laura Abrahamian, said
tearfully that her father would be very proud.

IMMIGRANTS ESTABLISH UPSTATE NY ‘INCUBATOR’ FARM

Utica Observer Dispatch
Aug 14 2013

ITHACA –

Immigrants from Armenia and Bermuda are getting a foothold in farming
with a new project based on the business incubator concept.

New York Secretary of State Cesar Perales met the farmers as he toured
the Groundswell Incubator Farm just outside Ithaca on Wednesday.

The 10-acre farm gives beginning farmers access to land, along with
production support and advice from professionals. It’s operated by
the nonprofit Goundswell Center for Local Food and Farming, whose
mission is to nurture the next generation of farmers.

Joining Perales was Jorge Montalvo, director of the New York State
Office for New Americans. The office is credited with helping
Groundswell obtain funds to help immigrant and refugee beginning
farmers get started.

Read more:

ARMENIA TO HAVE CENTERS FOR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT

August 14, 2013 | 19:59

YEREVAN. – Armenia will have certified centers designed for the repair
and maintenance of military equipment. The relevant arrangement was
reached at a Wednesday meeting between Armenian Defense Minister
Seyran Ohanyan and Alexander Fomin, Director of the Federal Service
for Military-Technical Cooperation of the Russian Federation.

The delegation headed by Alexander Fomin arrived in Yerevan on Tuesday
to hold meeting with the Armenian officials.

The meeting was attended by the First Deputy Minister of Defense
David Tonoyan, Deputy Minister Alex Mirzabekyan.

The sides discussed issues related to bilateral military and technical
cooperation and development of contractual legal framework.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

ARMENIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE CONCERNED THAT AS OF TODAY ICRC BAKU OFFICE HAS NOT BEEN GRANTED ACCESS TO INJIGHULYAN

17:16, August 14, 2013

Department of Information and Public Relations of Armenian Ministry
of Defence has spred the following press release:

“On the night of August 8th, the citizen of the Republic of Armenia
Hakob Gevorg Injighulyan who lost his bearings on the terrain and
inadvertently crossed the Line of Contact was subsequently found in the
area of protection of Azerbaijani troops and captured by the latter.

As of today ICRC Baku office has not been granted an access to the
Armenian citizen kept in Azerbaijani captivity which we find at least
perplexing given the mandate and prestige of ICRC.

Moreover we would like to inform you that the Azerbaijani media
outlet “Haqqin.az” uploaded and disseminated on the Internet Hakob
Gevorg Injighulyan’s “interview” with an Azerbaijani information
agency. In this footage as it was later confirmed cynically by Eldar
Sabiroghlu, Press Secretary of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic
of Azerbaijan in his interview on August 13th Hakob Injighulyan was
dressed in Azerbaijani uniform “to understand the difference between
the Armenian and Azerbaijani uniforms” which was aimed to put moral
and phycological pressure on him and abuse his dignity.

This comes in violation of numerous provisions of Geneva Conventions:

Particularly, Article 13 of the Geneva Conventions. (III) constitutes
that POWs “…must at all times be protected, particularly against acts
of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity”
by the detaining power. In other words, the detaining power has to
keep a Person under the protection from the curiosity of media and
has to prevent the publication of images and videos in which this
person can be recognized.

Further, the commentary of Article 27 Geneva Convention (III) states
that “…Prisoners may in no case be obliged to wear the uniform of the
Detaining Power if they consider that their honor does not so permit.”

Article 7, Geneva Convention (III) says that persons under protection
“… in no circumstances renounce in part or in entirety the rights
secured to them by the present Convention…”.

The Armenian authorities have been informed by the ICRC that its
Baku office is pursuing its efforts to visit Hakob Gevorg Injighulyan
through its on-going dialogue with the detaining power. Hopefully the
ICRC will succeed preventing any unwanted consequences. Outrageous
deaths of the citizens of the Republic of Armenia Gor Manasaryan and
Manvel Saribekyan captured in 2008 and 2010 and killed while being
under the protection of the detaining power whom the ICRC failed to
visit and the fact that none of the perpetrators of these fearsome
crimes has been punished as of today are tragic precedents. These
kind of crimes should be condemned and prevented by all means.

Thereby, the Armenian Commission on POWs, Detainees and missing in
action express their concern about the situation and asks the ICRC
to strengthen its efforts to visit Hakob Gevorg Injighulyan.

Once again it is reiterated plea to ICRC to assure Hakob Injighulyan
that the case will bear no legal consequences for him despite the
recent footage on Azerbaijani media outlets and to facilitate the
secure and prompt repatriation of the citizen of Armenia should the
Azerbaijani side show willingness.”

GREENHOUSES TO MAKE BORDER VILLAGE OF BERKABER PLENTIFUL AGAIN

16:46, August 14, 2013

YEREVAN – ONEArmenia has launched its fourth campaign to help build
sustainable greenhouses for over 500 residents in the border village
of Berkaber, located in the Tavush region of northeastern Armenia.

For the past 20 years, the farmers in Berkaber have not been able to
farm because their land, located on the other side of the village’s
reservoir, is under the occupation of Azeri military forces.

Thankfully, there is a solution. With the partnership of Sahman NGO,
ONEArmenia will build four greenhouses in the backyards of four
homes in Berkaber, creating not only a regular source of food but
also a pathway to steady income for each family, as produce can
be sold and traded at market rates for three seasons out of the
year. Each greenhouse will measure 100 square meters and can yield
up to 50 kilograms of produce per day. The produce grown inside the
greenhouses is all-organic, and water is dispersed throughout the
structure using an eco-friendly drip system.

According to Sahman NGO, this type of farming is new to Berkaber.

However, a team of agriculturists will visit the village regularly to
train farmers on how to maintain and expand their greenhouses. Once
built, the greenhouses will consistently produce organically-grown
fruits and vegetables that the farmers can then sell to neighboring
villages and as part of a co-op at the bazaar in nearby Idjevan.

Agriculture is the economic foundation of most countries, and for
developing countries the most likely source of economic growth. The
impact that four greenhouses can make on this tiny village is quite
significant. The creation of greenhouses thus alleviates poverty by
empowering the community to grow its own food.

The campaign is due to last until August 31st. Want to support? Visit
ONEArmenia’s Indiegogo page!

Non-profit funding platform ONEArmenia was founded in September 2012
to stand side-by-side with the change-making individuals and the
organizations they represent, using social media and crowd-funding to
involve anyone with an Internet connection in boosting projects that
are geared toward making tangible change in Armenia. The non-profit
is based on its three-pillar commitment to global collaboration,
freshness and transparency. This means that the ONEArmenia network
makes it possible to not only raise money for a project based in
Armenia as a worldwide community, but to also track the progress of
said project with complete access to financial information.

NKR FOREIGN MINISTRY: NAGORNO KARABAKH PEOPLE ESTABLISHED THEIR STATE IN FULL COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL LAW

by Ashot Safaryan

ARMINFO
Wednesday, August 14, 21:58

Authorities of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) have on numerous
occasions expressed their grave concern over the fraudulent campaign
by Azerbaijan aimed at distorting the essence of the conflict between
Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh and misleading the international
community, says the statement by the NKR Foreign Ministry.

“This campaign expands from year to year introducing new sophisticated
methods of falsifications, provocations, and revanchist threats.

The most recent examples of such a propaganda campaign are the
circulation of the July 26, 2013 A/67/943-S/2013/442 letter in
the United Nations Organization calling upon the UN Member States
to warn their citizens against visiting the NKR “without the prior
authorization of the government of Azerbaijan” as well as publication
of a list of people declared personae non gratae by the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan because of their visits to the
NKR. This list of 335 individuals from 41 countries includes members of
parliaments, prominent public figures, culture and art professionals,
journalists, students and tourists.

In this respect the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the NKR deems
appropriate to state the following: The NKR is an independent state
with a population, which should not be deprived of a possibility to
exercise its fundamental human rights under any circumstances as it
is enshrined in the Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, which states that “no distinction shall be made on the basis of
the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or
territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust,
non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty”.

People of Nagorno Karabakh established their state exercising their
inalienable right to self-determination in full compliance with the
norms and principles of the international law and acting upon the
then effective constitutional and legal framework of the Soviet Union.

Since the very first day of its establishment the NKR, unlike
Azerbaijan, has assumed the course of building a democratic State
ensuring all the rights and freedoms for its citizens. The NKR
leadership intends to continue the policy of comprehensive development
of the Republic and its democratic institutions, and has repeatedly
expressed its readiness for mutually beneficial cooperation with all
interested parties.

>From the very beginning, Azerbaijan rejected any possibility of a
civilized dialogue with Nagorno Karabakh and adhered to the policy of
settling the conflict between Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh through
the application of brutal, unproportional and indiscriminate force
against the civilian population. It carried out ethnic cleansings in
Nagorno Karabakh proper and Armenian- populated areas of Azerbaijan,
unleashing full-fledged military aggression against Nagorno Karabakh.

Despite the ongoing negotiation process and commitments undertaken
since the conclusion of the cease-fire agreement, the Azeri leadership
continues to interpret selectively the norms and principles of the
international law, thus escalating tension and mistrust, as well as
ignoring the existing realities. Deluded by its language of threats and
hostility, Azerbaijan has made a step forward in a wrong direction,
and threatens with sanctions against the third countries nationals
visiting the NKR. Such a policy of Azerbaijan fits perfectly into
the logic of its domestic human rights record that it is striving to
impose upon foreign citizens.

These highly irresponsible steps thwart any attempts to establish an
atmosphere of trust between the NKR and the Republic of Azerbaijan,
which would be essential for the peaceful resolution of the conflict.

They also hinder the ongoing mediation efforts by the Minsk Group
Co-Chairs of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
(OSCE) to find a comprehensive and lasting solution to the conflict
between Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh.

It is meanwhile worth to mention that in spite of the artificial
impediments created by the Azeri side, the number of tourists
visiting the NKR steadily grows: throughout its independent history
tens of thousands of foreign citizens have already visited the NKR,
which testifies the safe and secure environment established by the
freedom-loving people of Nagorno Karabakh, and growing international
interest to the rich cultural and historical heritage of our native
land. It is essential to note that the crime rate in the NKR is one of
the lowest in Europe, and no serious accident has ever been registered
in our country with participation of a foreign citizen.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the NKR urges the authorities
of Azerbaijan to abandon counterproductive attempts to hinder visits
of foreign nationals to the NKR, and direct its energy and resources
wasted on such groundless and provocative actions towards settlement of
substantial issues between the parties to the conflict thus promoting
peace and stability for the whole fragile region of the South Caucasus.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the NKR welcomes and encourages
the visits of foreign nationals, both officials and tourists, to the
NKR. Such visits and people to people contacts in general contribute
to the creation of an atmosphere of confidence and co-operation in
the region and are essential for the international community to get
truthful and objective information about the NKR,” the statement says.

13-YEAR-OLD GIRL RAPED IN ARMENIA BY FRIENDS FROM SOCIAL NETWORK

August 13, 2013 | 00:01

YEREVAN. – According to police, a 13-year-old resident of Armenian
Sevan city was raped by 24 and 25 years old men, whom she met via
social network, Armenian News-NEWS.am reports.

According to the relatives of the charged offenders, the 25-year-old
resident of the Armenian Varseni village Sasson G. became friends with
the underage girl via social network. Later he invited her to date,
and at the date another young man, Sasson’s friend, 24-year-old road
police employee Vahagn H. joined them.

The relatives of the charged offenders insist that the girl agreed to
have sex with both men, however, according to the law enforcement
agents, at the date two men violently raped the 13 years old girl.

At the moment two men are charged for several offences, including rape
of underage by group of persons and sexual act by adult with a person
clearly under 16.

POOR LAVROV, BAKU DID NOT APPRECIATE HIM

Russia’s president Putin’s visit to Baku was “marked” by a word of
insult. While announcing the name of the foreign minister of Russia
Sergey Lavrov during the signing of agreements the “host” uttered a
word of insult.

Apparently, it was a slip of the tongue because Baku would hardly
be dissatisfied with Lavrov and Russia. Recently the interests of
Russia and Azerbaijan have been in line and they have entered into
close defense cooperation, particularly in regard to the European
integration of Armenia and Karabakh settlement.

Last May the Russian foreign minister said during the meeting with
the foreign minister of Azerbaijan Mammedyarov, “Status quo is
definitely unacceptable for everyone. First of all, for those who
live in Azerbaijan, Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, I believe. Status
quo means that the issues of return of the Azerbaijani territories,
as well as the economic blockade of Armenia have not been resolved,
therefore there is no need to persuade anyone that the status quo
is unacceptable.”

Later the Russian co-chair of the Minsk Group Popov announced that
Lavrov did not say so, he only referred to the proposal on “return
of territories”.

Besides, Lavrov stated earlier that recognition of independence of
Karabakh is not acceptable.

It is hard to guess why Baku had a “slip of the tongue”.

16:38 14/08/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

ARAM I PUBLISHED BOOK CALLED “ISSUES AND PERSPECTIVES”

19:08, 14 August, 2013

YEREVAN, AUGUST 14, ARMENPRESS: Catholicos of Cilicia Aram I published
English language book “Issues And Perspectives” consisting of 242
pages. “Armenpress” was informed about this from The Great House
of CIlciia.

In the Introduction of his recent book, His Holiness Aram I states
that “two salient features of modern societies occupy a central place
in this book.” These are: “First, religion has become pivotal in the
daily life of societies. It is, in one way or another and on a larger
or smaller scale, associated with critical issues and deep concerns,
particularly in the realms of politics, economics, the environment,
science and technology. While religion by its very nature and vocation
is a source of peace and reconciliation, justice and progress, it
has also been misused and abused for evil ends.

This abuse of religion, with its far-reaching consequences, is one
of the most complex problems facing the world today.

Second, the world has undergone a tremendous change, driven by the
explosion in the technology of information and communication.

We are all part of cyberspace and are wired into networks, which
instantly connect people of all places, races, religions and cultures,
even in the remotest corners of the globe. Walls are collapsed,
boundaries are abolished and lines of demarcation are destroyed.

We are transformed into a cybercommunity, which has its own culture,
value-system, rules and norms. This interconnectedness not only
integrates; it also disintegrates. It not only reconciles peoples;
it also polarizes them.”

According to Aram I, “the implications of these major and unprecedented
developments are identifiable in almost all spheres of societal life.”

In his introductory remarks His Holiness reminds the readers that he
“addresses issues with an interactive approach and in a holistic way.

One cannot resolve issues by evading them nor oppose them by simply
disagreeing with them or undermining their importance. In fact, those
committed to serving humanity must discern and confront issues, provide
perspective and seek solutions.” The Catholicos also reminds that
“the issues touched in this book are timely and they deserve focal
attention and serious discussion. I do not claim that the views that
I have offered and observations that I have made are exhaustive. But I
do hope that the perspectives that I have provided may bring a meagre
contribution towards the comprehensive and critical scrutiny of these
complex issues, acute problems and major challenges.

HOSTAGE’S PARENTS COULD NOT LEARN ANYTHING ABOUT THEIR SON

The relatives and friends of the Armenian conscript Hakob Injighulyan,
Armenian conscript captured and held hostage in Azerbaijan, came from
Voskevaz, their native village, to the International Committee of the
Red Cross, expecting to learn anything about Hakob. They waited for
two hours but could not meet with anyone. The media were also denied
access to the committee office.

Dragana Rankovic, an ICRC representative in Yerevan, left the building
but did not talk to the people gathered in front of the office. He
got into the car and left. His assistants told the relatives of the
hostage that Dragana Rankovic was going to a meeting with the ministry
of defense to discuss the issue of the Armenian conscript.

Gevorg Injighulyan, Hakob Injighulyan’s father, said that his son
served in the army willingly, and it is impossible that he had problems
with the commanders and deserted. “He was always satisfied, whenever he
telephoned us. I visited him three times. He was so smart and served
so well, my son, that he was awarded a ten-day leave at one time and
a five-day leave for another time, as well as a parchment,” he said.

He noted that he understood from the interview broadcast by the
Azerbaijani side that his son is depressed, he underwent duress,
violence. “I visited him only a month and a half ago, he has changed
in yesterday’s video, he was thin,” he said.

Gevorg Injighulyan also said that his son has a problem with her eyes
and he has always worn gasses since school and he was surprised to
see him in the video without glasses.

The relatives of the hostage say they are surprised at the inaction
of the International Committee of the Red Cross. They expect a rapid
response to the question how Hakob is now. Meanwhile, the relatives
say, the office did not answer their inquiries. The relatives of the
conscript think that Hakob was kidnapped by the Azerbaijanis.

Note that Hakob Injighulyan appeared on the Azerbaijani side in the
night of August 7 and 8, at around 3 am, during his duty. According
to preliminary information, he had lost his way.

15:50 13/08/2013 Story from Lragir.am News: