Category: 2017

In Gyumri, 11 Families Receive New Apartments

Markos Nalchajian
Asbarez Armenian News

Aug 22 2017


Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis and Nune Sepetjian are joined by Gyumri Mayor Samvel Balasanyan in cutting the ribbon

GYUMRI, Armenia—After decades of waiting and living in makeshift homes, 11 families, mainly elderly residents of Armenia’s second largest city who endured the 1988 earthquake, received apartments, courtesy of Los Angeles-based benefactors Sarkis and Nune Sepetjian and their family, through whose generosity these homes became a reality.

During a special ceremony on Tuesday, the Sepetjians, along with Gyumri Mayor Samvel Balasanyan and governor of the Shirak Province, Artur Khachatryan handed keys to the 11 families, the names of whom were drawn in a special lottery coordinated by the municipality and the Armenian Relief and Development Association (ARDA), which undertook the construction project. The city of municipality contributed 15 percent of the costs of the construction.

The building that houses the 11 apartments

Residents of Gyumri gathered at a special ceremony, which included the traditional blessing of the building housing the apartments. After the residents were handed the keys to their new homes, a ribbon cutting was held to allow the families to go to their new homes. The apartments are partially furnished and are heated.

“I am grateful that you gave me this opportunity to help the deserving elderly or the needy,” said Sarkis Sepetjian, whose wife, Nune, is originally from Gyumri. “For me it is a duty to help those in need.”

The Sepetjian family

According to Azatutyun.am, he pledged that he will continue to advance the housing issue in Gyumri and promised to engage his friends to join him in building “however many homes are needed in this city.”

In his remarks, Sepetjian reflected on his own childhood.

“I wasn’t born rich,” said Sepetjian, explaining that his father was a refugee. “I am the son of poor people and I know what it means to be in need.”

The Sepetjian family’s generosity is known to the Los Angeles Armenian community. This past March, Mr. and Mrs. Sepetjian and their family were the sponsors of the annual Armenian Cultural Foundation Gala Banquet. They have also been-staunch supporters of the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region, the Prelacy Schools, and the Prelacy itself. In January, the Sepetjians sponsored the Prelacy’s annual New Year and Christmas celebration hosted by Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian.

Balasanyan, the mayor of Gyumri, said that most of the people living in the makeshift homes that are metal containers turned into huts, are elderly who require care. That is why, the apartment complex will offer social services, in addition to roofs over their heads.

He added that it was a very difficult process to choose the recipients of the homes and expressed hope that in the future other families will have the opportunity to have their own homes.

“I hope that very soon we can provide housing to everyone,” said Khachatryan, the Shirak governor , adding, “and once and for all close this chapter of our city and province.”

Archbishop Derderian Leads Prayers for ABMDR Patients at Diocese Churches

Emil Lazarian
Asbarez Armenian News

Aug 22 2017


The ABMDR team at the meeting with Archbishop Hovnan Derderian (center) and the Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Yardemian.

LOS ANGELES—On Sunday, August 20, during Holy Mass at St. Leon Cathedral in Burbank, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, offered special prayers for patients of the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR). In his sermon, the Archbishop praised the life-saving mission of ABMDR, and called on congregants to continue to support its work.

To raise public awareness of the ABMDR mission and encourage grassroots involvement in the organization’s activities, the Western Diocese has observed a special Prayer Day in honor of ABMDR patients for the past several years. The Prayer Day is marked at St. Leon Cathedral as well as Armenian churches across Southern California.

In the course of his sermon on August 20, Archbishop Derderian stated that participating in the work of ABMDR is tantamount to praying and accomplishing a Godly mission. The Archbishop pledged the continuous support of the Diocese and appealed to all parishes to embrace the work of ABMDR, by joining its ranks as potential bone marrow stem cell donors, signing up as volunteers, and attending its public-benefit events — such as the upcoming “Match for Life,” the ABMDR’s 18th annual Gala, which will be held on Sunday, August 27, in Los Angeles.

The ABMDR team outside St. Leon Cathedral

“Archbishop Derderian, who is one of ABMDR’s most avid and longtime supporters, exemplifies the type of leadership that works tirelessly for the well-being of our community,” said ABMDR president Dr. Frieda Jordan. “We are honored and grateful for the Primate’s ongoing guidance and support.”

Following the church service, numerous parishioners had the opportunity to become more familiar with the activities of ABMDR, as a team of Board members and volunteers from the organization answered questions and handed out information about becoming donors.

Subsequently Archbishop Derderian, along with the Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Yardemian, met with the ABMDR team at the Diocese. The discussion centered on ABMDR’s most recent achievements as well as its plans for the immediate future. At the conclusion of the meeting, Archbishop Derderian presented scarves from Holy Echmiadzin to all members of the ABMDR team, as tokens of his appreciation.

Established in 1999, ABMDR, a nonprofit organization, helps Armenians and non-Armenians worldwide survive life-threatening blood-related illnesses by recruiting and matching donors to those requiring bone marrow stem cell transplants. To date, the registry has recruited over 29,000 donors in 42 countries across four continents, identified over 4,190 patients, and facilitated 30 bone marrow transplants. For more information, call (323) 663-3609 or visit abmdr.am.

Hollywood Prepares for Aznavour’s Walk of Fame Star Unveiling

Emil Lazarian
Asbarez Armenian News

Aug 22 2017


A worker lays concrete ahead of placing Charles Aznavour’s star

HOLLYWOOD—Preparations were under way Monday for the unveiling ceremony of a Walk of Fame star dedicated legendary French-Armenian entertainer Charles Aznavour.

Agence France-Presse chronicled the preparations, with workers laying concrete and placing the star ahead of Thursday’s ceremony, which will take place at 11:30 a.m. at 6225 Hollywood Boulevard next to the historic Pantages Theatre..

The outline of Aznavour’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Aznavour was nominated by California Senate Pro Tem Kevin deLeon who will be attending the and speaking at the event.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced earlier that the Aznavour would be honored with the 2,618th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in a solemn ceremony scheduled for Thursday, August 24, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. PDT. The star will be dedicated in the category of Live Performance.

“Charles Aznavour is a popular entertainer known around the world and loved by millions of fans across generations,” stated Ana Martinez, Producer of the Walk of Fame ceremonies. “We are thrilled, as we know the people of his homeland France are to see his star dedicated on our historic Walk of Fame.”

Helping Emcee and Hollywood Chamber President/CEO Leron Gubler to unveil the star will be guest speakers California State Senate President pro Tem Kevin de León and director Peter Bogdanovich.

Putin and Sargsyan to meet in Sochi

Emil Lazarian
MediaMax, Armenia

Aug 22 2017

Photo: REUTERS

“The sides will discuss a number of key issues on political, economic, humanitarian and cultural bilateral cooperation. They will also touch upon the implementation of agreements, reached during Serzh Sargsyan’s working visit to Russia in March of 2017. 

Presidents will speak about issues on the perspectives of developing cooperation within the frames of EAEU and CSTO. The sides also plan to discuss current international and regional issues, including the settlement of NK issue,” the Armenian presidential press service reports.

Tel Aviv: Infiltration of top-secret intelligence base thwarted

Emil Lazarian
Arutz Sheva, Israel
Aug 22 2017


Infiltration of top-secret intelligence base thwarted

Armenian national with a forged identity card arrested after he tried to enter the most classified army base of the Intelligence Corps.

Contact Editor
Arutz Sheva Staff, 22/08/17

A worker of Armenian origin was arrested after he tried to enter an IDF base in the center of the country using a forged identity card.

Yediot Ahronot reported that the suspect is employed in a company that provides catering services at the most classified base of the Intelligence Corps.

Last week, the suspect arrived at the base gates and told security guards that he had arrived to substitute another worker who had been absent from work that day. The security guards suspected him and examined the identity card he presented to them, after which they discovered that it belonged to another person and that the picture had simply been changed.

A police car called to the base gates arrested the suspect. Yediot Ahronot reported that IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot ordered the reclassification of all contractor companies employed by the IDF and that each employee be classified with the necessary security clearance in order to allow them to enter IDF bases in the future.

The IDF Spokesperson’s Office said that “the incident was discovered following the alertness of the security guards at one of the Military Intelligence bases, and was forwarded to police for examination, in order to check additional cases involving use of false identity cards.”

Tel Aviv: Vigilant guards foil attempt by contract worker to enter sensitive IDF base

Emil Lazarian
Ynet, Israel

Aug 22 2017
Vigilant guards foil attempt by contract worker to enter sensitive IDF base

Armenian-born employee of catering company tries to enter military intelligence base in central Israel while identifying as substitute for another worker who did not show up for work and using a fake ID.
Yossi Yehoshua|Published:  22.08.17

An Armenian contract worker was arrested last week after trying to enter an IDF intelligence base in central Israel with a fake ID, it has been cleared for publication. 

The man, who is employed by a manpower company providing catering services at a top secret base of the Military Intelligence Directorate (MID), arrived at the base’s entrance and said he was replacing another employee who did not show up for work that day.

 

The man aroused the suspicion of the guards, who closely examined his ID only to learn it belonged to someone else and that the ID photo had been replaced. 

The guards called the police, and officers arrived at the base to arrest the man and take him for questioning.

 

The IDF is now investigating whether other outside contract workers were able to infiltrate sensitive intelligence bases in a similar manner.

 

Following this incident, as well as the theft of weapons from a Givati Brigade base in southern Israel several months ago, IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot ordered to reexamine contracts with all manpower contractors working with the IDF and ensue all of their employees get security clearance before being allowed into IDF bases in the future.

 

The IDF Spokesperson’s Office said in response, “The incident was discovered thanks to the vigilance of the guards in one of the MID’s bases. The police have been entrusted with investigating the incident in order to examine additional cases of fake ID usage.” 

Glendale Student Promotes Armenian Culture in Japan

Hagop Kamalian
The Armenian Mirror-Spectator

Aug 22 2017


Armenia, Arts, California | 8:34 pm

Mayreni creating her artwork for a new picture book. Photo by Yutaka Kakuma, Glocal Mitaka.

GLENDALE — Glendale resident Mayreni Abajian recently returned from a year abroad in Tokyo, Japan, where the unexpected highlight of her trip was introducing the Japanese people to aspects of her Armenian culture.

Classmates and friends instantly understood that she is an American, but they were surprised to learn about her Armenian heritage, most of them having no real concept of Armenia: its location, history, or culture. Abajian was happy to build bridges to their understanding by sharing information about Armenia with friends and preparing Armenian meals for them. Many of her friends quickly became interested in learning more about Armenia, some even expressing a desire to visit the country.

While studying in Mitaka, Tokyo, Abajian was introduced to “Glocal Mitaka,” an organization whose aim is to bridge the gap between the local Japanese community and foreign exchange students. Mayreni participated in a number of volunteer projects with Glocal Mitaka, including picture-book readings, a slide presentation, and language lessons. Mayreni and some of her classmates would occasionally read picture books to children, which she did in English, Japanese, and Armenian. Abajian developed a brief, interactive language lesson by which she introduced local youths to the Armenian language and alphabet.

Abajian’s most rewarding project was the publication of a new picture book, designed to introduce Japanese children to cultures around the world, including Armenia. Abajian and other foreign exchange students volunteered with Glocal Mitaka to design the story. Each student personally illustrated the pages for his or her culture. Her original drawings depict various aspects of Armenia, including Mt. Ararat, an Armenian church, a girl in traditional clothing, and a table offering foods such as lavash, pomegranates and apricots. Abajian then organized a visit to the Armenian Embassy in Tokyo, where she and Glocal Mitaka introduced the picture book to Ambassador Grant Pogosyan, who offered to promote the project. In May, the embassy displayed excerpts from the picture book at the Armenia Culture Week exhibition in Tokyo. After meeting their fundraising goals, Glocal Mitaka published the book and donated copies to local libraries.

Abajian, a graduate of CV High School, is a senior at the University of California at San Diego where she studies computer science.

The Zoryan Institute Engages New Upcoming Scholars to Analyze Genocide and Human Rights at the University of Toronto

Khoyetsian Rose
Yahoo
Aug 22 2017

Marketwired

TORONTO, ON–(Marketwired – ) – The International Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies releases a statement from Captain Cheng Xu of Canadian Armed Forces regarding his experience this summer at the Zoryan Institute’s two-week Genocide and Human Rights University Program (GHRUP) at the University of Toronto.

Captain Xu is a first-year PhD student at the University of Toronto in the Political Science department. He has served in the Canadian Armed Forces for over nine years and studies state violence and counterinsurgency. The GHRUP is a two-week intensive academic program designed to bring together students from various national backgrounds across all academic disciplines for an integrated approach to learn and discuss the issues in the field of Genocide and Human Rights Studies.

The mission of the program is to encourage a new generation of scholars to engage in research and publication in the field of Genocide and Human Rights Studies. This is achieved through a comparative and interdisciplinary analysis of such cases of genocide as the Armenian Genocide, Holocaust, the Cambodian Genocide, and the Rwandan Genocide among others.

Within GHRUP, students have the benefit of exposure to a wide range of topics from a diverse set of instructors, each with their expertise to contribute to the overall learning experience. Students also have the option of taking this course towards a graduate level credit at their home institutions.

Captain Xu, expressing his views on the program, had this to say:

“What truly exceeded my expectations about the course was my engagement and interaction with fellow students. The level of academic inquiry and scholarship that was brought together by IIGHRS was unparalleled and I had not felt this challenged in a very long time. Not only were the seminar discussions dynamic and enlightening, speaking with other students during the breaks and social events reveal that this next generation of scholars is on the cutting edge of research in their respective fields. That was the most exciting part about the course for me. The interaction and networking alone was inspiring and motivated me to reach for a higher level of scholarship.”

Officially launched in 2002, the Institute has since welcomed 473 students from over 41 countries to the course. The Institute takes great pride in knowing that this course has formed a community and network of committed, informed citizens and scholars worldwide.

Captain Xu added:

“The students were drawn from a diverse background in terms of academic disciplines, nationalities, and professions. While most were academics, many of the students have also had professional experiences working in the field of human rights law. The diversity of the student body was one of the biggest advantages to this course as it was able to integrate a variety of theoretical perspectives, from history, to political science, to sociology, to anthropology, as well as bring grounding to the theory from pragmatic experiences in praxis. Students benefitted from the pragmatic challenges and insights faced by practitioners and those with professional experience and exposed to the issues surrounding the translation of theory to practice. I found myself well situated within both worlds in among the students in the sense that I’ve had much academic training and equal time in the professional world through my military service. I found that bridging the gap between the two worlds in the discussion to be simple and seamless for me and I was able to relate to my colleagues no matter where they situated themselves, whether as academics or as professionals.”

For more information about the program and how to apply for GHRUP 2018, please visit www.genocidestudies.org.

The Zoryan Institute and its subsidiary, the International Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies, is the first non-profit, international centre devoted to the research and documentation of contemporary issues with a focus on Genocide, Diaspora and Homeland.