Category: 2019

After months of planning, Homenetmen inaugurated a new chapter in Artsakh during a ceremony on Wednesday in Stepanakert’s Revival Square. The Artsakh chapter is the Homenetmen’s 111th chapter worldwide.

Scouts—boys, girls, cubs and brownies—in their uniforms joined the Homenetmen Artsakh marching band for a parade on Revival Square as locals welcomed the newest Homenetmen chapter.

Attending the inauguration ceremonies were Artsakh President Bako Sahakian; Primate of the Artsakh Diocese Archbishop Parkev Martirosyan; Artsakh State Minister Grigoryan Martirosyan; other government officials; members of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Central Committee of Artsakh; as well as members of the Homenetmen Central Executive.

Following the ceremony, President Sahakian met with Homenetmen Central Executive Chairman Karnig Mgrdichian and fellow executive member Bagrat Yesayan. They were accompanied to the meeting by ARF Artsakh Central Committee chairman Davit Ishkhanyan.

President Sahakian welcomed the establishment of the Homenetmen in Artsakh and praised the praised the 101-year-old athletic and scouting organization for its work in educating and empowering generations of young Armenians throughout the world.

He expressed hope that the Homenetmen will be able to elevate the physical and patriotic development of the youth of Artsakh, saying that he had high hopes for the Homenetmen to advance and succeed in Artsakh.

BY GREGORY MIKHANJIAN
ANCA Leo Sarkisian Internship 2019
Cal State University, Fullerton, Class of 2021

It didn’t really dawn on me that I was going to be on my own for the first time until I was flying over Oklahoma. I had left my home in sunny California and was on my way to the nations’ capital, only having a slight grasp on the type of work I was going to be involved in.

In the first week, we hit the ground running. Rather than a formal orientation into what our summer was going to look like, we were put right to work to ensure that two pro-Armenia amendments passed in Congress. Visiting every congressional office and speaking with staff about why they should support the amendments initially felt like an overwhelming task, but with each visit my confidence flourished.

One of the most exciting and enjoyable parts of the internship has been the crazy schedule. For the first amendment that we passed, I loved how we waited in the office watching the vote, waiting to see if we were going to harvest the fruits of our labor. What I loved even more than that was, after a brief celebration, our thoughts immediately turned to “what’s next.” We are always looking to achieve the next goal. It’s a “vazni vaz” job and I couldn’t be happier.

To put this experience into a single word, I would say that it was my dream. A dream that was defined by two exclusive criteria: being active in Washington, D.C. and incorporating myself into the work of Hai Tahd. Political work has always intrigued me, and while I have been active in my own state, I had always dreamed of working in D.C. As for my involvement with Hai Tahd, I have had the good fortune of being in the AYF for almost ten years. It was in that membership where I first learned about Artsakh, and I was ecstatic to be a part of the two pro-Artsakh amendments that also passed recently.

Perhaps some of the more profound moments for me have been in personally meeting with senators and Members of Congress. Seeing Senator Feinstein being receptive to our issues and casually exchanging jokes with her afterward was particularly memorable, because of how the tone of the meeting shifted so quickly; sometimes we forget they’re human too. Hearing Congressman Bilirakis call us his “Armenian cousins,” having a heartfelt conversation with Congresswoman Eshoo about the Armenian struggle, and hearing Congressman Sherman testify that Artsakh is historically Armenian were life-changing moments for me.

I had grown up always hearing about how Armenians had gotten the short end of the stick in so many different ways. So many failures and injustices committed against our people, it was no wonder that my view of American politics towards Armenia was negative. However, I came to this internship only to discover that the Armenian community possesses many friends in Washington. I was also reminded that incrementalism is a very real aspect of the political world. Change is agonizingly slow, almost to the point that it feels like regression, but this summer is proof that with tenacity and perseverance progress can be achieved.

Of the plethora of memories this internship has already given me, the most lasting will be the friendships that I have forged. Within the first week, it felt like we had already been living together for months. We can be arguing in one moment and laughing together in the next, and then a moment later we’re cooking and eating dinner together. It truly feels like a home away from home.

Earlier I mentioned that this internship was my first time living alone, but that wasn’t really true. This internship has done nothing but solidify my belief that William Saroyan was right when he said, “For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” That’s why I believe in Hai Tahd and the work that the ANCA does. I will never really be on my own as long as I have a fellow Armenian by my side. If there should be none around me, I’ll still always have Armenia in my heart and Hai Tahd on my mind.

LOS ANGELES—Prelacy Schools reopened their doors to welcome students to the 2019 – 2020 academic year on Tuesday. On behalf of Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, local parish pastors participated in back-to-school ceremonies, offered prayers and read the Prelate’s message.

Prelate Mardirossian presided over the back-to-school ceremony of Rose and Alex Pilibos School, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. He was accompanied by St. Garabed Church Parish Pastor Archpriest Vicken Vassilian.

In attendance were ARF Central Committee representative Garo Ispenjian, Board of Regents member Sarkis Ourfalian, representatives of St. Garabed Church Board of Trustees and of community organizations, school administrators, faculty, parents, and students.

The program began with the invocation by Fr. Vicken. Student Council members led the pledge of allegiance and national anthems. English teacher Patil DerHovagimian delivered welcoming remarks as the day’s MC. Representatives of Congressman Adam Schiff, State Senator Anthony Portantino, and L.A. City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell were in attendance, and delivered congratulatory remarks. Armenian teacher Sona Madarian delivered her message and well wishes for a bright new school year. Students delivered remarks and presented cultural performances.

Principal Dr. Alina Dorian delivered her message, reflecting on the School’s 50 year legacy of excellence, integrity, heritage, community, and unity, adding that the school has, for half a century, not just educated students, but elevated their minds, spirits, faith, and heritage. She thanked all past and present teachers, faculty, and staff for their hard work, and, addressing the students, urged them to continue to strive for excellence, to set their minds to great heights, and to always remain true to the core values of our faith and nation.

The Prelate began his message by greeting Principal Dorian, Assistant Principal Maral Tavitian, and the entire school family as they embark on their golden anniversary year and move forward to greater heights with the legacy of a rich past, strong present, and hopeful future. He blessed and commended all the teachers who serve with heart and soul, and the parents for their love, sacrifice, and devotion. He wished for the new academic year to abound with the Lord’s blessings and to be successful and fruitful.

In his message to the students, the Prelate urged them to always remember and appreciate the privilege of attending an Armenian school, which is not an ordinary place of learning but a distinctive institution where students grow and develop in their identity as Armenians. “Take advantage of the unique instruction you are fortunate to be offered; learn our uplifting prayers and our language, learn about our rich history and heritage, our ancient faith and homeland, and think of how you can contribute to the advancement of our nation,” stressed Prelate Mardirossian. He concluded by, once again, blessing and commending all those who play a part in the continued success of our schools, the members of the Board of Regents, local school boards, principals, directors, faculty, and volunteers.

The program concluded with the benediction and singing of the Lord’s Prayer.

The Society for Armenian Studies is pleased to announce the establishment of “The Nina G. Garsoïan Graduate Research Grant for Ancient and Early Mediaeval Armenian History.” A $500 grant will be awarded on an annual basis to a graduate student in the field of Ancient and Medieval Armenian History. The grant is funded by Dr. Levon Avdoyan, who recently retired as the Area Specialist for Armenia and Georgia at the African and Middle Eastern Division of the Library of Congress. Dr. Avdoyan received his Ph.D. from Columbia University in New York in ancient and Armenian history under the supervision of Professor Garsoïan.

Dr. Avdoyan commented on the importance of the grant: “Nina Garsoïan’s passion for the Ancient and Early Mediaeval periods of Armenian history and culture led not only to many brilliant publications, but also to the preparation of an entire generation of young Armenists. With her retirement from the Chair at Columbia, the study of the Armenian pre-Christian past went into eclipse in the United States, yielding to more modern studies. I intend, with this modest grant, to support the research activities of those young scholars who have rediscovered or are in the process of rediscovering the allure and intrigue of that past to restore the balance that Garsoïan’s generation worked hard to establish.”

The grant will constitute part of the Society for Armenian Studies Graduate Research and Conference Grant for M.A. and Ph.D. students awarded on semi-annual basis.

“The Society for Armenian Studies highly appreciates Dr. Avdoyan’s initiative of establishing the Nina G. Garsoïan Graduate Research Grant. I hope other scholars and individuals will follow in Dr. Avdoyan’s footsteps and establish named grants to support graduate and post-graduate members of the Society. Students who pursue graduate studies in the field of Armenian Studies usually have limited access to grants. One of the major objectives of the Society for the coming years is to the increase the size of grants so it can help a larger pool of applicants,” stated SAS President, Professor Bedross Der Matossian

Nina G. Garsoïan is a world renowned Byzantanist and Armenologist and author of multiple groundbreaking books and articles. She was the dean of the Princeton University Graduate School and the first holder of the Gevork M. Avedissian Chair in Armenian History and Civilization at Columbia University. She retired in 1993 and is currently Professor Emerita of Armenian History and Civilization. After her retirement, the Avedissian Chair has never been filled and still remains vacant.

For more information on how to establish named grants for graduate and post-graduate students, please contact the President of the Society for Armenian Studies by email.

GLENDALE—Chamlian Armenian School’s core values are the bedrock for its continued academic excellence and rich curriculum, developing students of high integrity grounded in their rich Armenian heritage in a safe, innovative school. Our Chamlian family celebrated the first day of its 45th Academic Year on the morning of Tuesday, August 20, as a Dahol u Zurna trio played traditional Armenian folk music.

As has been the school’s tradition, the 8th grade Tigers entered the ceremony holding hands with the 1st graders, a memory that is affectionately held by both the new families and the graduating ones. The large Chamlian community in attendance cheered the alumni parents, who led their 1st grade children and the Kindergarten, 1st, and 8th grade classes to the ceremony. After the attending clergy’s invocation, the school principal, Dr. Talin Kargodorian, announced the first day of school officially open with a confetti cannon. White flakes took flight in the midst of student and parent cheers, creating a magical moment in the school’s dynamic story.

This celebration is among the multiple events honoring Chamlian Armenian School’s leadership in the community and education industry. Year after year, Chamlian Armenian School has not only flourished academically, to the envy of other schools—both private and public—but has also creatively and judiciously invested donated funds to improve its 5.5-acre campus facility to reflect its excellent education program.

Two significant projects were completed during the short summer recess, both of which were realized through substantial donations from two school families who wish to remain anonymous. Interest in these projects was sparked at a presentation confirming that every donation is strategically invested in the school. One of the families present found the playground project close to their heart and wished to gift the funds necessary for project completion. Another family was very encouraged by the opportunity to accept additional students with new classrooms and committed to funding the full cost of converting an existing building to new classrooms.

The playground, endearingly called “Khaghavayr,” is designed to support our Kindergarten to 2nd graders’ outdoor exploration and physical development. The new yard has many features for student engagement, where they can play, socialize, and let their imaginations take flight; it is an environment that encourages both active and passive play with colorful shades, indigenous landscaping, and inviting visuals. These new classrooms provide complete flexibility to serve multiple purposes and grade levels. They are technology smart and still have elements familiar to students, such as a reading corner and areas for one-on-one interactions.

Without the incredible generosity of these two Chamlian families, and the many equally remarkable families in the past, Chamlian Armenian School would not be celebrating an outstanding history. The school is deeply grateful for their partnership in envisioning a future together and inspiring additional partners in realizing future campus improvements, one dream at a time.

The Chamlian Armenian School’s promise for its 45th Anniversary is to lead the way for the community’s academic future, celebrate its rich history, and build a school for our 21st Century learners.

BY GAREN YEGPARIAN

Roughly two months ago, the government of the Republic of Armenia enacted a flat tax whose regressive effects will hurt those least able to afford it. This betrayal largely hit the same people who supported those who came to power through a popular uprising in Spring 2018, then consolidated their success through elections at year’s end.

Now, there is a palpable fear that they might harm not only their supporters, but everyone and the country, the land, as a whole. The risk comes from a proposed gold mine which would decapitate a mountain at Ամուլսար/Amulsar. Those who write about and analyze Yerevan’s action seem to believe the government is inclined to approve this mine. Indeed, Prime Minister Pashinian said as much a few days ago, though developments since then give some hope that the battle’s not lost yet.

The RoA is no stranger to mines, and poorly or irresponsibly operated, severely polluting ones at that. Forget about the horrible mining legacy of the Soviet era. Just a few years ago, despite extensive protests, warnings, discussions, publicity, etc. the Թեղուտ//Teghut mine in the north was allowed to proceed. Its tailings (the toxic sludge which is a byproduct of the mining process) dam failed early in 2018, poisoning local rivers, and almost no-one said a word about it.

But Amulsar is in a class of its own with the hazard it poses, impacting a huge portion of the tiny fragment of our homeland still under Armenian control.

The widespread concern that the government is poised to approve the mine is based official Yerevan’s responses to the recently released report by ELARD, a Lebanese outfit it had hired to audit Lydian, against whom court proceedings had been initiated based on concerns that it had not obeyed the law. The report evidently finds that Lydian followed the rules.

But…

There are reports that ELARD had dealings with Lydian previously, meaning it has a conflict of interest, and may not be the kind of unbiased evaluator needed in a situation like this. Plus, record of government discussions show that Prime Minister Pashinian wants to initiate a new environmental review (referred to by its Armenian acronym ՇՄԱԳ/ShMAC), but the law doesn’t allow it. Also, this latest report was not intended to address the mine’s safety, rather Lydian’s actions and if they followed the rules.

The good news is that a new ShMAC isn’t necessary. The original provides all the information necessary to shut down this process now. Here’s how.

Lydian’s ShMAC documents that in about 130 years pollutants generated by the mine will reach Lake Sevan, the country’s jewel, source of irrigation, fish, recreation, tourism… simply, LIFE. How will this happen?

It turns out that the routes water takes underground (see the accompanying diagram), starting at the mine lead it to cross the Vorotan tunnel which moves water from the Spendiarian reservoir to the Կեչուտ/Ketchut reservoir. From there, water is moved via the Arpa-Sevan tunnel to Lake Sevan. You may recall the tremendous hoopla in 1981 when this project was completed to save the lake whose levels were dropping dangerously because too much water was being drawn from it for various uses. Ironically, this “savior” might end up delivering poison to its intended beneficiary if Lydian is allowed to proceed.

You might be wondering why any of this is a problem. So what of the poison from the mine crosses the tunnel, right? An unfortunate fact of life is that tunnels leak, both in and out. So the poison from the mine would penetrate the Vorotan tunnel’s walls then proceed to the lake as described above.

You are rightfully wondering “What is this poison?” As with any metal, gold usually is not in its pure form when being mined. It is mixed up with other materials and substances. That’s why the stuff that is mined is called “ore” and must be separated into its parts so the gold (or other metal) can be extracted and purified. In Amulsar’s case, part of what accompanies the ore is sulphates. These are naturally occurring and are mostly buried and harmless. Some of them near the surface are oxidized and stable. But, when a huge pit is dug exposing the sulphates to the elements, specifically water from rain and snow, the stuff becomes sulphuric acid, a very strong acid. This is the poison that would leach into the groundwater and end up in Lake Sevan, probably killing off fish and other life in the lake, rendering it unswimmable and its waters unfit for irrigation. Also, with the waters exiting the lake used to generate a significant portion of the country’s electricity, I have to wonder what effect the acidified water would have on the turbines used in that process.

It seems to me all the government has to do is cite Lydian’s own report regarding this matter to shut down the operation. After all, why go through an environmental review process is the findings cannot be used to terminate a proposed project if it is found to be too dangerous?

As you read more about this issue, keep your focus on the sulphates-to-reservoirs/tunnels-to-Sevan problem. Other, lesser, hazards such as dust, local acidification, and other unavoidable mining nastiness can be remedied, they have engineering solutions (which is what should be implemented for other mines operating in the RoA). These are the problems being touted by some officials as solvable, ignoring the acidic elephant in the room.

But, you can’t stop water. It is a very insidious and powerful force. Think about the Grand Canyon in the U.S. Water created that massive channel. Think about the leaks you may have had in your own home, how difficult might have been to track down where they originated. Now think about whether it is worth risking a whole country for a very short term, and very small, gain. Much of the financial benefits of the gold extracted will not accrue to local villagers or the government, but to a few investors and a foreign corporate entity.

In case you need more convincing, take a look at the picture of the fishkill resulting from another gold mine’s leakage into the Tsoraked stream, a tributary of the Chknagh River in the Lori province of Armenia. That happened in late June.

What has to happen now is massive pressure. From the streets of Yerevan to Amulsar (where locals have set up roadblocks preventing Lydian’s entry for the past year or so) citizen action is required. From the corner of Lexington and Central in Glendale (where the Los Angeles RoA Consulate General of the RoA sits) to embassy row in Washington, D.C. and everywhere else in the Diaspora, demonstrations are necessary. This mine must not happen. I read that some action is already being taken in London, England. Good for our compatriots there!

If you’re too far from some of the places where such protest activities are likely to occur, write to your nearest diplomatic representation of our homeland.

It would be horrible to have survived Turkish attempts to exterminate us and extirpate us from our ancient homeland only to make it unlivable by our own hand through inaction and neglect in the face of corporate greed and corrupt governments that allowed this mining proposition to even get this far. Let’s enable this government to do the right thing and not betray us all a second time in to months.

Lived with the Armenian School

 V. AUGEAN:

This time, for the last time, our telephone call went unanswered.

This time, surprisingly, being the first time, he did not honor the date. Punctual and dutiful Mr. Karon did not hesitate to talk about the recent events of Armenian life in general and the situation of the Armenian school in particular.

Years of closeness suddenly ended when Karo Petrosian said goodbye to his life forty days ago, leaving behind him the name of a reasonable person, educational worker and intellectual.

Karo Petrosian’s name is closely related to the educational life of Diaspora Armenians. A man who spent 58 years of his life in the field of human creation and Armenian creation, from Gamishli to Beirut, from Purch Hamout to Los Angeles.

A person who brought his important money to the work of spiritual formation of young generations with Armenian studies-educational publications.

And also, a person who gave a lot to our life with his life as a party member and his merits as a member of the House of Commons, receiving only mental satisfaction and impersonal joy from it.

Karo Petrosian became a humble man of honest work. He lived and acted with simplicity, far from demonstrative phenomena. Service became the goal of his life. On the path of service, he brought to life all the values ​​he professed as a teacher or director. Pleasure and ambition were alien to him. He preferred to live and work with the humble classes of the people, with national-tribal values ​​and principles.

This Armenian, who was born in Aleppo in 1930, after receiving his preliminary education at the Mkhitarian Fathers’ School, in 1945 he led the steps to the Catholicos School of the Great House of Cilicia. to the local National College. With his day, the school will live a great prosperity. The number of students increases from 500 to 1200.

In the spring of 1961, the well-known events of Syria arrive and Karo Petrosian, like others, tastes all the bitterness of the campaign unleashed against the Armenian Federation. He is arrested, imprisoned and suffers the indescribable deprivations of a miserable life for nine months. Finally, in April 1962, he arrived in Beirut, where he worked as an Armenian teacher for two years at the Armenian Evangelical College of Beirut. At the same time, he follows the pedagogy courses of Haykazian University.

The first half of the 1960s is the beginning of the golden age of Lebanese Armenians. Purch Hamut is full of Armenians, without having a national secondary school. The inhabitants, mostly representatives of the modest class, were destined to be satisfied with only a basic education. The lucky ones could continue their studies in Hamazkayin Seminary, Beirut, which was quite far and not accessible to everyone. In 1964, a National Secondary School took shape and body in the heart of Purch Hamut, in New Marash, with the donation of the philanthropist Sofia Jacobian and the Armenian Educational Institution. The school is called Azg. Levon and Sofia Jacobian College, and the inaugural director is appointed Karo Petrosian.

The process of creation and development of the new school was not easy. With the support of the National Authority of the Diocese of Lebanon and the guardianship headed by Mayor Yakob Ashjian, Karo Petrosian is working with all his might to raise the college. He manages to bring together the best teaching elements of the time and provide an enviable level of education to students. It has also succeeded in creating such an atmosphere of interest in culture and art in the college, thanks to which a significant number of students, after graduating from the college, are driven to national life, to literature and culture, newspapers and theater. It is enough to remember only a few names of the graduates of those years. Nazareth Perperian, Haroution Perperian, Naz Der Sargisian, Ani Urfalian, Harut Sassounian, Elo Sarajian, Jean Gosagean, Maro Keshishian, Vahe Perperian, Zohrap Yeagupian, and others.

In addition to being a distinguished educationalist, Karo Petrosian is a faithful member of Dashnaktsutyun and Homeland. From Kanukh, he enters the ranks of the Armenian Alliance. In Gamishli, during the directorship, he is a member of the committee. 1967-1971, two terms, he was a member of the ARF Lebanon Central Committee.

From 1967 to 1973, Karo Petrosian participated in the successive Regional Deputies General Assemblies of the Hometown Middle East, as well as the inaugural General Assembly of the Hometown in 1974, Beirut.

Shortly after the outbreak of the Lebanese civil war, in 1978 he left Lebanon and first settled in Toronto, then moved to the United States, where for thirty years, until 2008, he taught Armenian language, literature, and Armenian history at Azg. Ferahian College. At the same time, he devotes himself to the preparation of educational publications and successively published the books “Golden Age and Matenagirner”, “Armenian Church Holidays and National Traditions” (the same English and Eastern Armenian versions will be published later), “The Great Vault System and the Holy Sabbath”, “Armenian Education and the Way”. On the pages of the press, he publishes more than 60 studies on national-party issues. It is a part of various bodies for editing Armenian history and Armenian Dat textbooks.

Karo Petrosian will receive many awards for his grateful educational activity. In 1972, he received the letter of honor “One People, One Homeland” from the Armenian Diaspora Liaison Committee. In 1978, he was awarded the “St. Mesrop Mashtots” medal. In 2010, he will be awarded the letter of honor of the Ministry of Diaspora “for his great merit and contribution to the preservation and development of the Armenian language in the Diaspora”. He also received awards from the Association of Armenian University Students of California, the administration of Mashtots College, and various educational and cultural bodies of the Diocese of the Western United States.

28 years after settling in the United States, Karo Petrosian visited Lebanon in 2006 with feelings of nostalgia and was present at the National At the graduation ceremony of Levon and Sofia Jacobian College, he participated in the distribution of certificates and delivered a heartfelt message on this occasion. Five years later, in 2011, he visited Lebanon again, this time to participate in the Hamaspirkian Educational College. at the congress, where he appeared with the topic “Clarification and development of the program for the crystallization of spoken and written Western Armenian”.

It was nice to be close to Karo Petrosian. An honorable person with a quiet and gentle profile, who, while living in the United States, always remained with his heart and soul in his beloved school, Azg. Levon and Sofia Jacobian back to college. “Sofia Jacobian is a pepex,” she repeated during her telephonic communications. He expected us to call him once a week and talk about the news of the Lebanese Armenians and Sofia Jacobian College. For years, almost continuously, the connection continued. After a while, he was successful in the college. An Armenian studies award was established in his name. He provided benefactors to the college. He re-established the ties with the Armenian Educational Institution that had been broken for many years and provided assistance to needy students. Moreover, despite his advanced age, he personally headed the initiative organized in the United States for the college’s ninetieth anniversary celebrations and was happy like a child for every material support given to the college.

On the last day of his conscious life, Karo Petrosian was worried about the Armenian school and its fate. The phone calls did not stop, as did the questions, where is the Lebanese-Armenian education system going like this, why will the schools record a drop in the number of students, why is the Armenian teacher’s anxiety increasing day by day, why, why…

Karo Petrosian lived with the Armenian school, for the Armenian school.

The memory remains unfading with his hundreds of colleagues and students.

One day, the history of the Diaspora Armenian school will be written, it must be written. And in that history, for sure, Karo Petrosian will have his rightful place, as an educational developer, educator and director who left a mark and mark, for whom Armenia and Armenia were supreme values, the church and the party were supreme sanctities, and service and dedication were the best qualities.