Category: 2019

GLENDALE—The Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California has announced that they will be honoring former U.S. Secretary of Navy & U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense Paul R. Ignatius at their 2nd Annual Gala. The highly anticipated event will be held on Sunday, December 8 at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California.

“Paul Ignatius’ rise from his hometown of Glendale to his service as U.S. Secretary of Navy is truly remarkable and his support for the Armenian American Museum project has inspired us all,” stated Executive Chairman Berdj Karapetian. “We look forward to honoring Secretary Ignatius for his dedicated public service at the 2nd Annual Gala.”

Paul R. Ignatius, the son of Armenian parents who immigrated to the United States, was born in Glendale, California in 1920. Ignatius’ military career began in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He served for eight years in the Administrations of President John F. Kennedy and President Lyndon B. Johnson. He was appointed first as Assistant Secretary of the Army in 1961 and then as Undersecretary in 1964. In 1965, he was appointed Assistant Secretary of Defense (Installations and Logistics). In 1967, he was named Secretary of Navy and served in the position until 1969. In 2019, the U.S. Navy commissioned the USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), its newest Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer named in honor of the former Secretary.

Ignatius became President of the Washington Post following his government service. He later joined the Air Transport Association and served as President for 15 years until his retirement in 1986. He is also the founder of the Harbridge House, Inc., a management consulting firm based in Massachusetts.

The Armenian American Museum recently launched its Square Foot Builders program, an initiative inspired by Ignatius’ generous contribution and words of encouragement in the early stages of the developing project.

Hundreds of supporters, community leaders, and public officials are expected to attend the 2nd Annual Armenian American Museum Gala on Sunday, December 8, 2019. The signature event of the year will celebrate and support the landmark project as it approaches its historic groundbreaking year.

Additional honorees and special guests will be announced in the coming weeks. The reservation deadline for sponsorships, program book ads, and tickets is November 8. For more information on the 2nd Annual Gala, visit the website or call 818.644.2073.

The Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California is a developing project in Glendale, California with a mission to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Armenian American experience. The museum will serve as a cultural campus that enriches the community, educates the public on the Armenian American story, and empowers individuals to embrace cultural diversity and speak out against prejudice.

The governance of the museum is entrusted to ten Armenian American cultural, philanthropic, and religious non-profit institutions including the Armenian Catholic Eparchy, Armenian Cultural Foundation, Armenian Evangelical Union of North America, Armenian General Benevolent Union Western District, Armenian Missionary Association of America, Armenian Relief Society Western USA, Nor Or Charitable Foundation, Nor Serount Cultural Association, Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, and Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

BY ALEEN ARSLANIAN

PASADENA—Students of the Armenian General Benevolent Union’s Vatche & Tamar Manoukian High School (MHS) staged a classroom walkout Monday to protest a decision to shutter the campus and combine the school with the AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School in Canoga Park.

More than 500 students, parents, teachers and staff, as well as supporters of the high school, gathered at school campus to voice their concerns about the decision made by AGBU Central Board, the Manoukian Foundation and the MHS Board that was announced Friday afternoon in an email to parents.

The email read: “Despite the best efforts of the MHS community, the school has seen stagnant with declining enrollment for several years. We are very thankful to our administration, faculty and staff for their dedication and devotion to the school. Even with concentrated marketing, we have had disappointing results, reflecting a lower community demand, overall, for full-time private Armenian education.”

As the morning bell rang, signaling the start of first period, AGBU MHS students exited their homeroom classes and marched toward the campus quad, where Maro Najarian Yacoubian, whose children attended AGBU MHS, addressed attendees. Yacoubian described AGBU’s decision to close the school as a “modern day ethnic cleansing.”

“Armenian school is the pumping heart of the Diaspora and community. Closing each school means stopping the regular pumping of our community. We have to stand for every Armenian school, without political biases,” remarked Rev. Barthev Gulumian, an Armenian language and choir teacher at AGBU MHS.

Following remarks made by Yacoubian, Rev. Barthev Gulumian lead the morning prayer. The prayer was followed by the singing of the AGBU anthem, during which the students remained silent – in protest of AGBU and its decision.

The protesters were also joined by students from Sahag Mesrob Armenian Christian School and St Gregory A. & M. Hovsepian School, as well as Hovsepian Principal Shahe Mankerian. Attendees wore all black, reminiscent of a funeral.

Tatiana Demirjian, a 9th grader at the school, was in tears as she said, “I’ve been a part of AGBU since I was 3-years-old and it’s breaking my heart that this is happening.” She was consoled by a friend, who, like Tatiana, will most likely be taking a bus from AGBU MHS to AGBU Manoogian-Demirjian School in Canoga Park next year. The AGBU MDS campus will be accommodating students arriving from Pasadena by changing the school’s start time. According to AGBU MHS students, their sister school will be operating from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. next year.

During the protest, Yacoubian called on Yervant Demirjian, a member of AGBU’s Board of Directors, asking him to provide the community with answers.

“I was an AGBU student in Aleppo from kindergarten through 12th grade. In my adult life, I moved my family from San Jose to San Francisco – which was a big change – to put my kids in KZV, an Armenian school in SF. When I moved to Los Angeles, I started working at AGBU. I’ve given my life to Armenian schools, and everyone must do the same in order to keep them alive,” stated AGBU MHS Director of Technology and Chief Yearbook Adviser, Varant Chinchinian.

As Demirjian approached the podium to speak, the incredibly emotional crowd began to chant “Shame on you!” The AGBU board member was barely able to get a few words in before the crowd started yet another chant – “Save our school!” As Demirjian began to describe the very “comfortable” buses that would transport students from Pasadena to the Canoga Park campus, the crowd erupted in anger. He concluded his remarks by pledging to donate $100,000 in an effort to save the school, with the condition that the school community would also gather money – $1 million to be exact – through fundraising.

The student and community protests came to an end as the students were asked to return to their classrooms to continue their studies. As Yacoubian mentioned, many of the students are preparing for the upcoming SATs, college applications, and AP courses.

As students returned to class and supporters left the campus, Sevagg Kazarian, an AGBU MHS Class of 2011 alumnus said, “The Armenian schools I attended are the foundation of my identity as an Armenian. My elementary school, Mekhitarian (Mekhitarist Fathers School), already closed…I feel like high school is where I was able to take my Armenian-ness to a deeper level. If that foundation is lost, then we are lost.”

The protests at AGBU Vatche & Tamar Manoukian this morning were live streamed by Asbarez.

HOLLYWOOD—His music became legendary. His journey to worldwide acclaim the touch points of the so-called American Dream. The son of Armenian Genocide survivors, with no formal education or musical training, Charles Aznavour went on to become one of the most popular singers in the world. His remarkable life, pitted with ups and downs, along with his most memorable songs will be on stage in Los Angeles this Fall.

On the heels of its compelling cabaret-style debut at The Hotel Café, “Charles: A Bio-Musical on the Life & Songs of Charles Aznavour” will perform on the main stage of the El Portal Theatre in the heart of the NoHo Arts District on Saturday, November 9. The theater is located at 5269 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601.

Written by Taleen Babayan, “Charles” traces key points in the musician’s life, charting the personal and professional struggles the singer faced on his climb to becoming an iconic award-winning entertainer throughout the course of his eight decade career in his beloved France and across the globe.

From his humble beginnings, to his perseverance as a working musician in occupied France during World War II, to overcoming crippling criticism, to his creative spark with Edith Piaf, the 90-minute show serves as an homage to his legacy as an integral member of France’s Golden Age of Music, while capturing the charismatic and shining spirit he embodied as a singer, lyricist, actor, diplomat and humanitarian. Based on Aznavour’s two autobiographies and a number of primary and secondary sources, his unconventional life emerges on stage in a unique narrative punctuated by live musical performances, which was praised by audience members at The Hotel Café debut on October 12.

“The bio-musical play on the life of Charles Aznavour is a deeply felt, heartwarming and inspirational experience,” said attendee Veronica Zorigian. “Taleen Babayan directs this play with grace and deep emotional capacity.”

Produced by Boundaryless Productions under the direction of Taleen Babayan and musical supervision of Harout Soghomonian, “Charles” features Maurice Soudjian and Bernard C. Bayer, who both portray Charles Aznavour, alongside Mariette Soudjian, who makes a guest appearance as Edith Piaf.

“Playing the role of Piaf has been one of the most enriching experiences I’ve had as an actress,” said Soudjian. “Singing her iconic chansons and ballads gives depth to the performance.” Soudjian will also sing two numbers by Aznavour in English, “Take Me Away” (Emmenez-Moi) and “She,” in reference to the multiple languages he recorded in to “modernize and make Aznavour even more relevant to the younger generation.”

The breadth of the bio-musical surpasses all generations and cultural backgrounds, similar to Aznavour’s intention of expanding the scope of his artistry – pushing boundaries and continents.

“The moment the music starts your heart becomes enwrapped in a beautiful and touching embrace of a pure masterful artist,” said audience members Gray Morell and Shane Rasmussen. “The performances by the talented and passionate cast are truly remarkable and this is a perfect tribute to a music legend.”

The story is also personal for the cast, allowing them to connect to the subject matter on a visceral level. Raised on the music of Charles Aznavour and other contemporary French singers, Austrian-born pianist and actor Bernard C. Bayer reflected on fond memories he shared with his father as they listened to Aznavour’s music together.

“I was excited at the prospect of embodying him and exploring his life, artistry and music in a more in-depth way,” said Bayer. “From the stage of The Hotel Café I could feel the love of Aznavour radiating toward me from the audience.”

Drawing on his real-life experience of seeing a captivating Aznavour perform live at the Greek Theatre, Bayer sought to “honor his legacy, no matter how daunting.”

“Being a part of this project is for me a deeply personal experience,” said Bayer. “It doesn’t just fulfill a lifelong desire to portray Charles Aznavour, but it also connects me to some of my most cherished memories with my family, memories to which he provided the soundtrack.”

Digging deep into the time period and nuances of Aznavour’s life, many unknown details are revealed, from his family life to his artistic influences to his insights on the French Chansons.

“It was a really innovative concept to introduce the side of Aznavour that most of us didn’t know about,” said Hannah Pollock. “Meticulously researched, this show portrays the beloved singer in different phases of his life and creative spirit through his most popular songs and music.”

Tying in the music of a “bygone era” to the present-day, Babayan’s aim is to stage a story filled with vivid imagery about a man who tackled the world head-on to make his voice heard, in more ways than one.

“Aznavour felt a calling from deep within and he was brave enough to pursue it despite the odds stacked against him,” said Babayan. “In doing so he made this world a little more cultured, a little more bold and a little more inspiring.”

For tickets please visit the website, visit the box office or call 818.508.4200. You may view the trailer here.

BY CATHERINE YESAYAN

Today I’d like to tell you about Armen (Claude) Mutafian, who I met in Paris. A friend had referred him to me as an interesting person to write about. I had a rather favorable opinion of him from afar, as he’s known as an expert in medieval Armenian history.

I had seen him on several occasions, but never had a chance to meet him. Mutafian, in his late 70s, has a jovial air and a friendly attitude. His signature is his uncombed white hair, which hangs to his shoulders and becomes one with his white beard. His tight-lipped _expression_, sometimes with a little smile, reminds me of the Mona Lisa’s enigmatic smile. Or perhaps I see some Albert Einstein in him. The spirit is quizzical, but warm.

Before coming to Paris, I had contacted him to see when we could meet. He, like many Parisians, was going for his “vacance” (vacation) during the month of August. The only time he had to meet with me was the very first day I had arrived, which was on Sunday, July 28 at 6 p.m.

After a long flight from Los Angeles, with a layover in Dallas, Texas, I needed a power nap to regain my sanity, to be ready to meet an important person and have an unforgettable conversation.

At around 5:30 p.m., my host called a taxi. I was at Mutafian’s door right on the dot, albeit with a tremendous jet-lag!

Mutafian welcomed me at his office on Rue Saint-Jacques in the heart of Paris. The office was an apartment turned into a library. Walls of all the rooms, from floor to ceiling, were covered by shelves holding volumes of books. He estimated the number of books to be around eight to ten thousand.

Although I had seized the opportunity to interview him, crossing multiple time zones had unfortunately diminished my alertness. Besides that, an hour seemed not enough time for all the things I wished to discuss with him.

Claude Mutafian was born in 1942, in Clamart – a suburb of Paris. Both of his parents were born in Western Armenia and had survived the Armenian Genocide.

For more than forty years, until 2004, Mutafian was a university professor of mathematics in Paris. However, in later years his interest progressed into studies of Armenian history. He received his Ph.D in history from Paris’ Pantheon-Sorbonne University. Today his name is inseparable from ancient and medieval Armenian history.

Mutafian has devoted his time to studies of Armenian history, particularly the relations of Armenia with its various neighbors. Following the publication of several books on algebra, Mutafian has authored multiple books on the history of Armenia and the studies of maps. His most recently published book is “La Saga des Armeniens de L’Ararat aux Carpates,” which is about the Armenians in the Carpathian region, which includes present Romania, Eastern Poland and Western Ukraine. The book tackles when, why, and how the Armenians settled in those areas and what they accomplished thousands of years ago.

Mutafian discussed with me the highly publicized Armenian exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City, last year. He said, “Although I have admiration for the work, I think there were some shortcomings.” He thought the exhibition should have included the Urartu period.

“The exhibition covered the Armenian civilization from the 4th century, with the dawn of the Christianization of Armenia, and unfortunately ignored one millennium of pagan Armenia before the Christian Era,” said Mutafian. “As an example, the absence of the name of the most famous of all Armenian kings, ‘Tigranes the Great’ (1st century B.C.), in an exhibition called ‘Armenia’ looks strange, if not unacceptable.”

He told me that, although history is his first love, his second love is the opera. He loves operas by Wagner in particular, Berlioz, Verdi, and of course, the Armenian Operas.

It’s a pity that I didn’t have more time to interview this man who, besides being a Master of Armenian Studies, is also so knowledgeable on many subjects and so generous with his time and attention. I regret that I forgot to ask him about his personal life and about growing up in Clamart, which is one of the Armenian populated suburbs of Paris.

We shared a lovely and very informative hour together, and I hope that, at some later date, I can visit him again to learn more about other aspects of his life.