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11/24/2004
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1) Azerbaijan’s Divisive Campaign at UN Threatens to Derail Karabagh Peace
Process
2) Congress Finalizes FY 2005 Foreign Aid Bill
3) UN Vote On Pro-Azeri Karabagh Resolution Delayed
4) Turkey. Cultural Genocide
5) ‘Beast on the Moon’ to Debut on Broadway
6) Tribute to Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian
7) Gorky Expert Discusses Influence of Armenian Culture, Genocide on Artist’s
Work
1) Azerbaijan’s Divisive Campaign at UN Threatens to Derail Karabagh Peace
Process
Rep. Pallone speaks out against destructive UN resolution; ANCA leads
grassroots campaign to urge the administration to oppose destabilizing measure
WASHINGTON, DC–On Tuesday, the ANCA issued an appeal to Secretary of State
Colin Powell urging him to “strenuously and publicly oppose” an
Azeri-sponsored
United Nations resolution, which would seriously undermine the Mountainous
Karabagh peace process. The action follows a strongly worded November 19 House
floor statement by Congressional Armenian Caucus co-chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ)
and an earlier joint letter by the Armenian Caucus Co-chairs calling the
resolution “ill-advised” and urging the US to take decisive action against the
measure.
Azerbaijan has pressed forward with its resolution, which seeks to condemn
the
repatriation of Armenians to their ancestral homes in Mountainous Karabagh,
despite opposition from the Co-Chairs of the Organization for Security and
cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group. The co-chairs have noted that,
“introducing this issue to the United Nations General Assembly may have two
negative consequences. In light of the situation we have outlined, this
will be
detrimental to the efforts to find a just and lasting settlement of the issue,
particularly at this time. Secondly, it will fail to achieve consensus, a
situation that will not be helpful. We advise avoiding this situation.”
Azeri Ambassador to the UN, Yashar Aliyev, began lobbying in support of the
resolution on October 14, the day that he submitted a letter requesting
that it
be included on the UN General Assembly agenda. Both the UN General Committee
and General Assembly have voted to allow the matter to be considered. The
United States, along with Minsk Group Co-Chairs France and Russia, have
abstained on both votes.
In his November 19 remarks, Rep. Pallone expressed alarm that “the United
States has thus far failed to compellingly address the resolutionâŚThis failure
by the Administration now has the potential to undermine US interests and
American values in the strategically important Caucasus region.”
The November 7 letter from the Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone and
Joe
Knollenberg (R-MI) raised similar concerns, stressing that, “efforts to
reinforce stability and reduce the risk of conflict are in the best interests
of the US and the South Caucasus region. To this end, we urge that the United
States forcefully renounce this proposal, secure its retraction, and impress
upon the Azeri government that it should drop such counter-productive tactics
in favor of a serious and lasting commitment to the OSCE Minsk Group process.”
In the days leading up the vote, ANCA chapters around the country have
mobilized local activists to urge the US Ambassador to the United Nations to
actively oppose the Azeri measure. The ANCA launched a free WebFax campaign on
its website– Secretary Powell and US Ambassador to the UN
John
Danforth, calling for an unequivocal “no” vote on the resolution. The WebFax
letter explains that Azerbaijan’s resolution “works at cross-purposes to
America’s interests, which are best served by continued dialogue. In fact, the
only interests served by Azerbaijan’s resolution will be those of
hardliners in
Baku who seek the fragmentation of the OSCE framework, the unraveling of ten
year’s worth of negotiations, and the resumption of hostilities in the
region…The United States, as a co-chair of the Minsk Group and an honest
broker to the negotiating process, should strenuously, and publicly oppose
this
measure at every stage.”
2) Congress Finalizes FY 2005 Foreign Aid Bill
Reverses administration’s effort to break military aid parity for Armenia and
Azerbaijan; fails to include Schiff amendment on the Armenian genocide
WASHINGTON, DC–The United States Congress this past weekend adopted an
Omnibus spending measure including several provisions of special interest to
Armenian Americans–including the reversal of a White House proposal to tip
the
balance of US military aid toward Azerbaijan.
The Bush Administration, in the budget it submitted to Congress in
February of
this year, had proposed sending four times more Foreign Military Financing to
Azerbaijan ($8 million) than to Armenia ($2 million). The final version of the
foreign aid bill, adopted on November 20 during a lame duck session of
Congress, sets the total military aid figures, including three quarters of a
million dollars in International Military Education and Training, for both
nations at $8.75 million. “It is absolutely critical that the US maintain
parity in military assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan,” commented Armenian
Caucus Co-Chairman Joe Knollenberg (R-MI). “This is as important as ever,
particularly in light of the ongoing dangerous comments by Azeri leaders. I am
fully committed to ensuring that this policy continues.”
Congress–at the urging of Senator Mitch McConell (R-KY) and Rep.
Knollenberg,
both of whom serve as senior members of their respective chamber’s foreign aid
subcommittees–earmarked at least $75 million in economic aid for Armenia and
an additional $3 million for Mountainous Karabagh. Subcommittee member Steve
Rothman (D-NJ) welcomed the final numbers, stating “Armenia, as an emerging
democracy with a developing free market economic system, needs continued US
assistance to accomplish its objectives: regional peace and stability, a
successful transition to a free market economy and a flourishing democracy. I
will continue to work with the Administration to push Azerbaijan and Turkey to
lift their blockades against Armenia, which are placing oppressive and
unjustifiable obstacles in the path of Armenia’s continued growth and
development.”
“Armenian Americans value the foresight and vision of Congress in restoring
military aid parity, setting a $75 million earmark for Armenia, and continuing
direct aid to Mountainous Karabagh,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram
Hamparian. “Senator McConnell, Congressman Knollenberg and all our friends
deserve a great deal of credit for their tireless efforts on this spending
measure. We were, at the same time, disappointed that Congressional leaders
failed to respect the clearly expressed will of the US House in adopting the
Schiff Amendment. In failing to include this provision in the final version of
the bill, Congress missed an opportunity to send a clear message to Turkey
that
the US government will not tolerate its shameful denial of the Armenian
genocide.”
The restoration of military aid parity by the Congress was identified by the
ANCA in early 2004 as a major legislative priority following the President’s
budget request breaking the standing agreement between the White House and the
legislative branch that military assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan remain
equal. Following the bill’s passage Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone
(D-NJ) cited the importance of maintaining military aid parity. “Even though
the President waived Section 907 in FY 2002, its principles and the
commitments
that were made at that time still remain fundamental to US policy towards the
South Caucuses. Moreover, because Azerbaijan continues its blockade of
Armenia,
it is more important than ever for maintaining Foreign Military Funding parity
between these two nations.”
The House version of the foreign aid bill, adopted this July, included a
strongly worded amendment, authored by Rep. Adam Schiff, on the Armenian
genocide. This measure, approved as an amendment by voice vote on the House
floor, aimed to restrict the government of Turkey from using any of the aid it
receives from this appropriation to lobby against the adoption of the
Congressional Genocide Resolution. The Senate version did not include a
counterpart to the Schiff Amendment, nor did the final text that emerged from
House-Senate deliberations.
Rep. Schiff commented on the removal of the provision from the final bill
stating: “Generations of Americans have long waited for Congress to condemn
the
murder of 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children. Even though the Schiff
amendment was not enacted into law, its passage by the House in July was a
seminal moment in the effort to recognize the Armenian genocide. While I had
hoped that this would be the year Congress would formally speak against the
evil perpetrated against the Armenian people almost ninety years ago, we will
redouble our efforts in the next year to pass the Schiff Amendment as well as
legislation recognizing and condemning all genocides.”
3) UN Vote On Pro-Azeri Karabagh Resolution Delayed
UNITED NATIONS (RFE/RL-Reuters)–Azerbaijan urged the UN General Assembly on
Tuesday to intervene in a long and bitter territorial dispute with neighboring
Armenia over the Mountainous Karabagh region.
But France, Russia, and the United States, which have been trying to resolve
the dispute on behalf of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe, asked the assembly to stay on the sidelines and not interfere with
their efforts. Azerbaijan has repeatedly accused them of doing little to
restore its control over Karabagh.
Talks “can only progress in an atmosphere of confidence between the parties.
Anything in the direction of building confidence and of avoiding a division of
the General Assembly is helpful,” said US envoy Susan Moore, speaking on
behalf
of the OSCE initiative led by Paris, Moscow, and Washington.
Azerbaijan’s foreign minister, Elmar Mammadyarov, said his government had
decided to take the issue to the General Assembly because Armenia was pursuing
an “illegal settlement policy” by flooding the disputed area with Armenians,
with an eye to annexing the enclave.
He called on the assembly to adopt a resolution affirming its “continued
strong support” for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and the right of Azeri
refugees to return to their former homes in the enclave.
The allegations were rebutted by Armen Martirosian, Armenia’s ambassador at
the UN. He reportedly reiterated the Armenian position that the seven
districts
in Azerbaijan proper were occupied as a result of Azerbaijan’s attempts to win
back Karabagh by force and that their return is conditional on a comprehensive
peace accord. He also charged that Azerbaijan itself pioneered ethnic
cleansing
in the conflict by unleashing pogroms of its ethnic Armenian citizens in
1988-90.
Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, for his part, warned on Tuesday that the
passage of the pro-Azeri resolution would reverse progress which he said he
and
Mammadyarov made during peace talks earlier this year.
The assembly put off a vote on the draft resolution until an unspecified
later
date.
4) Turkey. Cultural Genocide
Calendar documents destruction of Armenian Churches
The Research on Armenian Architecture (RAA) organization has published a 2005
calendar depicting the fate of Armenian churches in Turkey, which stood intact
at the turn of the of the 20th century, but stand effectively leveled today.
The RAA uncovers and researches Armenian architectural monuments in the
territory of historical Armenia–primarily Western Armenia and Cilicia, and in
the neighboring countries of Georgia, Azerbaijan, Nakhichevan, and Iran.
Their goal is to take photographs and map existing strictures in order to
rescue them on paper, and present Armenian public and international
community–before ultimate eradication.
The RAA began its activities at the end of the 1960s, and was established in
Germany in 1982. In 1998, it registered and operates as a non-profit
organization in Armenia. More detailed information on their activities can be
found on
5) ‘Beast on the Moon’ to Debut on Broadway
NEW YORK–Art has once again come to the aid of the Armenian Cause, this time
in the form of a play called Beast on the Moon. The beautiful and gripping
story by Richard Kalinoski, about two survivors who settle in the United
States
and seek to start a family in the wake of the genocide of their past,
powerfully discloses the true nature of the events of 1915.
The play–honored by the American Theatre Critics Association in 1996–has
been performed in 16 nations, translated into 11 languages, and won more than
40 awards around the world.
Producers of the developing New York production of Kalinoski’s play are now
aiming the work at Broadway in 2005. On November 12, in New York City,
producer
David Grillo of Stillwater Productions, spoke at a workshop meant to attract
the remaining investors needed to stage Beast on the Moon this spring.
The American play about Armenian immigrants still dealing with the shadows of
the 1915 Armenian genocide–even as they face hope and opportunity in their
new
home in Milwaukee”is an absolutely universal tale of love as a healing tool in
the aftermath of wartime loss,” remarked Grillo.
Armenian-Americans will be doubly compelled to see this play. On a purely
human level, the audience must grapple with the complexity of how love enables
the most deeply unexpressed feelings to emerge and be potentially healed,
while
an Armenian audience will connect with the pathos of what many grandparents
and
great-grandparents endured as they struggled to construct a life in the
aftermath of witnessing the vicious destruction of their families.
The work, billed as “a love story, and an American immigrant story,” is
set in
1921 Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mr. Aram Tomasian first greets Mrs. Seta
Tomasian as
a fifteen year-old girl, who has been rescued from Armenia to live as his
mail-order bride. As these two very different people go through twelve
years of
marriage, they confront the challenge of merging their opposite approaches to
managing grief. Seta, open and talkative, strives to deal with the loss of her
family by sharing with her husband. Fiercely determined to replace his
slaughtered family by producing children of his own, Aram is quiet and
brooding. Because of the starvation she experienced as a refugee, Seta is
unable to bear children. Their relationship comes to an impasse; yet through
the darkest moments, it is clear that the marriage is infused with deep love
and need for one another.
The couple befriends a young Italian orphan boy, whom Seta has welcomed in
her home and Aram grows to love. By the play’s end, Aram sheds some of his
rigidity, and thanks to his extraordinary young wife, discovers the
possibility
of happiness.
By supporting this play, Armenian-Americans will participate in a form of
activism guaranteed to be deeply enriching on many levels. Members of the
audience will reflect on how love enables traumatized individuals to
regenerate
their lives through building a family, while they will learn about one of the
greatest injustices of the twentieth century.
“So much appeals to me about Beast that it is hard to find a place to begin,”
Grillo previously told Playbill On-Line. “It is an extraordinarily challenging
drama with a surprising number of well-earned laughs. The play takes its
audiences through an emotional cataclysm and delivers them, at its finish, to
joyful redemption. I don’t like plays that ask me to jump through emotional
hoops and then leave me beaten up by the side of the road. Beast is
redemptive.
The journey is hard, but one for which the audience is enormously grateful.”
To learn more about Beast on the Moon, visit
<;
For those interested in possibly investing in its Broadway production, contact
the producer David Grillo at 212-541-4502 or at [email protected].
6) Tribute to Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian
By Anahid M. Ugurlayan
An enlarged color photograph of Archbishop Ashjian holding a lamb at the
center
of the stage near the podium was the setting for what would prove to be an
emotional evening.
As Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan would later explain, the lamb was a
sacrificial
one, but Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian had asked that its life be spared and
helped
take care of it until it grew to be a sheep. A small gesture, perhaps, but it
is one that exemplifies Archbishop Ashjian’s kindness and charity that
would be
highlighted throughout the evening.
Family, friends, and supporters of the late Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, who
passed away on December 2, 2003, gathered at St. Peter’s Church in New York to
honor and pay tribute to him. The tribute was organized by the Special
Committee of the New York Chapter of the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and
Cultural Society under the leadership of Chairperson Arevig Caprielian and
under the auspices of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian
Apostolic Church of Eastern US.
The program commenced with a video of Archbishop Ashjian’s pilgrimage to
Western Armenia–vivid images of centuries-old churches destroyed or left to
nature’s devices with no effort on the part of the Turkish government to
preserve Armenia’s cultural heritage–Archbishop Ashjian praying for the souls
of deceased relatives of pilgrimage-goers.
After the video presentation, Arevig Caprielian delivered the opening
remarks,
welcoming all in attendance and reminding them of Archbishop Ashjian’s
innumerable achievements for the Church and the Armenian people around the
world, especially as the Prelate of Eastern United States and Canada for 20
years and in Armenia, his home during the last six years of his life.
Dr. Herand Markarian, the master of ceremonies, remarked that those who mourn
the passing of Archbishop Ashjian are also “carriers of his memory,” and that
his spirit is ever-present as long as “we as a nation live his memory.” Dr.
Markarian introduced the video, Life and Times of Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian:
Road of Achievements, which was shown in two parts.
In the first part, His Eminence speaks of the importance of faith–how it
guides to become a source of strength in one’s life, without which the meaning
of life would be lost. He speaks of his childhood and his parents, both
orphans
of the 1915 Armenian genocide, who instilled strong Armenian values and the
spirit of the Church, which would serve as the foundation for his future
religious studies.
Archbishop Ashjian recounts his theological studies and his service to the
community as Dean of the Monastery in Bikfaya, Beirut, as Principal of the
Mardikian School in Antelias, Lebanon, as Prelate of New Julfa/Isfahan in
Iran,
and, finally, as the Prelate of the Eastern United States and Canada for
twenty
years (1978-1998). As Prelate of the Eastern United States and Canada, his
achievements included founding the Land and Culture Organization and educating
Armenian youth about Armenian history and religion through the Siamanto
Saturday program and the Datevatsi Seminars in Philadelphia each year in July.
The video presentation also included excerpts of the 70th anniversary
commemoration of the Armenian genocide in Washington, DC, where 800 genocide
survivors were in attendance, his placing of a wreath at the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in honor of Armenian-Americans
who served in the military from WWI to the present, as well as a speech on
Armenian Independence Day where he spoke as both a clergyman and a patriot,
championing our national independence.
Despite Archbishop Ashjian’s humble demeanor, viewing himself first and
always
as God’s servant, his many achievements and his spiritual guidance left a
lasting impression on all who knew and worked with him.
One of these individuals, the Honorable Sarkis Teshoian, delivered the
English
message and spoke of his dear friend, brother, and leader. Judge Teshoian, who
served as chairman of the Prelacy’s Executive Council during Archbishop
Ashjian’s tenure in New York, recounted episodes from his many visits with the
Archbishop, recalling his wise counsel and his insatiable thirst for
knowledge,
having authored numerous articles and at least three dozen books in Armenian
and English. He spoke of how Archbishop Ashjian’s faith, hope, and love were
evident in his unwavering commitment to the Church and his parishioners.
The program continued with a heartfelt rendition of “Nor Dzaghig” and
“Yegeghetsin Haygagan” by mezzo soprano Hasmik Meikhanedjian, accompanied by
pianist/organist Janet Marcarian.
Following the musical portion of the program, the second part commenced
with a
video presentation of Archbishop Ashjian’s work in Armenia.
This chapter of his life began when His Holiness Karekin I Catholicos of All
Armenians’ offered, and His Eminence later accepted, the position of the
Executive Director for the celebration of the 1700th anniversary of
Christianity in Armenia. Among his memorable achievements from this
commemoration included his organized pilgrimages to Western Armenia to help
reintroduce Armenians to their usurped homeland.
At one point, His Eminence asks: “How can we celebrate the 1700th anniversary
of our Christianity and not visit our homeland?”
Among the numerous historic sites Serpazan visited was the Tiridates Stone,
where St. Gregory baptized King Tiridates as the first Christian king of
Armenia in 301 AD, and is especially noteworthy given that Serpazan presided
over the commemorative events marking the 1700th anniversary of
Christianity in
Armenia. Archbishop Ashjian also visited his mother’s birthplace, Havav. In a
private ceremony of symbolic unification of Sevan and lake Van, he poured
water
bought from Sevan into the lake Van, and returning to Armenia, he poured “Vana
jur” into Sevan. In addition, His Eminence officiated at an Armenian wedding
ceremony at Aghtamar’s Holy Cross Church. The sound of Armenian prayers was
heard once again at this church and among the ruins of other churches and
monasteries deserted during the genocide. One wonders what will become of
these
churches and monasteries in Serpazan’s absence.
While tending to his duties for the 1700th anniversary of the Armenian
Church,
Archbishop Ashjian diligently embarked on his charitable work, including the
baptism of thousands of adults and children, the renovation of the St. Gevorg
of Moughni church and monastery, the building of the Terchounian orphanage in
Gyumri, and the publishing of hundreds of historical and literary books. In
the
video, the pastor of the St. Gevorg of Moughni church recounts how Archbishop
Ashjian revitalized the village through the renovation of the church, the
building of a community center and other significant improvements. He notes
that His Eminence’s devotion was not forgotten by the villagers who, when
learning of His Eminence’s passing, renamed the main street of their village
“The Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian poghots.” Moreover, the local residents
collected $300 and hosted another “hokejash” in his memory on Merelots after
Easter Sunday.
The video continued with Archbishop Ashjian speaking of his last published
book, The Etchmiadzin Chronicles, written on the occasion of the 1700th
Anniversary of the Armenia’s adoption of Christianity, comprising excerpts of
travel journals of those who visited Etchmiadzin over the centuries. Notably,
His Eminence spoke of a flower that was mentioned by one of the travelers who
visited Etchmiadzin and how the uniqueness of the flower spurred Serpazan to
embark on a determined and eventually successful search for it. In fact, the
invitation to the evening’s Memorial Tribute included a photo of Archbishop
Ashjian holding a bunch of the coveted flowers–Iris Elegantissima. The
touching nature of this photo is heightened when one learns that this was the
last photo taken of Archbishop Ashjian in Armenia. Indeed, the photo reflects
both the beauty of Armenia and Archbishop Ashjian’s spirit. As His Eminence
speaks, one could sense the joy and satisfaction he felt in helping to
preserve
Armenian culture, as well as improving Armenia’s social condition.
The video presentation was followed by a message delivered in Armenian by Dr.
Ashot Melkonian, Director of the Institute of History of the National Academy
of Sciences of Armenia. Dr. Melkonian spoke of Archbishop Ashjian’s tireless
charitable and scholarly work in Armenia and how he regarded Archbishop
Ashjian
as an invaluable mentor and a friend. Dr. Melkonian, who is a native of
Javakhk, Georgia, explained that Archbishop Ashjian was the first clergyman to
visit Javakhk in over 20 years and bless the inhabitants. Appropriately, the
townspeople considered Archbishop Ashjian’s visit one of great
significance–as
if he were a Catholicos for them. Dr. Melkonian also spoke of a young man’s
future rescued by Archbishop Ashjian during his visit to a prison. His
Eminence
baptized the young man, offered him guidance, and provided a home for his
family, asking only one thing in return: that he lead a good life and attend
church each Sunday. Since then, the young man attends mass at Holy Etchmiadzin
each Sunday and visits Archbishop Ashjian’s library at the National Academy.
Dr. Melkonian recounted how this story illustrates Archbishop Ashjian’s
view of
humanity, namely that everyone is equal in the eyes of God.
The personal memories of Archbishop Ashjian continued by Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan, who also delivered the benediction. Archbishop Choloyan
reminisced of
days as a student at the Seminary where he met His Eminence and their enduring
friendship, but also touched on the great loss that his death represents for
the Church, the Holy See and the Armenian community. He noted that His
Eminence’s memory will live on, adding that St. Nerces “Parekordzagan”
Organization, an organization that helps support orphans of the Karabagh war
and other needy children, would be renamed as the “Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian
Organization.”
The program concluded with the singing of “Cilicia” and Archbishop Ashjian’s
last message in which he spoke of how Christ helped everyone, regardless of
social status and age, and how all of us should strive to find the good in all
people. In addition, photos of His Eminence were shown on the screen, as well
as the final photo of him waving goodbye as he descended a hill in Western
Armenia–a symbolic farewell to the Armenian people and historic land.
Archbishop Ashjian’s work and accomplishments are too numerous too
recount–from serving as Dean of the Cilician Seminary, as the principal of
the
Mardikian School, to Executive Secretary of the 1700th commemorative events of
Christianity of Armenia, to his ecumenical appointments such as member of the
World Council of Churches’ Faith and Order Commission. The sense of shock of
Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian’s sudden death remains profound and is heightened by
watching him in the video, as one could not help but feel that he was still
among us. Yet his spirit remains and will endure, and his vocational
achievements and charitable work are surpassed only by his boundless
humanity.
Archbishop Ashjian will forever serve as a role model for all Armenians
and as
a shining example of the unrelenting resolve of the Armenian people to triumph
against all odds.
7) Gorky Expert Discusses Influence of Armenian Culture, Genocide on Artist’s
Work
WASHINGTON, DC–Renowned art historian and specialist on Arshile Gorky, Dr.
Melvin Lader, presented his insights at a public lecture at the Armenian
Embassy sponsored by the Greater Washington DC Chapter of the Hamazkayin
Armenian Educational and Cultural Society and under the auspices of the
Ambassador and Mrs. Arman Kirakossian. A standing-room-only crowd of over 150
people gathered on November 5 to hear Dr. Lader’s talk and slide presentation,
titled “Arshile Gorky: the Case of an Unlikely Modernist.”
Dr. Lader, a professor of art history at George Washington University, is a
respected authority on the works of abstract expressionist pioneer Arshile
Gorky, having lectured and published extensively on the life and works of the
artist. He most recently curated (with Janice C. Lee) an exhibition of Gorky’s
drawings at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York and the Menil
Collection in Houston in 2004.
Drawing on his research of Gorky’s work, the artist’s writings as well as
side-by-side visual comparisons, Dr. Lader highlighted various influences in
Gorky’s life that were eventually reflected in the artist’s work. These
included memories of Gorky’s childhood in Khorkom (a village near Lake Van in
Armenia), color and imagery from Armenian Christian art, Gorky’s haunting
sufferings and loss of family during the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923, and
his feelings of exile after coming to America. He also cited the influence of
other artists such as Cezanne and surrealist Joan Miro.
In referring to Gorky’s famous Portrait of the Artist and His Mother, Dr.
Lader states, “Alone in New York, the memory of his mother, her tragic death,
and the genocide weighed heavily on his mind. And he undoubtedly conceived of
the painting as a tribute to his mother and her role in his life. As such, it
was the first major work he created descending from his Armenian memories
which
would become a central theme in most of his mature art.”
The formal presentation was followed by a question-and-answer period and
reception in the Embassy, during which Dr. Lader responded to specific
inquiries from the audience. In his opening remarks, Amb. Kirakossian stated,
“I want to thank Hamazkayin for organizing this event. Obviously we have good
cooperation with this society of dedicated people who are doing all their best
to preserve Armenian culture.” He went on to acknowledge Dr. Lader’s
contributions to the study of this pioneer in American art.
“Dr. Lader’s engaging talk brought to light the profound impact of Gorky’s
Armenian experience on his art, and by extension its impact on
expressionism in
general,” stated Maggie Simonian, Chairwoman of the Hamazkayin Washington
Chapter. “We are pleased to have been able to bring Dr. Lader’s insights and
research to the community and thank the Armenian Embassy for their gracious
hospitality and collaboration in this event.”
Founded in 1928, the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society is
dedicated to the preservation and advancement of the history and the cultural
heritage of the Armenian nation. Hamazkayin has chapters throughout the United
States, Canada, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Australia, as well
as the Republic of Armenia.
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