Sts. Vartanantz Church Aramian Auditorium, Oct. 28, 2023

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—More than 100 people came together for a sold-out steak dinner in support of the displaced people of Artsakh on Saturday, October 28 at Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church in Providence. Generous community members collectively donated $23,000 to benefit the Armenians of Artsakh through the Saint Nerses the Great Charitable Foundation.

The presence of His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, who came to share what he learned about the needs of the displaced during his recent trip to Armenia, along with church pastor Rev. Fr. Kapriel Nazarian and retired pastor Archpriest Fr. Gomidas Baghsarian, lent reverence to the somber evening.

The mural, We are Artsakh, by the Providence Homenetmen

Displayed above the stage was a large mural created by the Providence Homenetmen scouts of tri-colored handprints surrounding an image of the “We Are Our Mountains” monument in Artsakh painted by Anahid Donoyan. “Their hands are reaching out to touch the hands of those children affected by the war and genocide that just took place,” Board of Trustees chairman Levon Attarian explained about the mural’s symbolism. Attarian went on to cite the widely-quoted words by William Saroyan about the growth of community that happens when Armenians come together. “I guarantee you that the Artsakhtsis will build our new Armenia in the coming years,” Attarian said.

Sts. Vartanantz Church Chairman of the Board of Trustees Levon Attarian (Photo: Berge Zobian)

Rhode Island State Senator David P. Tikoian regretted being unable to attend the dinner and sent a message that Attarian read on his behalf. As always, Sen. Tikoian expressed pride in his Armenian heritage and devotion to his community, church and people. “It is beyond comprehension, after 108 years, that Armenians would once again be subjected to an ethnic cleansing. This is not the time to feel beaten down; it’s a time to be what Armenians are known for, being strong and being survivors! My friends, our people need our help now more than ever,” Sen. Tikoian wrote. Attarian concluded the message by announcing Sen. Tikoian’s donation of $500 to the Saint Nerses the Great Charitable Foundation, which is overseeing the distribution of the funds collected by the church.

Before welcoming His Eminence Archbishop Tanielian to speak, Rev. Fr. Nazarian offered his sincere gratitude to the Board of Trustees and the entire community for their support and charitable works. Fr. Kapriel noted that Board Chairman Attarian and Vice-Chairman Arees Khatchadourian had been outside manning the grills and cooking the steaks before coming in and changing for dinner. He also said that the event was the brainchild of Board member Charles Mouradjian. 

Sts. Vartanantz Church pastor Rev. Fr. Kapriel Nazarian (Photo: Berge Zobian)

Archbishop Tanielian, recently returned from Armenia, offered to address the community about his findings upon learning that Fr. Kapriel and the Board were hoping for someone to provide firsthand knowledge of the conditions faced by the Armenians of Artsakh. His Eminence went to Armenia with a delegation designated by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. 

Archbishop Tanielian said that he’s been to Armenia many times previously, “but this time was the most difficult time.” The delegation visited about 1,000 displaced families who were forced to leave Artsakh. “We were uprooted from our 5,000-year-old land, traditions, sacred churches and more,” he said, stressing that it is heartbreaking to be cut off from your ancestral land.  

His Eminence recounted meeting with men whose fathers had fought and died in the First Artsakh War. “Imagine, Srpazan, now we cannot visit our own fathers’ graves,” they told him. “1915 is not the past. 1915 is the present. It is ongoing, the history of the annihilation of our nation,” Archbishop Tanielian said. “It is very difficult to describe what we witnessed.”

He recounted his message to the displaced families of Artsakh, a message he takes to every parish he visits around the world. “No matter what you lose—house, belongings, family members—no matter what you lose, please don’t lose your faith in God,” he entreated them. “The very center of our existence is trusting in God. When we trust in God, eventually we renew ourselves. Who could have imagined after 1915 that we would create prosperous communities in the four corners of the world? That’s how God works mysteriously.”

His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian addressing the community (Photo: Berge Zobian)

He went on to praise the work of the Saint Nerses the Great Charitable Foundation, established by Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian of blessed memory, which has been in service to the nation for 30 years, taking care of orphans and other charitable acts. Initially, the foundation provided the immediate necessities and distributed 50,000 drams to each displaced family. His Eminence said that much more will be done based on the needs of the people through trusted partners of the foundation, including helping families to have homes in communities together so they stay in Armenia.

His Eminence said they tried to bring the families, who are in such a desperate situation, “a message of faith, hope and love—faith in God, hope for the future and love for our nation.” Archbishop Tanielian thanked the community on behalf of the Religious and Executive Councils of the Eastern Prelacy. “We are one nation, with one vision and one future,” he said. “Our people’s heart is more precious than gold.” 

Following the attack on Artsakh on September 19-20, virtually all of the Armenian residents of Artsakh were forced to relocate to Armenia. Promptly, many individuals and organizations mobilized to address their needs and facilitate their integration into Armenia’s society, economy and daily routines. With a similar objective in mind, the Armenian Youth Federation-Youth Organization of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (AYF-YOARF) Central Executive has initiated a fundraising campaign aimed at supporting families and school-aged children from Artsakh, called the “Sponsor a Student” initiative. 

Shortly after the mass attacks and relocation, a member of the Central Executive traveled to Armenia to gain a better understanding of the situation and the ongoing necessities of the affected families. Numerous families, seeking to enroll their children in schools, were turned away due to full capacity or inadequate resources for students. 

The Central Executive decided that as the youth organization of the ARF, it is important and necessary to support our fellow youth of Artsakh and ensure that we maintain their right and access to education through these extremely difficult times in our nation’s history.

Therefore, the Central Executive has launched a fundraising program to purchase backpacks filled with school supplies to distribute to the displaced Artsakh youth throughout Armenia. The backpacks will include all the essentials to help alleviate these students’ transition to starting school in Armenia.

A donation of $50 will sponsor supplies for one student. The Central Executive has set a first round goal of $25,000 to sponsor 500 students. 

Upon reaching this goal, future rounds will be announced to continue providing additional support to those children who have not yet received supplies. 

We encourage you to join us and donate to our Sponsor a Student initiative, to support the children of Artsakh who have gone through enough difficulties and trauma for a lifetime. We also ask that you challenge your friends, colleagues and family members to do the same.

Mid-Atlantic ACE weekend participants

From October 20-22, Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Junior members took part in their respective regions’ Armenian Cultural Educational (ACE) weekend and Junior conferences. The weekend was hosted in the Midwest by the Racine “Armen Garo” Chapter, in the Mid-Atlantic region by the New Jersey “Arsen” Chapter, and in the New England region by the Greater Boston “Nejdeh” Chapter. 

ACE is an annual weekend where Junior members have the opportunity to participate in a variety of Armenian educationals and activities to form a strong connection with their Armenian culture. Educationals and activities range between dancing, language, cooking and other valuable aspects of Armenian heritage and tradition.

The weekend started with lectures discussing Armenian traditions throughout Armenia and the region. Arev Kaligian, Vartenie Kachichian and Holly Khaligian led a baking activity, during which Juniors learned how to prepare choreg, a well-known Armenian sweet bread, and kekhke, delicious pastry.

While waiting for the bread to rise and bake, Juniors spent time learning about the Armenian language. They learned the meaning of a revolutionary song and how to sing it. Juniors in the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions learned “Lerner Hayreni” from lecturers Shant Keshishian and Ani Khachatourian, while Juniors in the Midwest region learned “Arunod Trosh” from lecturer Nora Fronjian. 

The ungers then played games of Telestrations, but in Armenian, which was put together by the AYF Eastern Region’s Central Language Council. 

Following the language activities, the Juniors were treated to the choreg they had made earlier in the day along with lunch. For the final portion of ACE weekend, juniors spent time embracing Armenian music and art. The afternoon kicked off with an educational about Armenian art and how it can be used as a form of activism. The participants also spent time learning about different instruments. As the final activity of ACE weekend, the Juniors learned traditional dances from Armenia and Artsakh. 

To end the day, Juniors hosted region-wide conferences, where participants from each chapter in attendance briefed their fellow members about how their chapter’s year had gone. They also learned how AYF convention works at the Senior level and had the opportunity to come up with improvements that can be made locally and region-wide for the upcoming year.

AYF Juniors offered the following reflections about ACE weekend:

“It was a great time, and I had a lot of fun with my friends.” – Christian Kindt, Chicago “Ararat” Chapter

“I thought ACE was very fun and such a great way to learn about our Armenian culture and connect doing activities related to what we learned.” – Ani Haroutunian, New Jersey “Arsen” Chapter

“It was really fun, and we had a lot of fun activities to do, and it was entertaining.” – Tsoline Papazian, Chicago “Ararat” Chapter

“I felt that the lectures and accompanying activities were so very appropriate and relevant for the current place we as a nation and people are at. It’s with this new information and drive that we can accomplish our various goals as an organization.” – Krikor Iskenderian, Greater Boston “Nejdeh” Chapter

AYF 90th anniversary memorabilia display

JERSEY CITY, N.J.—Over 300 guests gathered at the Armenian Youth Federation-Youth Organization of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (AYF-YOARF) 90th Anniversary celebration on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at the Atelier Ballroom in Jersey City, New Jersey. The event brought together AYF alumni, members and supporters to commemorate the significant milestone while honoring the past, embracing the present and shaping the future of the youth organization.

In light of the recent unfortunate circumstances that our brothers and sisters have faced in Artsakh, we were encouraged to unite and remember the undeniable strength that emerges when we come together as one. As we commemorate our 90-year journey, this occasion served as a moment of reflection, highlighting the achievements born from our unity and igniting our determination to persist for the benefit of future generations.

The event featured a cocktail reception, hors d’oeuvres, desserts and an evening program, followed by a night of Armenian folk, patriotic and revolutionary music featuring the Yerakouyn Band. 

Upon arrival, guests were welcomed with an exquisite, museum-like memorabilia display at the entrance of the ballroom, highlighting a curated collection of relics to honor the past 90 years of the organization’s history. In addition, a clothing rack was set up where guests could flip through vintage AYF tees to unlock some of their core memories from all the wonderful events and initiatives the AYF has offered. These shirts symbolize all the hard work put into the organization over the last nine decades.

Guests also had the special privilege of delving into the AYF’s digital archives, where they could rediscover their very first AYF member applications, the personally signed documents that marked the beginning of their AYF journey.

Additionally, a merchandise table was set up, selling AYF whiskey glasses, thank you cards, the official 90th anniversary AYF crewneck, as well as an exclusive and limited edition novelty board game, the AYF-YOARF Trivia Quest: 90th Anniversary Edition. 

The Trivia Quest board game was originally created by AYF members in the late 1980s, spearheaded by Ken Sarajian and Rich Chebookjian, along with help from many others. The game, inspired by Trivial Pursuit, was created as an educational tool for chapter members and alumni alike. Earlier this year, in honor of the AYF’s 90th anniversary, the 2023 Central Executive decided to release a 90th edition version of the game, with new and updated questions.

The AYF-YOARF Trivia Quest: 90th Anniversary Edition board game

“Upon seeing the board game in the AYF office in Watertown, the Central Executive knew that we had to remake it, given how incredible an idea it was,” said Nareg Mkrtschjan, AYF-YOARF Eastern Region Central Executive (CE) chairperson. “Countless hours were spent on the new version of the game, which includes not only updated questions, but a newly-designed board along with a fully packaged box, containing game pieces as well as instructions,” Mkrtschjan said. The AYF-YOARF Trivia Quest: 90th Anniversary Edition, the whiskey glasses and thank you cards are available for purchase at https://ayf.org/shop/.

“It is truly amazing to look up and see a room so full, with faces from all over our region, as we are here this evening to unite, standing side by side as Armenians, to shape the future of our organization and to build a new Armenia,” said AYF-YOARF 90th Anniversary Chair Hagop Taraksian in his welcoming remarks, touching on the importance of coming together following the recent crisis in Artsakh. 

Then Mkrtschjan offered his remarks as CE chair. “We fundraise, advocate and stand in solidarity for our homeland. In times of crisis, the AYF has been an indomitable force, proving that our bond with the homeland is unbreakable.” He added, “I have no doubt that in the next 90 years, the AYF will continue to be the heart and soul of our Armenian youth, guiding them towards a future that celebrates our heritage while embracing the challenges of the modern world. We will expand our initiatives, explore new horizons and foster a sense of belonging for the next generations.”

AYF-YOARF Eastern Region CE Vice-Chair Ani Khachatourian presented the AYF Olympics Achievement Award to renowned singer and songwriter Onnik Dinkjian, in honor of his contributions to the AYF Olympic Games over the last five decades. The exclusive award is a representation of the AYF’s appreciation for the dedication and passion that an individual gives to both the Olympics and the organization, shining a light on the alumni of the AYF community and the commitment to fight against assimilation.

AYF Olympics Achievement Award recipient Onnik Dinkjian with his award

“Onnik Dinkjian embodies the true meaning of preservation. In addition to preserving the music of our ancestors, he has created a deeply rooted and proud Armenian and AYF-centered family. In these difficult times of our nation’s history, Onnik, through his music, continues to provide a beacon of hope for our Armenian Diaspora and people. This award not only celebrates the past, but it also inspires us for the future. May we all commit ourselves to the work in preserving our language and music,” Khachatourian said.  

Following the program and award ceremony, Onnik left the audience in awe by delivering a surprise performance, singing three timeless classics: Odaroutioun, Hay Herosneri Yerke and Hoy Nazan. 

The evening continued with the Yerakouyn Band taking the stage, performing Armenian folk songs, seamlessly interwoven with patriotic and revolutionary compositions that have stirred the hearts and spirits of many Armenian generations, leaving a lasting impression on all those in attendance. 

The anniversary event also succeeded in its mission to raise significant funds to support the recently launched “Sponsor a Student” initiative to help the displaced children of Artsakh. Through the “Sponsor a Student” initiative, the AYF Eastern Region will be supplying backpacks filled with all the necessary school supplies for the displaced children, including pens, pencils, notebooks, calculators, water bottles and more. 

A $50 donation will sponsor one student. The AYF-YOARF would like to thank all those in attendance who donated, as the initiative raised well over $10,000 by the evening’s end. Donations can be made through the AYF-YOARF Sponsor a Student Givebutter link, or by check to Armenian Youth Federation, 80 Bigelow Ave, Watertown, MA 02472.

The AYF-YOARF 90th Anniversary Committee would also like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed pre-event sponsors and supporters for their invaluable contributions that played an instrumental role in making the event possible. 

SPONSORS

Marcum LLP, Philadelphia AYF “Sebouh” and “Papken Suni” Chapters and Semerjian Builders.

SUPPORTERS

Aram Lorens NYC, ARS New Jersey “Shakeh” Chapter, Capital City Insurance, City Side Landscaping, Comport Consulting Corporation, ComportSecureLLC, Eastern Lamejun, Massoyan Jewelers, Providence AYF “Varantian” Chapter, Steve Mesrobian, Toufayan Bakeries and Yeremian Jewelry.

AYF-YOARF 90th Anniversary Event Council

Hagop Taraksian (Chair, AYF Member)
Sarine Adishian (AYF Alumni)
Ani Comella (AYF Member)
Victoria Ezgilioglu (AYF Member
Ani Jerikian Khatchadourian (AYF Alumni)
Mourad Tossounian (AYF Member)
Raffi Varjabedian (AYF Alumni)

2023 AYF-YOARF Eastern Region Central Executive

Nareg Mkrtschjan (Chair)
Ani Khachatourian (Vice Chair)
Harout Tashian (Treasurer)
Daron Bedian (Advisor)
Meghri Dervartanian (Advisor)
Niree Kaprielian (Advisor)
Areni Margossian (Advisor)
Talene Sagherian (Advisor)
Alec Soghomonian (Advisor)

ATP seasonal workers, hired from remote villages in Armenia, assisting with fall planting

As autumn descends, the dedicated team of forestry experts at Armenia Tree Project (ATP) is hard at work at forest sites. They are joined by skilled seasonal workers, who are hired from local villages around the various regions of Armenia. Their mission: to plant 302,000 trees across 175 hectares of land, marking the anticipated start of the fall planting season in 2023.

About Forests in Armenia

The distribution of forests in Armenia exhibits an imbalance, with primary forested areas situated in the north, northeast and south, while the central part of the country remains predominantly treeless. Today, the majority of forest cover is concentrated in the northern and northeastern regions of Lori and Tavush, as well as in the southeastern region of Syunik. Therefore, only a limited portion of the country’s central region is forested. 

Armenia Tree Project collaborates closely with local communities and regional authorities to establish new forests, revitalize degraded lands, prevent erosion, protect topsoil and significantly improve livelihoods by planting forests even in the most degraded and arid regions of Armenia. Since 1994, ATP has planted over 1,500 hectares of new forest, and will reach the milestone of 650,000 trees planted at forest sites this season. By the end of 2023, ATP will have planted over 8 million trees across Armenia. 

2023 Fall Planting Initiatives

This fall, ATP’s goal is to continue planting trees at various forest sites in the Shirak, Kotayk and Lori Regions. In addition, ATP is expanding its planting initiatives by establishing its first forest in the border region of Gegharkunik.  

Gegharkunik is the largest region in Armenia covering an area of 5,348 km² (18-percent of the total area of Armenia). Approximately 1,278 km² of its territory is encompassed by Lake Sevan, the largest lake in the Caucasus. The new forest will be established in the Gegharkunik village on 20 hectares of land.

In the long term, our reforestation and afforestation efforts are crucial for meeting Armenia’s climate commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement to reduce national emissions and to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Our commitment to a green future for Armenians and for the world is unwavering and ever-expanding. 

As ATP prepares for another successful fall planting season, it looks to hire over 100 local villagers to assist with the seasonal work. The economic opportunity provided in these remote villages is crucial given the current situation in Armenia. These seasonal employees look forward to the work provided by ATP every year. Additionally, ATP is preparing to launch its Artsakh Refugee Aid program, which will provide more economic opportunities to the displaced families from Artsakh that the organization had previously aided through the Artsakh Greenhouse Program.

To donate to fall planting and help ATP hire more seasonal employees, please visit ArmeniaTree.org/en/donation.

Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan’s speech during the Silk Road International Conference in Tbilisi (Photo: Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia)

YEREVAN—Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attended the “Silk Road” international conference in Tbilisi on October 26, along with other high-ranking officials and representatives from various countries and international organizations, where he presented Armenia’s “Crossroads of Peace” project, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation and connectivity.

PM Pashinyan began by highlighting the historical significance of the Silk Road, symbolizing prosperity, peace and cooperation among nations. Pashinyan stressed the vital role of open roads in building and maintaining peace, stating that the South Caucasus region, including Armenia, needs peace, open borders, and strong economic, political and cultural ties.

The “Crossroads of Peace” project, according to Pashinyan, aims to enhance communication between Armenia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Iran through infrastructure development, including roads, railways, pipelines, cables and electricity lines. He pointed out that some regional railways and highways have been inactive for 30 years, and reactivating them could establish efficient routes connecting the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean.

Pashinyan invited governments and private investors to consider the project, emphasizing its potential benefits for all countries in the region. He stated that all infrastructures would operate under the sovereignty of the countries through which they pass, with border and customs control ensured by each country, promoting reciprocity and equality. This approach appears to be a direct response to Azerbaijan’s demand for control over the “Zangezur corridor.”

The operation of the “Zangezur transit corridor” remains a top priority for Azerbaijan. Baku’s goal is to establish transit between Azerbaijan and its Nakhichevan exclave, which requires access to the “Zangezur corridor” through Armenia. Azerbaijan aims for minimal security checks, tariffs and transit fees, potentially pressuring Armenia into accepting its terms.

The Armenian PM also discussed Armenia’s readiness to work on peace and normalization agreements with Azerbaijan, emphasizing mutual recognition of territorial integrity and border delimitation based on the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration. 

Pashinyan underlined the alignment of the “Crossroads of Peace” project with the Silk Road’s logic and expressed Armenia’s readiness to facilitate safe transportation of people, vehicles, goods and infrastructure. 

On the other hand, Azerbaijani officials like Foreign Policy Advisor to the President of Azerbaijan Hikmet Hajiyev recently confirmed that military annexation of the “Zangezur corridor” is “no longer their objective.” Instead, according to Hajiyev, Azerbaijan is focusing on building transportation connections through Iran. Construction of a new road in partnership with Iran has already begun. However, the possibility of maintaining a transport link between Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan through Armenia still depends on Armenia’s willingness, without extraterritorial concessions, to allow Azerbaijan to bypass Armenian border controls, Hajiyev said.

Following this reasoning, Aliyev issued a decree regarding the ongoing efforts to link the Horadiz-Jabrail-Zangilan-Agband highway with Iran and the construction of a bridge over the Araz River. The State Highway Agency has been allocated 14 million manats from the presidential reserve fund for these initiatives.

As Pashinyan flip-flops Armenia’s diplomatic relationships with its traditional allies such as Russia and introduces what he sees as novel concepts, Azerbaijan’s decision to abstain from engaging in discussions aimed at advancing the peace process and its ongoing military maneuvers alongside Turkey, its closest ally, imply that Azerbaijan lacks the desire to reach a peaceful settlement. Such an agreement, according to Pashinyan, should ideally be grounded in three fundamental principles: the mutual acknowledgment of each other’s territorial integrity, the delineation and marking of borders as per the Alma-Ata Declaration, and the opening of all regional communications under the sovereign authority of the concerned parties.

All the while, state representatives and international organizations such as the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention and Stratfor Forecasting Inc. have warned of new escalations in the region. 

The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention has issued a Red Flag Alert regarding the potential for Azerbaijan to invade Armenia, particularly its southern Syunik Province. This invasion could be driven by the desire to create a land corridor connecting Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan, a goal shared with Turkey, posing a significant threat to Armenia’s territorial integrity. Recent political developments, including the seizure of Artsakh by Azerbaijan and well-established Armenophobia in the region, raise concerns about a potential genocide. These fears stem from a pattern of massacre, atrocity and forced displacement targeting Armenian identity.

Despite the potential risks, there is a growing concern that Azerbaijan might resort to force. Several factors contribute to this possibility, including Azerbaijan’s military advantage, belief in a limited international response, distractions in the global community and President Ilham Aliyev’s confidence in military success.

Stratfor reports that Azerbaijan is more likely to pursue smaller territorial incursions and cross-border shelling to pressure Armenia into an agreement, rather than a full-scale invasion to seize southern Armenia and establish the “Zangezur corridor” by force. Recent statements and missed meetings between Armenian and Azerbaijani officials reflect growing tensions and divergent geopolitical orientations.

Azerbaijan could continue with smaller-scale incursions and shelling, considering that a full-scale invasion could lead to greater risks and complications. Azerbaijan already maintains alternative transit routes and would risk regional stability, Turkish support and international consequences by launching a major invasion.

Armenia and Azerbaijan’s leaders have not met for significant discussions since July, and both countries appear to be aligning with different geopolitical partners. Armenia’s Prime Minister Pashinyan signaled a desire to reorient Armenia’s foreign policy toward the West during an address to the European Parliament on October 17, while Azerbaijan seeks regional support for its vision of a peace settlement, including from Turkey, Russia and Iran. 

Given the factors mentioned above, the world appears to face conflicting viewpoints and disagreements at a critical “crossroad,” making it challenging to evaluate the current and future developments. As Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced, “This marks a pivotal moment for the region. We are on the verge of either a major conflict or significant peace.”