Category: 2022

Asbarez: AUA Hosts Conversation on Data-Driven Bioscience

Jack Hunanian
by Contributor

 

 

 

in Armenia, Latest, News, Top Stories

Panel discussion participants Kim Hekimian, Karin Markides, Noubar Afeyan


YEREVAN—The American University of Armenia Open Center for Transformative Health Solutions, in collaboration with HENAR —  Health Network of Armenia foundation, hosted a panel discussion on June 6 with Flagship Pioneering Founder and CEO Dr. Noubar Afeyan and AUA President Dr. Karin Markides on “Data-Driven Bioscience.”

The conversation was moderated by Columbia University and AUA Professor Dr. Kim Hekimian, who opened the talk by inquiring about the greatest achievements and challenges in the field of bioscience. To this, Dr. Afeyan said, “We’ve made some progress, but that progress has taught us just how little we know, in increasing increments. In other words, every year, we learn even more what we didn’t know about than we did the previous year.” 

To fix that, he explained, scientists can measure massive amounts of information of every scale and every type. The greater progress is made in developing algorithms that can deal with complex systems, the more scientists begin to use those data to predict, model, and influence biological systems. “To me, data-driven bioscience — whether it’s applied to epidemiology, medicine, health, or any number of things — is all about attacking the problem with measurements, and then being able to distill them down to some useful models with which we can do things,” he concluded.

The panelists also broached the topic of preemptive care and health security, exploring how society can shift towards prioritizing these aspects of public health. “We are obsessed with physical security,” remarked Dr. Afeyan. “Why don’t we care about health security as much?” Speaking on the importance of preemptive care, he noted that scientists tend to spend most of their time working on the most serious diseases in their latest stages, which is one of the hardest problems to solve as few solutions remain at such a point.

Dr. Markides then spoke about the role higher education institutions play in collaborating with the industry and its stakeholders in advancing the field of bioscience. Dr. Markides highlighted the fact that universities house the next generation of scientists and have access to all the disciplines that could disrupt and transform any challenge or solve any problem. “No other stakeholder has these advantages,” she remarked. “We also have a long-term vision, so we should utilize those assets available to us.”

Dr. Markides also emphasized the transformative approach universities must take to involve themselves in the field of bioscience. “For so many years, universities have focused on different disciplines and siloed themselves because that is how scientists can handle and control experiments,” she said. “Now, we need to shift that. In order for us to train these computers to be most effective, we have to increase the amount of data we input and ensure that the data is relevant and open so that others can use it as well.”

At the end, HENAR Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Dr. Arman Voskerchyan thanked AUA for co-hosting the event and cited statistics which illustrate the pertinence and relevance of health security specifically for Armenia.

In conclusion, Dr. Afeyan encouraged the audience, particularly students, to think about their current and future academic endeavors in terms of acquiring, applying, and creating knowledge, which he described as the scientific process of discovery. He argued for a completely new approach to acquire and create knowledge, departing from the traditional incremental hypothesis-driven way. “Our imagination — or the computer-aided part of imagination, which is machine learning as far as I’m concerned — is the ability to foresee the next science that doesn’t yet exist, and see if you can leap to some new capabilities, new learnings,” said Dr. Afeyan. “That capability exists in your own brains.”

The American University of Armenia Open Center for Transformative Health Solutions provides transdisciplinary education and collaborative experiences and stimulates collaborations outside the traditional public health disciplines to develop solutions to complex health problems modern societies face.

Asbarez: SOAR Hosts 2nd ‘I Can’ Special Olympics

Emil Lazarian
by Contributor

 

 

 

in Armenia, Latest, News, Top Stories

A scene from the opening ceremony of SOAR’s “I Can” Special Olympics


Founded in 2005, the Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief provides humanitarian relief to orphaned children and adults with disabilities in Armenia. During the past 17 years, SOAR has remained vigilant by spearheading child protection issues and satisfying the needs of Armenia’s most vulnerable populations.

Growing to meet these needs while keeping true to its mission, SOAR has expanded to prevent institutionalization by providing financial, educational, and humanitarian assistance to at-risk children, youth, and families. Today, SOAR has more than 600 volunteers in 145 Chapters worldwide, supports 34 care institutions in four countries, and has distributed more than $11.5 million in humanitarian aid since its inception.

In May 2018, SOAR’s “I Can” Special Olympics launched a movement in Armenia to break down barriers and end discrimination against people with physical and intellectual disabilities by organizing a national sports festival. Fashioned after the Special Olympics, the games were held in Tsaghgadzor spanning three days, with 150 special needs children and adults participating in a variety of athletic and social activities.

In June, SOAR’s quadrennial “I Can” festival was held in Shirakatsy Lyceum International Scientific-Educational Complex (June 24 to 25) and along Lake Sevan (June 26). More than 120 participants from seven child and adult care centers participated in boccia, table tennis, relay, soccer, and rafting. Raffi Jehanian, Vice-Chairman attended on behalf of SOAR’s Executive Board.

Special guest attendees included the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Narek Mkrtchyan; Vakhtang “Vic” Darchinyan, an Armenian-Australian boxer who held multiple world championships in two weight classes, including the IBF flyweight title from 2004 to 2007 and the WBA, WBC, IBF, and lineal super-flyweight titles between 2008 and 2010; Ashot Adamyan, Arm Wrestling World Champion; Arshak Hovhannisyan, Smbat Karapetyan, and Taron Umroyan, surviving soldiers of the 2020 Artsakh War; Hakob Abrahamyan, President of the Armenian National Paralympic Committee; and Tigran Martirosyan, Armenian Weightlifting Champion.

SOAR’s “I Can” Special Olympics empowers people with physical and intellectual disabilities by providing them opportunities to learn skills that transcend the playing field. Our athletes can hold jobs, go to school, and be active members in their communities. SOAR’s hope is to give the “I Can” participants the chance to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, become self-sufficient, and participate in community activities that foster inclusivity throughout Armenia.

SOAR extends its sincerest gratitude and appreciation to the Harold and Josephine Gulamerian Armenian Orphan Fund; SOAR Kentucky, London, Maine, Ventura County, and particularly Rocky Mountains, which provided one-third of the funding; Jur.am and Coca-Cola for supplying water and juice; and all of our financial supporters and in-country volunteers who made our 2022 “I Can” Special Olympics possible. Headquartered in Philadelphia, SOAR is the world’s only charitable organization devoted exclusively to providing humanitarian relief to orphaned Armenian children.

To learn more about SOAR and view the gallery of Special Olympics photos and videos, visit the SOAR website.

AW: NAASR to host webinar on new Matenadaran publication on Manuscript Heritage of Artsakh and Utik

Emil Lazarian
 NAASR Announcements 0

BELMONT, Mass. — The National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) and the Matenadaran / Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts in Yerevan, Armenia, with the co-sponsorship of the AGBU New England District, will hold a webinar on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at 12:00 noon (Eastern Time), “Manuscript Heritage of Artsakh and Utik,” presented by Dr. Vahan Ter-Ghevondian, the director of the Matenadaran.

The webinar, the second of a series of NAASR collaborations with the Matenadaran, will be accessible live on Zoom (registration required) and on NAASR’s YouTube Channel.

In this webinar, Dr. Ter-Ghevondian will present the recent Matenadaran publication Manuscript Heritage of Artsakh and Utik, co-authored by Dr. Hravard Hakobyan, Dr. Tamara Minasyan and Dr. Vahe Torosyan. The publication was made possible by a grant from the Lawrence Terzian Fund of the AGBU within the framework of the AGBU Artsakh Research Grants.

The volume consists of three parts and reflects the history of Artsakh and Utik, presents the scriptoria and educational centers of these regions that operated adjacent to the large monasteries, as well as reveals the iconographic peculiarities of illuminated manuscripts created between the 13th and the 18th centuries. More than 100 images of the illuminated manuscripts are included in the book, aimed at propagating the rich and, at the same time, little known written culture of Artsakh and Utik.

Dr. Ter-Ghevondian has served as the director of the Matenadaran since 2018, having been the acting director since 2016. He is the author of L’Arménie Cilicienne et les Pays Arabes du Proche-Orient (1990), Kilikyan Hayastaně ev Ayyubyan petutʻyunnerě (1171-1260) (Cilician Armenia and the Ayyubid States, 1171-1260), and co-editor of Catalogue of the Qurʼan Manuscripts of the Matenadaran (2017), among numerous other publications.

  •  Bio
  •  Twitter
  •  Latest Posts
Founded in 1955, NAASR is one of the world’s leading resources for advancing Armenian Studies, supporting scholars, and building a global community to preserve and enrich Armenian culture, history, and identity for future generations.


Lusanet Collective to host its first art exhibition

Janet Ekmekjian
 Guest Contributor Announcements 0

BURBANK, Calif. — Lusanet Collective, a women-artists founded art and retail center, will host its first art exhibition Black & White with a Touch of Color on July 16-26 to give back to the Burbank community before the grand opening of Lusanet Collective. Located in downtown Burbank at 124 E. Olive Ave, award winning artists, photographers and painters will introduce their works at the “art hub,” as founders Anet Abnous and Lusine Simonyan like to call their new collaboration.  

These are some of the artists featured at the Black & White with a Touch of Color exhibition.

Pat Hammerman has solo exhibitions in local and international galleries and museums such as Perception gallery, Houston, TX; Queens Museum, NY and so many others. For over 20 years, she was an art professor in Queensborough Community College in New York City. 

Anahid Boghosian is a native Angeleno and an Armenian-American multi-disciplinary artist who focuses on the imperfections of humanity. Her works are showcased in galleries across Southern California. 

Karen Schifman is an art historian, mixed-media artist, writer and curator who has been involved in research on women artists and the representation of women in visual culture over the past 15 years.   

Liana Grigoryan is an award-winning fashion photographer in Los Angeles. Her photography captures the very essence of the ever-changing world of fashion through bright colors and unexpected designs.

About Lusanet:

Anet Abnous and Lusine Simonyan are small business owners, artists and female entrepreneurs from Iran and Armenia, who found their new home in Burbank years ago and now decided to express their gratitude to the community that hosted and nurtured them for years. Part of the proceeds from the art exhibition will go to the Burbank Art Association in support of local artists. 

“We love to call the Lusanet Collective ‘home’ for small businesses. We are welcoming artists, designers and artisans to join our collective and be part of a collaboration. We strongly believe in the power of the community. That is one of the reasons we are opening our doors to artists hosting a group art exhibition before our grand opening,” says Abnous. 

Abnous is the founder of Anet’s Collection, a company featuring wearable art as scarves, jewelry and leather goods reflecting her Armenian heritage and history with unique designs and patterns. Anet’s Collection has a permanent home in more than 12 stores and museum gift shops nationwide. Abnous inherited her passion from her father, a famous designer in Iran, Marcel Abnous. Abnous has curated art exhibitions featuring women artists in New York and was able to expand her business with the grant received by Tory Burch Foundation. 

“We’re creating a collective where people can come and have all these resources available for them, which takes hard work and dedication, and we will give them the routes to it,” says Simonyan.

Simonyan is the founder of Miray Collections, an online platform working with local and internationally based Armenian designers. Her initiative helps small business owners find new markets and present their works professionally. Simonyan also serves as a commissioner at  Burbank Cultural Arts Commission. In 2021, she was an honoree for the 32nd annual Women Achievers Award.




Dedication of AMAA’s Newly-Constructed Building of Ministry Center in Stepanavan

Mary Lazarian
 Armenian Missionary Association of America Non-Profit 0

By Rev. L. Nishan Bakalian, coordinator of church relations of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East

AMAA Stepanavan Center

On July 3, 2022, overseas visitors and local church members made their way to the north of Armenia, to the city of Stepanavan, to offer praises to God for his many blessings, particularly for a trio of observances: the dedication of the Armenian Missionary Association of America’s (AMAA) newly constructed building of Ministry Center, the dedication of the renovated Evangelical Church of Armenia (ECA) building, and the service of praise and thanksgiving to God on the 175th anniversary of the Armenian Evangelical Church.

Children dancing at AMAA Stepanavan Center dedication

All three events were to have taken place one year ago, upon completion of the construction and reconstruction work, but due to the global pandemic everything was postponed. Nonetheless, AMAA staff and volunteers from the church were on hand and prepared to welcome the busloads of people and guide them to the stairs of the Center. A group of young girls in traditional costumes from the AMAA center’s dance group performed a graceful Armenian dance to open the ceremony. Invoking Psalm 127:1, AMAA president Dr. Nazareth Darakjian offered words of challenge to keep God as the foundation of the Center’s work, while AMAA executive director Zaven Khanjian spoke words of gratitude toward the benefactors who wished to honor the memory of three generations of their forbears, all for the good of today’s Armenia. ECA Senior Pastor Rev. Mgrdich Melkonian offered a prayer of dedication for the work that already began and will continue in this facility. The ribbon was cut, and the dedicatory plaque was unveiled. The Center’s workers began taking visitors to tour the myriad facilities within the building, which serves the needs of Stepanavan’s children in school subjects, the arts, as well as social and psychological needs.

Zaven Khanjian thanks the donors of Stepanavan Center

The group had to move across the grounds to the church sanctuary as the worship service was about to begin. The church’s pastor Rev. Hrant Badalyan opened the service with prayer and led the overall service, while the choir and pianist led the congregation in singing the Doxology, “Fairest Lord Jesus” and “The Church’s One Foundation.” Participants included pastors from all of the Armenian Evangelical Unions, beginning with Rev. Joel Mikaelian’s greetings to all in the congregation in the name of the Armenian Evangelical World Council (AEWC). 

Dr. Nazareth Darakjian brought a special message to the service, reminding the church that God resides not in manmade structures, but in the hearts of the people who comprise the church. Khanjian exhorted the church to make their aim to develop Christian character in young and old and to bring those virtues to help guide the Armenian nation in the ways of God. Following these words, Rev. Dr. Haroutune Selimian gave a prayer of dedication for the 175th anniversary of the Armenian Evangelical Church and its mission.

Shifting the focus to the dedication of the refurbished church building, Rev. Albert Paytyan, ECA president, presented a historical narrative of the Armenian Evangelical community of Stepanavan, dating from over a century ago, and noting that the Stepanavan church was the first church structure to be built by the AMAA in Armenia. Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian’s moving prayer of dedication for the church brought each aspect of the worship life of the Armenian Evangelical community of Stepanavan before God, asking for the Holy Spirit to be present at every moment in their corporate and individual lives.

In his sermon, Rev. Badalyan applied the message of “Where Is Christ?” (Rev. 3:20) to the special occasions being celebrated that day, as well as to the individual lives of believers any day. With humor as well as conviction, he spoke of the ways Christians keep Christ from entering into their inner world and exhorted all to be warm-hearted toward the Lord as the key to the vitality of the local as well as worldwide church.

In closing the service with the singing the Lord’s Prayer, the hundreds in attendance expressed their unity in Christ and their love for the Armenian nation. After the service ended, the enthusiastic interaction between worshipers continued, while tours resumed next door. A generous table was spread for visitors to enjoy lunch and fellowship, with singers presenting Armenian songs and bringing hosts and guests alike to their feet in Armenian dancing. After exchanging farewells and promises of meeting again in Armenia, the attendees began their long journey back to Yerevan and onward, with God’s praises in their hearts for these days of blessing.

Guests at AMAA Stepanavan Center opening

  •  Bio
  •  Latest Posts
The Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) was founded in 1918, in Worcester, MA, and incorporated as a non-profit charitable organization in 1920 in the State of New York. We are a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Our purpose is to serve the physical and spiritual needs of people everywhere, both at home and overseas. To fulfill this worldwide mission, we maintain a range of educational, evangelistic, relief, social service, church and child care ministries in 24 countries around the world.


Boston triumphs in the return of the Homenetmen Navasartian Games

Emma Jilavian
 Homenetmen Eastern U.S. Diaspora 0

Opening Ceremonies, July 2, 2022

WOBURN, Mass. — The Homenetmen Boston Chapter hosted the Eastern US Region’s 30th Navasartian Games from July 1 to July 3, 2022. The Navasartian Games are the region’s largest athletic event, which includes basketball, soccer, volleyball, track, swimming and chess. Nearly 500 athletes participated from Homenetmen’s Eastern USA and Canada regions with 39 basketball teams, 15 soccer teams and 14 volleyball teams. The games were held at multiple facilities including Woburn High School, Malcolm White Elementary School and Goodyear Elementary School. Woburn High School served as a central hub for the athletic events and featured a concession area with an extensive selection of delicious food, souvenirs and lively Armenian music to enjoy between games. The Westin Hotel in Waltham, MA served as the venue for evening social events and accommodated out-of-town athletes and guests.

After a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, athletes were eager to compete and reconnect with their friends throughout the weekend. The Navasartian Games Steering Committee had been diligently planning these games since 2019, with the goal of creating a safe and fun-filled weekend. The Steering Committee included a core group of 16 Homenetmen members working on a wide range of tasks, including hotel accommodations, athletic facilities, transportation, social events, sponsorships, welcoming, souvenirs, concessions, security, first-aid, and administrative and IT tasks.

Homenetmen Boston scouts after marching in the Navasartian Games Opening Ceremony

The first day of competitions kicked off at 8:00 a.m. on Friday with all athletes eagerly and impatiently waiting to start the games. After the first day of games, athletes and guests had a chance to socialize and relax at the “Mediterranean Night,” held at the Armenian Cultural & Educational Center courtyard in Watertown. Over 300 guests enjoyed a night of wonderful weather, delicious appetizers and desserts, and energetic music from DJ Reen.

On Saturday, the formal Navasartian Games Opening Ceremony was held at the Woburn High School outdoor stadium. In attendance were Der Mikael Der Kosrofian (representing His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian); Khajag Mgrdichian, member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Bureau; Paulie Haroian, ARF Eastern USA Central Committee member; Arby Gazarian, member of Homenetmen Canada’s Regional Executive, Nartouhi Abrimian, representative of the ARS Eastern USA Regional Executive, and Nareg Mkrtschjan, chairman of Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Central Executive.

Arby Gazarian (Canada Regional Executive) on the left with Homenetmen Chicago member Mgo Dikranian

The Homenetmen scouts, including the Boston chapter’s scout marching band “fanfare,” led the procession of the athletes. Participants from 13 chapters from the Eastern USA (Albany, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Florida, Merrimack Valley, New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, Providence and Washington) and Canada (Montreal and Toronto) proudly held signs of their chapters as they marched past dignitaries and cheering spectators. A delegation of two basketball teams that will represent the Eastern USA Region at the Pan-Homenetmen Games marched with their own banner, showing their readiness to compete at the long-awaited tournament in Armenia at the end of July.

Sevag Khatchadourian, chairman of the Boston Chapter Executive

Longtime Homenetmen member Avo Barmakian welcomed everyone to the 30th Navasartian Games and provided a biography of the chapters as they marched in the procession. Sevag Khatchadourian, chairman of the Boston Chapter Executive, thanked the countless volunteers and members of the Steering Committee for their tremendous efforts. Vicken Khatchadourian, chairman of the Regional Executive, emphasized the importance of Homenetmen’s mission within our community and stressed that the Navasartian Games should serve as a catalyst for each chapter to continue its growth and strive for greater successes in the future.

Avo Barmakian introduces dignitaries and representatives: Der Mikael Der Kosrofian; Khajag Megerdichian, ARF Bureau member; Vahe Tanashian, member of Homenetmen Central Executive; Paulie Haroian, ARF Eastern USA Central Committee member; Vicken Khatchadourian, chairman of Homenetmen Eastern USA Regional Executive; Arby Gazarian, member of Homenetmen Canada Regional Executive; Sevag Khatchadourian, chairman of Homenetmen Boston Chapter Executive

Der Kosrofian from Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church of Whitinsville, MA presented a message from his Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian and concluded the ceremony with a prayer.

Sarkis Ourfalian, chairman of the 30th Navasartian Games Steering Committee

On Saturday evening, more than 600 people attended the Navasartian Games Victory Gala at the Westin Waltham Hotel. As Master of Ceremonies, Barmakian welcomed Homenetmen members and supporters and introduced the dignitaries and representatives present at the gala. Sarkis Ourfalian, chairman of the 30th Navasartian Games Steering Committee, extended special thanks to every member of the Steering Committee, the Boston Armenian community for their moral and financial support and to the many volunteers who dedicated their time to ensure a successful weekend. 

Sarkis Ourfalian and Sintia Petrosian (Washington Chapter Executive)

The program continued with a special performance by the Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston. At the conclusion of the program, representatives from each chapter were presented with plaques commemorating the 30th Navasartian Games, followed by lively music and dancing with singer Harout Bedrossian and his band. 

Sunday marked the final day of athletic events, featuring semi-final and championship games. The athletic venues were buzzing with excitement, while spectators eagerly watched their favorite teams compete for the championship.

Spectators at the 2022 Homenetmen Navasartian Games

The weekend’s final event took place on Sunday evening, headlined by superstars Suro and DJ Jilber, who kept attendees dancing all night. During a brief break, the Regional Athletic Committee presented trophies to championship teams for each division and awarded the overall champion chapter award to Boston, this year’s host chapter. The night was an incredible way to cap off the weekend and send off the hundreds of athletes and guests who gathered to celebrate a memorable Navasartian Games.

The 2022 Navasartian weekend was energetic and vibrant. Athletes, members and guests had sorely missed the opportunity to reconnect with fellow Armenians and enjoy the fierce, yet friendly competition that is at the core of Homenetmen athletics. Volunteers working tirelessly to ensure a successful weekend found encouragement and support from attendees’ smiling faces as they hurried between athletic courts, concession stands and the evening social events. While only a few teams took home trophies, every attendee felt like a champion. They walked away knowing that the Homenetmen spirit is unbreakable, and the Navasartian Games traditions are here to stay.

Volunteers at the 2022 Homenetmen Navasartian Games

Results

Basketball:

Pee-wee boys (12 years and under)

Teams: Boston, Providence, New York A, New York B and Washington

The Boston pee-wee boys team dominated this tournament by going 4-0 with a margin of victory of 27 points. They trounced New York A in the final 40-24 with strong performances from Avo Bedrossian, Luca Mondolfi, Garen Keledjian and Gabriel Kioumejian.

Pee-wee boys basketball champions: Boston

Pee-wee girls (12 years and under)

Teams: Boston and Providence

On day 1, these two teams tied in their first game 28-28 (no overtime due to it being an exhibition match), and Boston edged Providence on day two by only three points. The final was another close contest with Leanna Iskenderian and Eva Khalarian helping Boston pull out the win to sweep the pee-wee basketball bracket.

Pee-wee girls basketball champions: Boston

Bantam boys (13 to 15 years)

Teams: Boston and New York

New York beat Boston in the two exhibition matches before the final, and it seemed like they were on their way to win the championship. Dominating performances from Michael Azatyan and Christopher Simonian had New York with the upper hand going into the last matchup. But in one of the upsets of the tournament, Boston beat New York in the final with strong performances from Michael Nshanian and KJ Keuchkarian to snatch the gold. 

Bantam boys basketball champions: Boston

Bantam girls (13 to 15 years)

Teams: Boston and New York

The Boston girls overwhelmed the New York team with strong plays from Leanna Dorian and Nayiri Chekijian in the final to win 42-11. 

Bantam girls basketball champions: Boston

Junior men (16 to 18 years)

Teams: New York, Montreal, Boston A and Boston B

With four teams in this bracket, the group played a round robin with the top two teams advancing to the final. New York swept the bracket going 3-0 to secure their spot in the final.

For the second spot, Boston A and Boston B played a thrilling game. With Boston A down two points with 20 seconds left, Chris Ashjian of Boston A found Mardin Minasian for an and-1 lay-up. Minasian hit his free throw to give Boston A a one-point victory.

While Boston A had a chance at redemption in the final, the team from New York continued their dominance. Lucas Boudakian, Dominic Correa and Mario Lilla led the way for New York as they held on to a 48-40 victory to grab the gold medal. 

Junior basketball champions: New York

Senior women (18+)

Teams: Chicago, Montreal, Boston A and Boston B

In a rematch of the last senior women’s final, Boston A met Chicago again in the championship game for one of the most exciting games of the entire tournament. Chicago’s Olivia Emerzian and Gina Kmiec helped build a small lead late in the game, but Boston battled back. Down one point and with less than 20 seconds left, Tanya Badrikian of Boston hit a game-tying free-throw to send the game to overtime. The teams battled back and forth in the extra time, but with just under a minute left, Boston point-guard Leeza Dayian found Nina Vosbigian for a three-point play (lay-up plus foul) to secure Boston’s second consecutive championship in this bracket.

Senior women’s basketball champions: Boston

Senior men (18+)

Teams:

Pool A: New Jersey A, Boston B, Toronto, Chicago A
Pool B: Merrimack Valley A, Boston C, Chicago B, New Jersey C
Pool C: Boston A, Merrimack Valley B, Providence A, New Jersey B, Washington
Pool D: New York, Philadelphia, Chicago C, Providence B, New Jersey D

In pool A, New Jersey A and Toronto took care of business against Boston B and Chicago A on day one of the tournament with both teams going 2-0 and setting up their final match as an opportunity to get to the semifinal. New Jersey built a lead early in the first half, but some hot shooting from Toronto cut the lead to just seven points in the second half. After exchanging baskets, New Jersey was finally able to pull away and secure their spot in the semis.

In pool B, the defending champs Chicago B swept through their group play by going 3-0 with an average margin of victory of 40 points to get to the semifinal. Ara Emerzian, Dalton Torosian and the rest of the Chicago team were on their way to try and repeat as champions. 

In pool C, Boston A took down Merrimack Valley B and New Jersey B. Providence beat Washington and then edged out a victory versus New Jersey B. Boston A and Providence met on day two for a spot in the semifinal with Boston taking the win, 63-35. Danny Yardemian and Daron Hamparian carried the scoring load for Boston during their undefeated group play. 

In pool D, New York and Philadelphia both went 2-0 before meeting on day two. Through strong play from Anto Keshgegian, the younger Philadelphia squad was able to exhaust the experienced New York team to grab the final spot in the semifinal.

In the semifinal, New Jersey A showcased their 3-point shooting ability to take down Boston A, 71-63. Strong performances from Koko Karajelian and Anthony Vincent led them to victory. On the other side of the bracket, Chicago B took down Philadelphia to make it to their third straight senior men’s final. 

This final was a rematch of the 2019 Navasartian Games when Chicago B won their first championship. 

The senior men’s championship trophy is known as the “Mark Alashaian Trophy.” Alashaian was the coach of the New Jersey men’s basketball team for several years. He also coached the Homenetmen  Eastern USA Region basketball team at the Pan-Homenetmen Games in Armenia before tragically passing away in 2017. Alashaian was not only an important figure to his basketball team but the entire Homenetmen family. And in heart-warming fashion, for the first time since the trophy was renamed, New Jersey was able to get their championship in honor of their coach. The winning effort was an all-around team performance that would have made Coach Mark proud.  

Senior men’s basketball champions: New Jersey

Veteran men (35+)

Teams: New York and Boston

Behind Ari Minassian’s steady shooting, the New York veteran’s team was able to take down Boston in a one-point victory in the finals and earn their gold medal. 

Veteran basketball champions: New York

Soccer:

Pee-wee 

Teams: Boston, New York A, New York B, Providence A and Providence B

The offensive juggernaut that was the New York A soccer team won the gold for pee-wee soccer. Led by Sevan Davidian and Paul Nenejian, the New York A team scored 25 goals in just three games to go 3-0. Samo Kechijian and Dante Hairabedian had great tournaments for the Providence A team. With victories over New York B and Boston, Hairabedian and Kechijian got Providence to the final but fell just short to New York A in the championship game.

Bantam 

Teams: New York, Boston, and Montreal

In bantam soccer, New York and Montreal both took care of Boston in group play. In their first match-up, New York edged out a 7-6 victory over Montreal. The rematch in the final was just as close. In an exhilarating final match-up, New York narrowly defeated Montreal again, 5-4. Michael Azatyan and Christopher Simonian delivered exceptional performances to help New York achieve the gold. 

Bantam boys soccer champions: New York

Junior

Teams: Boston and New York

With two teams in the group, the winner of the tournament was decided by aggregate (combined score after two games). New York dominated the first game 8-2 to give their team a comfortable lead heading to the second leg. While Boston fought back in the second match-up, they ultimately still fell short. Armen Aprahamian and Jack Abajian dominated both games for the New York side to help them win 15-8 on aggregate.  

Senior

Teams: New Jersey, New York, Boston, Washington and Providence

With five teams in the tournament, the group played a round robin with the top two teams advancing to the final.

On day 1, Washington took down New York 2-1 with Dean Dersimonian netting the game-winner in the second half. Boston beat Providence 4-0 with a strong defensive performance. In the afternoon games, New Jersey comfortably beat Providence behind a hat-trick from Steven Hazarian, and Boston took care of Washington to go 2-0 to start the tournament. 

On day 2, New York bounced back from their first loss to get an impressive win over Providence, 8-2, with goals from Tigran Nikoghosyan and Haig Piramzadian. Boston and New Jersey played to a 2-2 draw with goalkeeper Ara Naljian coming up with key saves to preserve the tie for New Jersey. In the evening games, Providence got their first win of the tournament with a 2-1 victory over Washington. New York continued their big day with a win over New Jersey to put themselves into second place in the group going into the final round robin games. 

On the final day, Washington beat New Jersey, 5-1 to eliminate them from the tournament. New York and Boston played to a 2-2 draw, setting up for a rematch in the final later that afternoon.

In the championship game, Boston took the lead in the first minute on a goal from Daron Hamparian and assisted by Alex Tavitian. Boston continued to attack, but goalkeeper Alex Mkryan’s timely saves and Gor Badikyan defensive performance kept the score 1-0 going into halftime. Boston eventually broke through and was able to double the lead in the second half with a goal from Tavitian. New York’s Haig Piramzadian’s impressive effort got his team back in the game as they cut the lead in half with time running out. But Boston’s defense, led by Raffi Yaboujian and Kevork Ourfalian, remained consistent throughout the tournament and sealed the 2-1 victory in the final. This was Boston’s seventh senior soccer championship in the last 10 Navasartian Games. 

Senior men’s soccer champions: Boston

Volleyball:

Senior men

Teams: 

Pool A: Washington, Merrimack Valley, Boston, New York
Pool B: Providence, Chicago, Philadelphia, New Jersey

In pool A, Merrimack Valley comfortably won their group dropping only one set in three games to get to the final.

Chicago, led by Alek Banklian and Ara Emerzian, took care of business in pool B by going 3-0 and setting up a final vs. Merrimack Valley.

Michael Baltayan, Jack Sarkissian and the rest of the Merrimack Valley team continued their dominance in the final by beating Chicago without dropping a set and getting the gold medal—the Hamo Sardarbegians Trophy. 

Men’s volleyball champions: Merrimack Valley

Senior women

Teams: Boston, Chicago A, New York, Chicago B, Providence and Washington

Pool A: Chicago A, Boston, New York
Pool B: Chicago B, Providence, Washington

Chicago A and Washington both went 2-0 in group play to advance to the semifinal. For the remaining two spots, New York took down Boston, while Chicago B beat out Providence. 

In the semifinal, Chicago A knocked out Chicago B, and Washington overwhelmed New York. Neither Chicago A nor Washington dropped a set on their way to the final, and so something had to give in the final. Chicago A (winner of the 2019 Navasartian games), led by Sarine Kalayjian’s strong play, was able to defeat Washington and successfully defend its championship. 

Women’s volleyball champions: Chicago

Track:

Pee-wee girls:

60m winner: Aline Mikaelian (Boston)
100m winner: Eva Khalarian (Boston)
200m winner: Aline Mikaelian (Boston)

Pee-wee boys:

60m winner: Sarkis Bakirdjian (New York)
100m winner: Sarkis Bakirdjian (New York)
200m winner: Luca Mondolfi (Boston)

Bantam girls:

60m winner: Violeta Cornea (New York)
100m winner: Violeta Cornea (New York)
200m winner: Violeta Cornea (New York)

Bantam boys:

60m winner: Gavin Anastasian (New York)
200m winner: Gavin Anastasian (New York)

Junior women :

60m winner: Lilly Karageozian (Albany)
100m winner: Loucine Santana (New Jersey)

Junior men : 

60m winner: Saro Karageozian (Albany)

Senior women:

60m winner: Olivia Emerzian (Chicago)
100m winner: Olivia Emerzian (Chicago)
200m winner: Olivia Emerzian (Chicago)

Senior men:

60m winner: Avo Sarkissian (New York)
100m winner: Avo Sarkissian (New York)
200m winner: Avo Sarkissian (New York)
800m winner: Alexander Besnilian (Boston)

Veteran: 

60m winner: Vartan Mardirosian (Boston)
100m winner: Vartan Mardirosian (Boston)
200m winner: Vartan Mardirosian (Boston)
800m winner: Lord Sevag Tokatlian (Florida)

Relays:

Pee-wee 4 x 100 winner: Boston
Junior 4 x 100 winner: Albany
Senior 4 x 100 winner: New York

Chess:

Under 18 division:

1st place: Tavid Bozadjian (Washington DC)
2nd place: Sareen Seraderian (Boston)
3rd place: Liana Seraderian (Boston)

18+ division:

1st place: Serg Aroush (New Jersey)
2nd place: Rostom Mkrtschian (Providence)
3rd place: Palig Mouradian (Boston)

Swimming:

Pee-wee:

25-yard free first place: Liana Seraderian (Boston)
25-yard breast first place: Liana Seraderian (Boston)
50-yard free first place: Liana Seraderian (Boston)

Veteran: 

50-yard free first place: Vartan Mardirosian (Boston)
50-yard breast first place: Vartan Mardirosian (Boston)
100-yard free first place: Vartan Mardirosian (Boston)

Other awards:

Most improved chapter: Providence
Aram “Sonny” Gavoor Sportsmanship Award: Merrimack Valley
Mark Alashaian senior men’s basketball trophy: New Jersey
Hamo Sardarbegians senior men’s volleyball trophy: Merrimack Valley

Overall Points:

1st place: Boston – 86 Points
2nd place: New York – 70 Points
3rd place: Chicago – 22 Points
4th place: Providence – 15 Points
5th place: New Jersey – 14 Points
6th place: Washington – 12 Points
7th place: Montreal – 9 Points
8th place: Merrimack Valley – 7 Points
9th place: Albany – 4 Points
10th place: Philadelphia, Toronto, Florida – 0 Points

  •  Bio
  •  Latest Posts
The Armenian General Athletic Union and Scouts, known as "Homenetmen," is a non-profit organization founded over 100 years ago. Believing in the idea that strong bodies lead to strong minds, Homenetmen has provided Armenian youth across the globe with a moral, physical and psychological education outside the school environment, while also demonstrating richness of the Armenian culture and heritage, while at the same time. Today, Homenetmen is a worldwide organization with over 25,000 members on five continents. On the East Coast U.S., Homenetmen is a thriving organization with 12 chapters and over 900 members, governed by the Homenetmen Eastern Regional Executive.


AW: Avetik Chalabyan to remain in prison

Varazdat Torgomian
 Guest Contributor News 0

Avetik Chalabyan, activist, politician and a member of the “Unification” movement, will remain under arrest. On Sunday, July 10, the Yerevan Court of Common Jurisdiction, headed by Judge Arusyak Aleksanyan, published its decision, which satisfied the appeal for extension of detention submitted by the investigative body implementing the proceedings.

“How can I hinder the proceedings if you have completed the proceedings? What can I possibly do? If you have completed the proceedings, then you have effectively taken the actions proposed by the prosecutor, and there is no logical action that I can hinder. I have no desire to do so either. The materials of this case are sufficient enough to eventually lead to my acquittal in any reasonable court. These steps will one by one lead to the conclusion that the criminal offense is absent,” Chalabyan said in his closing speech at the open court hearing of the extension of detention dates.

Earlier, a hasty motion was submitted to the court to extend Chalabyan’s detention after the prosecutor in charge of the trial did not confirm the indictment of the case and returned the materials of the proceedings to the preliminary investigative body with an instruction to continue its investigation.

“How do you imagine escape from investigation for a man, who is a member of the board of directors of five companies, a member of the board of trustees of two charitable foundations, a father of a large family, the primary caregiver of four children and two elderly parents. Did you write all this just for the sake of writing? How can I escape? Can I escape from myself? A man who returned to Armenia during the war with his entire family, with three boys. A significant part of the population of our country takes its children out of the country to escape serving in the Army. Did I return to Armenia with three boys to escape from Armenia?” said Chalabyan, adding that this trial would seem ridiculous under the legal practice of any country.

Chalabyan is accused of the act provided for in Article 163, Part 3, Clause 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia without any credible evidence and with gross violations of criminal procedures. The article has been reclassified and softened by the new Criminal Code that came into force on July 1.

“Avetik Chalabyan is a political hostage of the current authorities, and the courts are their executioners. Yesterday, the investigator confirmed that Avetik Chalabyan should remain in custody only so that he and the prosecutor could send the case to the court in a relaxed manner. He admitted that they have no other investigative actions to perform. So to say, Avetik Chalabyan will remain in custody on the basis of sending the case to court,“ Varazdat Harutyunyan and Arthur Harutyunyan, Chalabyan’s defense team, stated earlier.

Public groups and activists have been fighting for Chalabyan’s freedom for months now, calling for his release through mass protests, petitions and all means prescribed by law.

Editor’s Note: This announcement was drafted by the legal team of Avetik Chalabyan.




RFE/RL Armenian Report – 07/12/2022

Ophelia Vardapetian 
                                        Tuesday, 


Parliament Leaders To Discuss Ousting Opposition Lawmakers

        • Astghik Bedevian

Armenia - Karabakh flags on empty seats of opposition lawmakers boycotting a 
session of the Armenian parliament, Yerevan, May 25, 2022.


The leadership of Armenia’s parliament is due to meet later this week to decide 
whether to try to strip dozens of opposition deputies boycotting parliament 
sessions of their seats.

The 35 lawmakers representing the opposition Hayastan and Pativ Unem alliances 
began the boycott in April in advance of their daily demonstrations demanding 
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s resignation.

Under Armenian law, a lawmaker can lose their seat if they skip, for 
“non-legitimate” reasons, at least half of parliament votes during a single 
semi-annual session of the National Assembly. The final decision to that effect 
is to be made by the Constitutional Court at the initiative of the parliament’s 
leadership or at least one-fifth of the deputies.

According to the parliament administration, all 29 deputies representing 
Hayastan and four others affiliated with Pativ Unem can now be formally accused 
of absenteeism.

Opposition sources said that the National Assembly Council consisting of speaker 
Alen Simonian, his two deputies and chairpersons of the parliament’s standing 
committees will discuss a possible appeal to the court at a meeting slated for 
Thursday.

Armenia - Speaker Alen Simonian chairs a session of the National Assembly, May 
3, 2022.

Simonian on Tuesday described the proceedings as “pleasant.” But neither he nor 
other senior pro-government parliamentarians clarified whether they will push 
for their opposition colleagues’ ouster from the parliament.

“I will express my opinion when we make or do not make a corresponding 
decision,” deputy speaker Ruben Rubinian told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service.

Artur Hovannisian, the secretary of the ruling Civil Contract party’s 
parliamentary group, likewise declined to reveal his position on the matter. He 
instead again denounced the continuing opposition boycott.

Hovannisian also said that even if the parliament’s leadership allied to 
Pashinian decides not to appeal to the Constitutional Court this time around it 
may do so this fall.

Hayk Mamijanian, Pativ Unem’s new parliamentary leader, dismissed these threats 
as a “disgrace” and “political farce.”

Armenia - Opposition deputies arrive for a scheduled session of the National 
Assembly boycotted and thwarted by its pro-government majority, Yerevan, 
February 23, 2022.

“For me it’s more important that our actions be patriotic and effective in the 
eyes of citizens who voted or didn’t vote for us,” he told RFE/RL’s Armenian 
Service. “I don’t really care if Civil Contract starts or doesn’t start such a 
process.”

Opposition boycotts of parliament sessions have not been uncommon in Armenia in 
the past. No opposition lawmaker was stripped of their seat because of that.

Hayastan’s Ishkhan Saghatelian made clear on Monday that the two opposition 
forces will continue their boycott and hold more antigovernment rallies in the 
weeks ahead. “Our agenda is in the streets,” he said.

Earlier this month, the ruling party ousted Saghatelian and another opposition 
leader, Vahe Hakobian, as the parliament’s deputy speaker and chairman of its 
economic committee respectively. Virtually all other opposition deputies holding 
leadership positions in the National Assembly resigned in protest.



 Armenian Government Revives Plans To Create Interior Ministry

        • Gayane Saribekian

Armenia - Riot police guard the building of the Armenian prime minister's office 
during a cabinet meeting in Yerevan, May 13, 2022.


The Armenian government indicated on Tuesday that it is pressing ahead with its 
plans to set up a ministry of interior as part of a major structural reform of 
the national police and two other agencies.

Armenia had an interior ministry until former President Robert Kocharian 
abolished it and turned the police into a separate structure subordinate to him 
two decades ago. The police have reported to the prime minister since 
Kocharian’s successor, Serzh Sarkisian, completed the country’s transition to a 
parliamentary system of government in 2018.

The Armenian Ministry of Justice recommended the re-establishment of the 
interior ministry headed by a full-fledged cabinet member in a three-year 
strategy of police reforms proposed to the government two years ago. Prime 
Minister Nikol Pashinian signaled his approval of the idea in February 2021 but 
did not move to put it into practice in the following months.

The ministry revived the idea recently, prompting a parliamentary hearing on a 
corresponding bill drafted by it. Justice Minister Karen Andreasian said the 
bill will likely be sent to the National Assembly for debate in September.

“We will merge three major services -- the Police, the Rescue Service and 
Migration Service -- under the umbrella of the new Ministry of Internal 
Affairs,” one of Andreasian’s deputies, Arpine Sargsian, told the hearing 
organized by the parliament committee on defense and security.

Armenia -- Riot police guard a court building in Yerevan during the trial of 
former President Robert Kocharian and three other former officials, May 13, 2020.

The committee chairman, Andranik Kocharian, backed the proposed merger, saying 
that it would increase “democratic oversight” of the Armenian police.

“By creating the interior ministry we will not only make the [law-enforcement] 
body more accountable but also contribute to the transparency of its work,” he 
said.

Pashinian faced opposition calls to turn the police as well as the National 
Security Service (NSS) into ministries accountable to the parliament shortly 
after he swept to power in May 2018. He opposed such a change until 2021.

Hovannes Kocharian (no relation to Andranik), a former senior police official, 
cautioned during the hearing that the structural change alone would not lead to 
greater accountability. He argued that the police were “mired in political and 
economic processes” and faced “allegations of partisanship” when they were part 
of an interior ministry in the 1990s.

“The only way to neutralize these risks is to strike the right balance, 
delineate functions and put in place adequate oversight mechanisms,” he said.



Armenia Expects Turkey To Honor Initial Agreements

        • Karlen Aslanian

Turkey -- A Turkish army watch tower on the border with Armenia, in Akyaka, 
April 15, 2009


A senior Armenian official expressed hope on Tuesday that Turkey will implement 
“in the coming months” the first agreements reached during ongoing negotiations 
on normalizing Turkish-Armenian relations.

Meeting in Vienna on July 1, special envoys of the two neighboring states agreed 
to open the Turkish-Armenian border to citizens of third countries and to allow 
mutual cargo shipments by air. The Turkish and Armenian foreign ministries said 
this will be done “at the earliest date possible.”

Deputy parliament speaker Ruben Rubinian, the Armenian negotiator, said the 
implementation of the agreements depends on “the political will of Turkey” which 
has for decades kept the border closed and refused to establish diplomatic 
relations with Armenia.

“In such complicated processes, one of the most important things is to quickly 
implement the first agreements,” Rubinian told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service. “If 
they are quickly implemented it greatly helps to reinforce trust. If they are 
not, it on the contrary undermines that trust. I hope that these agreements will 
be implemented very quickly.”

“I think it will be logical if that happens in the coming months,” he said when 
asked about time frames acceptable to the Armenian side. “The agreements are 
fixed at the political level. Representatives of relevant [Armenian and Turkish] 
agencies must now work on technical details.”

That joint work should get underway “soon,” added Rubinian.

Armenia - Deputy speaker Ruben Rubinian at a session of the Armenian parliament 
in Yerevan, October 5, 2021.

In a further sign of Turkish-Armenian rapprochement, Armenian Prime Minister 
Nikol Pashinian and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held their first-ever 
phone conversation on Monday. Their press offices released virtually identical 
statements on the call saying that the two leaders stressed “the importance of 
the bilateral process of normalizing relations between their countries.”

In Rubinian’s words, there are no plans yet to organize a face-to-face meeting 
between Erdogan and Pashinian.

Ankara and Yerevan came close to normalizing their relations in 2009 when their 
foreign ministers signed two relevant protocols in Zurich, Switzerland. 
Erdogan’s administration subsequently linked their ratification by the Turkish 
parliament to a resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict acceptable to 
Azerbaijan.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has repeatedly said that his 
government coordinates the ongoing Turkish-Armenian dialogue with Baku. Armenian 
leaders have said, for their part, that they want an unconditional normalization 
of Turkish-Armenian ties.


Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2022 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

IUNetworks presents Armenia’s digitalization experience to the Zimbabwean delegation

Emil Karabekian
Armenia –

IUNetworks hosted the delegation from Zimbabwe. During the meeting, the Armenian experience of introducing electronic management systems was presented to the guests. Itel.am presents the details of the meeting.

Exchange of experience

The Armenia-based IUNetworks company provides integrated hardware and software solutions, facilitating interaction with government agencies and minimizing the administrative burden for economic operators.

The cooperation between the Government of Zimbabwe and IUNetworks launched in early 2022 after the company won the competition for the development of a new tax system for the Republic of Zimbabwe announced by the African Development Bank.

Image by: Mediamax

Aram Mkhitaryan, Chief Executive of IUNetworks, said their specialists have already had business trips to Zimbabwe, and this is the first official visit of the partner party to Armenia.

“More than 10 years ago our company developed Armenia’s tax information system. The tax information system is one of the most important systems for any state, because it is a connecting link for other systems.

Armenia once took a big step in the digitalization of tax processes, and today we have 100% fiscalization. This applies to electronic invoices, cash registers and other similar subsystems. The purpose of today’s meeting is to share this experience with our partners,”he said.

Toward African market

Aram Mkhitaryan noted that the Zimbabwean delegation was also presented the experience of introducing other electronic management systems by both IUNetworks and other partner organizations.

“There are quite a few companies that develop tax information systems and have that experience in the world, while our company, after Armenia, introduced such a system in Tajikistan as well. Currently works on developing the Kosovo tax information system are underway, we have also done a great work in Bhutan. This meeting is also important for our company in terms of entering the African market. We are sure that after the successful completion of the program, it will be quite easy to introduce our systems in other countries of the region,” IUNetworks CEO said.

He stressed that the “One window for foreign economic relations” system was also developed by IUNetworks. It has been introduced in Armenia, as well as in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. The company is currently working to start cooperation with another African country.

Continuous cooperation

The Zimbabwean delegation included not only representatives of the tax inspectorate, but also officials from the Central Bank, the Ministry of Finance, the President’s Office, etc. Representatives of Armenian state bodies also attended the event.

Dr. Paradza Paradza, a member of the Board of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, stated that they are very pleased with the work of the Armenian company and consider continued cooperation very likely.

“The involvement of representatives of state bodies in our delegation speaks about how important this visit is for us. It is aimed at creating solid foundations for relations with the IUNetworks company, ensuring development and continuity. There are other systems that we are interested in and would like to introduce them in our country too. Among them are, for example, criminal processes and road traffic management systems,” he said, adding that the strategy adopted by the Zimbabwean government is to achieve full automation and digitization of management systems within the next 10 years.

Dr. Paradza Paradza said that they are enjoying their first visit to Armenia and will try to extend their stay here if possible. “We hope to expand more our business cooperation with Armenia,” he added.

Gayane Yenokyan