California Courier Online, April 7, 2005
1 – Commentary
Articles Flood the Media
On the Eve of 90th Anniversary
By Harut Sassounian
California Courier Publisher
2 – Glendale Performance by Lark Chorus Marks 50th
Anniversary of Haigazian University by AMAA
3 – Magician John Gabriel Performs in
Glendale’s Alex Theater on April 7
4 – Texas Armenians to Commemorate
Genocide Anniversary at State Capitol
5 – Americans for Artsakh Open
Liaison Office in Stepanakert
6 – WAAA Summer
Games Set for
June 17-19
7 – Armenian Moms & Daughters Join
May 7 Revlon Walk for Cancer
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1 – Commentary
Articles Flood the Media
On the Eve of 90th Anniversary
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California
There was a time when it was not easy to find a subject to comment on each
week. Back then, with the shortage of Armenian news, one wondered what to
write about. That’s not the case any more. There is so much happening these
days that editors don’t know how to fit all the news in the pages of their
newspapers and commentators are at a loss as to which issue to focus on.
The sheer volume of news items has been so overwhelming that it feels like
there have been more developments pertaining to Armenians during the weeks
leading to the 90th anniversary of the Genocide than in all the years since
1915.
Here are some brief comments on recent Armenian-related topics:
— David Phillips, the former chairman of (hopefully) now defunct Turkish
Armenian Reconciliation Commission (TARC), seems still at his old tricks —
trying to fool some Armenians into thinking that he is defending their
interests. In an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty last week,
Phillips urged Armenia’s leaders to make an explicit statement that they
have no territorial claims on Turkey, in order to convince the Turks to
open the border. He goes on, however, to admit that such a unilateral
renunciation of Armenia’s historic rights would not necessarily lead to the
opening of the border as the Turks are constantly changing their demands.
In other words, Armenians are told to give up their rights, and probably
get nothing in return. Furthermore, rather than admitting that he bungled
his work and caused such a backlash that he seriously damaged the prospects
of Armenians and Turks reconciling anytime in the near future, Phillips
uses self serving language to describe TARC’s efforts as a “success.”
— Before leaving his position as Deputy Secretary of Defense and moving to
the chairmanship of the World Bank, Paul Wolfowitz met last month with a
group of Turkish parliamentarians in his Pentagon office. According to a
report of the meeting published in Milliyet, when Selam Yegert, a Turkish
parliamentarian described how his ancestors were “massacred” by the
Armenians, Wolfowitz, being such a “sensitive” man, started crying. It is
amazing that Wolfowitz never shed a single tear for the 1.5 million victims
of the Armenian Genocide, not to mention the thousands of American and
Iraqi dead, caused by his warmongering policies, but a single Turk’s
alleged death makes him cry hysterically. Such a sensitive man had no
business being in the Pentagon! That may be why he is no longer employed
there. The Europeans probably supported his move to the World Bank, just to
get this “sensitive” trigger-happy man away from the Pentagon!
— The leaders of Azerbaijan must be feeling very lonely these days. The
whole world is talking about the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,
and no one seems to be too pre-occupied with any issues dealing with
Azerbaijan. The Livingston Group, the lobbying firm hired by Turkey, which
recently signed a two-year $600,000 contract with Azerbaijan, must have
advised their gullible Azeri clients to join the Turkish frenzy over the
“Approaching Armenian Tsunami.” The Azeri Lider TV announced on March 23
that Azerbaijan would beef up the security of all of its embassies, as
“Armenians are plotting bloody terrorist acts worldwide on April 24.” One
would hope that Azeris do not attack their own embassies on that day, and
blame the Armenians for it.
— Another sign of Azerbaijan’s desperation for any kind of publicity was a
recent news item disseminated by the Azeri “Assa-Irada,” which was
headlined: “Armenians in US Threaten Bush.” Regrettably, this scandalous
Azeri media outlet has taken one of my columns and completely distorted it.
It claims that I wrote: Unless Pres. Bush recognizes the Armenian Genocide
on the 90th anniversary, Armenians would “resort to severe protest actions
against him.” Assa-Irada also falsely claimed that I had said: John
Danforth, the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, had written a letter to the UN
Secretary General asking him to include the Armenian Genocide on the agenda
of the UN General Assembly. Of course, I did not say any of these things in
any of my columns. Once again, as in the case of the Turks, the Azeris are
scaring themselves by inventing imaginary threats and then making plans to
fight these non-existent dangers.
The “Approaching Armenian Tsunami” turns out to be a flood caused by the
Turkish and Azeri media. They may end up drowning in their own mudslinging!
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2 – Glendale Performance by Lark Chorus Marks 50th
Anniversary of Haigazian University by AMAA
GLENDALE – America’s observance of the 50th anniversary of Haigazian
University, in Beirut, began with a performance of the St. John Passion, by
Johann Sebastian Bach, March 5, featuring the orchestra and chorus of the
Lark Musical Society.
The evening was sponsored by the Armenian Missionary Association of America
(AMAA), and marked the tenth year of Lark/AMAA joint productions during the
Lenten Period.
To help the audience of 500 to fully understand the solemn work, there was
a pre-concert lecture by musicologist Karenn Chutjian.
The other principal solo parts are “Jesus” performed by baritone Steve
Pence, and “Pilate” performed by bass Stephen Grimm. There are also eight
solo arias which are elaborate contemplative compositions for solo voice
and instrumental accompaniment. On the night, these arias were performed
by Alenoush Yeghnazar, soprano; Shoghig Koushakjian, mezzo-soprano; Steve
Kronauer, tenor; and Ara Kourouyan, bass. Throughout the concert, the
audience was able to follow the German text, by reading the translations
both in Armenian and English on large overhead screens, or in the elaborate
program booklet.
During the original performance of the Passion, a sermon was incorporated
between Parts I and II of the music as part of the Good Friday services.
This tradition was followed and Rev. Joseph Matossian, minister to the
Armenian Evangelical Union of North America (AEUNA), who also pronounced
the Invocation, at the start of the evening’s program. Here, Rev. Matossian
gave an inspired message summarizing the central message of the “Passion”.
Fittingly, for an evening devoted to Haigazian University, the orchestra
and chorus were led by Haigazian graduate Vatsche Barsoumian, Lark’s
Musical Director.
The evening’s program began with a welcome by Dr. Nazareth Darakjian,
chairman of the organizing committee, who acknowledged the presence of
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian of the Western Prelacy, Andrew Torigian
Executive Director of the AMAA, and Dr. Hrair Aharonian president of the
AMAA.
Dr. Darakjian thanked all the participants in the project and in particular
Maestro Barsoumian for his endless dedication energy and patience in
preparing the musicians and singers . He then introduced
Joyce Abdulian, a hard-working member of the Women’s Auxiliary of Haigazian
University, who spoke briefly about the University. Mrs. Abdulian
emphasized the important role that Haigazian University has
played in the Armenian diaspora during its first half-century and cited the
example of Maestro Barsoumian.
The concert was performed in the Sanctuary of the Glendale Presbyterian
Church. A reception followed the performance, organized by some of the
members of the concert committee and the Haigazian Women’s Auxiliary.
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3 – Magician John Gabriel Performs in
Glendale’s Alex Theater on April 7
GLENDALE – John Gabriel will be appearing April 7 at Glendale’s Alex
Theatre in Glendale at 8 p.m. and on May 15 at 5 p.m. at The Fullerton
College Theatre. Gabriel guarantees a powerful and memorable performance
enjoyed by all ages and not to be missed.
While most kids were sitting in front of the television, eyes locked on
cartoons, John Gabriel was making magic. Today, his fascination with the
art of illusion has made him a spectacle to watch on Network Television.
>>From opening an NBC television special at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, to
spectacular live shows. His romantic double levitation was also featured on
NBC and was named by the Industry as “The Greatest Illusion of the Year.”
He has filmed a well-known U.S. commercial for HONDA and an International
commercial for the McCain Corporation in France and Canada.
Despite his age, John has put his magic to work and has already raised over
$100,000 for various non-profit organizations. Some include the Ararat Home
of Los Angeles, Montebello Family YMCA and Armenian Mesrobian School along
with many others.
“I feel it is important to know that you can use your own opportunities in
life to help others as much as you can,” he explains.
In Branson, Missouri, he was hailed as “Magic’s hottest new star”, and the
youngest headliner in the state. Successfully performing a solid
record-breaking 200 shows within three months of time. “It was a ton of
work, but we got through it. Most of all a great experience.” Gabriel says.
Among many original illusions he has created and produced in his shows,
some include a 5,000 lbs. elephant disappearing live on stage within
seconds! He is able to take a Black and White dog and merge them together,
to become a Dalmatian! Plus, Gabriel risks his life submerged within 2000
pounds of water. “I call it Watertight, it took two years of development,
and I’m proud to say it has never been attempted like this before in the
history of magic.”
All this and more was also featured on his own one-hour television special,
which aired on the Charter Network. The show’s premiere received such a
great response that the network decided to air a half-hour special twice a
week, every week, for nine months straight.
A self-taught charismatic performer, with a must see show, Gabriel has been
touring his show through Southern California to excited sold-out crowds,
some including the city of Montebello, Downey and Palm Springs.
Tickets are going fast! For best seating, call the Alex Theatre at (818)
243-2539 or the Fullerton College at (323) 440-7297.
Along with future worldwide touring and TV specials in the works, Gabriel
has big plans and says, “My drive is to continue creating new approaches to
the art of Magic, Theater, and Film.”
For further information and other tour dates, visit
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4 – Texas Armenians to Commemorate
Genocide Anniversary at State Capitol
AUSTIN, TX – Armenian-Americans of Texas from Dallas, Houston, College
Station, San Antonio, El Paso and Austin will gather on April 23 at the
steps of the State Capitol in Austin, to bring their story to light in
speeches, prayers, music and poetry, pay homage to their dead, and declare
their fellowship with genocide survivors of all ethnicities and races. The
event is part of a unified international effort on this weekend led by the
descendants of Armenians who were scattered across the world.
To this day, the Turkish government denies this Genocide ever took place.
Furthermore, it has been conducting a cover-up since 1915 with an
image-cleansing campaign to erase and obfuscate the facts. The evidence,
however, remains irrefutable. It includes official Ottoman records, reports
of foreign ambassadors at the time in Turkey, The Red Cross, thousands of
eyewitness accounts including American and German missionaries, medical
doctors, photographs of the concentration camps and film footage of the
death marches into the Syrian desert where thousands of human skeletons
still exist. On March 7, 2000, a petition was signed by 126 of the world’s
preeminent genocide scholars, including Nobel Laureate for Peace Elie
Wiesel, calling on the Turkish government to recognize the incontestable
fact of the Armenian Genocide. Many countries around the world, including
France, Canada, Russia, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, Argentina, Greece,
Slovakia, Lebanon, Belgium, and thirty-seven of the United States have
recognized these events as a Genocide by legislation or proclamation. Texas
is still pending.
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5 – Americans for Artsakh Open
Liaison Office in Stepanakert
WASHINGTON DC – The Stepanakert office of the Americans For Artsakh (AFA)
organization has begun its operations in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic,
Artsakh.
AFA application for registration in Nagorno Karabakh followed a July 2004
resolution of the AFA Board of Directors to open a representation in
Artsakh. By another Board decision, Elvina Azarian was appointed director
of the AFA Liaison Office in Artsakh. A native of Stepanakert, Elvina
volunteered her time and skills to advance AFA’s innovative projects in
Artsakh.
Working in close cooperation with both the NKR government and the public,
the AFA Liaison Office in Artsakh will be responsible for project
implementation, regular updates on humanitarian and development needs of
Artsakh, and on-site support for visiting members.
In separate meetings with AFA President Zaven Khanjian and Executive
Director Hrant Jamgochian, NKR President Arkady Ghoukasian voiced his
strong support for the AFA objectives and pledged close cooperation.
In May 2004, AFA sponsored two seismologists from Nagorno Karabakh to
participate in the “2004 Disaster Resistant California” international
conference in Sacramento, CA. Since last year, Liaison Office director
Azarian has represented AFA in the CIMAP – a local committee tasked with
implementation of medical assistance projects for Artsakh’s children and
veterans.
This month AFA launched a first-ever food market study in Artsakh. AFA
Board of Directors is currently reviewing a number of innovative projects
in democracy development and education for their possible implementation.
Americans For Artsakh is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization
established to preserve freedom, strengthen democracy, foster economic
development, protect the cultural identity and promote the heritage of the
people of Artsakh. The founding Board of Directors include: Zaven
Khanjian, President; Dr. Hratch Abrahamian, Vice President; Savey
Tufenkian, Treasurer; Rita Balian, Secretary; and Edward Chobanian. To
learn more visit:
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6 – WAAA Summer
Games Set for
June 17-19
FRESNO, Calif. – The year 2005 marks the 35th year of athletic competition
hosted by the Western Armenian Athletic Association. The Armenian Summer
Games have long provided an exciting opportunity for athletes of Armenian
descent to showcase their athletic skills. This year, the Games will
include men’s basketball, women’s volleyball, tennis, and track and field.
The Games this year will be held June 17, 18 and 19 at the Buchanan High
School complex in Clovis, Calif.
This modern campus has outstanding facilities, including a large stadium
with an all-weather track, where the track and field competition will take
place on June 18. Track and field will be open to people of all ages and be
contested in age groups. Tennis will also be held on Saturday and will
include singles and doubles competition by age groupings. Two on-campus
gymnasiums will be home to the basketball and volleyball tournaments.
WAAA President Van Der Mugrdechian and Vice President Marty Bohigian are
looking forward to another successful athletic competition. This year’s
Summer Games will be dedicated to the memory of the late Dr. Ara
Hairabedian, an avid sportsman and dedicated supporters of these games for
many years. Several activities are being planned in conjunction with the
sports event to help make this a weekend everyone will enjoy. Entry forms
and details will be available soon.
For more information, contact Der Mugrdechian at (559) 298-2372 /
[email protected] or Marty Bohigian at 559-297-7887 /
[email protected].
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7- Armenian Moms & Daughters Join
May 7 Revlon Walk for Cancer
LOS ANGELES – – Alice Chakrian is walking in memory of her mother-in-law,
who died last year of breast cancer. Lucy Gulvartian for her aunt, another
breast cancer casualty. Tamar Mahshigian for her close friend, Elaine, a
breast cancer survivor.
Armenian women are being called upon to register in large numbers for this
year’s Revlon Run/Walk for Women, to be held Saturday, May 7, just before
Mother’s Day, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The cost to participate
is a $25 donation. Registration online is at
“We all have our community work – helping our school, church,
organizations. But this walk to raise money for cancer research is such an
important cause, one that touches every woman, regardless of ethnicity or
religious affiliation. So we thought that it would be a fantastic idea to
join our strength as Armenian women and walk together for this very
emotional cause,” says Eileen Keusseyan,
captain of Team 813, Armenian Moms & Daughters. “Ultimately, we would like
to see this become an annual event for Armenian women, growing larger and
stronger.”
This year alone more than 211,000 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with
breast cancer, more than 22,200 will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and
more than 57,200 will be diagnosed with other women’s cancers. More than
69,300 will lose their lives to these deadly diseases.
The Revlon Run/Walk for Women was launched by the Entertainment Industry
Foundation in 1993 and since then has raised an impressive $32 million to
help fund innovative cancer research, counseling and outreach programs.
Last year, more than 50,000 women, men and children participated in the
3.1-mile run/walk. “The first time I joined I felt the power of unity among
people with the same inner pain that I felt when my mother-in-law,
Arshalouse Chakrian, was diagnosed with breast cancer,” says Alice
Chakrian, who has registered to walk with her 10-year-old daughter, Rita.
“The Revlon Walk became the beginning of the healing of my pain because I
felt I was making a difference by contributing to help find a cure.”
Each year I participate in the Revlon Run/Walk for Cancer research I am
filled with greater hope and faith that we can make a difference for future
generations,” says Lucy Gulvartian, who will walk with her 10-year-old
daughter, Lar.
One person who lives with hope and faith is Lucy Hagopian, whose husband is
the principal of the AGBU Manoogian-Demirjian School in Canoga Park,
Calif.
“Congratulations dear Eileen and Alice. You have created a venue for the
Armenian woman and our community to merge forces in a vision for a cancer
free society. As a woman who has survived a first encounter with breast
cancer almost 20 years ago, and a second threat in 1999, I want to speak
about hope,” says Lucy Hagopian.
“When I was given the statistics, I did not know where I would end up. I
felt that it was no use thinking about all that so I focused on health and
thoughts of well being. I found comfort, a source of strength and hope in
The Scriptures, especially in the healings of Christ and in the Psalms. I
asked the Lord for healing. Medicine and doctors would do their part, I had
to do mine, and Nature, which is sacred, would take its course. And here I
am today.”
Hagopian provides a few tips on staying healthy.
“Start your mammograms early; don’t wait until you’re 35. “I was only 31
when I was first diagnosed,” says Hagopian. “I have a mammogram once a
year.”
“Be sure to include an array of naturally colorful foods in your diet:
greens, reds, orange, purple, yellow, and everything in between. Remember
to have your greens and grains regularly. Find a form of exercise that you
can live with, even if it’s walking around your neighborhood three times a
week and going somewhere in nature on weekends. Find a source of spiritual
strength.” Reading inspirational material has been a great help to me,”
Hagopian recommends.
For those who would like to join the Armenian Moms & Daughters team,
registration can be done online at (click on the
blue box in the upper right corner that says “Register Now!).
For further information about Team 813 Armenian Moms & Daughters, contact
Eileen Keusseyan at 818-404-5686 and Alice Chakrian at 818-388-6734.
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www.johngabrielmagic.com.
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