Author: nina hovnanian

PRESS RELEASE
ST. PETER ARMENIAN CHURCH
100 Troy Schenectady Road
PO Box 196
Watervliet, NY 12189
Tel: 518-274-3673
Fax: 518-274-3103
Email: [email protected]

CONTACT: Rafi Topalian
Tel: 518- 810-5018

ARMENIAN FESTIVAL CELEBRATES OVER 100 YEARS
The St. Peter Armenian Church community established the parish in 1899.

Before building their new house of worship in Watervliet in 1971, the church
was first located in Green Island and later in Troy. The very first
Church Picnic opened to the community was held in 1910. That `Picnic’ is now
known as the annual Armenian Festival!
The Armenian Festival has become one of the summer’s most anticipated
events for the Capital District and the greater Armenian community.
Ever expanding, ever evolving, the 2013 ARMENIAN FESTIVAL is fast
approaching with even more exciting new changes in store. Mark your
calendar for this expanded two-day event.

SATURDAY, JUNE 8th 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m.
SUNDAY, JUNE 9th 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.

In addition to our always delicious Armenian food and pastries, we have
many exciting new features this year.
What’s New This Year?
ü LIVE authentic Armenian Music all weekend featuring the John Berberian
Ensemble with John Berberian on the oud, Mal Barsamian on clarinet, Harry
Bedrossian on keyboard and vocals, and Charles Dermenjian on the dumbeg.

ü Introducing the Hye Burger – an authentic Armenian-style burger
ü Armenian-style Pork Kebab – in addition to our traditional Chicken and
Lamb Kebabs
ü 10 Carnival games for children and adults of all ages to enjoy
ü The Apple Raffle – Win an Apple MacBook, iPad, Cash or other
Apple-themed prizes; 5 chances to win
Come and experience everything the Armenian culture has to offer. Again
this year, there will be a Tavloo (Backgammon) Tournament, Armenian dancing,
and cooking demonstrations. Items from the St. Peter Church Bookstore and
Gift Shop, as well as products from several other local vendors, will be
available for purchase.
As always, there is free parking and free admission with indoor and
outdoor seating with tent coverage – so come join us rain or shine.
Contact the St. Peter Armenian Church office at (518) 274-3673 for
Sponsorship opportunities, to purchase raffle tickets, or for more general
information.

###

PRESS RELEASE
ARS of Western USA, Inc.
Regional Office
517 W. Glenoaks Blvd.
Glendale, CA 91202
Tel: 818-500-1343
Fax: 818-242-3732
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web:
FB:

Armenian Relief Society of Western USA, Regional Executive

Haigoush Kohler Will Be Honored During the Javakhk Fund Dinner The
ARS-WUSA Javakhk Fund Committee will hold a Dinner Reception on
Friday, May 31, 2013, at the Armenian Society of Los Angeles, 117
S. Louise St., Glendale, CA 91205.

“We are very pleased to present the ARS Humanitarian award to ARS
‘Javakhk’ fund committee and ARS ‘Zovinar’ Chapter chairperson
Ungerouhi Haigoush Keghinian Kohler, who is a role model to many ARS
members, as well as the community, locally and internationally,”
saidLena Bozoyan, ARS of Western USA, Regional Executive
Chairperson.Kohler has led the ARS Javakhk Fund Committee since 2001,
when it was established, and has dedicated her efforts to support the
humanitarian needs of the people of Javakhk.

Dikranoohy Rouhinian, an ARS member, is being honored as a long-time
sponsor of the ARS Javakhk Fund.

ARS Saturday School Quiz Bowl
ARS-WUSA Saturday School students from Anahid, Mayr Hollywood, Sepan,
Sevan, Sosse and Talin Chapters competed on May 18, 2013. The quiz
bowl was organized by the ARS of Western USA, Saturday School Board of
Regents.

Arous Melkonian, chairperson of the Educational Committee, emceed the
event. Dr. Nyree Derderian delivered the technical aspects of the
PowerPoint with timer. Karine Barikian Setian represented the ARS-WUSA
Regional Executive Board. Khatoune Pakradouni, Maggie Yahyayan and
Rita Hintlian were judges.

The competition was intense and the ARS Sevan Chapter students won on
bonus points with Talin Chapter students following them in second
place, and the rest took third place. More Photos
()

ARS Sepan Chapter Honors Five Members
The ARS-WUSA Sepan Chapter of Glendale honored members Rima
Boghossian, Satig Der Ohanessian, Jasik Jarahian, Sona Kizirian, and
Shake Kumjian during the May 19, 2013 program celebrating `The Year of
the Armenian Mother,’ as declared by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos
of the Great House of Cilicia. Over 150 guests enjoyed a fun-filled
atmosphere filled with music and entertainment.

Andre Agassi Visits Las Vegas Complex
On May 9, 2013, tennis legend Andre Agassi toured the newly completed
St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church complex in Las Vegas, which also
houses the Saturday School classrooms of the ARS Shoushi Chapter.

The group, headed by Archpriest Fr. Avedis Torossian and Parish
Council Chairman Adroushan Armenian, toured the church and cultural
center where Houry Darakjian, ARS Shoushi Chapter Saturday School
Principal, briefed Agassi about the expansion plans for the 2013-2014
academic year and plans for utilizing advanced Armenian language and
history learning technology.

Book Signing at Sartarabad Bookstore
“Javakhk: A World That Cares” by Jennifer Salmassian was presented at
Sartarabad Bookstore in Glendale, California, on May 25, 2013. All
proceeds are donated to the ARS Javakhk Fund.

SARF HyeAID2 Concert
The Syrian Armenian Relief Fund (SARF) plans to hold a new HyeAID2
concert on Sunday, June 9, 2013, at 6 pm, at the Dolby Theatre in Los
Angeles to help raise funds for Syrian Armenians.For tickets, contact
(818) 618-2348, (818) 265-0506 (Ticketmaster), or visititsmyseat
().Read More
()

UPCOMING EVENTS
Upcoming ()Regional Events
()

May 31, 2013, 7 p.m., ARS Javakhk Fund Dinner, 117 S. Louise St.,
Glendale, CA

June 3, 2013, 7 p.m., Outstanding Public High School Graduates’ Awards
Night, 517 W. Glenoaks Blvd.,Glendale, CA

June 4, 2013, 11 a.m., ARS Day at Ararat Home, 15105 Mission Hills
Rd., Mission Hills, CA

July 12-14, 2013, ARS 93rdAnnual Regional Convention, Montebello, CA

CHAPTER EVENTS:

ARSMayrFresno andSophiaChapters’ ARS Day a California Armenian Home,
Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at 2 p.m., 6720 E. Kings Canyon Rd., Fresno, CA

ARS MontebelloAniChapter’s Father’s Day Dinner, Michael (Makitch)
Schatachian is being honored as “Father of the Year”, Friday, June 7,
2013 at 7 p.m., Golden Skewer, 2212 West Beverly Blvd., Montebello,
CA; $35 Per Person; $15 for Children Under 13; Contact Nevart at (323)
887-1179

May 28, 1918
The first Republic of Armenia was born 95 years ago. Four women were
elected to the national parliament and one woman, Diana Apgar, became
the ambassador to Japan.

Several ARS chapters, then known as “Hai Garmir Khach”, were organized
in Armenia during 1919-1920 by Leola Sassouni. After Armenia was
sovietized, the ARS had to cease operations in Armenia, but returned
in 1988 to assist the victims of the earthquake in Spitak.

Watch Historical Video Clip ()

Support Victims of the Oklahoma Tornado
Our hearts and prayers go out to all those who lost family members and
homes during the devastating tornado. The ARS of Western USA is
accepting donations to assist victims in Moore, an Oklahoma City
suburb.Earlier this week, 24 people, including 10 children, were
killed by the EF5 scale tornado that turned whole neighborhoods in its
path into rubble.

Donate ()by or PayPal/credit card
or mail your check to:ARS of Western USA, 517 W. Glenoaks Blvd.,
Glendale, CA 91202-2812.

Roubina Chapter Sponsors Pan Armenian Youth Forum
The ARS San Diego Roubina Chapter was proud to sponsor Michael
Darbinian, son of ARS member Lucy Manokian, to attend the Pan Armenian
Youth Forum in Yerevan on April 22-25, 2013. Michael is currently
studying in Madrid.

Darbinian attended the breakout session on Armenian Youth. The main
speakers were the representatives of 30-40 Armenian organizations
mostly from Armenia and Artsakh (Karabakh). He gave a presentation
about the Armenian community in Spain, where he is very active and,
when not pursuing his studies, he collaborates actively with the newly
formed Armenian Council of Madrid. He was then invited to present his
remarks at the States Government University on the next day.

Organizational Change & Media Seminar
Educational Committee presents a seminar on Organizational Change and
Media Communications Affecting Our Day to Day Activities, on Saturday,
June 15, 2013, 9:30 am to 3 pm, at the Western Prelacy of the Armenian
Apostolic Church, Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian Hall, 6252
Honolulu Ave., La Crescenta, CA 91214.

The program includes the following:
-Overcoming Cultural Barriers Effecting Organizational Change
presented by Bianca Manoukian, MBA, CSSMBB, Principal, Synergistic
Strategies Consulting & former General Manager of Asbarez Newspaper &
Horizon TV -Ways to Deal with Change in Everyday Life: A presentation
of Dr. Spencer Johnson’s Best Seller. “Who moved my cheese?” presented
by Steve Artinian, Vice President, Marketing/Public Relations of Home
Organizers Inc. and former Homenetmen Regional Executive Chairman
-Etiquette and Protocols of Organizational Media Communications
presented by Rita Hintlian, MPA, Sr. Environmental Specialist and
Current ARS of Western USA Public Relations Committee Chairperson Free
Admission and lunch is provided. Please RSVP. Read More
()

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Check ourweb site ()for more
information regarding upcoming events, press releases, photo albums,
contact information, etc.

517 W. Glenoaks Blvd. | Glendale, CA 91202-2812 US
Phone: (818) 500-1343 | Fax: (818) 242-3732
Website:
Email: [email protected]

Lyudmila Sargsyan advises Galust Sahakyan to look around himself – Video

06:20 PM | TODAY | POLITICS

Galust Sahakyan, a lawmaker from the ruling Republican Party of Armenia
(RPA), has never demonstrated reasonableness, Lyudmila Sargsyan, a lawmaker
from the Armenian National Congress (ANC), told journalists on May 27.

The ANC MP advises Sahakyan to look around himself to make sure that
Heritage Party MP Zaruhi Postanjyan, a mother of four children, has a good
family and no one has the right to offend her.

On Thursday, before passing to the discussion of a government-proposed
program, Galust Sahakyan addressed to Zaruhi Postanjyan saying “this
virtuous woman should know that the National Assembly is not a highway
where people hitch a ride and are offended when drivers don’t stop.”
Lyudmila Sargsyan says Sahakyan seriously breached the norms of ethics but
she cannot raise the issue at the NA Standing Committee on Ethics as she is
boycotting the Committee’s sittings.

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation -Dashnaktsutyun is also boycotting
the Committee’s activities.
Speaking about the rise in gas prices, the ANC representative said `the
government has cheated people by concealing the news about the pending hike
before the elections.’

Mrs Sargsyan is also surprised that the government has reduced the
announced 68% to 18%. She says they did it deliberately for consumers not
to panic so much.
Lyudmila Sargsyan says the only solution is that Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan and his Cabinet ministers tender their resignations.

Head of Georgian Diocese of the Armenian Church attends Independence
Day celebrations in Tbilisi

17:43 27.05.2013

On May 26 of 2013, on the occasion of the Independence Day of Georgia
the Head of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Holy Church
in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan and the Head of the
Legal Department of the Diocese and the Adviser to the Head of the
Diocese – Levon Isakhanyan took a part in a reception in the tourist
complex Bazaleti, organized by the Prime Minister of Georgia, Mr.
Bidzina Ivanishvili, and on behalf of the Armenian parish and clergy
congratulated the Prime Minister, as well as His Holiness
Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II who was present at the
celebration, on this important national holiday.

On the same day, members of the clergy of the Armenian Diocese took
part in festive events organized by the Tbilisi City Hall and in the
churches of the Armenia Diocese in Georgia was served a festive divine
service.

CSTO Foreign Ministers’ Council approves draft statement on Nagorno-Karabakh

14:37 – 27.05.13

The Foreign Ministers’ Council of the Collective Security Treaty
Organization (CSTO) member-states held a regular meeting in Bishkek,
Kyrgyzstan, on May 27.

Among the participants were Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian, Secretary
of the National Security Council of Armenia Artur Baghdasaryan and
Armenian Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan.

The meeting approved a draft statement on the international and
regional agenda. One of the points in the statement deals with the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The CSTO member-states re-affirm the need for a peaceful settlement of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and stress the importance of speedy
completion of the work at the principles of the Nagorno-Karabakh peace
process mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group.

The Armenian delegation members also participated in a joint meeting
of the CSTO Council of Defense Ministers, Council of Foreign Ministers
and Committee of Secretaries of National Security Councils.

Armenian News – Tert.am

HRW: Azerbaijani authorities use drug possession charges to silence critics

May 27, 2013 | 16:41

Azerbaijani authorities are using spurious drug possession charges to
lock up political activists critical of the government, Human Rights
Watch said today.

Human Rights Watch documented four recent cases, in three of which the
detainees alleged ill-treatment in police custody.

`Using bogus drug possession charges to silence critical voices is not
new, but the latest cases are part of an intensified government
campaign against its critics as elections grow near,’ said Giorgi
Gogia, senior South Caucasus researcher at Human Rights Watch. `These
arrests and beatings send a very clear message to anyone who wants to
engage in serious activism.’

The authorities should conduct independent and effective inquiries
into the ill-treatment allegations and release the activists, pending
independent review of the charges, Human Rights Watch said.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

ARMENIE
Un citoyen iranien cause des dommages à l’environnement en Arménie

Le bureau du procureur général d’Arménie a annoncé qu’un accident de
la circulation impliquant un citoyen iranien a causé des dommages à
l’environnement en estimé à 4,2 milliards de drams.

Selon le bureau du Procureur général, un citoyen iranien, Basirat
Sayedmortaza, qui transportait de l’eau de Javel concentrée en
Arménie, a enfreint les règles de la circulation le 5 mai 2013 près de
la ville de Kapan en Arménie méridionale. À la suite de quoi son
camion s’est renversé, provoquant une fuite de la citerne. L’eau de
Javel a endommagé une partie de la route et s’est versé dans la
rivière Vokhchi, tuant les poissons.

lundi 27 mai 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
May 24 2013

Do Kurdish-Turkish marriages prevent division?

by EMRE USLU

Turkey is an interesting country. We are a people able to create
arguments that are shaped by the conditions of the time, and then we
are able to believe in those same arguments we created. Our most
beloved way to face problems seems to be in taking shelter behind lies
constructed to shield us. What we first do, as a society, is make up
lies. Then we make ourselves believe in those lies. Finally, we try to
get others to believe in them. This is how it played out with the
Armenian `relocations’ and with the Kurdish situation as well.

For example, the greatest lie we have created in the face of the
Kurdish problem is this: that the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) is
just a tool of foreign powers and its actions were unleashed upon us
by actors outside of Turkey. Also a part of this is the assertion that
PKK leaders are Armenian, not Kurdish, and that the leaders’ views of
Marxism distance them from our Kurdish brothers

The real truth of the matter is that these lies were created by the
state, with the aim of making the Kurds believe these lies, and we all
wound up believing them, because we wanted to believe these things. We
had nothing else behind which to hide. It is essentially good that we
believed these things, though, because had Turkish society from the
very start connected the PKK directly with the Kurds, a civil war
would have long-ago broken out. When, in fact, what happened was that
since we believed these lies, the essential clashes remained between
the state and the PKK and did not descend to the level of general
society. For example, there has been no real enmity between Turkish
and Kurdish neighbors. Kurdish-Turkish marriages have carried on. The
two factions of society remain undivided.

And now, we are engaged in a peace process, a process we are
constructing from lies. The greatest lie created during this process
is this: There are simply too many Kurdish-Turkish marriages to keep
us from ever dividing.

All right, is this really true? And why does our state — and why do
our political intellectuals — feel the need to make up such a lie?
More importantly, would such marriages really prevent division from
occurring?

Let us speak openly. There is a very deep fear of division that lies
within Turkish society. It is this fear of division that has allowed
society to stomach so much.

When the whole peace process began, the fear grew even deeper. The
government insisted it had not given anything to the PKK, but no one
believed this. And so, a whole set of new arguments appeared, all
aimed at covering up this fear. The strongest of these arguments was
this: That Kurds and Turks are two peoples who have married off their
daughters and sons to one another over time — meaning there cannot be
division after all these years.

First and foremost, ethnic separation and processes of division are
never based on reason. These are generally processes which occur
rapidly, triggered by major incidents that are the outcome of
emotional breaks and divisions in society. After all, if you consider
the ethnic divisions that unfolded with the Bosnian Serbs, the Kosovar
and the Armenian-Azeris in Karabag, and so on, none of them seem
reasonable in ways we can understand.

As it is, ethnic divisions and separations unfold according to their
own reasons. The events leading to the divisions all take place within
the framework of this special sort of reasoning. So, the truth is,
ethnic divisions and separations completely pass over reason, which is
why the interwoven histories and marriages of two cultures and
ethnicities are not enough to prevent them from separating. It is a
ridiculous argument.

What’s more, statistics also do not support this argument. For
example, some data points to mixed ethnic marriages in the Ossetian
regions of Georgia as being around 40 percent. In Nagorno-Karabag,
mixed Armenian-Azeri marriages were at more than 20 percent. In
comparison, Turkish-Kurdish marriages in Turkey are at around 5-8
percent. So if even higher levels of mixed ethnic marriages in other
places were unable to prevent division and separation, how should
Turkish-Kurdish marriages — at an average 7 percent — prevent ethnic
separation in Turkey?

Also, the geography encompassed by Turkish-Kurdish marriages is
important. These are marriages which tend to take place more in larger
metropolitan areas where lots of Turks live. There are far fewer of
these mixed marriages in areas that are largely Kurdish, which means
that if division were to occur, according to this argument, it would
be in places largely populated by Kurds. Unlike what the state is
alleging, there are no such marriages in these areas. Which means that
even if this argument were true, it has no meaning when it comes to
these areas where Turkish-Kurdish marriages don’t exist.

So in essence, if we are to divide from the Kurds, for as long as
there are networks like the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) and the
PKK that maintain their existence, there will always be a risk of
division. And Turkish-Kurdish marriages do not reduce this risk.

Sud Ouest, France
Mercredi 22 Mai 2013
CHARENTE EDITION

Le domaine de Chtenay et ses nouveaux atours

INVESTISSEMENT Hrayr Hakobyan, homme d affaires arménien, a engagé
cinq millions d euros de travaux

par SéVERINE JOUBERT

Salles de séminaire, restaurant, club cognac et chambres ouvrent mi-juin

Dans moins d un mois, le chteau de Chtenay, acheté en 2007 par l
homme d affaires arménien Hrayr Hakobyan, dévoilera ses nouveaux
atours.

Ce sera même ” dans vingt-trois jours “, précise Hakob Hakobyan, le
fils, qui a pris les rênes de la société Chtenay and co, il y a plus
d un an. À bientôt 24 ans ” le 10 juin prochain ” , le jeune chef d
entreprise a pour challenge de faire du chteau de Chtenay un lieu d
influence et de rencontres. Entre affaires, tourisme et culture.

Culture tout d abord avec la création devant le chteau, au bout de l
allée, d un thétre de verdure qui accueillera un concert gratuit du
festival Cognac Blues Passions, le 7 juillet. ” Ce sera ouvert à tous
“, s enthousiasme Hakob Hakobyan, de toute évidence ravi d inaugurer
enfin les lieux. ” On pourra accueillir entre 3 000 et 7 000
personnes. ”

Cet événement clôturera quatre années d importants travaux, engagés
par Hrayr Hakobyan. Pour quelle somme ? ” Pour cinq millions d euros
“, répond Jean Mardikian, l intermédiaire. ” Plus les cinq millions d
euros d achat du chteau et du domaine de 40 hectares, dont 13 plantés
en vignes “, complète Hakob Hakobyan.

Son père, dont la société agricole distille et fait vieillir l
eau-de-vie, a renoncé à créer un cognac à son nom ou au nom du
domaine.

Trente couverts en intérieur

Autour de Hakob Hakobyan, des ouvriers, encore nombreux, s activent. ”
Nous ouvrons le 15 juin “, promet le jeune homme, qui a posé ses
valises au dernier étage du chteau. Il accueille son hôte dans le
hall, totalement reconstitué. ” Il y avait huit pièces ici “, décrit
le chef d entreprise. Il n y en a plus qu une.

Sur le sol en marbre, le visiteur découvre deux HH noirs pour
Hrayr/Hakob Hakobyan. À droite, un couloir distribue trois salles de
séminaire. Au bout, la plus belle, la salle de mariage, est baignée de
blanc. Elle s ouvre sur le jardin qui, dans quelque temps, accueillera
une piscine.

À gauche, le corridor mène à la future salle de restaurant dont l
Angoumoisin Christophe Roumagne aura la charge. ” Trente couverts en
salle et une centaine en terrasse “, présente Hakob Hakobyan. Et de
préciser que le domaine de Chtenay a réservé un hectare pour le
potager. Les menus débuteront à 35 EUR.

À quelques pas du ” restaurant gastronomique français “, vers le hall,
un escalier plonge dans un sous-sol. Y ont été aménagés un atelier
boulangerie-ptisserie ainsi qu une cave visible depuis le sol vitré
du restaurant !

Retour dans le hall. Là, immanquable, se dresse un escalier en marbre,
là aussi une création. Il mène au cognac club, deux pièces recouvertes
d huisseries en chêne. ” Avant, il y avait 12 pièces, ici. ”

À l endroit où se séparent les coursives, apparaît un vitrail
au-dessus des têtes. Des tas de détails qui donnent le tournis.

Un spa et des écuries en 2014

Les visiteurs pourront déposer leurs effets dans des casiers ou des
tiroirs protégés par un épais tissu rouge flamboyant.

Le cognac club, c est l idée du fils Hakobyan. L ambition est d y
organiser des dégustations de cognacs, classés par cru et par ge. ”
Nous avons convaincu une centaine de producteurs. Ce qui fait déjà 300
cognacs différents. J espère bien avoir 350 producteurs et 1 000
cognacs d ici à la fin de l année “, lance Hakob Hakobyan, assurant
que tout le monde pourra venir les déguster.

Le domaine de Chtenay, ce sera aussi quatre chambres d hôtes
aménagées dans chacune des tours du chteau. Une cinquième se loge à
proximité du cognac club. Tarif : ” entre 250 et 300 EUR la nuit “.
Enfin, cinq dépendances complètent l offre touristique du domaine de
Chtenay.

Lequel ne semble pas vouloir s en tenir à son programme déjà très
protéiforme. Des écuries et un centre spa sont dans les cartons pour l
année 2014. Hakob Hakobyan confirme également la construction de 22
pavillons, au coeur du domaine de Chtenay, le long de la rue Robert
Daugas. ” Une partie sera à louer, une autre à acheter “, détaille
Julien Veyret, directeur marketing et communication. La demande de
permis de construire sera déposée dans quelques semaines. On se
souvient que l esthétique des précédents plans avait peu convaincu la
mairie.

Chris Atamian wins the inaugural Tölölyan prize in contemporary literature

Published: Sunday May 26, 2013

Christopher Atamian.

WATERTOWN, MASS. – The Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural
Society of Eastern United States is pleased to announce the winner of
the inaugural Minas and Kohar Tölölyan Prize in Contemporary
Literature. Mr. Christopher Atamian was chosen as the winner for his
translation of Nigoghos Sarafian’s The Bois de Vincennes.

Christopher Atamian is a translator, writer, and director. He produced
the OBIE Award-winning play Trouble in Paradise in 2006 and was
included as an invited artist to the 2009 Venice Biennale for his
video Desire. His short films and videos have screened throughout the
world and he publishes regularly in such publications as The
Huffington Post and The New York Times and was for several years the
dance critic for the now-defunct New York Press. He has written one
novel, Speaking French, and is at work on several commercial musicals
and film scripts.

In his activities as a translator, Atamian has translated six books
from French and Western Armenian into English, including Nigoghos
Sarafian’s The Bois de Vincennes. Among the other books he has
translated, three have been in Armenian studies for the Middle Eastern
Studies Department at Columbia University: Krikor Beledian’s Fifty
Years of Armenian Literature in France, and two books by Marc
Nichanian: Literature and Catastrophe and The Armenian Language
Throughout History. He also translated Philippe Delma’s The Rosy
Future of War (The Free Press) and is currently at work on Denis
Donikian’s Vidures/Offal, an award-winning novel published on Actes
Sud.

Mr. Atamian has worked in senior positions for leading media companies
including ABC, Ogilvy Interactive and JP Morgan’s marketing division.
He received his BA from Harvard University, his MBA from Columbia
Business School and is also an alumnus of USC Film School. He has been
a Fulbright, Bronfman and Gulbenkian Scholar. Atamian has been active
in the Armenian community since he was a teenager and has served on
the Board of the Columbia Center for Armenian Studies and as Executive
Director of the Armenia Fund USA. He was the elected President two
years running of AGLA NY and currently sits on this organization’s
Board of Trustees.

Named after one of the major Armenian literary critics of the second
half of the Twentieth century and his wife, a devoted teacher of that
literature for decades, the annually awarded prize recognizes the work
produced by talented writers working in North America. The prize is
intended to encourage new work in all the major genres of literary
production, as they are currently understood in North America,
including poetry, drama, fiction, memoir, travel writing and other
forms of creative non-fiction, as well as translation. Works in
Armenian, English, French and Spanish are considered, as long as the
authors are of Armenian ancestry, and/or the work has an Armenian
theme or revolves around an Armenian topic.

The primary purpose of the Prize is to encourage and offer recognition
through the award and through the ensuing publicity those who wish to
write about Armenian themes and topics. There is also a financial
award of $2,500 associated with the prize, made possible through the
generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Edward and Vergine Misserlian of San
Francisco, CA.

The jury judging all submissions consists of Dr. Sima Aprahamian
(Montreal), Dr. Vartan Matiossian (New York/New Jersey), Mr. Gourgen
Arzoumanian (California), Mr. Yervant Kotchounian (California) and
Prof. Khachig Tölölyan (Connecticut).

The Prize was announced at Hamazkayin’s Annual Pan Gathering on May 4,
2013 in Boston.

The Eastern USA region of Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural
Society, a 501 c (3) not for profit organization, constitutes one of
the branches of the worldwide Hamazkayin family, founded in 1928. The
Eastern United States region, headquartered in Massachusetts, consists
of eight chapters in Boston, Chicago, Detroit, New Jersey, New York,
Philadelphia, Providence and Washington, DC.

We aim to empower our chapters and membership to nurture and promote
Armenian arts and culture. Given our millennia long history, we are
cognizant of the dynamic nature of the concept of identity. To that
end, we strive to maintain our cultural identity and heritage and are
committed to grow and further the contribution of the Armenian culture
to the complex tapestry of world civilizations.