EDITOR’S NOTE: Esteemed scholar, Dr. Rubina Peroomian, made the presentation below, “Richard Hovannisian in Memoriam” during the “Helen Fein, Roger Smith, and Richard Hovannisian Tribute Panel” on July 14 at the International Association of Genocide Scholars Conference in Barcelona, Spain. The panel was initially organized to honor the memory of Helen Fein and Roger Smith, two newly deceased founding members of the organization, but Hovannisian was added to the topic after his passing on July 10.

BY DR. RUBINA PEROOMIAN

I have had the honor to introduce Prof. Richard Hovannisian on many occasions, at conferences and at events where he was honored. This will be the most difficult. I would never imagine speaking about him in the past tense. He was an icon in the field of Armenian Studies. And icons don’t die.

I will try my best to give you a brief introduction into the life and work of this unique scholar, trailblazer in Armenian historiography and Armenian Genocide studies in the West, mentor, diligent researcher, great inspirer, motivator and organizer, human rights advocate, and cultivator of generations of scholars following his footsteps.

But before that, I’d like to pay my deep respect to the memory of Helen Fein and Roger Smith, pioneers of Genocide Studies whom I have had the bonne chance to meet in IAGS conferences and admire their work.

On March 7, 2020, the Armenian National Committee Western Region Education Committee honored Prof. Hovannisian with the Legacy Award at Genocide Education, and I was given the task and the privilege to introduce him. After the event half-jokingly, he said to me “send me your text. It will make a nice obituary.” He was right again. The idea was farfetched and inconceivable to me at the time, but overwhelmed with emotions as I heard the sad news of his sudden death and burdened with the heavy schedule of this conference, I found myself searching that text in my computer to shape my tribute speech today.

Speakers at the “Helen Fein, Roger Smith, and Richard Hovannisian Tribute Panel”

Richard G. Hovannisian, Professor of Modern Armenian and Near Eastern History at UCLA, my mentor, my role model, my inspiration. It was because of his sincere and strong recommendation letter, not knowing me personally, just trusting my desire and motivation, that the holder of the Armenian language and Literature chair reluctantly agreed to accept a 43-year-old civil engineer from Tehran in the graduate program at the UCLA Near Eastern Languages and Cultures Department, Winter Quarter, 1980.

I remember my first exam in the class of History 112B. I filled up the Blue Book entirely and waited for the result. And the result was B+ for the content, C- for the language. That was my first shocking encounter with this hard grading, demanding professor. No, he was not an easy A professor unlike for example the Turkish history professor who was famous for his high grades just to attract students to his class.

This last few days Facebook is inundated with remarks and remembrances, celebrating his life, eulogizing his legacy. A former student of his wrote, “Lectures from Professor Hovannisian transported us, turning distant histories into cohesive and captivating stories. His storytelling brought the subject to life with all its twists and turns, pivotal moments, tragedy, and triumph. Stories that he told over and over to generation after generation, imparting a passion and lifelong curiosity for Armenian History.”

Richard G. Hovannisian was born and raised in Tulare, California, into a family of Armenian Genocide survivors. He earned a B.A. and an M.A. in History from UC Berkley, and a PhD. in 1966, from UCLA. His dissertation, Armenia on the Road to Independence, was published in 1967 to become the precursor to the four-volume monumental work The Republic of Armenia, 1918-1920, published between 1971-1996. With these 5 volumes he broke the ground for a national, post-Soviet Armenian historiography still in the stages of development today.

He had joined the UCLA Faculty in 1962 earning numerous awards and prizes as a dedicated teacher and a prolific historian. He earned the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship and medals of honor from Armenian and non-Armenian institutions. He served on the Board of Directors of national and international educational institutions and was one of the first members of the Armenian National Academy of Sciences outside Armenia.

In 1987, he became the first holder of the Armenian Education Foundation Endowed Chair in Modern Armenian History at UCLA, which after his retirement was named in his honor as the Richard Hovannisian Chair in Modern Armenian History.

To become the esteemed, reputable, and world-renowned scholar that he was took more than knowledge, or relentless research, or intense labor and perseverance. It took more than self-discipline, objectivity, or meticulous and selective treatment of the sources. It was all these, but more importantly, an aspiration, a genuine and undying urge to serve the homeland of his dreams.

We owe it to his unswerving zeal and dedication to the Armenian Cause to have had systematically organized conferences devoted to the provinces and regions of historic Armenia, bringing to life these places where Armenians live no more, 17 conferences over the years and 15 volumes of the proceedings of these conferences he edited and published. 3 conferences dedicated to the Armenian Genocide and publication of papers presented. He also edited the two-volume The Armenian People from Ancient to Modern Times, a classic Armenian History textbook published in 1997. He edited and contributed to more than thirty-five books impossible to enumerate them here.

He introduced the Armenian oral history course at UCLA in 1970s, and together with his students he interviewed about 1000 Armenian survivors of the Genocide. Each student was assigned 10 interviews. I did 15 and the longest ones. In 2018 he donated the collection to the USC Shoah Foundation’s Visual History Archive, where they are being digitized and indexed for different themes and are available for researchers anywhere in the world.

His aura, his reputation, and his powerful and convincing presentations in multiple forums, paved the way for the inclusion of the Armenian Genocide in the school and university curricula and in international deliberations.

With his academic output, his pursuit of unbiased, national historiography, his activism in the world recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and the pivotal role he played in the gathering of survivors’ testimonies and advancing the Armenian Genocide Education, he left a legacy that will live forever and guide many more generations to come.

He was a target of the deniers of the Armenian Genocide, but he stood strong and battled against denialism, distortion of history and pretended Turkish altruism.

Richard was the son who did not fit the macho mold his father, Kasbar of Bazmashen village in Kharbert, a young soldier in Andranik’s troop, had created. “That son of a gun,” his father would say, unlike his brothers “he’ll never amount to anything.”

His road was the one less traveled.

Richard had felt on his own skin how painful it was to be the child of a survivor of a great catastrophe, the son of a tormented soul who woke up screaming frantically in the middle of the night, calling his mother, “Վայ, մայրիկ, վայ.“ Kasbar was on the banks of the bloody Euphrates, where a Turk had snatched him from his mother’s embrace.

Announcing the birth of his first son, Raffi, to his mentor, Simon Vratsian, Richard wrote, “Raffi is growing…. He is laughing. He does not know what the future has in store for him. He does not yet know that he has been born into a race in which all children, if they are good, must suffer.” He had suffered, and he knew very well that the suffering would not end with the next generation. And by the way, Raffi would become the first Minister of Foreign Affairs (1991-1992) of the newly independent Republic of Armenia.

In my studies of the second-generation’s perception of the Armenian tragic past and the inherited trauma, Richard’s response was rebellion, escape, but not alienation and assimilation. His Armenian identity was kindled in San Francisco Armenian Youth Federation and forged in Jemaran, in Beirut. He returned home to dedicate his life and career to building a monument of remembrance through his many academic publications, teaching and activism, always having his loving wife Vartiter on his side to help, to encourage, to support.

In this earthly world, you deserve a lot, do your duty dear Richard. You bore the open and unhealing wounds and psychological traumas of the past, but you did not act as a victim, but with your pen and activity, as a combatant, dedicated to the just judgment and retribution of the terrible crime committed against the Armenian people that went unpunished.

We respect your path.
Let us honor your memory.

Dr. Rubina Peroomian is an independent scholar author, formerly of UCLA.

CSTO Secretary-General Imangali Tasmagambetov (center) visits Jermuk on Mar. 16

The Collective Security Treaty Organization said it is ready to revisit discussions on the possible deployment of a monitoring mission along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border and is awaiting a response from Yerevan, a Russian foreign ministry official said.

“The CSTO member states have never abandoned their efforts for stabilizing the situation in the region and have numerously affirmed readiness to find concrete solutions that would allow our Armenian friends to utilize the organization’s broad possibilities with maximum benefit,” Mikayel Aghasandyan, the Head of the First Department of the CIS Countries at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.

“We are still waiting for a positive response from Yerevan and stand ready to resume substantive work around the proposal to deploy a CSTO monitoring mission in Armenia’s border regions, as well as other joint actions to help our ally,” he added.

Moscow believes that “making the relevant decisions would have a positive impact on the general regional situation, the official said.

“I repeat, we are ready for such constructive work,” he added.

The Russian foreign ministry official also said that the CSTO, like any other international organization, is not a “magic wand” for solving every problem.

“The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is one of the most complicated [conflicts], it has deep historical roots. Consistent normalization of the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations based on negotiations, mutual respect between the parties, readiness to compromise, make responsible decisions and implement them is the only path towards sustainable resolution. In this context, I must mention the key mediation role of Russia and personally President Vladimir Putin in this process,” Aghasandyan said.

An award and some other memorabilia on display in Sierra Hall. (Photo by Kaley Block).

NORTHRIDGE (CSUN Today)—Authentic Armenian books, medals, personal letters, photos, autobiography manuscripts and translated documents can be found in a special collection at the California State University, Northridge’s University Library.

An array of memorabilia and historical artifacts belonging to the late Armenian immigrant, advocate and educator Sara Chitjian is now accessible to the public.

Prior to her passing in 2021, Chitjian reached out to the university, offering a slew of artifacts collected by her family that documented her parents’ lives in Armenia and their family life in America as part of the Armenian diaspora. 

Chitjian’s father, Hampartzoum “Harry” Chitjian, was a survivor of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. He dedicated his life to raising awareness about the genocide, the legacy of its survivors and preserving Chitjian family history. In 2001, Chitjian and her father formed the Harry and Ovsanna Chitjian Family Foundation, which was responsible for preserving many of the materials given to the university. 

“The Chitjian Collection must be viewed as a unique part and parcel of the mosaic that is the U.S. in general, and California in particular,” said Vahram Shemmassian, the director of CSUN’s Armenian Studies Program in the Department of Modern & Classical Languages & Literatures. “As such, it enhances our understanding of the differences and commonality of the multicultural, multiethnic society that we live in, thereby making us more tolerant, more appreciative, and more embracing of each other.  We welcome all to share the richness of Armenian history and culture at the micro level, which, in fact, has also a macro scope.”

Ellen Jarosz, head of the library’s Special Collections & Archives, explained that the fragile objects, or items with a higher research value, were selected for preservation and made available to researchers. These items include correspondence between Chitjian family members, photographs, maps, books, articles and teaching materials used by Chitjian and her father. 

“The Chitjian Collection gives our students, our university and the people who visit an opportunity to have a first-hand interaction with materials that most people don’t get the chance to see because they are so unique and rare,” said Jaroz. “People can draw unique and original conclusions, and really take advantage of these things to inform their own view, instead of having somebody tell them what they mean and what’s most important.”

In 2020, Chitjian began the endowment process that resulted in the gift to the library. She also funded the creation of a museum-style room in CSUN’s Sierra Hall dedicated to exhibiting memorabilia that document both her and her father’s legacy. 
“The Chitjian Collection is an in-depth and intimate portrait of endurance, renewal, and legacy as told through a family archive created by their daughter, “Sara” Chitjian,” said Claire V. Gordon, the archivist responsible for sorting and cataloging the university’s newest collection. “The collection grants us an intimate peek into the early lives of the Chitjian family,” 
With the cataloging process now completed, the collection is open and available for public viewing.

With the cataloging process now completed, the collection is open and available for public viewing. CSUN’s Special Collections & Archives, hours can be found on the library website. Special Collections & Archives is located on the second floor of the University Library, which is the heart of the campus located at 181111 Nordhoff St., Northridge.

Artsakh resident Vagif Khachatryan before being kidnapped by Azerbaijani forces on Jul. 29

Calls Yerevan’s Acceptance of Artsakh as Part of Azerbaijan “Inappropriate,” Chides Pashinyan for Calling into Question Russia’s Role

The Russian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said Azerbaijan’s abduction of an Artsakh citizen is further complicating the peace process and the ability to find solutions to the conflict. It also lambasted Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for questioning the continued presence of its peacekeepers in Artsakh and claiming that Moscow has scaled back its involvement in Armenian-Azerbaijani peace talks because of the war in Ukraine.

The kidnapping and subsequent arrest of Vagif Khachatryan by Azerbaijani forces on Saturday “
of course, complicates the process of finding difficult but necessary conclusions, compromises and solutions,” said Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova during a press briefing on Wednesday.

“Of course, this exacerbates the situation,” she emphasized, adding that the assessments of the situation by Armenia and Azerbaijan were “diametrically opposed” to one another.

“Regardless of this particular incident or other similar incidents, we rely on the importance of reconciliation both in the context of the normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations and in the context of ensuring the rights and security of the people of Karabakh,” said Zakharova.

She also emphasized the importance of the immediate opening of Lachin corridor, a position that Moscow has articulated more vocally during the past several weeks.

“We are working with the parties and once again reaffirm the need to immediately unblock the Lachin corridor and ensure normal conditions for the life of the local population,” added Zakharova.

She added that a lot depends on the political will and willingness to make compromises in this matter.

In addressing the fact that a convoy of trucks carrying 400 tons of humanitarian assistance to Artsakh from Armenia has been stranded at the Hakari Bridge for more than a week, Zakharova said that the Russian peacekeeping contingent is “searching for solutions” and is contact with both sides.

She warned, however, that accusations being made against the Russian peacekeepers are counterproductive “and do not reflect their real contribution to efforts of stabilizing the situation on the ground.”
Zakharova also stressed said that Armenia had not coordinated the delivery of the humanitarian aid with Azerbaijan, in a sense negating the fact that the Lachin Corridor, per the November 9, 2020 agreement, must remain open to traffic and be under the control of the Russian peacekeepers.

Zakharova’s strongest rebuke of Pashinyan came in reference to the prime minister’s statements last month that the European Union and especially the United States have played the leading role in international efforts to end the Karabakh conflict lately. Pashinyan said that because of “the events in Ukraine” the Russians cannot invest as much “energy and time” in conflict mediation as they did before.

Pashinyan also suggested that a “productive” dialogue between the Azerbaijani government and Karabakh’s leadership could lead to the withdrawal of the Russian peacekeeping contingent from the Armenian-populated region.

Zakharova said the Armenian leader’s remarks are “devoid of any factual basis,” arguing that in recent months Moscow has organized “a series” of high-level Armenian-Azerbaijani talks, including Pashinyan’s May 25 meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“We have been and remain fully interested in furthering the process of normalizing Armenian-Azerbaijani relations,” Zakharova said at the press briefing.. “We are doing everything to achieve a lasting peace and stability in the region.”

The foreign ministry spokesperson also called Pashinyan’s comments about the possible end of the Russian peacekeepers’ presence in Artsakh “incomprehensible.”

“Is this a wish?” she said. “I don’t understand Mr. Pashinyan. What is he talking about?”

“Does the leadership of Armenia think that [the peacekeepers’] activity is not necessary and desirable and wants to end it?” Zakharova went on. “They need to set the record straight.”

“Unfortunately, we can see that often times representatives of Armenia’s leadership adopt an equivocal, so to speak, position on a number of key issues. We therefore very much want to see no ambiguity on this score because juggling with words does not end well,” Zakharova said.

“And generally speaking, after the Armenian leadership recognized Nagorno-Karabakh as Azerbaijani territory, any complaints about Russia not making enough efforts look all the more inappropriate,” added Zakharova.

In conjunction with the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America Inc, the Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School, a distinguished educational institution dedicated to preserving Armenian language, culture, and heritage, has recently purchased a 6800 square foot property on Alexandria Ave.

The acquisition marks a significant milestone in the school’s journey as it expands its facilities to meet the challenges posed by its remarkable growth and success.

Under the leadership of Western Prelate Bishop Torkom Donoyan and the supervision of the Prelacy Executive Council Chairman Vahe Hovaguimian, school Principal Maral Tavitian, and its Board, led by Chairman Vahe Tashdjian, the school is actively planning and working on feasibility plans to ensure the property is ready for use during the upcoming 2023-2024 academic year.

Over the years, Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School has experienced a steady increase in enrollment, reflecting its reputation for providing high-quality education rooted in Armenian values. This growth has presented various challenges, including space constraints and the need for enhanced facilities to support the expanding student body. Recognizing the importance
of creating an optimal learning environment, the school administration has actively pursued opportunities for growth and expansion.

Following an extensive search for the perfect opportunity, Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School was able to purchase the property.

“This acquisition stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication of the Prelacy towards its schools, while also highlighting the School’s and the Board’s resolute commitment to fulfilling Pilibos’ mission. Furthermore, this milestone represents a momentous stride towards meeting the escalating needs of the thriving Pilibos community,” the Prelacy said in a statement.

Having take possession of the property, Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School is in the planning stages for its transformation into an asset.

The School Administration and Board, in collaboration with architects and experts, is meticulously developing feasibility plans to ensure the new property meets the needs of the community.