Category: 2020

LOS ANGELES—The Armenian National Committee Western Region has endorsed Kevin De León for LA City Council District 14.

“Kevin de León has been a true friend of the Armenian community throughout his career as both an Assemblymember and Senator in the California State Legislature, from his work to recognize and commemorate the Armenian Genocide every year to his crucial support for legislation that recognized the independence and right to self-determination of the people of Artsakh,” remarked Chair of the ANCA-WR Nora Hovsepian, Esq. “Mr. De León will bring over a decade of friendship, legislative experience on Armenian issues, and a commitment to empowering local communities to council that we wholeheartedly welcome and we look forward to working with,” Hovsepian continued.

Kevin De León previously served as an Assemblymember in the California State Legislature representing the 45th District from 2006 to 2010 covering Hollywood and, specifically, Little Armenia – home to St. Garabed Armenian Church, Rose & Alex Pilibos Armenian School, and the headquarters of Asbarez Daily Newspaper and Horizon Armenian Television. From 2010 to 2018, De León served as a member of the California State Senate representing the 22nd and later the 24th Senate District, covering the San Gabriel Valley and East Los Angeles, respectively.

De León has represented a diverse cross-section of the Armenian-American community of Los Angeles throughout his time in office, and is well acquainted with the Armenian-American community’s priorities and interests. De León was honored with the ANCA-WR’s ‘Legislator of the Year’ Award at its 2014 Gala Banquet for his long-standing commitment to representing the Armenian-American community, and has remained steadfast in his support since, playing a significant role in securing $3 million for the construction of the Armenian American Museum, and the allocation of $10 million for programs related to incorporating Armenian Genocide education into the public school curriculum.

In 2014, De León was chosen to become the California Senate President Pro-Tempore, leading the upper house of the California State Legislature and becoming the first Latino elected to the office in more than 130 years. His commitment to diversity and community empowerment has extended to his constituents, including facilitating assistance to the Armenian Relief Society’s Hollywood Social Service Center, working to secure international renowned French-Armenian singer Charles Aznavour a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and endorsing and empowering Armenian candidates.

Currently, De León is a professor, senior analyst, and distinguished policymaker-in-residence at the University of California, Los Angeles Luskin School of Public Affairs, as well as a Distinguished Fellow for Climate, Environmental Justice, and Health with the University of Southern California Schwarzenegger Institute.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

Armenian Revolutionary Federation Supreme Council of Armenia Chairman Ishkhan Saghatelyan, as part of his working trip to the Western United States, visited the Armenian American community of Montebello on February 6.

He was accompanied by ARF Western US Central Committee members Garo R. Madenlian, Levon Kirakosian, Aida Dimejian, Stepan Boyadjian, along with Montebello ARF Dro chapter Chairman Viken Pakradouni and fellow executive members Koko Artinian and Gev Iskajyan, Montebello ANCA member Ashod Mooradian, and City Councilmember Jack Hadjinian.

Saghatelyan’s first stop was the Armenian Mesrobian School where he was greeted by principal David Ghoogasian who guided a tour of the campus and detailed the crucial role the school has played in the Montebello community for more than five decades.

Joining the delegation were representatives of the Armenian Relief Society’s local Nayri chapter, as well as faculty and staff members.

Saghatelyan then met with students of all ages in different classrooms including the music class where students sang patriotic Armenian songs to commemorate his inaugural visit. He had a discussion with high School students and provided a brief update regarding the political climate in Armenia, answered many questions posed by the students including an explanation of some of the ARF’s activities, and encouraged all to remain involved in their respective Diasporan communities and to continue helping the homeland.

From Mesrobian, the group headed to Evergreen Cemetery where they paid respects to Armenian national hero Misak Torlakian in the Armenian section of the cemetery. Saghatelyan and his entourage laid wreaths at the gravesite with members of the Holy Cross Armenian Cathedral clergy offered prayers.

The next stop was the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument at Montebello’s Bicknell Park. After ceremonial prayers and laying of wreaths, ARF Western U.S. Central Committee member Levon Kirakosian presented a brief history about the ARF’s decision to establish the Monument and the efforts to rally the community despite Turkey’s official efforts to stop the process.

Sghatelyan along with Central Committee and Local ARF members visited Holy Cross Armenian Cathedral for a brief informal meeting with local clergy and church board members. They discussed the formation of the community and the vital role the local ARF has played in establishing and advancing the community organizations and institutions.
In the evening many ARF members joined the Chairman at the Montebello Armenian Center for dinner hosted by ARF Dro Gomideh and organized by the ARF Central Committee during which discussions continued about the community, policies in Armenia, and the future projects.

Sghatelyan was impressed by the amount of work undertaken over the years by the ARF and the Armenian American community in the greater Montebello area to preserve the Armenian culture and identity, establish an Armenian school, expand and maintain the church, establish and develop community organizations, youth groups, all working together to advance the Armenian Cause.

Encourages Greater Civic Engagement and Closer Coalition Ties to Advance Shared Priorities

WASHINGTON—The Administration’s attacks on Artsakh aid, the growth of U.S.-Armenia aid and trade, and the recent Senate and House passage of Armenian Genocide legislation (S.Res.150 and H.Res.296) took center stage at a series of community and coalition briefings in Philadelphia, hosted by Armenian and Hellenic organizations, reported the Armenian National Committee of America.

ANCA Government Affairs Director Tereza Yerimyan and Programs Director Sipan Ohannesian offered a 360-degree review of the ANCA’s advocacy agenda and youth empowerment programs including the upcoming ANCA Rising Leaders Conference, which is set for March 22nd to 24th, the ANCA Leo Sarkisian Summer Internship Program and Maral Melkonian Avetisyan Fellowship, and the Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program. Yerimyan and Ohannesian also encouraged broader participation in the ANCA Rapid Responder Program, an innovative initiative – now over 10,000 strong – that ensures timely, hard-hitting, and high-impact community support for ANCA action items.

On the policy front, Yerimyan and Ohannesian emphasized the challenges facing continued Artsakh assistance and encouraged community members to reach out to their Senators and Representatives. This alert empowers activists to call for the Fiscal Year 2021 foreign aid bill to include $10 million in Artsakh assistance and $90 million in Armenia aid. U.S. assistance to Artsakh, a core ANCA priority since 1997, is needed to continue the life-saving de-mining work of The HALO Trust and rehabilitation efforts like those provided by the Lady Cox Rehabilitation Center in Stepanakert. De-mining assistance has increasingly become the target of Administration officials, based, in part, on the claim that these funds are needed to “prepare the Azerbaijani and Armenian populations for peace.”

“It was wonderful to visit with Philadelphia’s active Armenian and Greek communities to share our advocacy priorities and discuss how we can increase our collective voice in the Halls of Congress,” said Yerimyan. “I look forward to working with our regional and local ANCA teams to organize Capitol Hill advocacy trips and increase participation in our ANCA Rapid Responders program.”

“The ANCA is committed to helping students and recent graduates begin their policy, politics, or media careers in Washington, D.C. – and there is no better way to share the message of our youth empowerment programs than through community and campus visits,” said Ohannesian, who is organizing series of presentations to Southern states in the upcoming months.

The visit to the City of Brotherly Love started with a Friday evening, January 24th presentation at St. Gregory’s Seroonian Center dinner hosted by the Philadelphia ARF Gomideh, followed by a robust question and answer session about the ANCA’s efforts on next steps deal.

On Saturday, Yerimyan joined Dr. Peter Stavrianidis, Louis Katsos, and Paul Pavlakos, Supreme President of the Sons of Pericles, on a panel discussion focusing on the “Christian/Greek Genocide During the Late Ottoman Period (1894-1924),” organized by the Order of American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association Hercules – Spartan Chapter #26 and the AHEPA Hellenic Cultural Commission in Association with Eastern Mediterranean Business Cultural Alliance. Yerimyan called special focus to the longstanding campaign to secure proper Congressional reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide, the near-unanimous passage of S.Res.150 and H.Res.296, which included reference to the genocides committed against the Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Syriacs, Arameans, Maronites, and other Christians.

On Sunday, Yerimyan was joined by ANCA IT Director Nerses Semerjian for an after-Mass presentation at the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church in Cheltenham, where the ANCA was welcomed by Rev. Hakob Gevorgyan and enthusiastic parishioners. The ANCA offered special thanks to parishioners Ashot and Ayida Petrosyan, who generously donated copies of “The Chronicles of Karabakh,” a magnificent picture book detailing the history of the Artsakh, for distribution to elected officials and libraries.

The ANCA Washington, D.C. and Regional teams are always available to share Armenian American advocacy priorities and methods to expand civic engagement in communities across the U.S. To invite ANCA representatives to your community or church event, please email the ANCA at [email protected] or call 202.775.1918.

Armenia’s Olympic gold medalist and reigning world champion Artur Aleksanyan, a Greco-Roman wrestler, lived up to his reputation at the 2020 European Wrestling Championships, where he was once again victorious.

In the 1/8 final of the 214 lbs category, the Olympic champion beat Turkish wrestler Cenk Ildem 7 to 1. During the match, Ilden was seen, more than once, provoking Aleksanyan by hitting him with his head. The Turkish wrestler’s provocations caused a frenzy, leading to an intervention by a referee. As a result of his actions, Ildem was reprimanded for being rude and two points were added to Aleksanyan’s score.

In the quarter final, Aleksanyan beat world and European vice-champion, Bulgarian wrestler Kiril Milov 9 to 0.

In the semi-final for the 214 lbs category, Aleksanyan beat European bronze medalist, Finland’s representative Mati Elias Kuosmanen 8 to 1.

On February 12, the Olympic champion will attempt to gain the 5th European gold medal in his career. During the final, Aleksanyan’s opponent will be Italy’s representative Nikolos Kakhelashvili.

Armenia’s representative in the 132 lbs category, Gevorg Gharibyan, has also made it to the final of the European Wrestling Championships. During the semi-final, he beat Estonian wrestler Hillary Maygisalu 8 to 0 and will be competing for gold with Turkish wrestler Kerem Kamal.

The finals of the first day of the competitions will take place on February 11. Vice-champion of the European Games, European bronze medalist Karapet Chalyan will compete for the bronze medal in the 170 lbs category. On February 10, the Armenian wrestler was defeated by Azerbaijani wrestler Sanan Suleymanov 0 to 3 during the semi-final. In the fight for the bronze medal, Chalyan will compete with two-time Olympic champion Armen Nazaryan’s student, Bulgaria’s representative Hayk Mnatsakanyan.

King Abdullah II of Jordan arrived in Yerevan on Monday evening to kick off a two-day official visit to Armenia that on Tuesday included meetings with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, President Armen Sarkissian and His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians.

At Zvartnots International Airport, the Jordanian monarch was greeted by deputy prime minister Mher Grigorya. King Abdullah II is in Armenia at the invitation of President Sarkissian who visited Jordan last year.

The official ceremony welcoming King Abdullah II was held Wednesday morning at the Presidential Palace. The Jordanian leader was greeted by President Sarkissian and other officials.

The two then held a meeting during which bi-lateral cooperation between Jordan and Armenia were discussed, as were issues related to a potential visa-free travel regime between the two countries.

President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian and King Abdullah II of Jordan discussed issues relating to the cooperation potential of the two countries in different areas during their meeting in Yerevan.

“We had wonderful discussions with His Majesty today and yesterday. We discussed the cooperation potential of our countries in the fields of tourism, education, science, technologies, security and agriculture,” said President Sarkissian who called King Abdullah II’s visit to Armenia “historic.”

“I think this is a historic visit not only because that His Majesty is visiting Armenia for the first time, but also because the friendship of the two countries, peoples has a history that spans hundreds of years, or perhaps, millennia,” said Sarkissian.

“This is a good opportunity for me to express my gratitude as an Armenian to your people and family because we all remember when 100 years ago your great grandfather has sent a message to the Arab world asking to provide shelter to those Armenians who survived the Genocide. I want to bow my head before your family and your ancestors and also want to thank you on behalf of our people,” added Sarkissian.

“Our two nations are ancient. Your nation represents the essence and axis of Islam; You, Your Majesty, as well as Your family, are descendants of Prophet Muhammad. Armenia as country which was the first to adopt Christianity, not only has good relations with Jordan but we two have a lot to tell each other,” explained Sarkissian, expressing confidence the great potential for partnership and cooperation.

“We have great reverence toward the oldest Christian Church which is represented not only in Jerusalem but in our country too. It represents part of our past and is a beautiful element not only of our present but also of our future,” said King Abdullah II.

Sarkissian and the Jordanian monarch discussed the abolition of double taxation, as well as lifting visa requirement for travelers to and from Jordan. Cooperation in the fields of science, technology, education and healthcare were also discussed, with both leaders stressing the need to expand the already existing student exchange program.

Jordan, like Armenia, has made the human capital the main driving force leading to development. The two countries have a lot to gain from the bilateral cooperation, King Abdullah II told reporters after his meeting with Sarkissian.

“Yerevan, one of the oldest cities, reminds me of my beloved Jordan. Our countries and peoples have their unique place in the contemporary world, remaining adhered to their identity, culture and faith. Jordan, like Armenia, has made its human capital the main driving force leading to development. Our countries have a lot to gain from their cooperation in order to capitalize this very promising potential,” he said.

Also on Tuesday, King Abdullah II also met with Prime Minister Pashinyan who praised Jordan’s role in advancing Armenia’s strategic relations in the Middle East. The development of economic and humanitarian ties were discussed, as were advancing cooperation in the fields of information technology, tourism and agriculture.

Within the context of regional issues, Pashinyan briefed the Jordanian monarch on the recent developments of Karabakh conflict settlement process.

King Abdullah II invited Pashinyan to visit Jordan.

The Armenian Relief Society of Western USA, Regional Executive hosted a meeting with the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Supreme Council of Armenia Chairman Ishkhan Saghatelyan on Wednesday, February 5 at the ARS Regional Headquarters in Glendale.

Chairman Saghatelyan was accompanied by ARF Bureau member Dr. Viken Yacoubian and ARF Central Committee members Dr. Carmen Ohanian, Garo Madenlian, Esq., Aida Dimejian, and Hrair Garabedian. ARS Central Executive Chairperson Dr. Nyree Derderian and Board members Maral Matossian and Arousyak Melkonian were also in attendance, alongside Homenetmen Regional Executive members Nora Tchaparian and Raffi Varjabedian, Hamazkayin Regional Executive Chairperson Knar Kortoshian and members Lucy Choukhajian and Carmen Libaridian.

ARS Regional Executive Chairperson Silva Poladian delivered opening remarks, welcoming Chairman Saghatelyan to the ARS Regional Headquarters and introducing guests. She detailed the various programs ARS implements in Armenia, Artsakh, and throughout the Diaspora, while affirming the organization’s continued support to the homeland. Poladian extended well wishes to Saghatelyan in his roles and responsibilities.

Chairman Saghatelyan delivered remarks, which included updates on current developments in Armenia. He highly commended the charitable and humanitarian work of the Armenian Relief Society and its imperative role in serving the Armenian people, as well as preserving its culture and heritage.

The meeting allowed the opportunity for guests to tour the ARS Regional Headquarters and also become closely familiarized with the work of ARS Social Services and the ARS Child, Youth and Family Guidance Center.

Following the visit, the ARS Regional Executive Board gifted Chairman Saghatelyan with the ARS signature Michael Aram plate.

A restrictive political environment prevented genuine competition in Azerbaijan’s early parliamentary elections on Sunday, according to international observers who also said that despite the large number of candidates, voters were not provided with a meaningful choice.

According to preliminary results of the snap elections, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) won 71 seats in the 125-seat parliament, with officials in Baku reporting a 47.8 percent voter turnout.

The decision to call snap elections was made during a November special session of the ruling YAP party, which explained that the current parliament did not correspond to the political course led by Aliyev and did not advance Aliyev’s reforms agenda.

The observation mission, a joint effort of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), noted that many of the 1,314 candidates used social media to reach out to the voters, but this did not compensate for the absence of campaign coverage in traditional media.

Significant procedural violations during the counting and tabulation of votes on election day raised concerns over whether the results were established honestly, the observers said.

“I regret very much that what could have been improvements did not lead to a competitive environment enabling truly democratic elections. Counting [votes] on election day was disappointing,” said Artur Gerasymov, Special Co-ordinator and leader of the OSCE short-term observer mission.

Armenian soprano Ruzan Mantashyan dazzled the audience at the SemperOpernball 2020 festival in Dresden on Friday with a dramatic performance of Tatiana’s aria from Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin opera.

Mantashyan became a household name last month after SemperOpernball organizers reneged her invitation when a Azerbaijani tenor Yusif Eyvazov said he would not perform with the Armenian soprano because of her ethnicity. After many protests and confrontation from Mantashyan’s agents, the singer was reinstated to the program

“I am happy that the performance took place and reached its logical and triumphant end,” Mantashyan told Armenpress after the event.

Yerevan Komitas State Consevatory lecturer Margarite Sargsyan shared a video of Mantashyan’s performance on Facebook, and praised the soprano. “This was truly brilliant. Well-done….This is our school,” she said.

Other musicians who performed at the concert included violinist Pavel Milyukov, soprano Yulia Muzichenko and pianist Alexander Kashpurin, as well as the Azerbaijani Eyvazov.