21:35,
YEREVAN, MARCH 24, ARMENPRESS. The message spread by the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan that the units of the Artsakh Defense Army opened fire in the direction of the Azerbaijani positions located in the occupied territories of the Martuni region of the Republic of Artsakh on the evening of March 24 is another disinformation, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Ministry of Defense of Artsakh.
“Gojabashian: Blessed Hands of the Armenian Heritage" exhibition flyer
An art exhibition entitled “Gojabashian: Blessed Hands of the Armenian Heritage” will be on display in April at California State University, Fresno. The exhibition, held in the Leon S. Peters Ellipse Gallery (second-floor) of the University Library, located at 5200 N. Barton Ave., at Fresno State, will be open from Monday, April 10 to Sunday, April 30.
An opening reception with the artist, Yervant Gojabashian, will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 13, in the second-floor gallery of the University Library on the Fresno State campus. The reception and the exhibition are free of charge and the public is welcome.
The exhibition is sponsored by the Thomas A. Kooyumjian Family Foundation and the Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State. The exhibition organizers are Lucy Erysian, Mike Bashian, Hazel Antaramian, and Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian and the exhibition curators are Steve Ruppel and Chris Lopez.
Artist Yervant Gojabashian is one of Armenia’s most prominent sculptors and painters. He is internationally recognized and his exhibits have appeared in major cities throughout the world.
Yervant Gojabashian was born in 1939, Aleppo Syria and at an early age moved to Soviet Armenia with his family. In 1966, he graduated from the Yerevan Art and Theatre Institute.
Sculpture is more than Yervant Gojabashian’s profession, it is his calling. He prefers to work with black tufa, the “national” stone of Armenia, though he is just as expert in handling marble, basalt, and wood.
Gojabashian’s bas-reliefs decorate the entrance to St. Etchmiadzin Cathedral, the façade of Hotel Ani, and the building of the Yerevan House of Cinematography. His reliefs are distinguished for their complex ornamental composition, their variety of national motifs, figures, and plants. He is also an expert in life-size sculptures, most of which are displayed in different museums.
In 1981, Gojabashian moved to the United States and established residence in Montebello, California. He has been featured in several large exhibitions, including in Boston, Detroit, and Los Angeles. His works, including marble and tufa figures, have been exhibited at Harvard University’s Sanders Theatre Gallery, the Pasadena Armenian Center, and at the Downey Museum of Art.
“Among the prominent artists of Armenia, Yervant Gojabashian should be singled out,” said art critic Poghos Haitaian.
The late art historian Henrik Igitian said, “Armenia is a land of stone, and it is not unnatural that it would produce a generation which is influenced by modern-day life and would give new form to these stones. In the hands of Yervant Gojabashian the stone is revitalized.”
The reception is free and open to the public. Parking is available in Fresno State Lot P30 or P31, near the University Library. A parking pass is required for the Thursday night reception. Contact the Armenian Studies Program for a free parking code.
For information about upcoming Armenian Studies Program presentations, please follow their Facebook page @ArmenianStudiesFresnoState or visit the Program website.
Russian peacekeeping forces on the Lachin corridor
While Azerbaijani forces continued to open fire at Artsakh civilians Thursday and Friday, official Baku blamed the Russian peacekeeping forces for hastening what it called the illegal transfer of arms into Artsakh.
Azerbaijani combat positions on Thursday and Friday targeted and opened fire with weapons of various types and calibers at a group of citizens carrying out pruning work in the vineyards of Machkalashen community of the Martuni region, the Artsakh Interior Ministry reported.
While no casualties were reported, Artsakh official suspended all agricultural activities in the region.
The Artsakh Interior Ministry also slammed Azerbaijan’s disinformation saying that Baku is deliberately misleading and misrepresenting the situation.
The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry on Friday claimed that Armenians were using the Stepanakert-Ghaybalishen-Lisagor road to transport military supplies.
“The Azerbaijani side is misleading the international community and preparing the ground for another provocation against the civilian population of Artsakh,” the Artsakh police said in a statement.
“The Artsakh Ministry of Internal Affairs considers it necessary to emphasize once again that the movement of civilians and the transportation of humanitarian goods are carried out along the forest and mountain road bypassing Shushi, accompanied by Russian peacekeepers,” explained the statement, saying that Azerbaijani has labeled the trucks carrying the materials as military vehicles.
“The movement of one combat vehicle ZTR-82A belonging to the Russian peacekeeping contingent, three tent KamAZ [trucks] and one KamAZ vehicle with a fuel tank belonging to Armenians was recorded by means of technical monitoring of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan,” Azerbaijan’s defense ministry said.
“With such actions, the Russian peacekeeping contingent does not fulfill its obligations defined by the provisions of the trilateral statement [of November 9, 2020],” Baku accused the Russian peacekeeping contingent.
“Such incidents should be stopped immediately. Such illegal actions, which happen on a regular basis, testify to the need for Azerbaijan to set up a border and control checkpoint at the end of the Azerbaijani-Armenian border on the road to Lachin,” added Azerbaijan’s defense ministry.
March is Women's History Month
BY SAREEN KASPARIAN
March welcomes spring with longer and warmer days, when trees sprout new leaves and colorful flowers bloom, but March is also designated as Women’s History Month in the United States, a month set aside to honor women’s contributions in history.
As I identify independent, successful, and educated women as role models, I learn from their experiences and proudly reflect on their accomplishments. In my own life, I admire my mom, who finds a way to balance it all– from a demanding career to family life to community service. As a student, I look up to Rita Kaprielian, a distinguished and passionate educator and leader who recently received a medal of honor from His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos for 40 years of service.
In a wider view, I find inspiration in famed entrepreneur Carolyn Rafaelian, founder of Alex and Ani jewelry company, who uses her company and status to raise awareness for Armenia. I find inspiration in elected officials like Rep. Anna Eshoo and Rep. Jackie Speier, who represent and support the Armenian American community in the halls of Congress.
Of course, we can’t forget the Kardashian empire. Kim, Kourtney, and Khloé have a massive impact on popular culture, with a social media following that numbers in the millions. Through various channels, they raise awareness about the Armenian Genocide and Artsakh by sharing personal sentiments and posts from organizations like the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and community advocates like Eric Esrailian.
Although contributions by the rich, powerful, and famous are impactful and important, they don’t diminish the incredible accomplishments of two women whom I idolize even more today for their heroism in and for Artsakh.
Lara Setrakian’s career as a recognized and prominent journalist and news correspondent is noteworthy in and of itself. However, what truly sets her apart is her role as the voice of change. Determined to shine international light on one of the deadliest conflicts of modern time, Setrakian was one of the first journalists to cover the “bloody battle” of Artsakh, an unknown region to the world of media. As I watched her interview with Ali Velshi from MSNBC News, I was captivated by her poise, passion and purpose.
In another interview with Robert Nicholson, Setrakian shares parts of her personal life as a mother and journalist and why she and her family returned to Armenia amid mounting tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Setrakian’s impressive resume, which includes a Harvard degree, former role as a Middle East correspondent for Bloomberg TV and ABC, founder of News Deeply and her current position as President of the Applied Policy Research Institute in Yerevan, makes her a widely recognized and respected expert. Her commitment to reporting with honesty and integrity has earned her a reputation for excellence in the field. “When asked to tell human stories from the Lachin Corridor crisis, I naturally obliged. Covering underreported stories through the people on the ground has been my guiding principle as a journalist,” wrote Setrakian.
And then there’s Dr. Biayna Sukhudyan, a modern day Sose Mayrig. While her battle is different, she demonstrates the same selflessness and dedication, embodying qualities of strength, nurturance and love. Sukhudyan is the Chief of Neurology and Epilepsy Service at Arabkir Medical Center in Yerevan. In March 2021, Sukhudyan and her colleagues launched a medical program to serve patients in war-torn Artsakh. This included traveling to Artsakh for a week every two months as well as ongoing online support to doctors, medical staff, and patients. However, her most recent trip was out of the ordinary.
Leaving her family in Yerevan, Sukhudyan departed on December 11th and was not able to return home because of the blockade. In an interview with Billy Hallowell, Senior Writer of Faithwire.com, Sukhudyan shares her experience as a physician struggling to help her patients with severe medical conditions with limited resources– and often times deprived of food, gas and medications.
“During this period of blockade, some particularly difficult operations which would never have been carried out under normal conditions were nevertheless carried out” said Sukhudyan. It makes Sukhudyan very nervous when she thinks about the continuation of the blockade. “With no road or air access, medications and specialists, this situation is catastrophic. Something must be done. We cannot wait for the next genocide… because this is genocide.”
Although Sukhudyan was stranded in Artsakh for more than 30 days, she embraced her ties to the people of Artsakh. “We are separated from our families and patients in Yerevan, but on the other hand, it would be very difficult for us to leave here (Artsakh) and go.”
Sareen Kasparian is currently a junior at Crescenta Valley High School and a member of the Pasadena Nigol Touman chapter of the Armenian Youth Federation. Teachable Moments is a knowledge exchange, a column dedicated to sharing generational insight as we intertwine experience and reasoning with modern day problems and solutions.
Aurora’s Sunrise, a historical animated documentary based on the true story of Armenian Genocide survivor Aurora Mardiganian has received numerous accolades, awards and recognition from international film festivals, critics and award ceremonies around the world.
The film, based on Zoryan Institute’s original interview with Aurora Mardiganian, tells the brave story of survival of a young Armenian girl who overcame so much to tell the world about her story.
The Zoryan Institute signed a partnership agreement with Bars Media in 2015 to bring its oral history testimonies to life on the big screen through animation, relay stories of genocide survivors to younger generations, and help empower young women and girls around the world to follow in Mardiganian’s footsteps and represent their own communities in the face of trauma and violence.
Since entering the international film festival circuit in June 2022, Aurora’s Sunrise has been selected as the Armenian submission for the 2023 Academy Awards and has premiered at 20 different internationally renowned festivals around the world, with more to come. Its latest award was perhaps the most significant yet, winning the grand prize at the International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights (FIFDH) of Switzerland, after 10 days of documentary and fiction film screenings. Some of the other notable awards that the film has received to date includes:
The film is also highly ranked by some of the most influential film critics around the world. It has scored a 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and receiving glowing reviews.
“A convincing story elegantly told, through archives, animation and fiction, about a little-known genocide that sheds light and awareness on today’s political tensions and challenges.” – MiradasDoc Festival
“It is Aurora herself who, unsurprisingly, provides the most poignant observations as she looks back at her life.” –Amber Wilkinson, Eye for Film
“Aurora’s Sunrise’ is far more than a bricolage documentary. It is a testament to survival. When asked by a journalist what hurt Aurora more, losing her country or losing her family, Aurora’s weary response was “My country is my family.”” – Nadine Whitney, AWFJ.org
While the Zoryan Institute can’t help but to take pride in the film’s international achievements, the real gratification comes from being able to use this animated film as an effective resource to teach the next generation about the phenomenon of genocide.
The Zoryan Institute, through its Promoting Equity, Tolerance, Reconciliation and Awareness Through Genocide Education Program, uses the film for high-school students to visually understand life before, during and after genocide, and the impact that it has on individuals, families and communities. The film also allows students to compare and contrast the common threads, patterns and themes of Mardiganian’s experience as a survivor of the Armenian Genocide to other cases of genocide, to better equip students with the tools to identify patterns of violence and possibly prevent genocides and conflicts of the future.
The animated film, juxtaposed with clips from Zoryan Institute’s original oral history testimony with Mardiganian, humanizes the experience of genocide and is the perfect medium to deliver such a powerful and heart-wrenching story to a younger audience. Dr. Rouben Adalian, Academic Board Member of the Zoryan Institute and the interviewer of the 1984 Zoryan Institute interview with Mardiganianhad this to say about the film’s impact:
Dr. Rouben Adalian
“In the case of the oral history project, the stories are unbelievably difficult to hear, but then to see them recreated in film would, I think, just be way too difficult. The method of animation moderates the difficulties and guides us through her life, and all of its many episodes, using a very respectable technique. That’s to be commended, and I think if she is to be appreciated as a symbol of youth triumph, then the animated film technique is probably the very best way of reaching young men, and especially women, that should and can learn from her example.”
Inna Sahakyan
Aurora’s Sunrise is made possible by the academic contribution of the Zoryan Institute and is based on its oral history archives. It is directed by Inna Sahakyan, produced by Bars Media, Gebrueder Beetz Filmproduktion & Artbox Laisvalaikio Klubas, with the financial partnership of Eurimages, the Zoryan Institute & the National Cinema Center of Armenia, and with the contributions of the Lithuanian Film Center, ZDF/ARTE, Public TV Armenia and LRT.
Thursday,
Iran Continues To Oppose ‘External Forces’ In Caucasus
• Nane Sahakian
Armenia - Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani meets senior Armenian
diplomats, Yerevan, .
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani reaffirmed Tehran’s opposition
to the presence of “external forces” in the South Caucasus after holding talks
with senior Armenian diplomats on Wednesday.
Bagheri visited Yerevan for what the Armenian Foreign Ministry described as
“regular political consultations” between the two neighboring states. Regional
security topped the agenda of his meetings with his Armenian opposite number,
Vahan Kostanian, as well as Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.
“We noted that it is the regional states that are the guarantors of peace and
stability and that the presence of external forces cannot contribute to peace
and stability because they pursue different goals,” Bagheri told reporters after
the talks. He did not specify those forces.
Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi similarly spoke out against “the presence of
outside forces” in the region when he met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian in
Tehran in November. The remarks followed the first deployment of European Union
monitors to Armenia’s border with Azerbaijan.
The EU launched another, more long-term monitoring mission there last month,
prompting strong criticism from Russia, Iran’s de facto ally. Moscow accused the
EU as well as the United States of using the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to
squeeze it out of the South Caucasus. Armenian officials have since tried to
ally the Russian fears.
Meeting with Bagheri, Mirzoyan and Kostanian praised the current state of
Iranian-Armenian relations.
“We try to make our positions on regional and international security more
understandable to each other,” Kostanian said after the talks.
The Iranian diplomat visited Yerevan amid growing tensions in the Karabakh
conflict zone. In recent weeks, Armenian officials have accused Azerbaijan of
planning another large-scale military attack on Armenia and Karabakh.
Russian Soldiers ‘Wounded On Armenian-Azeri Border’
• Artak Khulian
Armenian - Russian border guards stationed in Syunik province are inspected by
Russian Ambassador Sergei Kopyrkin, May 24, 2022.
Russia said on Thursday that it is investigating reports that Russian soldiers
came under Azerbaijani fire while searching for an Armenian serviceman who went
missing on Armenia’s border with Azerbaijan on Tuesday.
According to the Armenian Defense Ministry, Martiros Gyulambarian, a military
truck driver, strayed into Azerbaijani-controlled territory in thick fog as he
transported food to his comrades manning an Armenian border post near the
southeastern town of Goris.
Gyulambarian was found and evacuated on Wednesday as a result of a
“search-and-rescue” operation, the ministry said without giving further details.
Senior Armenian lawmakers insisted that the 40-year contract soldier was not
captured by Azerbaijani troops. One of them, Armen Khachatrian, confirmed
reports that Russian soldiers stationed in the Goris area also searched for
Gyulambarian.
“According to my information, they agreed with the Azerbaijani side that their
UAZ vehicle carrying a Russian flag will enter Azerbaijani-controlled territory
to find and evacuate our serviceman,” Khachatrian told RFE/RL’s Armenian
Service. “However, face-to-face fire was opened on them.”
Haykakan Zhamanak, an Armenian daily belonging to Prime Minister Nikol
Pashinian, also accused the Azerbaijani side of firing at the Russian military
vehicle. It released photographs of the SUV with at least three bullets holes on
its windscreen and rear window.
Two injured Russian servicemen were reportedly admitted to a hospital in Goris
on Wednesday and discharged from it a few hours later. The hospital director
said he does not know the cause of their injuries.
Russia’s Defense Ministry issued no statements on the reported shooting as of
Thursday afternoon. The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova,
said the Defense Ministry is investigating the “circumstances of the incident.”
“I think that we should wait for the results of that investigation,” Zakharova
told a news briefing when asked to comment on it.
Russia deployed soldiers and border guards to Armenia’s Syunik province,
including the Goris area, during and after the 2020 war in Nagorno-Karabakh. The
deployment was aimed at helping the Armenian military defend the strategic
region against possible Azerbaijani attacks.
U.S. ‘Pressing Azerbaijan’ On Karabakh Blockade
Nagorno-Karabakh - Empty shelves at a supermarket in Stepanakert, January 17,
2023.
The United States keeps pressing Azerbaijan to lift its continuing blockade of
Nagorno-Karabakh’s land link with Armenia, Secretary of State Antony Blinken
said late on Wednesday.
“I’m pressing on Azerbaijan, including as recently as this week, to reopen that
corridor. We’re working on that,” he told the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations.
Blinken clearly referred to his March 21 phone call with Azerbaijani President
Ilham Aliyev during which he reaffirmed, according to the State Department, the
“importance of reopening the Lachin corridor to commercial and private vehicles.”
Aliyev again claimed that the corridor was not blocked by Azerbaijani
government-backed protesters and described reports to the contrary as “false
Armenian propaganda.” He told Blinken that Russian peacekeepers and the
International Committee of the Red Cross have escorted thousands of vehicles
through that road over the last three months.
Answering a question from pro-Armenian Senator Bob Menendez, Blinken said there
are “real problems in the Lachin corridor with the ability of people, private
citizens, commercial traffic to get what’s needed to the people in
Nagorno-Karabakh.”
Nagorno-Karabakh - A woman and her son have a dinner at their home in
Stepanakert amid a power blackout, January 18, 2023.
Karabakh has been experiencing serious shortages of food, medicine and other
essential items ever since Azerbaijani protesters blocked on December 12 the
sole road connecting it to Armenia on ostensibly environmental grounds. The
authorities in Stepanakert had to start rationing in January food staples such
as sunflower oil, sugar, rice and salt.
The shortages have been compounded by disruptions in Armenia’s supplies of
electricity and natural gas to Karabakh carried out through
Azerbaijani-controlled territory. Baku reportedly blocked the gas supply late on
Wednesday for the 13th time since the start of the blockade.
The continuing blockade has also disrupted much of economic activity in the
Armenian-populated region with a population of up to 120,000 people. According
to Karabakh’s leadership, as many as 9,000 local residents have lost their jobs
since December.
The United States as well as the European Union and Russia have repeatedly
called on Azerbaijan to lift the road blockade.
The U.S. ambassador to Armenia, Kristina Kvien, made a point of visiting an
Armenian border checkpoint leading to the Lachin corridor earlier this month.
Another senior U.S. diplomat made clear, meanwhile, that Washington is not
considering imposing sanctions on Baku because of the blockade.
Pashinian Vows Peace Deal With Azerbaijan Despite ‘Aggression’
• Ruzanna Stepanian
Armenia - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian arrives for a news conference in
Yerevan, March 14, 2023.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on Thursday pledged to negotiate a peace treaty
with Azerbaijan while again accusing Baku of fresh military aggression against
Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
Pashinian denounced as an “act of aggression” Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev’s weekend statement made in a northern Karabakh village captured by
Azerbaijani forces during the 2020 war.
Aliyev declared there that he will not sign the peace treaty unless Yerevan
recognizes Karabakh as a part of Azerbaijan and accepts his terms for
demarcating the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. Armenians will not live in peace in
the absence of such an accord, he warned.
The Armenian Foreign Ministry responded by accusing Azerbaijan of laying claim
to Armenia’s entire territory and “doing everything to make peace in the region
impossible.”
Pashinian likewise charged that Aliyev’s comments constitute a “blatant
violation” of Armenian-Azerbaijani understandings reached last year.
He also pointed out that an Armenian soldier was shot and killed by Azerbaijani
troops on the border between the two South Caucasus states on Wednesday. The
ceasefire violation is further proof that “Azerbaijan is leading the situation
to a new escalation,” he said during a cabinet meeting in Yerevan.
Nevertheless, Pashinian went on to state: “I want to send the following message
to all of you and the international community: there will be a peace treaty and
it and will be based on written documents reached at the highest levels to date.”
The conflicting sides have exchanged in recent months written proposals
regarding the treaty which Baku hopes will help to restore full Azerbaijani
control over Nagorno-Karabakh. Few of their details have been made public so far.
The U.S. State Department reported “significant progress” in
Armenian-Azerbaijani peace talks after Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a
trilateral meeting with Aliyev and Pashinian in Munich last month.
Blinken spoke on Wednesday of an “opportunity to bring a peace agreement to
fruition.” He cautioned, though, that the peace process is “challenging and
fraught.”
Pashinian complained last week that Baku is rejecting most Armenian proposals on
the would-be treaty and making more demands unacceptable to Armenia. He said
that he will not sign any “capitulation” deals.
Reposted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2023 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
Press
Contact:
Shant
Sahakian, Executive Director
Armenian
American Museum and Cultural Center of California
(818)
644-2214
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ARMENIAN AMERICAN MUSEUM LAUNCHES ELEVATE CAMPAIGN AT SOLD OUT
ELEVATE GALA
Glendale, CA () – The Armenian American Museum and
Cultural Center of California announced the launch of the new Elevate Campaign at
the sold out Elevate Gala on Sunday, March 19, 2023. The signature event of the
year welcomed a capacity audience of donors, supporters, public officials, and
guests at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. The Elevate Gala raised $7
million in support of the Armenian American Museum through sponsorships, ticket
sales, donations, and gift announcements.
The Elevate Gala kicked off with heartwarming and comedic welcoming
remarks from the internationally acclaimed and award-winning entertainer Kev
Orkian who served as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening.
The National Anthems were performed by the renowned Soprano Mariné
Ter-Kazaryan.
The Invocation was conducted by Primate of the Western Diocese of
the Armenian Church of North America Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Prelate of
the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church Bishop Torkom Donoyan,
Minister of the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America Reverend Hendrik
Shanazarian, and Representative of the Armenian Catholic Eparchy of the United
States and Canada Monsignor Parsegh Baghdassarian.
“The vision of the Armenian American Museum has infused in our
spiritual and national life a most precious milestone which has unified us to
justify the legacy of the Martyred Saints of the first Genocide of the 20th
Century,” stated Board of Trustees Co-Chair Archbishop Hovnan Derderian in his
remarks on behalf of the Board of Trustees. “Tonight’s Gala is another step
forward to mobilize our efforts and send to the community a new level of hope,
resilience, and commitment to serve this country and our ancestral land of
Armenia.”
Elevate Gala Chair Diana Timuryan thanked the sponsors who
generously supported the event and the Elevate Gala Committee members who contributed
their time to help organize the event with the museum team.
Major Sponsors included Rima & Donnell Cameron, Armen &
Gloria Hampar Family Foundation, Avadis & Nancy Tevanian, Jack & Zarig
Youredjian, Ayvazian Family Foundation, The GASKA Alliance Foundation,
Anonymous, Dr. Vicken & Sossy Aharonian, Ron & Kourtni Arakelian, Bank
of America, Gregory & Gina Felikian, Steve & Sandi Hampar, Nabil &
Hanan Karabetian, Berdj & Mary Karapetian, Matthew & Audrey Matoesian,
William McMorrow, Nora Tertzag Hampar Charitable Trust Ara & Nina Ohanian,
Sarkis & Nune Sepetjian, and Isaac & Frieda Vartanian.
The Elevate Gala Committee members included Mayda Altounian,
Alvard Barseghian, Angela Bedoyan, Ani Bekarian, Araxie Boyamian, Garine
Depoyan, Hilda Fidanian, Aida Gharakhani, Marie Jeanne Harmandayan, Natalie
Hariri, Christine Hovnanian, Tanya Kalaydjian, Maro Kasparian, Dr. Alexia
Kevonian, Erika Toriz-Kurkjian, Carmen Libaridian, Margaret Mgrublian, Narine
Mouradian, Aleen Orucakciel, Dzovig Zetlian, and Elizabeth Zoryan.
Senator Anthony J. Portantino delivered remarks on behalf of the
State of California, who has invested $19.6 million to support the historic
project including a new $9.8 million grant in the 2022-2023 State Budget that
was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom.
Executive Director Shant Sahakian celebrated the Groundbreaking
Campaign that helped the museum reach the historic groundbreaking of the cultural
and educational center in Summer 2021 and successfully complete the first phase
of construction featuring the museum parking garage and building foundation in
November 2022. He announced the launch of the Elevate Campaign to set sights on
the next major milestone of the project as the landmark center is elevated to
the horizon as a destination for education, enrichment, and inspiration for
generations to come.
“In the education world, we talk a great deal about the concept of
windows and mirrors,” stated Executive Director Shant Sahakian in his message on
behalf of the Armenian American Museum. “That if we want our children and our
young people to thrive – they need mirrors. They need to be able to see
themselves in the books they read, in the films they watch, in the stories they
hear, and yes – in the museums they visit. They also need windows – that allow
them to peek into the past to discover their roots, transport themselves into
places that they have never been before, learn about cultures that are not
their own, and in doing so, learn more about themselves and everyone around
them.”
Ara Dance Studio delivered an uplifting dance performance
dedicated to the Armenian American Museum.
Master of Ceremonies Kev Orkian delivered a powerful musical
performance on the piano with a self-written piece called “Freedom.”
Mayor Ardy Kassakhian delivered remarks on behalf of the City of
Glendale, who has dedicated a premier location for the historic project in
Central Park, where the museum campus will be going through a major expansion
with the creation of a new central lawn, outdoor amphitheater, children’s park,
and much more.
Board of Trustees Member Dr. Nazareth Darakjian representing the
Armenian Missionary Association of America and Board of Trustees Member Vicky
Marashlian representing the Armenian Relief Society Western USA presented the
Park Entrance Plaza recognition. The Park Entrance Plaza will serve as the main
entrance for visitors through Central Park, greeting patrons as they are
welcomed to an immersive and impactful experience at the Armenian American
Museum. The presenters announced that the Park Entrance Plaza will be sponsored
by the Armen and Gloria Hampar Family Foundation in honor of the foundation’s
generous gift to the museum.
Board of Trustees Co-Treasurer Avedik Izmirlian representing the
Armenian Cultural Foundation and Board of Trustees Representative Dr. Raffi
Balian representing the Nor Or Charitable Foundation presented the Grand
Elevator recognition. The Grand Elevator will elevate guests between the first
level and upper levels of the museum with an unfettered view of the inspiring
Grand Lobby on the first level and the beautiful Hazarashen Skylight rising to
the sky. The presenters announced that the Grand Elevator will be sponsored by
Rima and Donnell Cameron in honor of the family’s generous gift in the beloved
memory of Rouzas and Janet Khoylian.
Board of Trustees Co-Treasurer Talin Yacoubian representing
Armenian General Benevolent Union Western Region and Board of Trustees Member
Garbiel Moloyan representing Nor Serount Cultural Association presented the
Demonstration Kitchen recognition. The Demonstration Kitchen will provide a
one-of-a-kind learning experience for patrons with a wide array of culinary
opportunities including cooking presentations, cooking courses, and food-centered
social events. The presenters announced that the Demonstration Kitchen will be
sponsored by Avie and Nancy Tevanian in honor of the family’s generous gift to
the museum.
Executive Chairman Berdj Karapetian presented Master of Ceremonies
Kev Orkian with a special Armenian American Museum Golden Pin in recognition of
his impactful support of the Armenian American Museum and the Elevate Gala.
Executive Vice Chairman Zaven Kazazian introduced the Honorable
Michael Amerian, Trustee with the George Ignatius Foundation, to make a special
surprise announcement at the grand finale of the event. Joined by fellow
Trustees George Phillips, Sr. and Honorable Walter J. Karabian, he announced
that the George Ignatius Foundation will be contributing $1 million in support of the Armenian American Museum, an announcement that was greeted with a roaring
applause by the capacity audience. The George Ignatius Foundation is a
non-profit organization which has generously supported several charitable
causes promoting Armenian history, culture, and religion since 1976.
“Together, we are going to elevate the Armenian American Museum,
we are going to elevate the community, and we are going to elevate the future,”
stated Executive Chairman Berdj Karapetian in his closing remarks for the successful
event.
The Armenian American Museum is a world class educational and
cultural institution that is currently under construction in the museum campus
at Glendale Central Park. The museum will offer a wide range of public
programming through the Permanent Exhibition, Temporary Exhibitions,
Auditorium, Learning Center, Demonstration Kitchen, Archives Center, and more.
Contribute to the Elevate Campaign at https://www.ArmenianAmericanMuseum.org/Elevate.
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In this week’s episode of Insights with Eric Hacopian, Eric discusses the humanitarian consequences of Azerbaijan’s blockade of Artsakh, which has now stretched past its 100th day. Eric also gives his take on the Armenian government’s deal last month to restart operations at the Amulsar gold mine and gives some personal advice to Louis Bono, Washington’s new special envoy to the South Caucasus.
Credits: Ruptly
09:39,
YEREVAN, MARCH 24, ARMENPRESS. A magnitude 5,3 earthquake that hit northwestern Iran on March 24 was felt in several Armenian provinces.
The Armenian Regional Seismic Protection Service said the quake hit some 23 km south-east from the city of Khoy in Iran early on Friday morning. The quake had a depth of 10km and an intensity of 7 on the MSK scale in the epicenter. It was felt in Armenia’s Syunik Province at an intensity of 3-4 MSK, in Vayots Dzor and Ararat at 3 MSK and in Kotayk at 2 MSK.
No damages were reported by Armenian authorities.