Turkish Intellectuals Who Have Recognized The Armenian Genocide: Osman Kavala

By Hambersom Aghbashian

Osman Kavala (born in Paris in 1957), is a prominent Turkish businessman. After graduating from Robert College in Istanbul he continued his higher education and graduated from Manchester University, Department of Economics. After his father’s death in 1980, he began working as a manager for many business groups. Osman Kavala is the Chair of the Board of Anadolu Kulture which is a non-profit company based in Istanbul, and is a member of various business and social organizations Board of Directors. He is also the sponsor of many cultural organizations.(1)

In its article “Armenian culture in Turkey, From the ashes”, “The Economist” wrote on Aug 24, 2013, “Around 2 million Armenians are believed to have lived in Turkey before the genocide. Now there are about 70,000. Survivors are scattered across the Middle East, Europe, America and Australia. Many more converted to Islam to carry on, but their numbers remain unknown. Osman Koker, a Turkish historian, reckons that more than half of Diyarbakir’s population used to be non-Muslim, mainly Armenian Orthodox, but also Catholic, Syrian Orthodox and Jewish. “Now”, says Mr Koker, “there is practically none.”(2)

In a text released with a you tube by EGAM – European Grassroots Antiracist Movement, about Osman Kavala’s Impression of the “Remember 24 April1915″, 2014 initiative, EGAM quoted Kavala, Founder of Anadolu Kültür Foundation-Turkey saying “We are getting closer to the 100th year, and this is affecting the feelings, making them heavier, of everyone involved. Having the European Delegation is important, and shows a bond of solidarity with them and the local organizations in Turkey.” It added that European leaders, who are members of DurDe!, EGAM, and AGBU Europe, helped to facilitate large public commemorations of the Armenian Genocide, and helped in bringing together many people affected by it. Everyone involved was there to show their support and to help work towards stopping the continual denial of the genocide by the Turkish government.(3)

Ozgun Caglar, wrote an article on October 2014 in Agos, entitled “Unresolved Trauma Reason for Violence, Suffering”. He mentioned that Diyarbakir’s Ismail Besikci Foundation hosted a symposium on Oct. 25 titled “1915 Diyarbekir and the Kurds”. Sociologist Osman Kavala, one of the participants said that “Turkish civil society has to campaign for the recognition of the Genocide because there is no big Armenian community in Turkey any more. There is no genocide anymore. But this issue is not local anymore. It’s an international issue because the Genocide created the Armenian Diaspora and this Diaspora is working for the recognition of the Genocide by the parliaments in the countries where Armenians live. ” He added “We are trying to explain to people that this is an internal issue to be solved in Turkey. We are trying to explain that we are not working on this issue to compensate the injustice committed against the Armenian people but to make Turkey a more civilized and democratic state.”(4)

“Turks, Armenians, foreign delegation commemorate 1915 events” was “Todays Zaman”s April 24, 2013 article where it mentioned that “Turkish Armenians and Turkish civil society groups joined with a foreign delegation comprising 20 anti-racist and Armenian representatives from 15 countries to commemorate the 98th anniversary of the tragic events of 1915 in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet Square on Wednesday.” It added that many of the protesters think that public opinion should be changed in such a way that when Turkey recognizes the 1915 events, there will not be strong opposition to the steps that will be taken by the government to solve the issue. Osman Kavala, who attended the commemoration, told Today’s Zaman that public opinion could be changed through giving objective information to schools and via media. “Opinion may change in a short time period,” he added.(5)

In his article entitled ” Turks Could Gain More Than Armenians By Acknowledging the Genocide”, Harut Sassounian Publisher, The California Courier wrote in Armenian Pundits, “It is noteworthy that prominent and sensible businessman Osman Kavala wrote in his “armworkshop” posting: “It is not possible to dismiss the issue of compensation so readily. One can find it controversial, unrealistic [and] harmful to strategic priorities, etc., but it is clear that unlike ‘land return,’ it [compensation] will remain an issue to be discussed in the course of the reconciliation process.”(6)

On May 2, 2011, “Hye Media” wrote: “A current exhibition of Turkish photographer Erhan Arik in Istanbul telling about genocide survivors has moved not only local Armenians, but also many Turks visiting it. The photographer himself says with his exhibition called “Horovel” he has opened for his countrymen a new page of history – a painful one. But Erhan says “keeping silence about is a bigger and more dangerous crime”. The Exhibition was organized in the DEPO hall of the Anadolu Kultur cultural center, which is an establishment that has advocated Turkish-Armenian relations and has implemented a number of joint projects to this effect.The hall’s director Osman Kavala, despite risks, continues to provide space to Armenian artists and for various events on Armenian subjects. “We are interested in having such exhibitions, as we need to create space for dialogue, for discussion on different issues, such as human rights, social, political issues. Such an exhibition could not have been organized in Turkey only a few years ago, but now it is already normal. Unless there are certain steps by nationalists, everything goes quite well,” Kavala told ArmeniaNow.”(7)

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1- http://www.ensonhaber.com/is-adami-osman-kavala-biber-gazi-yedi-2011-06-27.html

2- http://www.economist.com/news/books-and-arts/21583981-turkish-armenians-are-beginning-celebrateand-commemoratetheir-past-ashes

3- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wsHqcxY8Wc

4- http://www.keghart.com/Caglar-Suffering

5- http://www.todayszaman.com/diplomacy_turks-armenians-foreign-delegation-commemorate-1915-events_313616.html

6- https://armenianpundits.wordpress.com/2007/12/20/turks-could-gain-more-than-armenians

7- http://hyemedia.com/2011/05/turkish-photographer%E2%80%99s-exhibition-in-istanbul-presents-accounts-of-armenian-genocide-survivors/

Turkish Intellectuals Who Have Recognized The Armenian Genocide: Osman Kavala

“The State of Armenian Genocide Studies: Problems and Challenges”

ANN ARBOR, MI — Armenian Studies Program (ASP) at University of Michigan will present a lecture by Prof. Taner Akcam titled “The State of Armenian Genocide Studies: Problems and Challenges” on March 13, 2015 as part of Dr. Berj H. Haidostian Annual Distinguished Lecture series.

When Michael J. Hagopian made his first classic acclaimed documentary on the Armenian genocide in 1975, which won him two Emmys, he called it, “the forgotten Genocide.” Decades have passed since then and hundreds of publications in a variety of languages have been printed on the subject. Far from a “forgotten Genocide,” today the Armenian genocide holds an important place within the field of Genocide studies.

This talk will address the problems that are endemic to the field of Armenian genocide studies. What challenges do we face? How can we continue to develop an academically rigorous field amidst a toxic and politicized environment resulting from a policy of denial by the Turkish state? Akcam will delineate the different stages that Armenian genocide studies has traversed as he evaluates the state of field today.

The Dr. Berj Haidostian Annual Distinguished lectureship was established by the family of the late Dr. Berj Haidostian, a prominent and devoted physician in Michigan; the annual lecturer is selected jointly by the Armenian studies faculty and the Haidostian family from among internationally recognized experts on Armenia and Armenians. The Haidostian family has a long and continuing relationship with the University and the Armenian Studies Program.

Taner Akçam is a historian and sociologist who holds the Marianne Kaloosdian and Stephen and Marian Mugar Chair of Armenian Genocide Studies at Clark University. He has written extensively on the Ottoman-Turkish Genocide of the Armenians in the early 20th century. His most well-known works are A Shameful Act: The Armenian Genocide and the Question of Turkish Responsibility (Metropolitan Books, 2006), and Young Turks’ Crime against humanity: The Armenian Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing in the Ottoman Empire (Princeton University Press, 2012).

“The State of Armenian Genocide Studies: Problems and Challenges”

Eurovision 2015: Stephanie Topalian from Japan Fourth Member of Genealogy Group

YEREVAN — Stephanie Topalian is the fourth confirmed member of the band Genealogy, representing Armenia in the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest with Don’t Deny. Residing in Japan, she will represent the continent of Asia in the project.

Essaï Altounian, Vahe Tilbian and Tamar Kaprelian have already been announced as members of the group Genealogy, representing Armenia in the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest. Today they are officially joined by Stephanie Topalian.

“I am the 4th artist of Genealogy for Eurovision 2015!!! I am so very honored to be a part of this. It is a dream for me to be able to represent both Armenia and Japan with something that I love to do. “Music” and my “Roots” are so precious to me. I will do anything it takes to better our team”. Stephanie stated on her facebook page.

Stephanie Topalian’s magical voice and wide vocal diapason has already enchanted many fans in Japan. Stephanie is a singer, songwriter and an actress currently residing in Tokyo. Gifted with major artistic talents, she could sense from the start that music was the dream she wanted to pursue in the future.

An Armenian Artist from Asia

Stephanie was born in August 5, 1987 to a Japanese mother, and an Armenian father in Los Angeles, California. Although Stephanie is residing in Japan she has a strong commitment to her Armenian background: Her Armenian grandparents relocated to the United States from Lebanon.

Starting singing at the young age of 13, and at the age of 19 Stephanie made her major debut in Japan from SME Records (SONY). She achieved the Best New Artist Award at the 49th Japan Record Awards in 2007 and afterwards released two albums.

Stephanie’s songs have been widely featured in the Japanese Anime scene. Her 1st and 2nd single, Kimiga Iru Kagiri and Because Of You consecutively became the ending themes of the Anime Kiss Dum. In early 2008, her single Friendsbecame the second ending theme for the Anime TV series Gundam 00. The song was listed in the top 10 of the Japanese Oricon charts.

As an actress Stephanie debuted in the film Pride in 2009, based on Yukari Ichijo’s shojo comic. She portrayed the protagonist Shio Asami, and also took part in the film’s theme song. In 2014 Stephanie also starred in Tokyo Tribe.

Eurovision 2015: Stephanie Topalian from Japan Fourth Member of Genealogy Group

Armenia Slams Israeli FM Over Presence at Khojaly Event

YEREVAN (Armenianow) — Official Yerevan finds it inappropriate that Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has attended an event organized by Azerbaijan as part of its campaign on the so-called “Khojaly genocide”.

Lieberman, a Soviet-born Israeli politician who also serves as Israel’s deputy prime minister today, was on a delegation that also included a Knesset member that reportedly attended on February 26 an event marking the 23rd anniversary of what Azerbaijan presents as a massacre of civilians by Armenian forces in the town of Khajaly in Karabakh.

The Armenian side blames civilian deaths among Azeris during the Khojaly operation on the Azerbaijani military, saying that they did not allow the civilian population to be evacuated despite the presence of a humanitarian corridor.

Asked by the Armenpress news agency about how Yerevan assesses the presence of the top Israeli diplomat, as part of the electoral campaign, at the kind of event organized by the Azerbaijani propaganda, Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesman Tigran Balayan said: “It is inappropriate that any politician could allow himself to be dragged in the Azerbaijani cheap manipulations.”

Armenia Slams Israeli FM Over Presence at Khojaly Event

Rebuilding from the Rubble of Sumgait

By Serouj Aprahamian

On February 27, 1988, Armenians living in the city of Sumgait were subject to a brutal pogram by rampaging mobs. These massacres spilled into the towns of Baku and Kirovobad, as well. Two years later, Armenian civilians living in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku were likewise attacked for seven days straight.

Over 200,000 Armenians were forced to flee and find refuge in Armenia as a result of these incidents and the ensuing war in Nagorno-Karabakh. With the trauma of massacre in their minds and little to nothing to their name, they were forced to start again in the newly independent republic of Armenia.

Mariam Abrahamyan, a resident of the border village of Gomk, is one such survivor. Originally from Baku, she fled with her husband and newborn baby, settling in Gomk in the summer of 1988.

“My husband was a taxi driver in Baku,” she explains. “Two men sat in his cab one day and he overhead them talking about Sumgait, saying the same fate awaited Armenians in Baku. He knew from that day on that if we stayed, we would be struck down too.”

With nowhere to hide, the family fled the country with other refugees. They arrived in Armenia without a cent in their pocket. They didn’t even know how to speak Armenian.

They were given a small house by the government, but transitioning from an urban life to a rural one was a major challenge in itself. The family had to learn farming, animal husbandry, and adapt to the hardships of the countryside.

“The important thing is that they didn’t destroy us,” says Abarahamyan. “They weren’t able to kill us.”

Like Abrahamyan, the majority of families in Gomk are refugees from Azerbaijan. The will to survive and stick together as a community is what got them through the “dark years” of the early 1990’s and allowed them to rebuild from the rubble of war.

“Our happiness and strength comes from the fact that people assist each other here [in Gomk],” says Abrahamyan. “Nobody’s life is easy but all you have to do is pick up the phone and they’ll be there to help you.”

In 2012, Abrahamyan joined an Oxfam-sponsored initiative to form an agricultural cooperative in the village. Together with other female farmers, she operates a greenhouse that grows tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers and other crops. The all-female cooperative is run democratically as a social enterprise, which allocates a percentage of its annual funds to social projects in the community.

The greenhouse has proven to be an efficient source of income and empowerment for the residents of Gomk. By pooling their resources together, they are seeing that they can develop economies of scale and better resolve the socio-economic problems in their village.

In turn, the solidarity and success of the cooperative has reinforced Abrahamyan’s commitment to the land. As someone who has felt the trauma of massacre and ethnic cleansing, she is quick to emphasize the security of living in her homeland.

“This is where I feel safe and welcome,” explains Abrahamyan when asked if she has ever thought about leaving the country. “No one in the village has any negative intent towards us. Everyone in this village is like a family. I feel secure here.”

The story of Abrahamyan and the female farmers of Gomk is one of overcoming the carnage of massacre with the will to persevere and rebuild. What’s more, Abrahamyan and fellow cooperative members are leading the way in offering an alternative mode of development for the country—one based on solidarity and sustainability, rather than individualism and exploitation.

Twenty-seven years after the Sumgait pogroms, it is important not only to remember the suffering caused in those horrific days but also the remarkable perseverance of those who survived.

Those interested in lending a hand to Mariam and the Gomk Agricultural Cooperative in their current drive to purchase a mini-tractor for their greenhouse can make a secure online donation today.

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Photo: The majority of the members in the all-female Gomk Agricultural Cooperative are refugees who fled from Azerbaijan and resettled in Armenia during independence.

Rebuilding from the Rubble of Sumgait

Rep. Schiff Submits Statement to Congressional Record Honoring Victims of Sumgait Pogrom

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), a lead sponsor of the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution, submitted a statement to the Congressional Record honoring the lives of those lost in the pogrom twenty-six years ago.

Schiff’s full statement is below:

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 27th anniversary of the pogrom against the Armenian residents of the town of Sumgait, Azerbaijan. On this day in 1988, and for three days following, Azerbaijani mobs assaulted and killed Armenians. When the violence finally subsided, hundreds of Armenian civilians had been brutally murdered and injured, women and young girls were raped, and some victims were tortured and burned to death. Those that survived the carnage fled their homes and businesses, leaving behind all but the clothes on their backs. The Sumgait Pogroms came in wake of a pattern of anti-Armenian rallies throughout Azerbaijan, aided and encouraged by high ranking officials in the Azeri government, and touched off a wave of violence culminating in the 1990 Pogroms in Baku.

“In a pattern all too familiar to the Armenian people, the Azerbaijani authorities made little effort to punish those responsible, instead attempting to cover up the atrocities in Sumgait to this day, as well as denying the role of senior government officials in instigating the violence.

“The Sumgait massacres led to wider reprisals against Azerbaijan’s Armenian ethnic minority, resulting in the virtual disappearance of a once thriving population of 450,000 Armenians living in Azerbaijan, and culminating in the war launched against the people of Nagorno Karabakh. That war resulted in thousands dead on both sides and created over one million refugees in both Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“Time has not healed the wounds of those killed and hurt in the pogroms in Sumgait, Kirovabad, and Baku. To the contrary, hatred of Armenians is celebrated in Azeri society, a situation most vividly exemplified by the case of Ramil Safarov, an Azerbaijani army captain who savagely murdered an Armenian army lieutenant, Gurgen Margaryan with an axe while he slept. The two were participating in a NATO Partnership for Peace exercise at the time in Hungary. In 2012, Safarov was sent home to Azerbaijan, purportedly to serve out the remainder of his sentence. Instead, he was pardoned, promoted, and paraded through the streets of Baku in a sickening welcome home. And as we speak, Azerbaijan continues its dangerous and provocative behavior along its border with Armenia and in Karabakh.

“Mr. Speaker, this April we will mark the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, an event the Turkish government, Azerbaijan’s closest ally, goes to great lengths to deny. We must not let such crimes against humanity go unrecognized, whether they occurred yesterday or 27 years ago or 100 years ago. Today, let us pause to remember the victims of the atrocities of the Sumgait pogroms. Mr. Speaker, it is our moral obligation to condemn crimes of hatred and to remember the victims, in hope that history will not be repeated.”

Rep. Schiff Submits Statement to Congressional Record Honoring Victims of Sumgait Pogrom

Armenia’s Consulate in Fresno to Celebrate General Antranik's Birthday

FRESNO — On Friday March 13, The Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Armenia in Fresno will host a celebration of the 150th birthday of the renowned Armenian commander General Antranik Ozanian. This unique event features talks by Hovsep Nalbandian and Fresno County Supervisor Deborah Poochigian, musical performances and recitations, and a special display of memorabilia and publications of General Antranik unveiled for the first time in Fresno. The gala will begin at 7:00pm and take place in the Southwest Pacific Ballroom. Admission is free.

Born in 1865 in the town of Shabin-Karahisar in Western Armenia, Andranik Ozanian grew to become the best known and loved military commander in modern Armenian history. In his early adulthood, he led a group of fedayees to protect Armenian peasants from Turkish oppression and brutality. During WWI, he commanded a unit of Armenian volunteers in the Russian Imperial Army and continued to defend his people from the genocidal hand of the Ottoman Turks after the fall of the Russian monarchy in 1917. Outnumbered and lacking supplies at Erzurum, Andranik and his men staved-off the Turkish army long enough to allow countless Armenians to evacuate the city and thus escape certain death. In his later years he moved to Fresno, enjoying a status similar to the late Hmong commander General Vang. Upon his death in 1927, he received a military funeral at Fresno’s Ararat Cemetery but was subsequently re-interred in Paris and most recently in Yerablur, the veteran’s cemetery in Yerevan, Armenia.

The consulate is organizing the celebration in collaboration with: Armenian General Benevolent Union, Armenian Relief Society, Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Tehlirian Gomideh, Fresno State Armenian Studies Program, Fresno State Armenian Students Organization, Charlie Keyan Armenian Community School, Hamazkayin Educational & Cultural Society, Knight and Daughters of Vartan, and Tekeyan Cultural Association.

The event is part of a series of activities promoted by the Armenian Genocide Centennial—Fresno Committee, which includes representatives from the religious, educational, social, and political organizations of the Central Valley. The group’s goals are to commemorate the 1.5 million martyrs who perished at the hands of the Ottoman Turkish Government; to educate others about the Armenian Genocide and historical injustice; and to inspire people to overcome adversity through the story of the survivors’ of the Armenian Genocide. For more information, visit the AGC—Fresno Committee’s website at www.agcfresno.org and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/agcfresno.

Armenia’s Consulate in Fresno to Celebrate General Antranik's Birthday

"Evening of Learning" with Dr. Richard Hovannisian

GLENDALE — In advance of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Facing History and Ourselves presents an evening for educators and community members to learn together with Dr. Richard G. Hovannisian: What do we need to know about this history? Why is it important for Armenians and non-Armenians alike to remember? What are new areas of understanding in relation to the legacies of the genocide for women, families and community?

One hundred years after the Armenian Genocide, the world has more legislation for responding to such atrocities, but there is still too little emphasis on prevention. Education can make a difference, and Facing History and Ourselves addresses this critical need. Our published resource, Crimes Against Humanity and Civilization: The Genocide of the Armenians, provides primary sources and lessons for educators to use in their classrooms. For the past several years, Facing History in Los Angeles has hosted an annual event to train educators on the history of the Armenian Genocide and its legacies.

Community members; Middle and high school educators are encouraged to attend.

Dr. Richard G. Hovannisian is Professor of Armenian and Near Eastern History at the University of California, Los Angeles and an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California to work with the Shoah Foundation. He is a Guggenheim Fellow and has received numerous honors for his scholarship, civic activities, and advancement of Armenian Studies. Dr. Hovannisian serves on the Board of Scholars for Facing History, and has been our closest advisor on the Armenian Genocide for close to 40 years.

Monday, March 16, 2015

4:30-6:00 PM Educator workshop

6:00-8:00 PM Dinner and Program

Galleria Ballroom Glendale , 401 N. Colorado Street , Glendale, CA 91204

Registration is required. Sign up today.

Cost is $50 per community member. No charge to educators.

"Evening of Learning" with Dr. Richard Hovannisian

UCLA Students to Perform Scenes From “Daredevils of Sasun” on March 4

LOS ANGELES – The Narekatsi Program in Armenian Language and Culture at UCLA will present an ensemble performance of “The Battle,” a beloved tale from the Armenian epic “Daredevils of Sasun”. Featuring a cast of UCLA students, the performance will take place on Wednesday, March 4, at 7 pm, at UCLA’s Dodd Hall 147. The event is open to the public.

The cast of performers consists of students of Dr. Anahid Aramouni Keshishian, a longtime lecturer of Armenian literature at UCLA, who is directing the performance and will herself perform alongside the cast. The performers comprise Margarita Baghdasaryan, Aram Ekimyan, Shushanik Ginosyan, Ani Gurdogluyan, Araz Housepian, Satenik Kirakosyan, and Mihran Yezbekyan.

“With its fast-paced plot and pithy idiom, the Armenian oral epic comes alive in performance, especially an experimental one like this,” said Professor S. Peter Cowe, Chair of the Narekatsi Program in Armenian Language and Culture at UCLA, and continued: “As the embodiment of nobility, fairness, and self-assurance, Davit, the hero of Daredevils of Sasun, is an excellent role model for young and old alike.”

Dr. Aramouni Keshishian said that “The Battle” will be presented in the original Armenian dialect which appears in “Daredevils of Sasun”. “My students have been fascinated by the epic,” she explained. “As we studied and discussed various aspects of this masterpiece, eventually there emerged the idea of presenting an ensemble performance of scenes from the work. We chose ‘The Battle’ for its great dramatic flair and mythological significance.”

The performance on March 4 will be presented in honor of the centennial of the Armenian Genocide.

The Armenian Studies program at UCLA has seven instructors, who offer a total of 26 courses in Armenian language, history, and culture. Apart from an undergraduate Minor in Armenian Studies and a concentration in the new Major in Middle Eastern Studies, the Narekatsi Chair offers Masters and PhD programs, and currently has seven doctoral students under Prof. Cowe’s supervision. UCLA is also home to the Armenian Music Program, with a course taught by Vatsche Barsoumian and an Armenian Music Ensemble; as well as the Armenian Archaeology and Ethnography Program, established in 2013 through a $2-million gift from Mrs. Zaruhy Chitjian.

The Narekatsi Chair maintains an active program of lectures and seminars by visiting academics. In addition, together with the Armenian Graduate Students Association, the Chair organizes an international graduate-student colloquium in Armenian Studies annually.

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Illustration courtesy of Armenianhouse.org

UCLA Students to Perform Scenes From “Daredevils of Sasun” on March 4

Kay Mouradian’s “My Mother’s Voice” Book Adapted to film

SOUTH PASADENA — To preserve her mother’s legacy, author and filmmaker Kay Mouradian wrote the biographical memoir, “My Mother’s Voice” which has since been transformed into a 25-minute documentary of the same title. Mouradian’s documentary “My Mother’s Voice” will have its New York Premiere at the Socially Relevant Film Festival on March 21, 2015 at 4:30 PM at the Tribeca Cinemas.

Mouradian says she wrote the book to tell the story of Armenian genocide during World War I, bringing to light the effects of war on Armenian families in the Ottoman Empire. This year, Mouradian is boosting the marketing efforts for her book with a new press marketing campaign.

“My Mother’s Voice” tells the tale of Mouradian’s mother, Flora, who escaped from the throes of WWI in Turkey. Upon reaching the interior of Syria, Flora and her 16-year-old sister, Verkin, were the only two surviving members of their family. Mouradian’s account is the story of Flora who, at age 14, was forced to make unimaginable life choices during a time of worldwide unrest.

“The story will appeal not only to young adult readers, but also to lovers of history who want to learn about the Armenian genocide,” Mouradian says. “As the 2015 100-year centennial approaches, commemorative memorials are being prepared for worldwide coverage.”

Kay Mouradian is a documentary filmmaker and author of books on yoga and meditation. She has a doctorate in education from Nova Southeastern University and degrees from Boston University and UCLA. Her documentary, “My Mother’s Voice,” is based on her book of the same title and its predecessor, “A Gift in the Sunlight.”

“My Mother’s Voice”

By Kay Mouradian

Softcover | 6 x 9 in | 238 pages | ISBN 9781452561691

E-Book | 238 pages | ISBN 9781452561707

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Kay Mouradian’s “My Mother’s Voice” Book Adapted to film

French Delegation Visits Armenian Diocese of Damascus

DAMASCUS – French Senate member, Head of the Senate’s French-Syrian Friendship Committee, Jean-Pierre Vial and member of the French Senate and Mayor of the city of Laval, François Zocchetto visited His Grace Bishop Armash Nalbandian, Primate of the Armenian Church Diocese of Damascus. Bishop Armash enlightened the Senators of the situation of Armenians living in Syria in general and particularly in cities of Damascus and Aleppo, in spite of the crisis taking place in the country.

Bishop Nalbandian stressed that Armenians are deeply rooted in their homeland, Syria, and they are part and parcel of the Syrian people, as they wish that the solution to the crisis should be comprehensive- not restricted to particular cities.

He added that Turkey has played an aggressive role in the Syrian crisis, opening its borders to foreign terrorist organizations that have attacked various peaceful cities such as the predominately Armenian city of Kessab, reminiscent to the events of their Ottoman predecessors 100 years ago.

“A lot of innocent people in Damascus have been killed in almost daily terrorist attacks with rocket and mortar shells,” Bishop Nalbandian said, adding that the Church was targeted twice last year leaving many children dead.

Senator Vial stressed that the delegation’s visit to Syria is very important, visiting makeshift centers, international organizations, schools, clergymen, hospitals in addition to visiting a number of Syrian officials, confirms that Syria has always been a place for all sects and it is exemplary for the co-existence and tolerance among its people.

French Delegation Visits Armenian Diocese of Damascus

Armenia Slams Turkish Preconditions for Normalization

YEREVAN — Armenia has rejected the latest Turkish demand to end “the occupation of Azerbaijan” before the diplomatic protocols signed between the two countries in 2009 can be implemented.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu repeated that precondition during his visit to Baku on Wednesday.

At a joint press conference with his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov, Cavusoglu also claimed that “the whole world knows about the precondition to Armenia” and that Yerevan “has failed the test of sincerity”. He said that the recent decision by Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian to withdrawal the protocols from the parliament is, therefore, “of no importance”.

Commenting on the statements by the top Turkish diplomat, Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharian again accused Ankara of setting preconditions in the process in which Armenia believes the sides should not do that.

“It is at least perplexing that the Turkish delegation that conducted the negotiations around the protocols, according to Cavusoglu, did not know about the Turkish preconditions “known to the whole world”. To speak about sincerity by spreading the kind of false information is at least strange, but at the same time it is typical of Turkish authorities,” he said.

Kocharian stressed that the international community has also favored Yerevan’s position that Armenian-Turkish relations should be normalized without preconditions.

On February 16, the Armenian president recalled the protocols on the normalization of ties and the establishment of diplomatic relations with neighboring Turkey from parliament. He said “the Turkish government has no political will, distorts the spirit and letter of the protocols, and continues its policy of setting preconditions.”

Sarkisian also said that on the eve of commemorating the centennial of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey during World War I, “the policy of denial and rewriting history” is getting a renewed impulse in Ankara.

Armenia Slams Turkish Preconditions for Normalization

Donation Bill with General Andranik's Signature

YEREVAN — The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute has published the photo of a donation coupon with General Andranik’s (Ozanian) signature in the illustrated book “100 Photographic Stories of the Armenian Genocide”. This bill was issued in the USA at the end of 1919 by the Central Committee for Armenia relief titled “Donation of Rescue” which was led by General Andranik.

The bill has “Prkutean hanganakutiun Hayastani karoteloc” (Donation of Rescue for Armenian needy people) note. Khrimian Hayrik’s (Mkrtich Khrimian) portrait is illustrated in the center, in the oval-shaped circle, on the half of the circled laurel wreath is written “Hayrik” (“Father”). The flag of the USA is on the right side of the picture and on the left side the flag of the First Republic of Armenia is illustrated. The donator’s name is written on the bill, Stepan Soghomonian, as well as the amount of donation, 100 dollars. The committee’s president Andranik and treasurer K. Markarian’s signatures are bellow on the bill.

In the right corner there is a picture of a needy Armenian family: a father, a mother and two children, one of which with outstretched hands begging money or bread. Armenia (with Ararat and Sipan Mountains and Lake of Van) is illustrated in the left corner.

Donation Bill with General Andranik's Signature

Billionaire Kirk Kerkorian Funding Epic Feature Film About Armenian Genocide

HOLLYWOOD — Kirk Kerkorian is 97 years old and worth $4 billion. The one time owner of MGM, and wealthy Las Vegas real estate and casino owner ( he also owned the MGM Grand), is not done, however. He still has one more wish. Kerkorian is funding a secret feature film about the Armenian genocide that took place concurrent with World War I, showbiz411.com reports, quoting its sources.

Kerkorian is hoping to produce the Armenian “Schindler’s List” to memorialize the Genocide.

There is already an Oscar nominated director and screenwriter signed to the project. Various actors’ names have come up, and some of that may become clear soon. The movie has been described by the director– who asked not to reveal his name yet– as a “Reds” or “Dr. Zhivago”, a sweeping World War I romance set against the Armenian genocide.

Kerkorian, who’s always been fascinated with Hollywood, is said to have contributed over $1 billion to Armenian charities and causes over his long life time.

Author of the article Roger Friedman reveals that the still untitled film will begin shooting this summer in Europe. And the budget should be pretty big, considering there’s one backer. This movie has the potential to be something on a large historic scale, unseen for many years.

Billionaire Kirk Kerkorian Funding Epic Feature Film About Armenian Genocide

Ex-Police Intel Chief Detained In Turkey Over Hrant Dink Murder

ANKARA — A former high-ranking Turkish police intelligence chief has been detained as part of an investigation into negligence by officials in the 2007 murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant, the Hurriyet Daily News reports.

Ramazan Akyürek, who was detained in Ankara on Feb. 26, had served as the head of the police in the Black Seaprovince of Trabzon between December 2003 and May 2006. He then served as the head of Police Intelligence between May 2006 and October 2009.

Akyurek was among hundreds of police removed from their posts amid a purge of officers believed to be linked to U.S.-based Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, the government’s ally-turned-nemesis. An Ankara court had rejected Akyürek’s dismissal in January 2014.

The Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office initially aborted an ongoing probe into the alleged negligence of nine public servants, but the 8th Heavy Penal Court in Istanbul’s Bakirköy district cancelled the decision, reopening the probe on June 6, 2014.

Akyürek was detained after all the criminal files regarding the Dink murder were combined into a single probe in Istanbul, as instructed by Istanbul Prosecutor Gökalp Kökçü.

In his testimony in October 2014, Akyürek had placed the blame of the murder on the Istanbul Police Director, while using the phrases “I don’t remember” and “I don’t know” a total of 27 times in response to the prosecutor’s questions.

In January, two Turkish police officers were arrested on suspicion of failure to prevent Dink’s murder.

Ex-Police Intel Chief Detained In Turkey Over Hrant Dink Murder

S.D. Hunchakian Nazarbek Youth Protest Azeri Propaganda Event

PARIS – The Social Democrat Hunchakian Party’s Nazarbek Youth Movement, took to the streets to protest the European Azerbaijan Society’s (TEAS) event on Feb. 24, commemorating the disputed “Khojaly massacre” at the Adyar Theater located in the 7th district in Paris.

The Youth of Nazarbek expressed their indignation towards the event which propagated lies and distorted history. The youth distributed literature exposing the injustices of Aliyev’s dictatorship, and held up protest signs that read “France and Armenia are not for sale.”

“The purpose of this event promoting a fictitious massacre, was to create an illusion of an Azeri diaspora by the well-funded, oil rich Azeri government,” the Nazarbek Youth Movement declared in a statement. “The Azeris believe that they are establishing a diaspora under the appearance of Soft Power. Yet there was an extremely low turnout at the event proving that it was a farce.”

The youth also expressed solidarity with Leyla Yunus, an Azeri human-rights activist imprisoned by the dictatorial Azeri government in July 2014, along with all victims of the war. “This war, continued by the war-loving Aliyev dictatorship, has taken hostage, the Azeri and Armenian populations of the region, which only benefits the Aliyev dictatorship.” the statement continued.

In response to the TEAS event and Azerbaijan’s attempts to blur the evidence by representing the victims as the aggressors, the Hunchakian Nazarbek Youth Movement will host a conference with Hovannes Guevorkian, Representative of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabagh to France, to commemorate the Sumgait pogrom, which took place on Feb 27 – 29 prior to the war in 1988. The conference will take place on Friday, February 27 at 8:30 p.m. at the Hunchakian Armenian Youth Center in Alfortville, France.

S.D. Hunchakian Nazarbek Youth Protest Azeri Propaganda Event

Armenian Defense Minister: Contact Line is Relatively Quiet Due to Improved Observation System

YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian has put down the relative calm recently observed at the border with Azerbaijan as well as along the Line of Contact in Nagorno-Karabakh to improved observation systems put in place by Armenian armed forces.

Speaking at a press briefing in Yerevan on Wednesday, Ohanian also partly attributed reduced tensions to a more active negotiation process conducted recently.

“It can be said that the border situation today is relatively calm because the Armenian Army and the Defense Army of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic have for years worked on improving their combat duty services,” the Armenian defense minister said. “Today we have improved our observation system, which makes it possible to conduct observations, detect [the enemy], make decisions and implement them more efficiently.”

In Ohanian’s opinion, the more active efforts of international mediators also contribute to reducing the tensions.

“I think that the political atmosphere, the meetings, the activity of the three co-chairs [of the OSCE Minsk Group], the corresponding efforts that should be made within the framework of a meeting of the two countries’ presidents also have an impact on the situation,” he said. “We, military leaders, have always urged international political institutions to raise this issue – either we observe the ceasefire or not.”

After the latest tour of the region on February 16-19, the American, Russian and French co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ambassadors James Warlick, Igor Popov, and Pierre Andrieu, issued a joint statement, saying that the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Serzh Sarkisian and Ilham Aliyev, had agreed to consider their proposals aimed at strengthening the ceasefire in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone.

They did not elaborate on the proposals, but said that they discussed with the Armenian and Azerbaijan presidents and the two countries’ foreign ministers “next steps towards a settlement, as well as preparations for a future Presidential meeting later this year.”

Armenian Defense Minister: Contact Line is Relatively Quiet Due to Improved Observation System

Emmy Award Winning Composer to Stage Musical on Armenian Genocide

DENVER — Three time Emmy award winning composer Denise Gentilini, along with internationally celebrated singer songwriter Lisa Nemzo, has created I Am Alive, a dramatic musical devoted to the centenary of the Armenian Genocide, KDVR-TV FOX Denver website reports.

The musical spans a nearly 75-year love story of Gentilini’s grandparents Kourken and Malvine Handjian, who survived the genocide.

“My grandfather, Kourken, became an orphan at the age of eight. His father was killed when the Armenian genocide started in central Turkey, in 1915, where he lived with his family. Along with his surviving family, he was sent on what would become the death march of men, women and children across the Syrian desert to concentration camps. But a Turkish man had pity on this little boy. He rescued him and placed him in an orphanage. He never saw his family again. My grandmother Malvine also lived in Turkey. Her father was poisoned in the genocide and because she had too many siblings for her mother to handle, she was given away to another family to be raised by them. As surviving Armenians were deported from Turkey, both Kourken and Malvine wound up in a refugee camp in Greece where they found each other. When she was 14 and he was 19 they married, and spent nearly 75 years together,” Gentilini said.

Gentilini noted while she has known her history for decades, she chose this year to share what her family went through.

“In April it will be the 100th commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, and I wanted to tell the story in a different way,” she said. “There have been plays and movies and marches, but I’ve never heard a musical. I believe music is a universal language, so even those who don’t know about this time in history might be interested because the music makes it accessible.”

Emmy Award Winning Composer to Stage Musical on Armenian Genocide

FM Nalbandian Dismisses Reports that Minsk Group Co-Chairs have Called for Return of Azeri Saboteurs

YEREVAN — Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian has dismissed reports that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs raised the issue of return of the two Azeri saboteurs during the recent visit to Yerevan.

“The crimes committed by the two Azeri saboteurs, including the kidnapping and brutal killing of a teenager, have been revealed, documented and proved,” Minister Nalbandian said at the National Assembly.

“The international community is well aware of how Azerbaijan welcomes and glorifies the murderers, as it happened in the case of Safarov and not only. Naturally, the international community speaks about humanism. But what humanism can one speak about in case of Azerbaijan?” Minister Nalbandian said.

He reminded that a number of Armenian nationals were humiliated and killed in Azerbaijan. He further recalled Baku’s refusal to accept the calls of the international organization, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, the OSCE and the Minsk Group Co-Chairs to create conditions for retrieving the bodies of the pilots of the downed helicopter.

“I do not even speak about how “the great humanists” in Baku are persecuting their own citizens every day, especially the proponents of peace, tolerance, reconciliation and humanism,” Edward Nalbandian added.

“All this comes to prove that Azerbaijan has its unique perception of humanism, and uses it to deepen hatred and xenophobia,” the Foreign Minister stated.

FM Nalbandian Dismisses Reports that Minsk Group Co-Chairs have Called for Return of Azeri Saboteurs

ACA Endorses LA City Candidates

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Armenian Council of America (ACA) is proud to announce its endorsement of candidates for the March 3rd Los Angeles Municipal elections.

The endorsement process included a careful evaluation and analysis of the background of each candidate, their commitment to public service, actions they have taken towards promoting good governance towards the City of Los Angeles and its citizens, and their future goals towards the prosperity and positive growth of the city.

“Having the largest Armenian American constituency in the U.S., Los Angeles has been home to hundreds of thousands of citizens of Armenian descent for many decades,” said ACA Chairman Sevak Khatchadorian. “We have been an integral force in the fabric and makeup of this racially, ethnically, religiously, socioeconomically and culturally diverse city. Therefore, it is our civic duty and moral obligation to continue to contribute to this great city and pass down that sense of responsibility and pride to succeeding generations of Armenian Americans by exercising our voting rights at the polls.”

The following candidates have demonstrated their desire to work, with and for the Armenian-American community, and as such have earned ACA’s trust and support for their candidacy in the upcoming election. The endorsement list includes:

Los Angeles City Council

District 2 Paul Krekorian

District 6 Nury Martinez

District 10 Herb Wesson

District 12 Mitchell Englander

District 14 Jose Huizar

Los Angeles Community College District

LACC District 1 Andra Hoffman

LACC District 3 Sam Kbushyan

LACC District 5 Scott Svonkin

Los Angeles Unified School District

District 5 Bennet Kayer

The Armenian Council of America is a grassroots organization dedicated to working with all political leaders, offering Armenian related news, analysis and resources for policymakers, media, students and activists, advocating issues important to Armenian Americans. The Armenian Council of America aims to strengthen U.S. – Armenia and U.S. – Nagorno Karabakh ties, the development of programs promoting sustainable economic growth and good governance in Armenia, while promoting the values and responsibilities of global citizenship.

ACA Endorses LA City Candidates

Armenian Authorities Show Proof Of Permyakov Handover Request

YEREVAN — Armenian authorities have presented a photocopy of an official document sent from Russia acknowledging the receipt of Yerevan’s formal request for the transfer to Armenian custody of a Russian soldier accused of killing seven members of a single family in Armenia last month.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Prosecutor’s Office also said that the request submitted by Armenian Prosecutor-General Gevorg Kostanian in a letter addressed to his Russian counterpart Yuri Chaika on February 3 is “being considered by partners in the Russian Federation.”

The publication of the document dated February 20 follows a series of media publications in Armenia casting doubts that the Armenian authorities have ever submitted a formal request for Valery Permyakov, a 19-year-old solider from the Russian military base stationed in Gyumri, to be handed over to Armenian jurisdiction.

The statement issued by the Prosecutor’s Office follows protests by relatives of the murdered family, who gathered in the provincial prosecutor’s office in Gyumri on Monday demanding a meeting with Kostanian. They also called on the authorities to provide definitive answers, including on the Permyakov custody issue, and threatened to hold more protests in the city on Friday if their demands are not met.

Armenian Authorities Show Proof Of Permyakov Handover Request

SDHP Condemns US State Department's Call to Return Azeri Murderers

Armenia’s Social Democrat Hunchakian Party is condeming the U.S. State Department’s call for the Artsakh authorities to release and transfer two Azeri saboteurs to Azerbaijan. SDHP consider this request as another policy of double standards aimed at Armenia and Artsakh.

The United States reiterated its call for the release of two Azeri nationals, Dilham Askerov and Shahbaz Quliyev, who were convicted last year on charges that include the murder of a teenager.

“We have previously advocated through Ambassador Warlick and others the release of these two prisoners to the Government of Azerbaijan,” Spokesperson for the Department of State Jen Psaki said at daily briefing on Feb. 23.

She expressed that during the recent visit to the region, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland also urged relevant authorities to return the two prisoners to the Government of Azerbaijan. Last week senior members of the NKR government effectively ruled out the release of Dilham Askerov and Shahbaz Quliyev, in spite of an appeal for the kind of “humanitarian gesture” made by Nuland.

The SDHP reaffirmed that “the arrested saboteurs killed two innocent civilians and seriously wounded another.” At the same time, the Republic of Artsakh conducted an open and transparent trial, resulting in the saboteurs receiving a punishment worthy of their crimes. In addition, let us not fail to remember Hungary’s extradition of convicted Azeri murderer Ramil Safarov to Azerbaijan, which resulted in immediate release and was proclaimed an Azeri “national hero” shortly thereafter.

The Social Democrat Hunchakian Party also believes Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is acting ineffectively by remaining silent on the matter and not responding to the statements made by the two U.S. Department of State officials. The SDHP proclaims “in general, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of a country in war has to be more courageous and resourceful. On several occasions, different members of the SDHP have asserted that the silence of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in such cases, is simply incomprehensible and may be even considered cowardice.”

SDHP Condemns US State Department's Call to Return Azeri Murderers

Israeli Scholar Yair Auron about Armenian Genocide Recognition and His Impressions from Artsakh

STEPANAKERT (Lusine Avanesyan, ArmRadio) — On a three-day visit to Artsakh Israeli genocide scholar Yair Auron had meetings with officials, youth and soldiers. He met with reporters in Stepanakert to share the impressions. The scholar confesses he didn’t know much about the Artsakh war.

As a genocide expert, Auron does not accept describing the events in Khojalu, as well as Sumgait and Baku as “genocide.” “Some people say the events in Khojalu constituted genocide, but they do not comply with the classical definition of genocide.” As for the events in Sumgait and Baku, the scholar said he has not conducted research on these concrete cases, but considers they should be called “massacres.”

Yair Auron confessed that on the first day of the visit the impressions were not that bright, but everything changed over the next two days.

“My impression on the first day was that you are week. Now I’m confident you are very strong, strong with your spirit.”

“I admire your struggle for self-determination,” he said. “This is your right and I with you every success,” the scholar added.

“After I met with the soldiers, I saw they are ready to continue the struggle with the same spirit. They have the resoluteness to fight, to master their own destiny. I admire that determination.”

Mr. Auron said he’s ashamed for the fact of Israel selling arms to Azerbaijan, knowing those will be used against the people of Karabakh.

“I go mad, when I think these weapons are used against you,” the scholar said.

According to Yair Auron, upon his return to Israel he will continue the struggle for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Besides, he will talk to his friends about Artsakh, its people and their struggle. He plans to visit Nagorno Karabakh again in summer.

On 21 February Artsakh President Bako Sahakian met with Yair Auron. A range of issues related to the history of the Armenian people, the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict settlement process and regional trends were touched upon during the meeting.

President Sahakian commended Yair Auron’s research on the history of the Armenian Genocide from academic and moral viewpoints, outlining that the professor’s works had a serious contribution to the studying and international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, as well as to cementing friendly ties between the Armenian and Jewish people.

Israeli Scholar Yair Auron about Armenian Genocide Recognition and His Impressions from Artsakh

The US Reiterates Call to Return Azeri Saboteurs as a “Humanitarian Gesture”

WASHINGTON, DC — The United States has reiterated its call for the release of two Azeri nationals Dilham Askerov and Shahbaz Quliyev, who were convicted last year on charges that include the murder of a teenager.

“We have previously advocated through Ambassador Warlick and others the release of these two prisoners to the Government of Azerbaijan,” Spokesperson for the Department of State Jen Psaki told a daily briefing.

She reminded that during the recent visit to the region, US Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland also urged relevant authorities to return the two prisoners to the Government of Azerbaijan. Last week senior members of NKR government effectively ruled out the release of Dilham Askerov and Shahbaz Quliyev despite an appeal for the kind of “humanitarian gesture” made by Nuland.

“The sides have generally found a way in the past to return prisoners as a humanitarian gesture, and such humanitarian gestures have been shown to reduce tensions and build trust between the sides. So that’s what she was referring to.” Psaki stated.

In an interview with the Karabakh-based Artsakhpress news agency Ambassador James Warlick, the U.S. co-chair of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s (OSCE) Minsk Group engaged in the mediation of a Karabakh settlement, also expressed a view that the release of the two Azerbaijani nationals could be a positive step for the peace process.

“With tensions as high as they are, such humanitarian gestures can lead to a more positive environment for negotiations to take place,” the mediator said.

Talking to reporters in Stepanakert on February 19, Nagorno-Karabakh’s Defense Minister Movses Hakobian, however, said that the matter was not subject to discussion.

Speaking to Public Radio of Armenia last week, Spokesman for the NKR President David Babayan also ruled out the return of the Azeri nationals.

The US Reiterates Call to Return Azeri Saboteurs as a “Humanitarian Gesture”

Dr. Fatma Muge Gocek to Speak at Ararat-Eskijian Museum

MISSION HILLS — Ararat-Eskijian Museum, National Association for Armenian Studies and research, and Organization of Istanbul Armenians present an illustrated talk by Dr. Fatma Muge Gocek Professor of Sociology and Women’s Studies, University of Michigan “Denial of Violence: Ottoman Past, Turkish Present, and Collective Violence Against the Armenians”.

The event is on March 08, 2015, 4 PM Ararat-Eskijian Museum/Sheen Chapel, 15105 Mission Hills Road, Mission Hills CA 91345

In this talk based on her recently published book, Professor Fatma Müge Göçek will delve into the roots of Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide and explain why it still persists. Prof. Göçek will specifically focus on the denial of collective violence committed against Armenians throughout Ottoman and Turkish history, demonstrating its occurrence many times before 1915. Having qualitatively analyzed 315 memoirs published in Turkey from 1789 to 2009 in addition to numerous secondary sources, journals, and newspapers, she reveals that denial is a multi-layered, historical process with four distinct yet overlapping components: the structural elements of collective violence and modernity on one side, and the emotional elements of collective consensus and legitimating events on the other. In the Turkish case, denial emerged through four stages, beginning with the imperial denial of the origins of collective violence committed against Armenians that commenced in 1789 and continued until 1907, followed by the Young Turk denial of violence lasting for a decade from 1908 to 1918, then an early republican denial taking place from 1919 to 1973, and culminating with the late republican denial of the responsibility for the collective violence started in 1974, which continues to this day.

Admission free. For more information call the Ararat-Eskijian Museum at (747-500-7585 or e-mail:ararat-eskijian-museum@netzero.net

Dr. Fatma Muge Gocek to Speak at Ararat-Eskijian Museum

Armenian IT Companies to Showcase their Products at Cebit 2015

YEREVAN (ARKA) — Several Armenian IT companies will showcase their products at the largest technology exhibition CeBIT 2015, scheduled for March 16-20 in Hanover, Germany, the Union of Information Technology Enterprises (UITE) of Armenia said.

These companies are Volo, Altacode, E-Works, IU Networks, Technology and Science Dynamics, Web, Locator, Instigate and VTG Software.

“Armenia has traditionally participated in this largest European exhibition, but this year is different. This year Armenia participates with a separate pavilion called Surprising Engineering and Why Armenia”, UITE deputy director Hayk Chobanyan is quoted as saying in a press release.

The participation of Armenian companies is being coordinated by UITE with the assistance of the specialized agency of the Netherlands ministry of foreign affairs for promotion of developing countries (CBI).

CeBIT is an international platform for discovering the latest IT trends, establishment of business relations and showcasing own products.

CeBIT attracts annually more than 4000 companies from 70 countries, while the number of visitors exceeded 310,000 from about 110 countries. -0-

– See more at: http://arka.am/en/news/technology/armenian_it_companies_to_showcase_their_products_at_cebit_2015/#sthash.9G4GhCu5.dpuf

Armenian IT Companies to Showcase their Products at Cebit 2015

ACA Endorses Sam Kartounian for Redondo Beach City Council

The Armenian Council of America is pleased to announce the endorsement of Sam Kartounian for Redondo Beach City Council’s 3rd district.

Mr. Kartounian is a business owner, has over 20 years of civic involvement in Redondo Beach and is committed to giving back to the community which honored his family business, TicTime Trends, with the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce 2010 Business of the Year award. Mr. Kartounian has applied his business experience and know-how, to municipal issues, by serving on the Budget and Finance Commission, the Sister City Committee, as well as taking part in the official City delegation that visited China. Mr. Kartounian is also active within the Chamber of Commerce, serving on its board and its Government Relations Council.

Earning his MBA from Pepperdine University, Kartounian, as an Armenian American, is familiar with Armenian American issues and concerns and exemplifies the Armenian American success story; preserving ones identity, striving for excellence, and contributing towards the benefit of the greater community.

Among his top priorities are balancing the city budget and attracting business and commerce, safe streets and neighborhoods, quality education at schools, protecting the environment and beaches, improving roads, reducing traffic and making sure that seniors are protected.

The Redondo Beach City election will be held on March 3, 2015. For more information, and to find your polling place please visit the Redondo Beach City Clerk’s website.

The Armenian Council of America is a grassroots organization dedicated to working with all political leaders, offering Armenian related news, analysis and resources for policymakers, media, students and activists, advocating issues important to Armenian Americans. The Armenian Council of America aims to strengthen U.S. – Armenia and U.S. – Nagorno Karabakh ties, the development of programs promoting sustainable economic growth and good governance in Armenia, while promoting the values and responsibilities of global citizenship.

ACA Endorses Sam Kartounian for Redondo Beach City Council

State Youth Orchestra of Armenia to Give Concert Dedicated to Armenian Genocide Centennial in Beirut

BEIRUT — As the official orchestra of the Al Bustan International Festival (Lebanon) State Youth Orchestra of Armenia (SYOA) will give a concert dedicated to the centennial of the Armenian Genocide. For the second time the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia has been invited to perform in Lebanon as the official orchestra of the Al Bustan International Festival. Al Bustan International Festival will be held from February 17 to March 22.

State Youth Orchestra of Armenia

The State Youth Orchestra of Armenia was founded in 2005 by conductor Sergey Smbatyan, who is also its artistic director and principal conductor. Young and talented musicians’ maturity to follow the right path of life, diligence and devotion to the art have smoothed their way for great stages and rapidly increasing international awards. In 2008 on the special decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia the Orchestra was granted the title of “State Orchestra” for their high professionalism and expansion of contemporary music.

The Orchestra has performed with numerous concerts both in Armenia and beyond its borders. It has performed in the most famous concert halls in Germany, France, Russia, Belgium, China, Netherlands, Italy, Lebanon and other countries, such as Opera Garnier (Paris), Konzerthaus (Berlin), Dr. Anton Philipszaal (Hague), Palais des Beaux-Arts (Brussels), P.Tchaikovsky Philharmonic Concert Hall and Conservatory Great Concert Hall (Moscow), etc.

The Orchestra always make an indivisible part of prestigious international festivals, to name a few, “Moscow Easter Festival” (Moscow/Russia), “YOUNG.EURO.CLASSIC” (Berlin/Germany), “Kultursommer Nordhessen” (Kassel/Germany), “Young.Classic.Wratislavia” (Wroclaw/Poland), and many others. SYOA has appeared as the official orchestra of such prestigious international musical events as the Aram Khachaturian International Competition (since 2007), the Musica Riva International Festival (2013, Riva del Garda/Italy), the 9th Frederic Chopin International Competition for Young Pianists (2014, Foshan/China), the Al Bustan International Festival (2014, Beirut/Lebanon) and many others.

With close-creative relations with the masters of the world stage Valery Gergiev, Krzysztof Penderecki, Vladimir Spivakov, Maxim Vengerov, Denis Matsuev, Vadim Repin, Vahagn Papyan, Boris Berezovsky and many others the Orchestra has reached new heights in the music industry.

Young musicians are persistent initiators of new musical projects and series of charitable activities both in Armenia and overseas. Thus, since 2010 under the high patronage of the RA President Serzh Sargsyan the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia has been holding the annual Armenian Composers’ Art Festival, and since 2013 with the support of the RA Ministry of Culture the Orchestra has been realizing the annual Aram Khachaturian International Festival. The State Youth Orchestra of Armenia constantly presents new interesting projects, such as concert series entitled “Hollywood Non-Stop”, “Cartoon Non-Stop”, “Tours to…”, “SYOA Meets” and others. Another peculiar project is the regular serie “Master Creates Masters”. Within the framework of the above mentioned project the world famous masters such as Valery Gergiev, Zakhar Bron and many others have already presented master-classes for young generation.

The Youth Orchestra is a member of a number of authoritative international organizations, such as the European Federation of National Youth Orchestras (EFNYO, 2009) and the International Artist Managers’ Association (IAMA, 2013).

The wide repertoire of the Orchestra ranges from classical to contemporary genre. In 2011 the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia, headed by the artistic director and principal conductor Sergey Smbatyan, released its first CD entitled “Music is the answer”. Recorded at Sony recording studio the CD includes works by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Dmitri Shostakovich and Eduard Hayrapetyan.

For about 300 artists and 22 performances: this is the agenda of the Al Bustan Festival. Over the past few years this prestigious international festival has hosted more than 4000 artists from all over the world. The program includes opera, symphonic, choral, chamber music, also jazz, oriental music, dance and theater performances, master-classes and seminars.

The Al Bustan International Festival is a member of European Festival Association (EFA) and the International Artist Managers’ Association (IAMA). Within the framework of the Festival the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia (Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Sergey Smbatyan) will present the foreign audience 5 concert evenings. Jointly with the world renowned soloists SYOA will perform a brilliant concert program of classic pieces. Headed by the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Sergey Smbatyan the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia will present a special concert dedicated to the centennial of the Armenian Genocide on March 10.

State Youth Orchestra of Armenia to Give Concert Dedicated to Armenian Genocide Centennial in Beirut

Broadcast Premiere of Archaeological Show Digging into the Future - Armenia on select PBS stations in April 2015

LOS ANGELES — Digging into the Future – Armenia will premiere on select PBS stations in April as part of the commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Hosted by Joseph Rosendo, Digging Into The Future is produced by the Emmy-winning team behind the PBS series, Joseph Rosendo’s Travelscope®. Joseph joins archaeologists from UCLA’s Cotsen Institute of Archaeology on a journey through Armenia. During this archeological adventure Joseph crisscrosses Armenia to ancient sites where some of the world’s oldest artifacts have been discovered. Every site offers viewers insights into how the Armenians of the distant and near past lived – and what is discovered about the past serves the present. In keeping with the show’s focus on cultural connections, Joseph meets modern-day Armenians in roadside fruit stands, riverside wine stalls, bustling markets and is welcomed into their homes to witness traditional artisans at work and join in religious and communal celebrations that inspire, enlighten and reveal the Armenian heart and soul. While this documentary encompasses more than the Armenian Genocide, it is covered in the show and illustrates the resiliency of the Armenian people.

Broadcast Dates:

Chicago – WYCC

Monday, April 6, 9:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 7, 2:00 a.m.

Los Angeles – KVCR

Thursday, April 16, 8:00 p.m.

Friday, April 17, 5:00 p.m.

Boston – WGBH/Channel 2

Sunday, April 19, 11:30 a.m.

San Francisco / Bay Area – KQED

Sunday, April 19, 6:00 p.m. KQED

Saturday, April 25, 4:00 p.m. KQED World

Saturday, April 25, 6:00 p.m. KQED Plus

New York – WYNE/NYC Life

Sunday, April 19, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, April 24, 1:00 a.m.

Travelscope, LLC thanks UCLA’s Cotsen Institute of Archaeology for its academic advice and coordination on the production. Local broadcasts are made possible in part by The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) and The Kazanjian Foundation.

Broadcast Premiere of Archaeological Show Digging into the Future - Armenia on select PBS stations in April 2015

Dr. Rouben Adalian’s Exhibit and Lecture at the Western Diocese

BURBANK — “The First Refuge and the Last Defense: The Armenian Church, Etchmiadzin, and the Armenian Genocide” was the title of Dr. Roben Adalian’s exhibit which was presented at the Zorayan Museum of the Western Diocese on February 18th and 19th at 8:00 p.m.

More than 160 guests were in attendance on the opening night of the exhibition. On behalf of the Zorayan Museum Committee, Vice-Chair Mrs. Lena Simonian welcomed the guests and acknowledged the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, the reverend clergy, and Mr. Antranik Zorayan, the benefactor of the Zorayan Museum. Mrs. Simonian reflected on the number of exhibitions that had been on display at the Museum throughout the years including those of Pinajian, Carzou, Karanfilian and others.

Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan read the message of the Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian commending the invaluable contributions of Dr. Rouben Adalian towards the recognition of the Armenian Genocide in his capacity as the Director of the Armenian National Institute in Washington, D.C.

Remarks were also delivered by Rev. Fr. Vazken Movsesian, the Chair of the Centennial Commemoration Committee of the Western Diocese. “Today’s exhibition is a testament of God’s divine love and the indomitable spirit of the Armenian people. We are the torchbearers of the legacy of our 1.5 million fallen ancestors. They were martyred for their Christian Faith. Today, we pay homage to their memory with great reverence,” stated Rev. Fr. Movsesian. The Rev. Fr. then introduced Dr. Adalian, the lecturer of the evening.

The Director of the Armenian National Institute expressed his gratitude to the Primate and the members of the Zorayan Committee for the warm welcome and gracious hospitality.

In his lecture, Dr. Adalian spoke in great detail about the influential role of H.H. Gevorg V Surenyants, the 127th Catholicos of All Armenians in voicing the injustice perpetrated against the Armenian people. During the Armenian Genocide, the Head of the Armenian Apostolic Church sent numerous letters to world leaders informing them about the catastrophic events taking place in Western Armenia. His Holiness, with the assistance of the intellectual community, was instrumental in transforming the Gevorkian Theological Seminary into a hospital and later, an orphanage for those starving, ailing, diseased refugees from the City of Van who had somehow managed to escape the horror of the Armenian Genocide.

Following his lecture, Dr. Adalian answered questions from the audience.

Consisting of 20 panels with over 150 historic photographs documenting the role of the Armenian Church during the Armenian Genocide, the exhibit was created by the Armenian National Institute (ANI), the Armenian Genocide Museum of America (AGMA) and Armenian Assembly of America jointly, and in cooperation with the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Armenian Genocide Museum Institute in Yerevan, and the Republic of Armenia National Archives.

Dr. Rouben Adalian’s Exhibit and Lecture at the Western Diocese

Prosperous Armenia Party Boycotts Parliament Session

YEREVAN — Citing the latest internal political developments, the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) led by embattled tycoon Gagik Tsarukian decided to boycott the four-day session of the Armenian parliament that opened on Monday.

Faction secretary Naira Zohrabian announced the decision before the PAP members left the chamber.

“Considering the unprecedented internal political situation created in Armenia, the PAP parliamentary faction declares that it will boycott the current four-day session,” Zohrabian said. “In the next few days the PAP will come up with clear explanations and will present its steps and strategy to the public and its partners.”

At least five members have left the PAP faction since the start of a government crackdown against party leader Tsarukian more than a week ago. Another PAP lawmaker decided to give up his parliamentary seat. All of them cited their unwillingness to be part of the “dangerous processes” leading to internal political instability after PAP leader vowed to hold a campaign of sustained street protests demanding President Serzh Sarkisian’s resignation.

Tsarukian’s statement came in response to an unprecedented offensive by Sarkisian and his ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) that labeled the PAP leader “evil” and “pseudo-political phenomenon” and launched a campaign on February 12 to oust him from politics.

Sarkisian also ordered the government to verify reports alleging that Tsarukian may have hidden large sums from the state budget in back taxes “under the guise of charity”.

Tensions subsided only after a report about the Tsarukian-Sarkisian meeting on February 17 after which the PAP withdrew its participation from a joint rally scheduled with its two opposition allies – the Armenian National Congress and Heritage – for last Friday.

One of the issues to be clarified during the current parliament session is whether the National Assembly leadership will proceed with the process of stripping the PAP leader of his parliamentary mandate over “chronic absenteeism”.

In his February 12 speech President Sarkisian emphasized that Tsarukian attended only four of the 145 meetings of the legislative body in 2013-2014 – a rate sufficient for being deprived of the seat. But PAP representatives argued that Tsarukian had valid reasons for being absent from the sessions and that the parliament leadership was satisfied with his formal explanations in the past.

Prosperous Armenia Party Boycotts Parliament Session

Relatives Of Murdered Gyumri Family Demand Answers

GYUMRi — Relatives of the seven-member family that was massacred in Gyumri last month demand that the Russian soldier charged with the murders be handed over to Armenian authorities.

The legal successors of the victims of the shooting rampage that claimed the lives of Seryozha and Hasmik Avetisian, their adult son and daughter, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren, the youngest being only six moth old, gathered near the provincial prosecutor’s office in Gyumri on Monday demanding answers to their questions, including from Armenia’s prosecutor-general.

The relatives are unhappy that no progress seems to have been made in prosecuting Permyakov, and have demanded that Attorney General Gevorg Kostanian take action. Gyumri residents are also upset that the military post where Permyakov was stationed celebrated an army holiday on the base on the day when the family observed “karasunk” – a solemn occasion marking the 40th day of mourning.

After protests that took place in the northwestern Armenian city last month Prosecutor-General Gevorg Kostanian promised to ask his Russian counterpart to consider the transfer of Valery Permyakov, who is currently kept in custody at the Russian military base, to Armenian authorities. His office announced on February 3 that a letter to that effect had been sent to Russian Prosecutor-General Yuri Chayka.

A number of Armenian media since then have raised doubts that the request had, in fact, been submitted. They said they could not verify that through their inquiries submitted to Russian authorities. In a February 19 statement, the Armenian Prosecutor’s Office called such media allegations “absurd”.

Earlier, authorities in Moscow said that the soldier charged with the Gyumri killings would be tried by a Russian military court at the base.

Six weeks after the tragedy the relatives of the murdered family also seek answers to their question about the motives of the crime that still remain vague.

“We already held the memorial service on the 40th day after the family deaths, but we still know nothing,” one of them complained. “They don’t tell anything even to the legal successors [of them victims].”

Prosecutor of the Shirak province Raffi Aslanian referred the relatives of the murdered family to the Investigation Committee that conducts the joint investigation from the Armenian side. Dissatisfied with the kind of response, the legal successors of the Avetisians said they will initiate protests in Gyumri on Friday if before that the prosecutor-general does not come to the city and provide them with answers to all their questions.

Relatives Of Murdered Gyumri Family Demand Answers

HALO Trust Completes Karegah Minefield Clearance

STEPANAKERT — With generous support from the Armenian Community, the clearance of a minefield in the village of Karegah in Kashatagh region was completed in December and the land was returned to the local community in January. The HALO Trust, partnered with Landmine Free Artsakh to remove the landmines, destroyed 21 anti-personnel mines and 6 other deadly explosive remnants of war to make safe over 4 acres of land. Now the villagers of Karegah can collect firewood and forage for berries and mushrooms without fear of death or serious injury.

In a recent interview Yuri Shahramanian, HALO’s Program Manager in Nagorno Karabakh, spoke about the effort to make Nagorno Karabakh safe, the Landmine Free Artsakh campaign, and the clearance of mines in the villages of Norashenik and Karegah.

Since the summer of 2013 Landmine Free Artsakh has been campaigning to raise funds and awareness about the landmines left behind from the 1994 war between Azerbaijan and Artsakh that injure and kill innocent civilians and prevent fertile land from being used. In addition to Karegah these efforts have also helped to make safe the village of Norashenik (also in Kashatagh region) where 12 cluster bombs and 28 other items of unexploded ordnance were destroyed to make safe over 370 acres of land.

The next project for Landmine Free Artsakh is to raise $100,000 for the clearance of the village of Govshatly in the Northern Hadrut region. The road to the edge of the village is mined, as is one of the upper fields adjoining the road. When the minefield is cleared 709 people from three nearby villages will be able to travel safely and 43 acres of land will be returned to the people of Govshatly for farming.

To help achieve this goal, Landmine Free Artsakh have organized two informational and fundraising events in February to reach new Armenian communities in the United States, as many do not know that every year there are new civilian casualties in Artsakh.

For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation to help the villagers of Govshatly village, please visit http://www.landminefreeartsakh.com or email us at LandmineFreeArtsakh@gmail.com.

HALO Trust Completes Karegah Minefield Clearance

ACA Reports Congressman Hardy's Intent to Join Armenian Caucus

LAS VEGAS, NV – The Armenian Council of America (ACA) met with freshman Congressman Cresent Hardy to discuss Armenian-American causes and issues and provide him with an update regarding the rapidly growing Armenian-American community in Southern Nevada.

“As an elected representative of a growing Armenian American constituency, I am excited about working with the ACA to advance issues that the community holds close to their heart’s,” said Congressman Hardy. “I am committed to the prosperity of 4th Congressional District and pledge my support for the Armenian American community. As a testament to that commitment, I have decided to join the Armenian Caucus.”

“It was truly an honor discuss with Congressman Hardy, issues that are important to the Armenian American community.” said ACA Chairman, Sevak Khatchadorian. “His willingness to support our causes, and desire to help the community are commendable, and we are looking forward to working with the Congressman on many projects.”

Congressman Hardy was elected to serve as representative of Nevada’s 4th Congressional District which encompasses most of northern Clark County, part of Lyon County, and all of Esmeralda, Lincoln, Mineral, Nye and White Pine counties.

The Armenian Council of America is a grassroots organization dedicated to work with all political leaders, offering Armenian related news, analysis and resources for policymakers, media, students and activists, advocating issues important to Armenian Americans. The Armenian Council of America aims to strengthen U.S. – Armenia and U.S. – Nagorno Karabakh ties, the development of programs promoting sustainable economic growth and good governance in Armenia, while promoting the values and responsibilities of global citizenship.

ACA Reports Congressman Hardy's Intent to Join Armenian Caucus

Azerbaijan Devalues Currency 32% Amid Plunging Oil Prices

BAKU (RFE/RL) — The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) has abruptly devalued the country’s currency against the dollar and the euro.

The official rate for the manat was set on February 21 at 1.05 to the dollar and 1.19 to the euro.

It means the manat lost 33.5 percent and 30 percent of its value against the U.S. and European currencies, respectively.

The CBA said the devaluation was aimed at “stimulating the diversification of Azerbaijan’s economy, strengthening the international competitiveness of the economy and its export potential, and guaranteeing stability in the balance of payments.”

Azerbaijan has been hurt by the sharp decline in the price of oil, the country’s main export.

The devaluation raises fears of a spike in inflation because it will make imports more expensive.

The decision is also expected to sharply increase the domestic demand for dollars and euros.

Azerbaijan Devalues Currency 32% Amid Plunging Oil Prices

Eurovision Song Contest 2015: Vahe Tilbian from Ethiopia Third Member of Genealogy Group

YEREVAN — Vahe Tilbian is the third confirmed member of the band Genealogy, representing Armenia in the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest with “Don’t Deny”. Born and raised in Ethiopia, he will represent the continent of Africa in the project.

During the past week, Essaï Altounian and Tamar Kaprelian have already been announced as members of the group Genealogy, representing Armenia in the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest. Today their are officially joined by Vahe Tilbian.

Vahe Tilbian is an Armenian-Ethiopian artist with an enthusiastic and bright character. He has a unique style: from rock to techno, from reggae to R&B, from Armenian to Ethiopian, and all that mixed with a lot of Latin music. This blend of cultures expresses Vahe’s personality and makes him stand out as an exclusive artist and a passionate dancer.

“I am extremely honored, humbled and ecstatic to let you all know that I will be one of 6 artists to represent Armenia at the Eurovision song contest this year in Vienna, Austria.

I know you will all continue to support and encourage me along this bridge building journey of 6 destinies with 1 story. Peace, Love and Music to you all”. Vahe Tilbian stated.

Armenian Public TV Company has announced earlier that Genealogy will be uniting the new generation of Armenians spread through 5 continents (Europe, Asia, America, Africa, and Australia) around the world in the year of 1915. The group consists of 6 artists with Armenian origin – 6 destinies with 1 story.

An Armenian Artist from Africa

While Vahe was born and raised in Ethiopia both his parents are of Armenian origin. Vahe heard the call of the stage as a singer only after he graduated from University of British Columbia in Vancouver. After working in the business sector for over three years as a young college graduate, Vahe left his job in 2008 and st

He joined the band Z Beyaynetus and soon, Kenny Allen, performer and producer from DC residing in Ethiopia, heard him at one of the local bars and asked to sing backing vocals for his album release show with the 251 Band. Shortly afterwards Vahe decided to diversify his genre and repertoire joining a salsa band called Eshee Havana and worked on original remixes of Ethiopian songs into salsa music. In 2011 he reached the final auditions of Big Brother Africa.

Vahe wrote the lyrics to his first song called “Life Or Something Like It” in 2010. This gave him the enthusiasm and courage to write more songs. In November 2012 Vahe released his first album titled Mixology. In May of 2013 Vahe released “Yene Tizita”, a new rendition of the an old Ethiopian style of song.

For two years now Vahe has been the lead singer of the Zemen Band as well as a columnist at Zoma Magazine published in Addis Ababa. He is fluent in Armenian, English, Amharic, Italian and French.

Eurovision Song Contest 2015: Vahe Tilbian from Ethiopia Third Member of Genealogy Group

Pope Francis Declares Armenian Saint Gregory of Narek Doctor of the Church

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has declared Armenian poet and monk, Saint Gregory of Narek, a Doctor of the Universal Church. Meeting with Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Cause of Saints on Saturday ahead of his departure for Aricca on Lenten retreat, the Pope confirmed the proposal put forward by the Plenary Session of the Congregation to confer the title of Doctor of the Universal Church on the 10th century saint, Vatican Radio reports.

St. Gregory of Narek is widely revered as one of the greatest figures of medieval Armenian religious thought and literature. Born in the city of Narek in about 950 A.D., St. Gregory came from a line of scholars and churchmen.

St. Gregory received his education under the guidance of his father, Bishop Khosrov, author of the earliest commentary on the Divine Liturgy, and from Anania Vartabed, abbess of Narek Monastery. He and his two brothers entered monastic life at an early age, and St. Gregory soon began to excel in music, astronomy, geometry, mathematics, literature, and theology.

He became a priest at the age of 25 and dedicated himself to God. He lived most of his life in the monastery of Narek, where he taught at the monastic school. St. Gregory began his writings with a commentary on the “Song of Songs,” which was commissioned by an Armenian prince. Despite his reservations that he was too young for the task, the commentary became famous for its clarity of thought and language and its excellence of theological presentation.

He also wrote a number of famous letters, sharagans, treasures, odes, melodies, and discourses. Many of his prayers are included in the Divine Liturgy celebrated each Sunday in Armenian Churches around the world.

St. Gregory’s masterpiece is considered to be his Book of Lamentations. Also known as Narek, it is comprised of 95 prayers, each of which is titled “Conversation with God from the depth of the heart.” A central theme is man’s separation from God, and his quest to reunite with Him. St. Gregory described the work this way: “Its letters like my body, its message like my soul.” He called his book an “encyclopedia of prayer for all nations.” It was his hope that it would serve as a guide to prayer for people all over the world. After the advent of movable type, the book was published in Marseille in 1673, and has been translated into at least 30 languages.

St. Gregory of Narek is remembered by the Armenian Church in October of each year.

Pope Francis Declares Armenian Saint Gregory of Narek Doctor of the Church

Turkish Government Sources Refute Claims of Gallipoli Commemorations Cancelations

ANKARA — Turkey has denied reports in Today’s Zaman daily that the Gallipoli commemorations set to take place on April 24 have been canceled due to low anticipated participation from the countries invited, according to Daily Sabah newspaper.

“Sources from both the Presidency and Prime Ministry have refuted the claims that the commemorations have been canceled, refraining from offering further details over how many and which countries will participate in the Gallipoli centennial commemoration”. Daily Sabah reports.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu sent letters to 102 countries inviting the leaders of states to attend the commemoration ceremonies in Turkey marking the 100th anniversary of the World War I Battle of Gallipoli this year on April 24.

The invitation letters were also sent to U.S. President Barack Obama and Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian.

Yerevan rejected the invitation and in an open letter to Erdogan, Sarkisian said the invitation itself showed Turkey’s continuing policy of denying the Armenian genocide.

Turkish Government Sources Refute Claims of Gallipoli Commemorations Cancelations

Arthur Abraham Retains WBO Super Middleweight Title

BERLIN — Arthur Abraham retained his WBO super middleweight title by defeating Paul Smith of England on points in Berlin on Saturday night.

The judges scored their rematch 116-112, 117-111, 117-111 in favor of Abraham, who again dominated in the face of a spirited challenge from Smith, who had been angered after losing their first bout in September last year in Kiel.

The Armenian-born German seemed comfortable taking Smith’s punches and was more effective with his own, delivering punishing barrages that the Liverpudlian did well to weather.

“It was a tough fight. He fought to the end, and he took a lot of hard punches. Respect to him,” Abraham said.

Abraham improved to 42-4 (28 KOs) after making the third defense of the title he won back from Robert Stieglitz by split decision in March 2014. Smith dropped to 35-5 (20 KOs).

Arthur Abraham Retains WBO Super Middleweight Title

Gallipoli Commemorations Cancelled Due to Lack of International Interest

ANKARA — Centennial commemorations of the Gallipoli Campaign of World War I initiated by the Turkish government and to be celebrated on April 24 of this year – the same date as the centennial commemorations of the Armenian genocide – have been cancelled due to the unwillingness of international leaders to visit Ankara and overshadow the genocide ceremonies in Yerevan, Sunday’s Zaman eports.

“The Gallipoli celebrations have been cancelled. All preparations have been suspended as the number of RSVPs to the invitation is not positive. Only five countries have accepted the invitation and they will not be represented by high-level officials,” an official from the government, who asked to remain anonymous, said in a talk with Sunday’s Zaman.

The suspension of the Gallipoli commemorations, which were being organized by the Turkish Ministry of Youth and Sport, is part of longstanding war of words between the Turkish and Armenian leaders following an exchange of invitations by both sides urging each other to accept the request and honor their victims of the World War I in their respective countries. However, neither side appears to be compromising.

The tense ties between Armenians and Turks became particularly strained after Ankara decided to commemorate the Gallipoli Campaign on the same date as the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Gallipoli Commemorations Cancelled Due to Lack of International Interest