Category: 2017

YEREVAN – On September 19, Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakian met with the delegation of the Armenian Missionary Association of America led by Zaven Khanjian, Executive Director/CEO of the Association at the Artsakh Republic’s Permanent Representation Headquarters in Yerevan.

At the meeting a number of issues related to the implementation of various projects in Artsakh were discussed.

For the services provided to the Republic of Artsakh and on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Association, President Sahakyan handed Zaven Khanjian the Medal of Gratitude for the Association, expressing hope that the cooperation between the Armenian Missionary Association of America and Artsakh will maintain its positive dynamics.

AMAA Board of Directors President, Dr. Nazareth Darakjian stated, “That is great news that should make all Armenian Evangelicals proud! Artsakh is the fruit of great sacrifice contributed by Armenians all around the world and we are happy that the AMAA has shared in that sacrifice and deserved this honor today.”

AMAA Executive Director/CEO, Zaven Khanjian remarked, “The gracious recognition expressed by the heroic people of Artsakh through a medal of gratitude presented to the Armenian Missionary Association of America on its Centennial by President Bako Sahakyan humbles us and forges our collective resolve to continue our Christ centered decades long service in the Artsakh Republic.”

Executive Producers of Armenian Genocide Documentary Join ANCA in Advocating Passage of H.Res.220 and S.Res.136

WASHINGTON – Internationally acclaimed celebrity activists Dean Cain and Montel Williams – executive producers of the powerful anti-genocide documentary “Architects of Denial” – joined the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) on Capitol Hill last week in calling on U.S. legislators to reject Turkey’s gag-rule and adopt legislation (H.Res.220 and S.Res.136) applying the lessons of the Armenian Genocide to the prevention of future atrocities.

The meetings with over a dozen senior legislators, Republican and Democrat, took place around the September 26th Washington DC premiere of Architects of Denial, held at the U.S. Naval Memorial before a capacity crowd of policymakers, diplomats, and DC influencers.

“We were honored to be joined on Capitol Hill by Dean Cain and Montel Williams, two of America’s most eloquent and effective human rights advocates, in challenging U.S. legislators to – at long last – reject Turkey’s gag-rule against honest U.S. remembrance of the Armenian Genocide,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA.  “As they made so very clear – in their film and across the Hill – no nation – especially as one as hostile as Turkey – deserves a veto over U.S. human rights policy.”

Cain and Williams reminded legislators that genocide denial leads to it perpetuation, connecting the Armenian Genocide with ongoing official Azerbaijani aggression against Armenia and Artsakh. Among the legislators who took the opportunity to discuss the legacy of the Armenian Genocide and Turkey’s denial on the geopolitical realities of today were, House Assistant Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn (D-SC), House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Democrat Eliot Engel (D-NY), and Representatives from throughout the U.S. including Reps. Kevin Kramer (R-ND), Dan Donovan (R-NY), Trent Franks (R-AZ), Louis Gohmert (R-TX), Jody Hice (R-GA), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Duncan Hunter (R-CA), Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Jim Jordan (R-OH), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), and Juan Vargas (D-CA), among others.

Photos from the meetings are available at:

Cain and Williams also discussed efforts to secure passage of the Armenian Genocide legislation with Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Jackie Speier (D-CA), Dave Trott (R-MI) and David Valadao (R-CA) and Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA), several of whom recently returned from a trip to Armenia and Artsakh.

On September 27th, Cain talked to Fox News’ Tucker Carlson regarding ongoing efforts to suppress broad-based distribution of Architects of Denial, including the since-resolved advertisement controversy at Glendale, California’s Americana Shopping center.  Watch the Fox News interview here:  https://youtu.be/kwjHshm1I9M

Earlier, on September 26th, Williams was a guest on the CBS program Great Day Washington, where he discussed the very real ongoing impact of genocide denial. “The Armenian people have been the subject of persecution now for close to a hundred years and no one wants to recognize it,” stated Williams.  “So this movie is about the Genocide and the Armenian people, but it’s also about the bigger discussion about what’s going on in this world.”  Watch excerpts of Great Day Washington here:

‘Architects of Denial’ Available On-Demand and Opening in Over 10 Cities October 6th

Cain and Williams’ Architects of Denial will be holding its Los Angeles premiere on Friday October 6th to a sold-out audience, as the ANCA Western Region kicks off its Grassroots Conference.

With powerful footage from the Armenian Genocide and ongoing attacks against Armenia and Artsakh by Azerbaijan, the documentary includes testimonials from Wikileak’s Julian Assange, historians Dr. Greg Stanton, Dr. Taner Akcam and Dr. Ugur Ungor, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA), whistleblower Sibel Edmonds, publisher Harut Sassounian, and eye-witness accounts by Aregak Bagirian, Movses Anehyan and Yepraksi Gevorgyan.

The film will be premiering on October 6th and playing through October 12th in the following cities and venues.  To reach the maximum audience, producers have opted to make the film available on demand at the same time on national cable outlets, iTunes, Amazon, Vudu, Fandango Now. For more information, email: [email protected]

To view the Architects of Denial Trailer and for more information, visit: architectsofdenial.com

Architects of Denial – October 6 -12 – Theater Listing

California

Pacific Glendale 18

322 Americana Way, Glendale, CA 91210

Laemmle Music Hall

9036 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Roxie

3117 16th Street, San Francisco, CA

Colorado

AMC Highlands Ranch 24

103 W Centennial Blvd, Highlands Ranch, Colorado 80129

DC-Maryland-Virginia

AMC Hoffman Center 22

206 Swamp Fox Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Illinois

AMC South Barrington 24

175 Studio Drive, South Barrington, Illinois 60010

Massachusetts

Embassy Cinema

16 Pine Street, Waltham, MA, 02453

Michigan

AMC Forum 30

44681 Mound Road, Sterling Heights, Michigan 48314

Minnesota

AMC Eden Prairie Mall 18

8251 Flying Cloud Drive, Suite 4000 Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344

New York

Village East Cinema

181-189 2nd Ave., New York, NY

For tickets, visit:

Pennsylvania

AMC Loews Cherry Hill 24

2121 Route 38, Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08002

BY HOVSEP DAGHDIGIAN

It would have been hard to imagine a more suitable site for the September 16 Artsakh Wine Festival than Togh village in Artsakh’s Hadruit marz (district). It is easily accessible; there is one main road through the village. In the village center is an expansive preserve containing extensive remains of the medieval residence and administrative structures of the Dizak meliks; Melik Yegan and his successors. Togh and much of the Hadrut region was part of a medieval region called “Dizak.”

Much of Karabakh was ruled by five medieval princes called “meliks.” It is believed that many of the meliks were descendants of earlier Armenian nobles. Though there were perhaps 100-200 meliks according to some sources; five meliks, called the “khmsa melikoutyounner” (“khmsa” is “five” in Arabic), were the central governing body with Melik Yegan (Yeganyan) and his successors being the chief among them. The Togh site is being preserved and renovated with a descendent of Melik Yegan overseeing the restoration. Numerous signs, both in English and Armenian, are posted with historical notes, photographs, and diagrams explaining the history and architecture of the site.

The meliks were established from the 15-18th century when Persia was in conflict with the Turks for control of the area. Local Armenian rulers, allied with the Persians against Turkish rule, were given autonomy by the Persians and allowed to maintain armies, all of course subservient to Persian authority. Persian Nadir Shah (ruled 1732-1747) approved the confederation of the Khmsa Meliks in the medieval principalities of Gulistan, Jraberd, Khachen, Varanda, and Dizak; all in Artsakh, headed by Dizak’s Melik Yegan.

The main 2-story building at the Togh site was the palace was built in 1737 by Melik Yegan, the son of a priest. Other structures include reception halls, and the 17th century Saint Hovhaness church above the palace complex. There is the possibility that an earlier church existed on the site. Near the church are gravestones of the Dizak meliks. The site abounds in other structures as well.

At the wine festival there was, of course, wine tasting with opportunities to purchase local wines. Food was in abundance with kebab, khorovats, corn, with the specialty being Togh’s unique harissa (“korkot” in the local dialect) made with pork as opposed to the traditional use of chicken or lamb. Numerous local handicrafts, pastries, preserves, etc. were also available. But most impressive was the singing of patriotic songs both by individuals and groups as well as dancing by local youth groups. A young man sang songs from Sassun which, like Artsakh, is mountainous with its people fiercely defensive of their liberty. I could not imagine a more apt location for such a festival. Simply to hear the music, soak up some history, and jostle in line to get some harissa, was a unique and rewarding experience.

More information on the Meliks of Artsakh is available from a number of websites. In English there is Raffi’s “The Five Melikdoms of Karabagh (1600-1827), Armenian Literature in Translation”, translated by Stepan Melkonian, 2010, Taderon Press.

YEREVAN (RFE/RL) – The European Union and Armenia will sign a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) “soon,” a senior EU official said during a visit to Yerevan on Monday.

Johannes Hahn, the EU commissioner for European neighborhood policy, said the landmark accord will not only deepen the EU’s ties with Armenia but also serve as an ‘example’ to other countries.

‘Its relevance is going far beyond our bilateral relationship,’ Hahn said after talks with Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian. He called the CEPA a ‘blueprint for possible other relationships.’

‘This groundbreaking new agreement will help demonstrate that it is possible for Armenia to be part of the Eurasian integration process while also establishing comprehensive and enhanced relations with the EU,’ Hahn told a joint news conference.

Nalbandian confirmed that the deal is due to be signed at the EU’s November 24 summit in Brussels that will focus on its Eastern Partnership program of privileged partnership with six former Soviet republics.

‘Armenia has close links with the EU and intends to expand comprehensive cooperation in all areas of mutual interest,’ Nalbandian said. ‘The EU provides valuable assistance to reforms taking place in our country.’

The EU Delegation in Armenia said over the weekend that Hahn will visit Yerevan to ‘prepare for’ the Brussels summit. The commissioner was scheduled to meet with President Serzh Sarkisian and Prime Minister Karen Karapetian later on Monday.

The CEPA, which was finalized in March, reportedly contains the main political provisions of a more far-reaching Association Agreement which Brussels and Yerevan nearly concluded in 2013. Sarkisian prevented the signing of that agreement with his unexpected decision to seek Armenia’s accession to the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union. The move was widely attributed to Russian pressure exerted on the Armenian government.

Speaking in August, the Armenian president dismissed suggestions that the planned alternative deal with the EU may also collapse at the last minute. ‘We have no reason to not sign that document,’ he said of the CEPA.

BY RAFFI BEDROSYAN

What makes Istanbul beautiful is the Bosphorus dividing the City between Europe and Asia, and what makes Bosphorus beautiful is a series of architecturally magnificent palaces, mansions and mosques. Most of these architectural masterpieces on both sides of the Bosphorus are created by one Armenian family of architects, the Balyans. This article will explain the little known history of the only island in the Bosphorus and its connection to the Armenians, specifically to the Balyans.

Over three generations of Balyans have served the Ottoman Sultans in the 18th and 19th centuries, building a multitude of palaces, mosques, barracks, schools and clock towers for the Ottomans as well as several churches, schools and mansions for the Armenian communities all over the Empire, but mostly in Istanbul and specifically along the Bosphorus. Among the most notable Bosphorus works by the Balyans are the Palace, Mosque and Clock Tower of Dolmabahce, Beylerbeyi Palace, Ciragan Palace (now a luxury hotel), Kuleli Military School (used as an orphanage by the British Army after World War One to gather thousands of Armenian orphans rescued from Turkish and Kurdish homes), Ortakoy Mosque, Kucuksu Palace, and several other mansions. The Turkish Tourism Ministry and official guides refrained from identifying the architects of these buildings as the Armenian Balyans until the 2000’s and instead, mentioned an Italian architect called ‘Baliani’…

Anyway, while the Ottoman Sultans ordered the Balyans to build one palace after another, they started to pile up enormous amounts of debt and had to declare bankruptcy in 1876. Chief Architect of the Empire, Sarkis Balyan was owed large sums of money as well, and Sultan Abdulhamid decided to give Balyan the only island in Bosphorus as compensation against his debt. The island was just a formation of rocks across from the village of Kurucesme, right in the middle of the Bosphorus. Sarkis Balyan decided to build a summer house on these rocks to enjoy with the love of his life, his wife Makruhi Dadyan, the daughter of another famed Armenian family in the service of the Ottoman Empire as suppliers of gunpowder and armaments. Unfortunately Makruhi died young soon after due to tuberculosis and Sarkis Balyan started living in seclusion on the island. The island became known as Sarkis Bey Island, a meeting point for Sarkis Balyan’s intellectual and artistic friends. One of his guests was famed Armenian-Russian painter Ivan Hovhannes Aivazovski, who always stayed on this island whenever he visited Istanbul. Some of his famous seascape paintings were created here.

Sarkis Balyan passed away in 1889, and the island was unfortunately not maintained by his heirs. The government took over the island and started using it as a coal depot for the steamships criss-crossing the Bosphorus. In 1940, the heirs of Balyan were successful in having the island returned to their ownership, but they ended up selling the island in 1957 to Galatasaray Sports Club, one of the most prominent sports institutions in Turkey. The island was renamed as Galatasaray Island, expanded with swimming pools and sports facilities. In 2006, it was leased to a private entity for further expansion with several restaurants as a high society entertainment center. In 2017, much of the expanded facility was demolished by the pro-Islamic government and at present, there are proposals to build a mosque on the original Sarkis Bey Island…

Bosphorus is connected with Armenians in many other ways. Robert College is the oldest American college outside the United States. It was founded in 1863 on the European shores of Bosphorus by Christopher Robert, a wealthy philanthropist and Cyrus Hamlin, an education missionary, who had learnt Armenian in order to communicate with the first students of the boarding school, mainly Armenian boys. The school expanded rapidly and became a leading educational institution in Istanbul, eventually adding a university with many faculties. Until World War One, most of the students were minorities, Armenians, Greeks, Bulgarians and Jews. Unfortunately, the 1915 Armenian Genocide claimed several Armenian graduates of Robert College as well, along with the rest of Armenian intellectuals. Prominent Armenian journalist Teotig (Teodoros Lapchinjian), who compiled a list of the Armenian intellectual victims in his 1919 book ‘Memorial to April 24′, mentions at least ten Robert College graduates murdered by execution or massacre.

I will conclude with a personal anecdote. I was also a high school student at Robert College. Our gym teacher was Abbas Sakarya, a sports legend in Turkey, the first Turkish wrestling champion who won international gold medals, the first accredited gymnastics coach, the first founder of a swimming academy, a very strict, severe man who never cracked a smile. Robert College held annual Bosphorus Crossing swim races from the Asian to the European side. The width of the Bosphorus Strait is about a mile but with the treacherous currents, one has to swim double or triple that distance during the crossing. Along with dozens of other university and high school students, I also participated in the race and I ended coming in second among the high school students. Sakarya congratulated me and along with a rare smile, he whispered into my ear: ‘Abris,’ in Armenian, roughly translated perhaps as ‘Bravo.’ At the time, I thought he may have used that word as a complement because he knew I was Armenian. But years later, near his death at age 97, I found out that this Turkish legendary sportsman and teacher was in fact a hidden Armenian from Bursa, an orphan of the genocide.

There are many secret and untold stories about Armenians in Turkey. Turks may not know or may not want to know them, but they must be told.