CHRISTIAN MIGRATION FROM MID-EAST AT HEART OF PATRIARCHS’ MEETING
by Youssef Hourany
Asia News, Italy
Oct 18 2006
A meeting of the seven leaders of the eastern Churches opened yesterday
in Lebanon. The leaders criticized some Arab states that treated
Christians as second class citizens and fundamentalist groups that
portrayed them as linked to the West.
Beirut (AsiaNews) – How to stop the emigration of Christians –
guarantors of human rights – from the Middle East was the main topic
of the first day of a meeting of the seven patriarchs of the East.
The gathering opened yesterday in Bzoummar, the seat of the
Armenian-Catholic patriarchate on Mount Lebanon. From the start,
participants lamented conditions facing Christians in some Arab states,
where they were treated as second class citizens, made to feel like
“strangers in their homeland” and hence pushed to emigrate.
Significantly titled “The Church and the earth”, the Ordinary Session
of the meeting of the seven patriarchs of the East started yesterday,
Tuesday 17 October, with an appeal to all Christians of the East.
Ending on Friday, the meeting gathers the following patriarchs:
Maronite, Nasrallah Sfeir, Greek-Melchite, Gregory III Laham, Coptic,
Antonios Nagib, Syrian-Catholic, Boutros VIII Abdel Ahad, Latin of
Jerusalem, Michel Sabbah, Chaldean, Emmanuel III Delly, as well as
the host, the Armenian Catholic patriarch, Narsis Bedros XIX.
The Apostolic Nuncio in Lebanon, Mgr Luigi Gatti, greeted the
patriarchs and underlined the importance and meaning of the chosen
topic. He also stressed the value of the Christian presence in this
land, because “Christians must understand that their staying is the
only guarantee of the survival of symbolic values of independence,
pluralism, denominational balance and respect for human rights”. The
pontifical representative expressed hope that dialogue would be
strengthened, as it is the only means capable of fighting fear,
anguish and neglect.
In his opening address, the Armenian-Catholic patriarch talked much
about the hidden danger in the emigration of Christians from the
Middle East. He insisted on the value of the Christian presence
in the region, consisting of testimony and mission. He indicated
wars and social crises as the main historical reasons for migration
that has affected all religious families of the East. But Narsis
Bedros XIX also hit out at the approach of some Arab countries that
treated Christians like second class citizens, making them feel like
“strangers in their homeland”. This attitude was caused by a lack
of trust in Christians, who are often thought to be linked to the
West and to be somehow less Arabic than their compatriots. Moreover,
due to the action of fundamentalist groups, continued the Armenian
Catholic patriarch, we are faced with violence and persecution
against Christians, their churches and their assets, to force them
to leave their land of origin and to emigrate. To this must be added
the incentives offered by countries that need their presence.
The patriarch closed his speech by reiterating the need of keeping
the Christian presence alive in the East and of highlighting their
cause in the international community. Key to the struggle is immediate
solutions for the prevalent unemployment crisis, to give Christians
the jobs they deserve.
;art=7511

RYJKOV: ECONOMIC COOPERATION BETWEEN ARMENIA AND RUSSIA STIRS UP
Arka News Agency, Armenia
Oct 18 2006
YEREVAN, October 18. /ARKA/. On Tuesday at the 11th session of
the Armenia-Russian Interparliamentary Commission on Cooperation
Co-Chairman Nikolay Ryjkov said the economic cooperation between
Armenia and Russia was stirring up, although mutual commodity turnover
had become difficult, because of worsening of Russian-Georgian
relations.
He also pointed out that separate incidents, taking place with
Armenians in Russia, shouldn’t be considered from the viewpoint of
national discrimination. Meantime Ryjkov admitted that it’s a serious
problem, which shouldn’t be ignored by Russian authorities.
In his turn a member of the Commission, deputy of the RF State Duma
Igor Chernyshov stated that Armenian-Russian economic relations
possessed both progress and unsolved problems.
“Volume of Russian investments had significantly increased. In
Armenia there are 700 enterprises, in which Russia had invested big
funds. Cooperation in banking and energy spheres has also stirred up
between the two countries”, Chernyshenko emphasized.

ULP LEADER: INFLATION – NUMBER ONE PROBLEM FOR ARMENIA’S ECONOMY
Arka News Agency, Armenia
Oct 18 2006
YEREVAN, October 18. /ARKA/. Inflation was the number one problem for
the economy of Armenia, on Tuesday leader of the United Labour Party
(ULP) Gurgen Arsenyan told journalists in Yerevan.
“Our party practically ignores weakening of USD, since the inflation
“eats up” much more funds of the population, than the notorious
“strengthening” of AMD”, he emphasized.
Arsenyan finds that lately inflation has been galloping in the
republic, which gets no adequate reaction of the government and
sturctures, responsible for this sphere.
He said that recently growth rate of the inflation has 2 times
increased, leaving behind the 3% limit, envisaged by the CBA.
“It should have been admitted long ago that the CBA is not capable
of controlling inflation in the country, taking into count the recent
rise in prices in Armenia”, he pointed out.
Arsenyan said that ULP had thrice 3 proposed a bill on measures
preventing the inflation in the RA parliament, which got no proper
feedback of the majority of MPs.
According to the data of the RA National Statistics Service, in
Inflation made 2,3% in September 2006, against December 2005. In
September 2006, the index of consumer prices made 105,9%, compared to
September 2005 in Armenia. As at January-September 2006, in Armenia
index of consumer prices made 102%, against January-September 2006.
According to the state budget, in Armenia inflation is envisaged at
3% level in 2006. Meantime by the end of September the RA government
approved a proposal on moving amendments to the Ra Law On the RA State
Budget for 2006, at that proposing the CBA to support the inflation
at 5% level (±1,5%) in December, as compared to similar period in
2005.
–Boundary_(ID_wOF85V2xmRe5Sy8/fO0kUg)–

FACING CLIMATE CHANGE: ACTION AT LOCAL AND REGIONAL LEVEL
Council of Europe
Oct 18 2006
The Committee on Sustainable Development of the Council of Europe
Congress is organising a hearing to be held in Yerevan (Armenia)
on 19 October .to discuss innovative approaches carried out at local
and regional level in dealing with the challenges of climate change.
The hearing, which will take place in the Ani Plaza Hotel from 1.45
pm to 6.30 pm, will be opened by Armenian Ecology Minister Vardan
Aivazyan and the Chair of the Sustainable Development Committee
Gaye Doganoglu. Gotelind Alber, a specialist on climate policy, will
present the perspectives for the next 100 years and policies at the
international level.
The participants will examine a variety of stake-holders’ responses
to the challenges of climate change. They will examine innovative
approaches aimed at fostering a new energy culture, a mobility society
and sustainable urban planning. The case studies are based on the
policies in the cities of Pamplona (Spain), Oslo (Norway), Paris
(France) and Miskolc (Hungary), as well as the Lower Austria Region.
Communication Unit of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
Tel: +33 (0)3 90 21 49 36 Fax:+33 (0)3 88 41 27 51 [email protected]
Contact in Erevan : Marite Moras, Secretary of the Committee on
Sustainable Development Mobile: +33 (0)6 50 39 29 16 ; E-mail :
[email protected]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Press Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Father Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
INAU GURATION OF THE SEMINARY’S 77TH ACADEMIC YEAR
“THE SEMINARY IS THE STRUCTURE
OF FORMING TRUE MEN”
Says His Holiness ARAM I
The 77th academic year of the Antelias Seminary was launched on October 15
in Antelias with an official ceremony following the service on the Feast of
Holy Translators.
His Holiness Aram I presided over the service. Holy Mass was conducted by
Seminary Dean V. Rev. Fr. Shahe Panossian who talked about the mission of
the Seminary in the service of the Armenian Church and nation.
After the service, a procession of the Cilician Brotherhood and the Seminary
students marched towards the Veharan where the Pontiff presided over the
inauguration ceremony.
Speaking on behalf of the Seminary’s administration, V. Rev. Fr. Panossian
expressed his gratitude to His Holiness for trusting him with the important
responsibility of the Seminary’s Dean. He briefly talked about the new
academic curriculum and the current situation of the staff and teachers. The
Dean also touched on the high expectations of the Armenians from the
Antelias Seminary.
The Pontiff announced the official start of the new academic year at the
Seminary with his Pontifical blessings. Drawing on images from the Bible, he
spoke about the importance of dedication and quality in the Seminary
students.
“The Seminary forms such people who will completely dedicate themselves to
our nation and church. The Bible says that a healthy tree bears healthy
fruits. The fruits testify that the tree is healthy and vice versa. The
Seminary is a tree, nurtured in the garden of life of our church; a tree,
which, during the past 76 years, bore a lot of fruits and our nation witness
ed the healthy fruits of that healthy tree. However, there were also bad
fruits that feel from the tree so it can remain healthy and continue giving
healthy fruits, because our Antelias Seminary is the structure of forming
true men, said His Holiness Aram I.
The program of the ceremony also featured the performance of hymns and
readings from the Bible and Nareg.
At the end of the ceremony, the new and old Seminary students and their
parents received the Pontiff’s blessings by kissing his right hand. The
choir sang “Der Getso”, “Cilicia” and “I Veh Partsants”.
Classes at the Seminary of the Catholicosate started Monday morning in
Bikfaya.
##
View photos here:
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Theological
Seminary of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

PRESS RELEASE
Club of Young Diplomats at YSU
Alex Manoogian 1, suite 29
Tel: +374 91-752146
[email protected]
October 18, 2006
THE CLUB OF YOUNG DIPLOMATS WILL HOST HIS EXCELLENCY AMBASSADOR H.
CUNY OF FRANCE
YEREVAN: On Thursday October 19, 3pm the Club of Young Diplomats at
Yerevan State University will host outgoing Ambassador of France to
Armenia H.E. Henry Cuny at the Balian Hall in YSU. The Club of Young
Diplomats has always enjoyed the friendly relationships with the
French Embassy and Ambassador H. Cuny. His Excellency has visited the
University on a number of occasions. One of the occasions was the
presentation of His Excellency’s “Le Bonheur Sur Tous Les Tons”
(Happiness of Any Kind) published in Armenia, a unique publication
that alters Ambassador Cuny’s original thoughts on HAPPYNESS. Copies
of the book will be distributed to interested students with author’s
signature at the end of the event. Yet this meeting will be special
since it is a kind of a farewell to students, a segment of the
Armenian society His Excellency favored the most.
An analogous event was organized to farewell H.E. Ambassador Paolo
Andrea Trabalza of Italy in 2004. Thus the Club develops a tradition
of holding special farewell events for outgoing Ambassador’s who have
significantly contributed to strengthening of the relations of their
respective states with Armenia and have integrated into the cultural
life of Yerevan.
Ambassador Cuny completes his mission in Armenia in 10 days and the
Club of Young Diplomats wanted to invite his Excellency over for an
informal interactive meeting with the student body of our Alma Mater,
a kind of a farewell to a special friend and a skilled diplomat. “His
Excellency expressed willingness to meet up with the student body
long before, yet we wanted to host the Ambassador later this month to
ask him sum up on his mission, his President’s visit to Armenia and
the “ARMENIE MONAMIE” the year of Armenia in France program to share
his views and valuable thoughts, feelings about Armenia, Armenian
people and culture as well as on his unique perception of life and
happiness”, says Erik Grigoryan, the head of the student club.
“To be hold on the aftermath of President Chirac’s trip to Armenia
and on the eve of the official start of the Armenian Year In France
Program, the meeting will bear the flavor of the traditional
friendship of Armenian and French people and the partnership of the
two states”, Mr. Grigoryan added.
For further information on the Club call (374 91) 752146; email
[email protected]

ANC PAC
104 N. Belmont St.
Suite 200B
Glendale, CA 91206
Press Release
ANC-PAC Endorses Texas Congressional Candidate Nick Lampson
Former Congressman seeks House seat once held by Tom Delay
October 18, 2006
HOUSTON, TX – The Armenian National Committee-Political Action
Committee (ANC-PAC) issued a statement today endorsing Nick Lampson’s
campaign to represent the 22nd Congressional District in Texas. The
22nd Congressional District is comprised of parts of four different
counties in Southeast Texas and includes the cities of Sugar Land,
Missouri City and Deer Park.
Lampson had served four terms in Congress, beginning in 1996,
before being voted out of office as a result of a redistricting plan
orchestrated by the, now indicted, former Congressman Tom Delay.
“We are pleased to be supporting Nick Lampson’s congressional
campaign,” commented Vatche Hovsepian, a representative of the ANC-PAC
in Texas. “Nick was a good friend of our community before he was the
victim of Tom Delay’s illegal redistricting scheme and we believe he
will go to Washington, DC to represent the hopes and dreams of his
Armenian American constituents. For this reason we are proud that
our many supporters, including members of the local Armenian Youth
Federation’s Dro Chapter, have and will continue to volunteer for
Nick’s campaign until election day,” he added.
The endorsement issued today represents a remarkable turnaround for
Armenian Americans in the 22nd Congressional District in Texas,
an area that for years has been represented by Tom Delay. Delay,
the disgraced former House Majority Leader, was one of the most
anti-Armenian Congressman in U.S. history. He repeatedly used his
high office to block votes on Armenian Genocide resolutions. Delay
was also closely aligned with former Congressman Bob Livingston,
who is registered as a foreign agent for the Republic of Turkey.
In January of 2004 Nick Lampson co-authored a letter to House Speaker
Dennis Hastert urging him to allow a vote on an Armenian Genocide
resolution (H.Res.193). H.Res. 193 was a resolution that sought to
have the United States officially recognize the Armenian Genocide
and mark the 15th anniversary of President Ronald Reagan’s signing
the 1987 Genocide Convention Implementation Act, also known as the
Proxmire Act. The bill was passed the House Judiciary Committee on
May 22, 2003, but was never considered by the full House because it
was blocked by current House Speaker Dennis Hastert.
The ANC-PAC is a non-partisan federally registered political action
committee established to support campaign committees for Members of
Congress who share the values of the Armenian American community.
The ANC-PAC is at the forefront of efforts to ensure that the voice
of the Armenian American community is clearly heard in our nation’s
capital. The ANC-PAC continues a century old tradition of Armenian
Americans engagement on the public policy issues facing national
political leaders, both in the U.S. Congress and the White House.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
October 17, 2006
___________________
FEAST OF HOLY TRANSLATORS MARKED AT ST. VARTAN ARMENIAN CATHEDRAL
By Florence Avakian
Armenia’s great poetess Silva Gaboudigian, in a deeply profound poem to her
son, “Khosk Im Vortun” ends her missal with the words, “Wherever you are in
this world, my son, even if you forget your own mother, never forget your
mother tongue.”
As Nayad Manukian, a student in the Eastern Diocese’s Khrimian Lyceum,
recited this moving passage, the audience hushed and several people began to
wipe away their tears. The reading was part of the program marking the
Feast of the Holy Translators on Saturday, October 14, 2006, in the Haik and
Alice Kavookjian Auditorium in New York City’s St. Vartan Cathedral complex.
In keeping with Gaboudigian’s poetic commandment, the Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America (Eastern) held its special annual service and
program to assure the next generation remains committed to learn the
Armenian language.
THE NEXT GENERATION
Hundreds of Armenian School students, teachers, parents, and parish faithful
attended the festivities dedicated to the lives and accomplishments of the
saints who founded the Armenian alphabet, translated the Bible into
Armenian, and started a movement of writing and translating important works
into Armenian.
Presided over by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, the day began with a Divine Liturgy celebrated by Archbishop
Yeghise Gizirian. The music was sung by the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir
joined by the Khrimian Lyceum Junior Choir, under the direction of Khoren
Mekanejian and accompanied by organist Florence Avakian.
The service included pledges, which were read by the Armenian School
principals and the congregation. St. Vartan Cathedral Armenian School
student Krikor Torosian and St. Thomas Church of Tenafly, NJ, Sunday School
student Hagop Hamparian read the scriptures.
In his inspiring sermon, the Primate expressed his happiness at seeing the
young students in attendance “to honor the important people in our history.
This is one of the most important days in our church”, he stated. “Because
of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob, and their students, our church and people have
achieved great significance in Armenia. Their generation put the foundation
in our people. Because of them, we faced and conquered our difficulties.
And in this country we continue their legacy. Their spirit will stay with
us forever.”
Joining the Primate, Archbishop Gizirian, and Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of
the cathedral, were participating clergy, including Bishop Sion Adamian of
the Armavir Diocese in Armenia; Fr. Daniel Findikyan, dean of the St.
Nersess Armenian Seminary; Fr. Sooren Chinchinian, cathedral priest at St.
Vartan Cathedral; Fr. Karekin Kasparian, pastor of the St. Gregory the
Enlightener Church of White Plains, NY; and seminarians studying at St.
Nersess.
SING, SPEAK AND PRAY IN ARMENIAN
“St. Sahag wanted the Armenian people to become Christ’s students for
centuries,” the Primate remarked in his address to the students and
teachers. “Let us follow his message and remain true Armenians, not only
singing, and speaking Armenian, but also praying in Armenian. I pray that
you can mature with the spirit of the Translators.”
Following the church service, a cultural program took place in Haik and
Alice Kavookjian Auditorium, organized and directed by Gilda
Buchakjian-Kupelian, coordinator of Armenian studies for the Diocese. The
program opened with the singing of the beloved “Vork Zartaretsin” hymn by
Maro Partamian, accompanied on the piano by Khoren Mekanejian.
Khrimian Lyceum students Nayad Manoukian and Talin Vakillian skillfully
performed the duties of mistresses of ceremonies. Poems were recited by
Nayad Manoukian, Alex Calikyan, Adriana Demirjian, Anna Acopian,Alan
Dokmecioglu, Letisia Yandimoglu, Christine Shalian, Haig Agdere, Sareen
Jebejian, Shogher Talar Keshkinyan, Nicole Saglamer, and Lori Sanag. The
Diocese’s Khrimian Lyceum is a six-year program of cultural, historic, arts,
and language classes for graduates of local parish Armenian School programs.
It is offered in both Boston and New York City.
Dressed in colorful ethnic Armenian costumes several students — Christina
Ani Haroutunian, Ani Esenyan, Melissa Gazal, Melissa Nazar, and Talin
Vakillian — delighted the audience with the dance “Boujour em” and the well
known Tamzara. Deanna Gulmezian played a spirited rendition of
“Vagharshabadi Bar” on the piano, which was followed by exuberant line
dancing by the various Armenian school students to the music of Berch
Manukian.
In his closing message, the Primate proclaimed the entire month of October
“Armenian Cultural Month.” The festivities concluded with the closing
prayer offered by Archbishop Gizirian.
The participating schools were the Khrimian Lyceum in New York City; the St.
Vartan Cathedral Armenian School of New York City; the Holy Martyrs Day and
Saturday School of Bayside, NY; the St. Gregory the Enlightener Armenian
School of White Plains, NY; the Kirikian Armenian School from the St. Thomas
Church of Tenafly, NJ; and the St. Illuminator’s Armenian School of
Woodside, NY.
— 10/18/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Young students from the Diocese’s Khrimian Lyceum join
the St. Vartan Cathedral choir during the celebration of the Feast of the
Holy Translators on October 14, 2006.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Armenian School students line up to receive communion in
New York City’s St. Vartan Cathedral during the Feast of the Holy
Translators celebration on October 14, 2006.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Nayad Manukian, a student in the Diocese’s Khrimian
Lyceum, recites the powerful poetry of Silva Gaboudigian during the program
in the Diocese’s Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium marking the Feast of
the Holy Translators.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): Students from the Diocese’s Khrimian Lyceum perform
during the program celebrating the Armenian alphabet and language on October
14, 2006.
PHOTO CAPTION (5): The two mistresses of ceremonies, Nayad Manoukian and
Talin Vakillian, at the head table with Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Primate, Archbishop Gizirian, Bishop Adamian, and Gilda Buchakjian-Kupelian.
Photos by Berch Manukian
# # #
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Press Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Father Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
DURI NG A MEETING IN ANTELIAS
BISHOP HUBERT EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR THE ARMENIAN CAUSE AND ARAM I
DEMANDS MORE FROM GERMANY IN THIS RESPECT
The president of the EKD Council Bishop Wolfgang Hubert expressed his
support for the Armenian Cause following a meeting with the Catholicos of
Cilicia, His Holiness Aram I, in Antelias on October 14. The Bishop visited
Antelias with an official delegation representing the German Churches and
the Ambassador of Germany to Lebanon, Dr. Marius Haas.
His Holiness and the Bishop, two long-time friends, made the focus of their
discussions the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and in that context,
the issue of Turkey’s membership in the European Union.
The two spiritual leaders also discussed various issues including the
importance of Christian-Muslim dialogue in a new world situation as well as
the necessity of strengthening Christianity in the Middle East.
On the Lebanese front, Bishop Hubert talked about his impressions from his
meeting with Prime Minister Fouad Siniora the same day.
The Bishop considered his third visit to Antelias to be historical during a
luncheon organized after the meeting in his honor. Bishop Kegham
Khatcherian, Primate of the Diocese of Lebanon, members of the Cilician
Brotherhood, ministers and Members of Parliament, representatives of
Armenian political parties and organizations and members of ecumenical
committee attended the luncheon.
After welcoming his guests, the His Holiness Aram I commended the brave
position adopted by the German churches in recognizing the Armenian
Genocide. Addressing Bishop Hubert and the German Ambassador, however, His
Holiness stressed that the Armenian nation demands more from Germany as a
defender of human rights.
The Pontiff presented to the German Bishop a copy of “Voices from Germany”,
a German book grouping the statements of about 50 German theologians,
politicians, intellectuals, Genocide scholars and human rights activists.
The book was published in Antelias on the occasion of the 90th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide.
Speaking about the pursuit of the Armenian Cause, the German Spiritual
leader assured that he feels with the Armenians their pain and their
timeless pursuit of justice.
The Bishop also talked about the strong leadership and the great
contribution that His Holiness Aram I brought to the global ecumenical
movement and to the World Council of Churches in particular. “In the field
of ecumenical affairs, one should go thirty years back to trace the start of
our friendship. His Holiness Aram I’s seriousness towards the movement and
its mission is worthy of praise,” he said.
Following an exchange of gifts between the two spiritual leaders, the German
delegation visited the Memorial of the Armenian Genocide in the
Catholicosate, where Bishop Hubert prayed for the souls of the one and a
half million victims of the Armenian Genocide.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to look into new prospects for
cooperation between the Armenian and German nations, as well as with the
Armenian and German protestant churches.
##
View photos here:

*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

The Home Forum>Kidspace
from the October 17, 2006 edition
Right at home in Armenia
By Donna Scaramastra Gorman
Arpinka lives with her mother and her grandmother in a one- bedroom
apartment in Yerevan, Armenia (pronounced Ar-MEEN-yuh). The apartment
is cold in the winter and hot in the summer. It’s small, but it’s
neat, with handmade lace curtains on the windows. Decorative rugs
hang on the walls much as your family might have pictures on the walls.
Arpinka is 8 years old. Her mother, Liliya, works as a nanny and
makes $10 a day – but that’s considered a good salary in Armenia,
where it is very difficult to find a job.
ARMENIAN GIRL: Arpinka, 8, lives in the city of Yerevan. She is in
the third grade, and she speaks Armenian and Russian, and a little
English, too.
Before her mother found work, the three of them lived with Arpinka’s
aunt, her uncle, and her cousins, Katya and Rubik. Arpinka is happy
to live in her own apartment now, but sometimes she misses her cousins.
Armenia is a tiny country. It is south of Russia, east of Turkey,
and north of Iran.
Like most Armenian schoolchildren, Arpinka speaks both Armenian and
Russian – and even a little English. She is in the third grade at
school, where her favorite subjects are math and English. The school
is close to her apartment, so she walks there by herself each morning.
After school, Arpinka helps her babushka – that’s “grandmother”
in Russian – make blini, which are thin pancakes, or varenniki –
dumplings stuffed with meat and cabbage or potatoes. She can even
make an omelet by herself.
Arpinka likes to cook. But instead of a stove, her family has one
Bunsen burner – which is like a camping stove. Because of its open
flame, she has to be very careful when cooking.
>From their kitchen window, Arpinka can see all the way to Mt. Ararat
in the neighboring country of Turkey.
The mountain used to be part of Armenia, and for Armenians, it is
considered a sacred place – some people say Noah’s ark mentioned in
the Bible is still somewhere on Mt. Ararat.
The snowcapped mountain looms over her city, and as the day passes,
Arpinka likes to watch it seem to change colors in different types
of light.
When Arpinka grows up, she wants to be a dentist or a fashion
designer. She hasn’t decided which yet.
But she won’t graduate from school until she is 17 years old, so she
has plenty of time to make up her mind.
For now, she enjoys playing with her cousins. Katya, who studies at
the music conservatory, is teaching her to play the piano, and Rubik
teaches her how to play chess.
On weekends, Arpinka goes to the market with her mother. The market
is outdoors, and the vendors sell cheeses, vegetables, bread, and
spices – everything you could need for a meal.
The meat at the market hangs on hooks. In warm weather, watermelons
are piled up in the road. Tomatoes and cucumbers are stacked neatly
together on tables.
NAME YOUR PRICE: Sellers present a variety of cheeses at an indoor
market in Yerevan, Armenia, where Arpinka lives with her family. Many
Armenians shop at markets such as this one.
Instead of paying a set fee for each item she buys, Arpinka’s mother
haggles or bargains with the vendors over the prices. Other shoppers
do this, too.
It is the custom in Armenia. Arpinka’s mother says it helps her save
money .
The market is crowded, so Arpinka stays near her mother while she
shops.
Back home, her mother and grandmother can vegetables for the winter
and turn berries into jam. They’ll store all of the bottles and jars
on their balcony, where it is cool year round.
If the weather is nice, Arpinka can play with the other neighborhood
kids in the courtyard of the apartment building.
Sometimes, when her mom isn’t working and it’s not too hot, the two
of them take a bus to the top of a hill overlooking the city. There
is an old amusement park there, and they can walk in the shade or sit
by the fountains. They can even buy ice cream from one of the vendors.
At night, Arpinka, her mother, and her babushka curl up together
to sleep.
Arpinka doesn’t like to sleep – there’s too much she wants to do. But
soon they all fall asleep, in the shadow of Mt. Ararat.
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