Lawmaker Armen Gevorkyan

Azerbaijan is using the current “chaotic” situation in the region to intensify the destruction of Armenian Christian heritage in Artsakh, a senior lawmaker from the Armenia faction said during a debate at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Thursday.

“The new reality in the Middle East has created real risks for lasting peace and economic development across entire Caucasus region. Regional chaos is used by Azerbaijan to intensify the destruction of Armenian Christian heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh — a process that should concern all of us who care about peace, justice and identity,” lawmaker Armen Gevorgyan said during a discussion on “the need for the respect of international law, peace and stability in the broader Middle East” at the PACE spring session.

Below is the full text of Armen Gevorgyan’s speech.

In January, this chamber heard some calls for strong measures against Iran. This logic was implemented regardless of our common political will. The conflict is not over, but all of us arealready dealing with its contradictory results. The use of force has not resolved the problem. It has made it broader, deeper, and more dangerous, and Iran has emerged as a “steel porcupine” — a state that makes the cost of confrontation prohibitively high.

Instability in the Middle East is increasingly affecting Europe — not only in terms of energy. It is reshaping priorities, limiting the capacity to respond to multiple crises at once and testing democratic values and unity. The military operation against Iran aimed to eliminate a threat, but instead it has led to growing global interest in nuclear deterrence. More countries are coming to a simple conclusion: those who have such capabilities are far less likely to be targeted.

Intentions were to isolate Iran, but instead we see rising tensions surrounding Israel. The war has become a challenge for the entire region and has shown how fragile existing models of security and prosperity in Arab states truly are.

The new reality in the Middle East creates real risks for lasting peace and economic development across entire Caucasus region. Regional chaos is used by Azerbaijan to intensify the destruction of Armenian Christian heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh — a process that should concern all of us who care about peace,justice and identity. And finally, the unresolved conflict still has huge potential for further collapsing the region on a larger scale and destroying the global stability.

Dear colleagues,
It should be clear, especially in Europe, which faces serious security challenges, that force can alter realities. But it does not always make them just or acceptable to all. That is why our task today is not simply to wish for peace, but to stop the dangerous trend of war becoming a routine instrument of politics in the 21st century. If power replaces rules, no one will be safe.
West world cannot approach all nations in the same way or rely on a single model of dialogue.

Distinct civilizations require nuance and understanding. Ignoring this reality leads us to confrontation and failed policies. It raises a fundamental question: are we creating more risks than we are resolving? Because today, this is no longer only about Iran. It is about the kind of international security system we are shaping. It is time for wisdom and responsibility to return to international relations.

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BY SEVAN BOGHOS DERBEDROSSIAN

When the lights rose on Poonchig — “the little wise owl” — at a recent Montreal performance, the effect was immediate and evocative. What unfolded on stage was more than a theatrical production; it was a cultural homecoming. Through humor, memory, and sharply observed characters, the performance reconstructed the textures of Aleppo’s Armenian life — a world disrupted by displacement, yet vividly preserved in collective memory.

Poonchig is an independent Armenian comedy group based in Montreal, whose members are originally from Aleppo. Like many Syrian Armenians, they were forced to leave amid years of instability that reshaped the country’s social fabric. In Montreal, they have reassembled not only their lives but also a shared cultural voice. Their work reflects a broader diasporic reality: communities uprooted by crisis, yet capable of sustaining and renewing their linguistic and cultural traditions in new environments.

It’s a theater of recognition where the production is structured as a series of short, fast-paced skits that blend satire, irony, and social commentary. The scenes draw on familiar Diasporan archetypes — the domineering mother-in-law, the self-absorbed husband, the naive spouse, and the tensions that animate intergenerational family life. These figures are not presented as clichés, but as recognizable social types, grounded in lived experience and delivered through colloquial Armenian that resonates with authenticity.

Humor serves as the central vehicle. It is light, often playful, yet anchored in observation. Rather than instructing the audience, the performance invites reflection through laughter. The symbolic figure of the owl — observant and quietly perceptive — frames the production’s tone: attentive to detail, and attuned to the subtleties of everyday life.

Crafted and designed under the direction and writing of Tsolig Moughalian, the production demonstrates a strong command of comedic timing and character construction. Gestures, pauses, and rhythms are carefully calibrated, echoing the familiar dynamics of Armenian domestic life. The result is a theatrical language that feels immediate and accessible.

The ensemble displays notable versatility, shifting fluidly between roles while maintaining distinct character identities. Their performances avoid exaggeration for its own sake, instead building layered portrayals that reflect the nuances of diasporic social life.

Production conditions remain modest. As an independent group without a permanent venue, Poonchig relies on home-based rehearsals and community support. Yet these limitations do not diminish the final result. On the contrary, they underscore the collective effort behind the production and highlight the resourcefulness that often defines diasporic cultural initiatives.

One of the production’s most compelling aspects is its intergenerational collaboration and effort. Parents and young adults contribute across all facets of the work — from acting and directing to filming, technical production, and promotion. This shared involvement extends beyond logistics; it reflects an active process of cultural transmission.

The presence of younger participants is particularly striking. Their engagement signals continuity and suggests that the creative impulse driving the group will extend into future generations. The sold-out performances further attest to strong community interest and the production’s resonance within Montreal’s Armenian population.

At its core, Poonchig advances a clear objective: Language, humor and accessibility to bring younger audiences closer to the Armenian language by presenting it in a familiar, accessible, and engaging form. The use of colloquial speech and local idioms makes the language feel lived-in rather than formal or distant.

Notably, the group’s flyer invites the public to “laugh with us, speak Armenian with us, and celebrate our beautiful culture.” This concise message captures the production’s broader aim — to position Armenian not only as a language of heritage and memory, but also as a medium for everyday _expression_, humor, and connection.

In this context, humor becomes more than entertainment; it functions as a strategy of cultural continuity. By situating language within shared experiences and recognizable narratives, the production fosters both understanding and belonging.

Ultimately, beyond the stage, Poonchig operates on multiple levels. For those with roots in Aleppo, it evokes a deeply personal sense of recognition and nostalgia. For the wider community, it offers insight into the resilience and adaptability of Diasporic life.

More broadly, the production demonstrates how grassroots cultural initiatives can play a vital role in sustaining identity, particularly in contexts marked by displacement. Through theatre, language, and collective participation, Poonchig contributes to the ongoing renewal of Armenian cultural life in the Diaspora.

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On April 22, the iconic Palais du Pharo in Marseille was illuminated in the colors of the Armenian national flag in tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

Overlooking the city’s Old Port, Palais du Pharo is one of Marseille’s most prominent historic landmarks, making it a powerful site for commemorative events of this kind.

The initiative was carried out with the support of Marseille Mayor Benoît Payan and local authorities, reflecting the city’s continued solidarity with the Armenian community.

A torchlight march dedicated to the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide is also scheduled to take place in Marseille today, bringing together members of the local Armenian community and supporters.

Following the genocide, many Armenian refugees found shelter in Marseille. Today, the city is home to one of the largest and most influential Armenian communities in France, maintaining strong cultural and historical ties to their heritage.

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