Category: 2023

17th Parliamentary Assembly of the Armenian Diocese elections, Tehran, June 16, 2023 (Photo: Adis Shant, Alik photographer)

TEHRAN, Iran—The Armenian community of Tehran held its 17th Parliamentary Assembly of the Armenian Diocese elections on June 16, where 42 deputies were elected from the city’s five centers, as declared by the official results—5,654 citizens participated in the elections, with 5,619 verified votes (39 unverified ballots). Two main blocks participated in the election with their slate of candidates: the “Stable Community” block from the established community and church leadership, and the “Unity Alliance” block, featuring candidates close in ideology to those in power in Armenia and other fringe elements in the community, including the remnants of Soviet ideologies and other anti-establishment elements. The Armenian government has announced plans to participate in Diasporan community affairs and to establish information-gathering networks within different Diasporan communities.  

The following list includes the candidates and their votes with the winners highlighted in bold (*denotes Stable Community block candidate, ** denotes Unity Alliance block candidate, and *** denotes an independent candidate).

Saint Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church (Central district)

1. Sourik Abnousian – 1,035 *
2. Garin Ayvazian – 861 *
3. Maro Ayvazian – 369 **
4. Loretta Avedissian – 495 **
5. Ani Asadour Markosian – 364 **
6. Artin Babaiants – 406 **
7. Edmond Bejanian – 423 **
8. Vahe Gerasimian – 883 *
9. Greta Dilanian – 325 **
10. Meghedi Yeghnazar – 1,011 *
11. Arthur Tarverdian – 906 *
12. Razmik Khodabakhshian – 983 *
13. Dr. Sevak Hatamian – 975 *
14. Ronald Hakhverdian – 415 **
15. Marina Ghahraman Gardabad – 908 *
16. Edwin Mirzaian – 976 *
17. Vahe Minas Mirzabegian – 1,045 *
18. Ani Melkon – 896 *
19. Sophie Ghazarbegian – 997 *
20. Roubik Sarkissian – 885 *
21. Hamlet Sahakian – 391 **
22. Karmen Sarkissian – 352 **
23. Claris Sarkissian – 383 **
24. Henrik Der Ghougasian – 563 **
25. Sevan Der Ghougasian – 484 **

Saint Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church (Zeytoun district)

1. Nareg Abrahamian – 277 **
2. Sako Azizian – 541 *
3. Alice Asadourian – 290 **
4. Arbi Bonyadian – 647 *
5. Silva Gergorian – 825 ***
6. Artuyt Zohrabian – 759 *
7. Nadia Eyvazi – 643 *
8. Arlet Tatevos Iskandarian – 648 ***
9. Armond Isaghoulian – 612 ***
10. Vahe Khachatourian – 691 ***
11. Arsine Khachatourian – 694 ***
12. Gevik Khodaverdian – 568 ***
13. Valod Hakhinian – 802 ***
14. Serjhik Mahmoudi – 278 **
15. Edward Minas Masihi – 724 *
16. Hagop Mgrdichian – 359 **
17. Sipan Mgrdoumian – 335 **
18. Catherine Nazarian – 661 ***
19. Artin Shahbazian – 682 ***
20. Camen Chaharmahali – 671 *
21. Adrine Ratevos Davoud – 599 *
22. Patrice Simonian – 296 **
23. Pyunik Simonian – 271 **
24. Andranik Simonian – 473 **
25. Serjhik Simonian –360 **
26. Ashot Sinani – 822 ***
27. Joseph Sukiassian – 698 *
28. Alfred Keshishian – 742 *
29. Serojh Ohanian – 860 *

Holy Translators Armenian Apostolic Church (Sassoun district)

1. Norayr Aboulian – 810 *
2. Carmen Azarian Namagerdi – 586 **
3. Arpi Allahverdi – 868 *
4. Janess Avedian – 595 **
5. Alice Dilanchian – 526 **
6. Verjhig Tahmassian – 740 **
7. Masis Khachatourian – 631 **
8. Manavaz Khachatourian – 760 *
9. Abnous (Hovannes) Garabidi – 725 *
10. Vachik Ghazarian – 671 *
11. Norik Gharabegi – 832 *
12. Roubina Margosian – 720 *
13. Arin Mirzaian – 733 *
14. Ara Mgrdichian – 816 *
15. Haik Melkonian – 811 *
16. Valentine Harouti – 543 **
17. Mayreni Hovasapian – 547 **
18. Alenoush Hovsepian – 786 *
19. Aram Nahabedian – 792 *
20. Catherine Nayeb Najjar – 551 **
21. Roubik Sadar Masihi – 877 **
22. Lilit Sardar Masihi – 703 **
23. Yura Sinani – 593 **
24. Ararat Sinani – 670 **
25. Masis Fallah – 745 *

Saint Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church (Sardarabad district)

1. Edward Aprahamian – 146 *
2. Aram Novshadian – 160 *
3. Mardiros Ohanjanian – 50 **

Holy Mother of God Armenian Apostolic Church

1. Aragats Simonian – 54 *
2. Mkhitar Vardin – 26 **

The “Unity Alliance” block suffered a substantial defeat in the elections, capturing just two of the available 42 seats, following years of efforts in the community, with a similar message to that used in Armenia in recent years. These efforts have reportedly included proposals to change Armenian textbooks in Iran and marginalization of the role of the church in the community.

Conversely, the “Stable Community” block, supported by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), received 82-percent of the votes, placing 35 deputies in the Assembly of Deputies. The Assembly will also include five independent deputies. 

The Armenian community thus rejected the divisive and defeatist agenda of Armenia’s ruling party and fringe elements in the Iranian Armenian community.

BOSTON, Mass.—The Midway Gallery will present poet Arthur Kayzakian and novelist Nancy Agabian on Sunday, July 23 at 4 p.m., who will read from their recent books which demonstrate creativity as a form of personal transformation and political resistance. A conversation and book signing will follow with books by both authors available for sale. Admission is free and refreshments will be served.

In Kayzakian’s The Book of Redacted Paintings, the narrative arc follows a boy in search of his father’s painting, but it is unclear whether the painting exists or not. The book, a poetry collection, is also populated by a series of paintings. Some are real, incomplete and/or missing, while most are redacted from reality. The withdrawn paintings concept is the emotional arc of the book, a combination of wishing one could paint the pieces he/she/they envision and the feeling of something torn out of a person due to a traumatic upbringing—a sort of erasure ekphrasis, to foresee artwork that was never painted.

Kayzakian is the winner of the 2021 Black Lawrence Immigrant Writing Series award for The Book of Redacted Paintings, which was also selected as a finalist for the 2021 Philip Levine Prize for Poetry. He is also the winner of the Finishing Line Press Open Chapbook Competition for his chapbook, My Burning City. He has been a finalist for the Locked Horn Press Chapbook Prize, Two Sylvias Press Chapbook Prize, the C.D. Wright Prize and the Black River Chapbook Competition. He is a contributing editor at Poetry International and a recipient of the Minas Savvas Fellowship. His work has appeared in or is forthcoming from several publications, including Taos Journal of International Poetry & Art, COUNTERCLOCK, Chicago Review, Nat. Brut, Michigan Quarterly Review, Witness Magazine and Prairie Schooner. 

In Agabian’s The Fear of Large and Small Nations, feminist writer and teacher Natalee—aka Na—seeks to reclaim her cultural roots in Armenia only to be confronted with the many contradictions of being a diasporan. When she falls for a charismatic younger man and returns with him to New York City, Na becomes trapped in an abusive web of codependency, bound by intergenerational trauma and political ideals. Written in short stories collaged with intimate journal entries and blog posts, the fragmented narrative reveals what is lost in the tightrope passage between cultures ravaged by violence and colonialism—and what is gained when Na seizes control of her story, pulsating in its many shades and realities, daring to be witnessed.

Agabian’s previous books include Me as her again: True Stories of an Armenian Daughter (aunt lute books), a memoir honored as a Lambda Literary Award finalist for LGBT Nonfiction and shortlisted for a William Saroyan International Writing Prize, and Princess Freak (Beyond Baroque Books), a collection of poetry and performance art texts. In 2021 she was awarded Lambda Literary Foundation’s Jeanne Cόrdova Prize for Lesbian/Queer Nonfiction. The Fear of Large and Small Nations, a finalist for the PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction, is her first novel.

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Armenian author Steve Boyadzhyan invites children and families on an enchanting adventure with his latest children’s book Sienna and Jace Celebrate Vardavar. This heartwarming tale not only captivates young readers with its vibrant storytelling but also delves into the deeper meaning behind the joyous Armenian holiday. Released just in time for Vardavar on July 16, this book is set to become a cherished addition to family libraries around the world.

This delightful book showcases the richness of Armenian culture, immersing readers in its vibrant traditions and captivating folklore. As Sienna and Jace discover the transformative power of water and the value of family bonds, they inspire readers of all backgrounds to embrace unity and celebrate life’s simplest yet most profound moments.

A scene from “Sienna and Jace Celebrate Vardavar”

Sienna and Jace Celebrate Vardavar takes readers on a magical journey through the bustling streets of Armenia as the siblings embark on an unforgettable experience. Against the backdrop of Vardavar’s exuberant water fights and festive celebrations, Sienna and Jace encounter Astghik, the Armenian goddess of water, love and beauty. Under her gentle guidance, they begin to unravel the significance of Vardavar – a time for renewal, connection and spreading love.

This latest release is the seventh book in the “Growing Up Proud” series by Boyadzhyan. The series combines essential childhood themes with a focus on Armenian culture and traditions. Previous titles, including Jace The Armenian Boy Who Loves Healthy Habits and Sienna The Armenian Girl’s World Adventures, have resonated with families worldwide, fostering a sense of pride and understanding of Armenian heritage.

To purchase Sienna and Jace Celebrate Vardavar by Steve Boyadzhyan and learn more about the author, visit amazon.com/author/steveboy.

Follow Sienna and Jace’s exciting adventures on Instagram.