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The Armenian Weekly On-Line
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Armenian Weekly On-Line; Volume 73, Number 25; June 23, 2007
Commentary:
1. Armenia Would Have Gained More if ARF Remained More Independent
By Khajag Mgrditchian
2. Some Thoughts on the 'Wannabe Nation of Nagorno Karabakh'
By Michael G. Mensoian
3. More Good News
By Garen Yegparian
Literature:
4. Transparency and Transplants
'Yerevan Journal': An In-Depth Look Back at Armenia's Time of Troubles
By Andy Turpin
5. Sarkozy's 'Testimony' in English
By K.M.
6. Lala
By Knarik O. Meneshian
Events:
7. Harvard COOP Hosts 'Das Kapital' Reading
By Andy Turpin
8. Black Sea Salsa at Ryles Jazz Club
9. Azad Paints at Somerville Museum
10. Armenia:
Golden Apricot will be Launched on July 9
By Zaruhi Shushanian
11. Youth:
An Interview with Sossi Essajanian
By Simon Beugekian
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1. Armenia Would Have Gained More if ARF Remained More Independent
By Khajag Mgrditchian
On June 6, the leading coalition of the Armenian government, made up of the
Armenian Republican Party and Prosperous Armenia Party, signed a cooperation
agreement with the ARF "for the sake of the realization of the greatly
similar platforms of the government and of the ARF" and to "efficiently
respond to the challenges facing the Armenian Republic."
This agreement continues to generate much discussion in the political
circles and media in Armenia. So much has been said about the agreement
because the Armenian Republican Party, which took the majority of the votes
in the May 12 elections, could have formed a government by itself. Thus,
analysts are trying to interpret not only why a coalition was formed, but
also why a third party was involved in it.
Let us put all these commentaries aside and concentrate on the real reasons
why the ARF signed the agreement, not from the viewpoint of party gains or
losses, but of the more general interests of the Armenian nation.
The history of the development of nations shows that democratic governments
have much more of a chance to develop and progress than authoritarian
regimes. The main difference between democratic regimes and authoritarian
regimes is the presence of a vigorous, powerful and responsible opposition
in the democratic system.
In the Armenian state over the last four years, unfortunately, the
parliamentary and non-parliamentary opposition was unable to assert itself
as a vigorous, powerful, responsible and balancing force. Thus, the
opposition is as responsible as the authorities for the slow rate of growth
in Armenia over the last few years. The people made this statement, too,
with their vote, expelling shortsighted opposition leaders from the
Parliament and replacing them with forces that actually have something to
say. Also, an important segment of the ARF's vote in the elections came from
a constituency that at least saw the ARF platform as an alternative to the
establishment, if not in outright opposition to it. Unfortunately, that
platform was not able to gain a resounding victory; but the people gave it
the mandate to remain as a party that proposes alternative and different
solutions.
Today, the ARF has not forsaken its platform and its promise to the people,
and with that in mind, has signed this agreement with the government, "for
the sake of the realization of the greatly similar platforms of the
government and of the ARF." It is interesting that the phrase talks only
about those parts of the ARF platform that are similar with the platform of
the government. As for policies that differ, in order not to restrain itself
the ARF refused to make a coalition and only signed an agreement of
cooperation in order to maintain its political and ideological independence.
Given that being an opposition party doesn't mean simply cursing the
government, this agreement may give the ARF the possibility to become a
constructive opposition within the government.
With the stance of the ARF, there is still a path leading to the creation of
a powerful opposition force in Armenia, which can not only inspire a new
political consciousness and culture in Armenia, but can also speed up the
rate of democratic development. Here we are not talking about negative and
pointless opposition, the kind of which we have experience before.
The presence of a constructive opposition is also beneficiary to the ruling
coalition, because in the presence of alternative and competing platforms,
it will constantly involve itself in a process of self-correction and
perhaps get better results.
There is no doubt that the agreement of cooperation signed between the ARF
and the leading coalition gives the ARF the ability to implement some of its
election promise and parts of its platform, especially those that are
similar to the government's own. However, on the other hand, it remains
impossible to be completely independent when one is in a coalition. In this
way, the manifestation of the ARF's true, independent identity is delayed by
another year, given that the cooperation agreement says, "The agreement goes
in effect immediately and remains in effect until the next presidential
elections."
------------------------------- -------------------------------
2. Some Thoughts on the 'Wannabe Nation of Nagorno Karabakh'
By Michael G. Mensoian
The May 19 issue of the Armenian Weekly reprinted an article by Nicole Itano
that appeared in the May 30 issue of the Christian Science Monitor. The
purpose of the reprint was to show ".the way Karabakh is generally presented
by the international media." The article by Mr. Itano was based on his
visit to Nagorno Karabakh. These comments are not offered as a critique, but
rather, to complement the purpose for reprinting the article in the Armenian
Weekly.
It would have been a service to the readership of the CSM if the so-called
"Wannabe Nation of Nagorno Karabakh" had been identified by its official
name, Nagorno Karabakh Republic. That the nation does receive humanitarian
and economic aid from the United States, small as it may be.
Readers might have wanted to know why the Christian Armenians, initially
comprising 95 percent of Karabakh's population, were unilaterally removed
from Armenian jurisdiction in 1923 to be governed by the Turkic Muslim
government of Azerbaijan. How for some 70 years the Armenians endured
government policies that sought to depopulate the region and to prevent its
economic development. That would have answered the question over why
Karabakh Armenians fought to gain their independence at the cost of some
7,000 freedom fighters who made the supreme sacrifice for their people and
land.
Comparing the area of the NKR to the Great Salt Lake was truly perplexing.
Why a lake? Who has any idea how large the Great Salt Lake is? Moreover, how
many people really know where it is located? Solely for informational
purposes, the lake has an area of approximately 6,200 square kilometers.
Why not compare Nagorno Karabakh's 4,400 square kilometers to Rhode Island
(4,600 sq. km.)? The Office of the NKR in Washington, D.C. gives the area of
Artsakh today as 7,059 square kilometers, which is more than 2.5 times the
size of Luxembourg's 2,586 square kilometers. That's a more meaningful
comparison.
It would have been interesting to note that there are 17 independent
countries with smaller populations than the NKR's estimated 2007 population
of 148,000, not the 100,000 mentioned in the article. Thirty-four countries
are smaller in area and 58 have fewer people per square kilometer than NKR's
density of 33.
The gratuitous comment, "Never heard of it? Don't worry. That's because it
doesn't officially exist." Sad to say, how many Americans are familiar with
the names of countries that officially exist? It's not likely that they
worry about that shortcoming.
How important was it to know that "Plastic flowers sit in a vase" in the
office of the prime minister or that he has a ".glossy bald head"? Why not
mention the natural beauty of Karabakh's towering mountains and deep gorges,
the fields of beautiful wild flowers and the pride the people have in their
land?
He mentions the complicated nature of the relationship that exists between
Armenia and the NKR. Then to confound the reader, adds that "Officially,
even Armenia doesn't recognize Karabakh's independence." The use of the word
even raises a question that begs an answer. Are the readers to know that
diplomacy has odd rules of engagement?
His tour of the capital Stepanakert, however, was on point. He correctly
reports that this city of some 50,000 (whose size is not mentioned) is
rebuilding. This writer was impressed by the progress that is being made
under the most difficult of circumstances.
I don't know if all or, for that fact, if any of the Karabakh officials are
desperate ".to point out how they've built the trappings of a legitimate
democratic state." Could it be that these officials were both anxious and
proud to explain having achieved the trappings of a democratic state while
Azerbaijan, the country that formerly governed the region, continues to be
ruled by a soviet style dictator? To describe them as being "desperate" is
180 degrees from being anxious and proud.
For some unknown reason it must have been important for the readers to know
that "In a dim coffee house.[there was] a hefty Russian-speaking
waitress..."
"The Wannabe Nation of Nagorno Karabakh" illustrates the quality of articles
available for publication by the printed media. To that end, its reprint
served its purpose to show ".the way Karabakh is generally presented by the
international media." It is important that the panoply of socio-economic,
political and military issues facing the fledgling nation of the NKR be
accurately and appropriately reported to the general public as well as to
the Armenian community to facilitate their understanding of the how and why
of a people seeking to gain recognition as an independent, democratic member
of the world community of nations.
Michael G. Mensoian is geography professor emeritus at the University of
Massachusetts, Boston.
------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
3. More Good News
By Garen Yegparian
Two weeks in a row with positive things to say. I'm starting to feel like a
cheerleader-a narcissistic cheerleader at that, with this and other
references to my own spoutings. But fair's fair, things aren't all bad.
On June 20, LA City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, hosted the opening of an
exhibit cosponsored by the Armenian Center for the Arts (ACA), in his own
offices, of works by four Armenian artists. This is the third exhibit.
Last year it was of The Genocide Project's photos and the year before, Sara
Anjargolian's photographic work.
This speaks well of those Armenians working in the office, of which there
are a respectable number. It says they know that besides their jobs, they
can also contribute to our community's well being by organizing such
affairs. I have no doubt that part of the reason Delgadillo allows this is
cynical, self serving, and political. That does not mean he doesn't have a
genuine interest, nor does it mean we should not avail ourselves of such
opportunities. It means that there's a mutual benefit. I wish our
employees in giants such as Boeing, large law firms, universities-public and
private (not just those with Armenian Studies chairs/departments), or
government all got together and did this kind of work. It's great positive
PR work for us.
But, there is another issue that rises here relating to the ACA. Aside from
the fact that the acronym might confuse our public, since the ACAA already
exists on the East Coast, there is the matter of organizations such as the
ACA being created. This is not meant to undermine the work being done. The
people involved in it, at least the ones I know, are all high caliber,
committed, and competent. The goals of the organization are ones I support
whole-heartedly. ACA just happened to serve as the trigger for this
commentary.
ACA and others like it are groups that seem to be multiplying of late.
These are people who want to do good work but for whatever reason, choose
not to affiliate with existing, larger, usually more multi-purpose groups.
This can be a waste of energy as I mentioned last week, in that each startup
must establish its own credentials. It can be an advantage since smaller
entities are often more nimble and less burdened with hierarchy and "we've
always done it this way" attitudes.
But what most often drives such proliferation is a fear of being marked as
belonging to one faction or another of our community. But if one faction
has done a better job of preparing or engaging people in a certain arena,
why should the benefits not accrue there? What's wrong with the completely
natural phenomenon of factions anyway? Besides, wouldn't you rather have
factionalization than ego/personality-based groups popping up? The smaller
an entity, the more likely it is for one or two swollen-head types two
dominate. Then someone gets irritated and spins off with a following, and
the cycle repeats. Net result? Small-scale factionalization.
On top of the above, this process creates a sort of confusion and consequent
and reticence of support among people. No one is served by this attitude.
I do not argue that new organizations are never the answer. The best
example I can provide is the professional organizations that have come on
the Armenian scene over the last two decades-engineers, scientists,
pharmacists, mental health types, nurses, jewelers, doctors, dentists, and
perhaps others I know not of or have (apologetically) forgotten. However,
even hear, I would recommend these groups form an umbrella organization to
help with economies of scale whenever possible.
So heed my plea all ye inspired do-gooders, please integrate and help build
(and usually modernize) what we already have.
-------------------------------------------- -----------------------
4. Transparency and Transplants
'Yerevan Journal': An In-Depth Look Back at Armenia's Time of Troubles
By Andy Turpin
WATERTOWN, Mass- In jest, Dr. A Scott Earle's Yerevan Journal, a record
primarily of his time spent in Armenia in 1993 as the AGBU's
reconstructive/plastic surgery advisor, is one big answer to the rhetorical
question, "What's up, Doc?" If only in Armenian.
In all reality though, this book may be one of the sleeper gems of the year
in Armenian community reading circles; and at the very least, the kind of
well annotated and anecdotal primary source material that historians will
lust for when they write future volumes on the early post-Soviet region.
Earle was on the ground at a time in Armenian history when economics were
comparable to Great Depression America (if not worse by ratio) and victims
from both the Karabakh war and the 1988 earthquake were in clinics en masse.
As a former WWII army veteran and reconstructive/plastic surgeon with a
previous knowledge of classical history, and experience providing medical
assistance in other foreign clinics, his writings and notes on Armenia
represent a valid and unique perspective not often portrayed by historians
or journalists.
Reading Yerevan Journal has the personality and thoroughness of dropping off
a modern day Dr. Watson into the heart of Yerevan. Earle is deft at noting
particular cultural trends and idiosyncrasies pertinent to Armenia and
Armenian culture that continue to affect the Republic to this day.
In one such example in he recalls how the extreme love and nurturing
Armenian parents show their children can be a detriment in trying to run a
well-ordered hospital: "The infant aspirated stomach contents into her lungs
as she was being put to sleep. Nurses and anesthesiologists are supposed to
check that patients have taken nothing by mouth before surgery; they did not
do this so we came close to losing the child. It would be best if parents
did not have access to their kids before surgery, but doctors say that this
would not be acceptable here."
In his candor there are often several bits of humor that pervade the memoir,
as when Earle inquires about the cultural relationship to cosmetic surgery
in the post-Soviet Armenia: "I thought that their nose was an ethnic
characteristic that Armenians would wear with pride. Not so; many want nose
jobs. Armine told me several days ago that if anyone in Armenia started
doing noses, there'd be no end to it."
Earle pulls no punches in describing the numerous pitfalls he encountered as
a doctor in Armenia trying to cope with limited resources and more than a
few differences in culture than his native Idaho. One of which was the
love/hate, low-tech relationship Armenia has with modern technology
availability.
At one point he records, "A serious problem is that many of the appliances
sent from the States are broken or have never functioned." He furthers later
with an anecdote about the clinic's much-abhorred Stalin-like director and
his own technological faults when he adds, "'He [the director] has no idea
how to use that computer.' Mike said. 'A lady comes in each morning and puts
his schedule on the screen (that too is what I had seen) and it stays on all
day. That's all the computer does.'"
The bulk of much of the book is dedicated to in-depth chronicles of various
surgical procedures on victims of the natural and belligerent carnage that
visited Armenia prominently in those years and still lingers there at
present. These passages are heart-felt, compassionate and analytical in all
the right places and should be of interest to anyone curious about what life
has been like recently in Armenia.
Earle is never critical of Armenia's kindness or her capacity for love, but
Yerevan Journal also provides a valid window into the pervasive corruption
culture that exists in Armenia. His observations are often keen, and though
not a police officer, cannot be excluded as entirely layman.
Regarding the rampant crime, mafia oligarchs, and nepotism that exist there,
he writes, "To be fair, honesty is relative. We Americans should not judge
the Armenians too harshly.everything here depends on favors. If I do
something for you, you must do something for me. A godfather ethic is not
only tolerated here; it is the norm."
One such incident can only be regarded as absurd it its reality, involving
the formerly mentioned hospital director and the extent of such corruption,
that Earle recounts by journaling:
"[A friend] told me about a scam that involved Tamasian and a biologic
products company in California. The plan was to use Armenians for blood
donors. Blood products would be extracted and shipped to the States. I
discounted the story; it seemed so unlikely. Then today, Marianne spoke of
an incident that had occurred while she was lecturing to medical students.
The Director brought visitors in the room, interrupted her lecture, and had
each of the students donate a unit of blood on the spot- for what purpose
she did not know."
Of the Armenian police authorities Earle enquired, "I asked Karen why
Armenians still refer to their country's Security Service as 'KGB'. Same
organization, same personnel, same function, he told me, so why call it
anything else? In Armenia, I often feel like person who admires water lilies
without knowing what goes on in the turbid water below."
Having finished "Yerevan Journal" I myself compared it to my former Peace
Corp volunteer journal in Armenia and found many similarities. As a didactic
travelogue, I recommend it highly to anyone going to Armenia in future, or
even for those moments upon your return when you need a fellow traveler's
voice to remember Ararat with.
Or maybe just when you need fodder to win a bet among your incredulous
friends, exclaiming, "See, they really do those things in Armenia! Earle has
my back.and he's a doctor!"
------------------------------------ --------------------------------
5. Sarkozy's 'Testimony' in English
By K.M.
WATERTOWN, Mass. (A.W.)-Available now to readers in the U.S. is French
President Nicolas Sarkozy's book Testimony: France in the Twenty-first
Century (Pantheon Books, 2007). In the preface of the English edition,
translated by Philip H. Gordon, Sarkozy says, "This book presents my
analysis of the difficulties France faces. It outlines my proposals for
putting France back on the path toward economic growth, social justice and
modernity. And it addresses many of the common domestic, international,
economic and social challenges that advanced democracies like France and the
United States must confront."
Also in the preface, Sarkozy deals with the commonalities and differences
between the U.S. and France. After talking about the "unbreakable historical
links" and about how today "the United States and France again stand
together in the same camp against a serious threat to global freedom
[terrorism]," and discussing how in some areas the U.S. has succeeded "while
France remains shackled by enduring prejudices," Sarkozy says, "I know my
country well enough to know that certain aspects of American society would
never suit France."In this context, he mentions the importance France
attributes to providing a social safety net for the poor and to gun control,
and also expresses his admiration at the way the French people are
interested in global affairs, while in the U.S. only specialists express
such interest.
Turkey and Armenia
In Chapter 4, titled "Doing Things Differently," Sarkozy alludes to the
issues of Turkey's accession to the EU and the Armenian genocide. "The
prospect of Turkey entering the European Union is.nonsensical in my view. I
understand the strategic hopes that underpin this idea. They could be
achieved with the conclusion of a strategic partnership with Turkey," he
says.
According to Sarkozy, "Europe seems incapable of escaping from the promise
it made in 1963 in an entirely different geopolitical context. But the more
time that passes, the harder it will be to tell the Turks that they cannot
enter the EU. And yet this is a likely scenario, since the French
Constitution now requires that Turkish accession be put to a referendum in
France."
"I also feel strongly that we should have the courage to insist that Turkey
fulfills its historical duty toward Armenia," he adds.
-------------------------------------------- -----------------------
6. Lala
By Knarik O. Meneshian
Lala is little,
Not because she is a child,
She never finished growing.
Forever her mother's "baby,"
Her father's "if only."
She spends her days
In the toneer room
Where once a week
Her mother bakes bread,
Thin, round, flat bread-lavash-
The first piece always
For the Lord.
Lala looks on
As her mother bakes.
She utters sounds
Only The Lord and her mother understand.
And her mother nods, giving her lavash-
The second piece always
For Lala.
With mangled fingers
Lala holds the bread and takes a bite.
Stooped and wobbling,
She gurgles and grins.
She crawls,
Then steps to the window,
Mangled feet
Barely holding her up.
"Ahhh, ahhh!" she sings as she sits on the floor and claps.
"Uh, uh!" she says as she rocks and points
At birds flying past the window.
Lala's mother looks at her "baby" of thirty eight
And sighs.
Outside, cows and sheep
Lumber down the road
Trailing dust behind them.
Returning from their grazing grounds,
Each knows its "home."
Chickens peck in the dirt,
Roosters crow,
Dogs bark, scampering past dung bricks
Piled high against the sides of houses,
Smoke rising from the chimneys.
Children play near clotheslines
Heavy with laundry still flapping in the wind.
And old dadeeks spinning wool into yarn
Finally put down their eeleeks.
The day is coming to an end.
But tomorrow, another new day
Wrapped always in the old ways here,
Will come.
And the mother will walk at dawn
Down the winding dirt road
To labor in the fields till dusk,
While Lala sits
Cross-legged on a mat
On the concrete floor
Next to the covered toneer
In the toneer room near the house.
Locked for safety there
With water, bread, and fruit
Lala will look at the ceiling and walls,
At the window,
At cherry pits strewn in the corner,
And wait for evening,
For her mother to come
And take her to the house.
It is night.
Lala is washed
And changed and fed by her mother
Just as gently as the day she was born.
She is helped into bed, the nicest in the house,
And covered with a blanket, the best in the house.
Lala coos and waves her arms in the air.
Her mother nods,
And with callused hands
Softly strokes her daughter's cheeks again.
Lala coos.
Her mother weeps.
June 2007
-------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
7. Harvard COOP Hosts 'Das Kapital' Reading
By Andy Turpin
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (A.W.)-Viken Berberian, author of the new novel Das
Capital: A Novel of Love and Money Markets (Simon and Schuster, 2007), read
from his latest book at the Harvard COOP bookstore as part of their Live
Author series.
Das Kapital is a modern-day love story about Wall Street set in New York,
Corsica and Marseille. It involves a cutthroat hedge fund runner, a Corsican
nationalist Romantic turned businessman, and the woman who catalyzes them
both. Its title pays homage with to the Wilhelm-era German literature titan
of the same name by Karl Marx.
Berberian introduced the audience to the story's two main characters, Wayne
and "the Corsican," by reading the first 15 pages of the novel before taking
questions. In the Corsican, Berberian later explained, "I wanted to have a
character who wanted to return to a state of nature, in opposition to Wayne.
Corsicans tend to be very inward looking. I was very much interested in the
island and this tendency to oppose modernity. An overwhelming number of
Corsicans tend to oppose globalization."
When asked how he was able to capture the two worlds of high finance and
Corsican nationalismo, Berberian replied, "I wrote the first two drafts in
the south of France in Marseille. I happened to be working in a hedge fund
at the time and made notes of what people said during the day. Much of the
foul-or colorful-language came from that, though I don't think everyone in
the finance world speaks like that. Maybe it was just my office."
Berberian admitted he felt like an outsider in that world, peering in,
pretending. "I think as a writer it helps to feel like an outsider. I think
it makes you more observant," he said.
He spoke about the intensity involved in writing his relatively short novel
of 175 pages. "Writing for me is a very labor intensive practice," he said.
His last-and first-book, The Cyclist (Simon and Schuster), was published in
2002.
Berberian decided to write a story that revolved around the world of finance
because "It is my persuasion that finance is really more of an art than a
science," he explained. "Just look at long-term capital management. It's not
a science, and I try to make fun of that. You can't reduce the universe just
to numbers."
He went on, "Wayne initially is someone with a very scientific mind. He
makes a jump to discover that love is something you cannot numerically
prove. The Corsican is the noblest one. He represents nature. But he
undergoes a transformation, too. In the end, he becomes all about power."
------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
8. Black Sea Salsa at Ryles Jazz Club
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (A.W.)-On June 16, the Black Sea Salsa band performed in
the evening at Ryles Jazz Club.
Black Sea Salsa is a 15-piece world-music group made up of six horns, four
vocalists and five rhythms, playing an original blend of Armenian music and
Afro-Cuban jazz.
Led by trumpeter Dan Teager, who writes and arranges the band's repertoire,
Black Sea Salsa has established itself as one of Boston's premier festival
bands, playing for venues such as Sail Boston 2000, Marblehead Arts
Festival, Norwood Summerfest and the Boston Arts Festival. In addition, the
group has been officially recognized by the Massachusetts Arts Council,
which awarded Black Sea Salsa a grant to perform a series of outdoor
concerts in Belmont and Watertown.
Teager started the group in October 1996 with the help of the Armenian
International Women's Association. Since then, he has honed his writing
skills to take advantage of the formidable talent that 15 professional
musicians can bring to the stage. Whether it's a fast mambo with lyrics in
three languages, a lilting aria that transforms iself into hard-driving
blues, or a classic line dance with an unexpected horn line, Black Sea Salsa
has an original sound that is danceable, fun and loaded with energy.
Among the songs played was "Maria Alejandra," because "it's my daughter's
favorite," Teager quipped. The adorable 3-year-old entertained the audience
by dancing the night away in front of the band.
Other notable tunes included "Drop By Drop, You Build a Lake" and Teager's
mambo "Stay Cool," which he said he wrote when "we didn't have any AC in my
house. If more people bought CDs, we'd have AC. Hint, Hint."
For more information on Black Sea Salsa or to purchase their albums, visit
www.BlackSea Salsa.com.
--------------------------------------- --------------------------------
9. Azad Paints at Somerville Museum
SOMERVILLE, Mass. (A.W.)-The Somerville Museum is hosting an exhibition of
Ara Azad's works from May 11-June 29. An opening reception was held at the
museum on June 9, during which Azad did an in-situ painting on an L-shaped 8'x8'x9'
wall.
Ara Azad is a graduate from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts and holds
a degree from Tufts University (BFA). He is a graduate of EPIIC 95,
Education for Public Inquiry and International Citizenship at Tufts
University, with a special focus on developing visions for our world through
the merging of arts and sciences.
His works have been exhibited around the world, including Berlin, Germany;
Florence, Italy; FEMIS-Palais de Tokyo, Paris; Liverpool, England (Man
Museum); Beirut, Lebanon (Noah's Ark Art Gallery and Art Lounge); Kuwait
(Communication Zone); and Boston, Mass. (Armenian Library and Museum of
America).
--------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
10. Golden Apricot will be Launched on July 9
By Zaruhi Shushanian
YEREVAN (A.W.)-The 4th Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival
will take place from July 9-14 in Moscow Cinema. Before the official
opening of the festival, the traditional blessing of apricots will be held
at Charles Aznavour Square, near Moscow Cinema.
The festival will open with the film "The Lark Farm" by the renowned Italian
directors Paolo and Vittorio Taviani. The film is dedicated to the victims
of the Armenian genocide.
According to Harutiun Khachatryan, founder and director of the Golden
Apricot Film Festival, the film was warmly welcomed by the European film
critics during its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival. The Taviani
brothers, along with famous Italian-Armenian screenwriter Antonio Arslan,
and actors Arsinée Khanjian and Tchéky Karyo are all invited to the Yerevan
premiere of the film.
About 340 participants from 53 different countries are included in this year's
program, which consists of two competition programs: the International
Competition and the Armenian Panorama Program. The members of the selection
committee of the competition part of the festival are artists from Armenian
Cinematographers' Union. The head of the jury is famous Armenian writer,
director and producer Vigen Chaldranyan. The jury members of the Golden
Apricot Film Festival are renowned film directors, actors and artists from
Armenia and the diaspora. Among them are Michael A. Goorjian, director and
actor from the U.S.; Jack Boghossian, journalist and actor from Argentina;
Naira Mouradyan, a director from Armenia; and Arthur Bakhdamyan, TV anchor
of the Armenian Public Television.
This year, six Armenian films are included in the New Armenian Film program.
According to Khachatryan, the New Armenian Film program is an attempt to
introduce the modern Armenian film industry to the world. The following
Armenian films are included in the non-competitive part of the festival:
Vigen Chaldranyan's "Priestess," Hovik Galstyan's "Banded Parallels," Gagik
Haroutyunyan's "Incention," Artak Sevada's "As a Beginning," Aram
Shahbazyan's "Don't Be Afraid" and Davit Matevossyan's "Enemies."
***
The following films are included in the Armenian Panorama 2007 portion of
Golden Apricot:
"Anomalia", Michael Dominic, Short Film, 2006, Poland
"Children of Adam", Georgy Parajanov, Documentary,
2007, Russia
"Poprishchin", Armen Mkrdchyan, Documentary, 2007, Armenia
"Graffiti", Igor Apasyan, Feature, 2007, Armenia
"Momik", Ashot Movsisyan, Documentary, 2006, Armenia
"Hope, Faith, Love", Armen Khatchatryan, Documentary, 2006,
Armenia
"Blessing of the Grapes", Davit Aslanyan, Documentary, 2007, Armenia
"Julfa", Digran Karapetyan, Documentary, 2006, Armenia
"Seven Indian Boys", Ashot Mkrdchyan, Documentary, 2006, Armenia
"On the Wheels", Grigor Haroutyunyan, Documentary, 2007, Armenia
"Angels that Live on Earth", Alexander Gabrielyan, Documentary, 2007,
Russia
"Through the Traces of Memories", Arthur Oustyan, Documentary, 2007,
Armenia
"The Flight", Elina Hakobjanyan, Documentary, 2007, Armenia
"Bojho", Mikael Vatinyan, Animation, 2007, Armenia
"Little Fairy-Tale", Gor Maragaryan, Documentary,
2006, Armenia
"Karabagh Fairy-Tale", Levon Grigoryan, Documentary, 2006,
Armenia
"A Story of People in War and Peace", Vartan Hovhannisyan, Documentary,
2007, Armenia
"Dinner Time", Gor Baghtasaryan, Documentary, 2006, Armenia
"I am Gayane from Tiflis", Levon Grigoryan & Kora Dzereteli, Documentary,
2007, Russia
"Callshop", Eldar Grigorian, Documentary, 2007, Germany
"The Autumn Sun", Diana Kardoumyan, Short Film, 2006, Armenia
"4 Songs", Davit Sahakyants, Animation, 2007, Armenia
"Screamers", Carla Garapedian, Documentary, 2007,United States
------------------------------------------- -------------------------------
11. An Interview with Sossi Essajanian
By Simon Beugekian
Sossi Essajanian was the AYF-YOARF Eastern Region delegate to the ARF Youth
Conference held from may 24-26 in Lavalle, Canada. In this interview, she
recounts her impressions and experiences.
Armenian Weekly-What kind of atmosphere was the summit held in? Were there
any major differences or similarities among the organizations from different
areas?
Sossi Essajanian-The summit was enveloped in an unspoken spirit of
fraternalism, with each member bringing his or her regional representation
to form one meeting body. This, I believe, was important in generating
discussions and new ideas for the organization at large. Further, there was
an energy among the participants that was inviting, motivated and genuine.
Each person seemed to have an interest in the state of the ARF youth, and
considered its membership and the activities of the various regions and the
ways in which their efforts can be better combined to work on old and new
initiatives.
However, the discussion seemed to settle in particular on the challenges
facing the ARF youth in the diaspora, possibly because delegates from
Armenia and Javakhk could not be present at the meeting. This was compounded
by the fact that other major regions such as Syria and Iran could also not
be present. Luckily there was one participant from Artsakh who was able to
provide some valuable insight into the activities, challenges and directions
of the ARF youth in the Caucasus.
Despite these shortcomings, the group did not make the mistake of lumping
all of the diaspora together. During the report portion, each region
highlighted its activities, strengths and challenges. It was interesting
that even within North America, for example, the work of the East Coast,
West Coast and Canada differed in membership amounts, yearly activities,
organization structure and ideological focus, for example. One of the major
similarities within all regions was the difficulty in attracting new
members. The West Coast, for example, described how they used a "battle of
the bands" type of event to bring Armenian youth into the AYF fold, while
France seemed to use political activism to generate membership.
A.W.-Was there some sort of theme for the event this year? What did the
summit mainly focus on?
S.E.-It was clear through the guidance of the AYF Khourourt members that the
meeting was to asses the overall state of the various regions and to get a
sense of where the organization stands in the 21st century. It began by
considering the role of the ARF Youth Office in Armenia, with delegates
calling for a clearer and more direct link between the office and the
regional executives. Another topic that seemed to underlie the various
discussions was each region's focus and activities towards Armenia, Artsakh
and Javakhk. It was unanimously agreed that more direct links must be made
between diasporan regions and those in the Caucasus, thus leading to
effective projects on the ground there. Finally, the meeting discussed ways
to attract or at least connect with non-AYF Armenian youth.
A.W.-Could you walk us through some important resolutions that were made
during the summit? What implications do you think they will have on ARF
youth activity in general and the AYF Eastern Region in particular?
S.E.-In general, there were resolutions passed about the various problems
discussed above: ways to approach and understand Armenian youth in our
communities; to strengthen connections and work between diasporan regions
and the Caucasus; to establish a more united face of the ARF Youth (through,
for example, establishing one common logo for the entire organization).
There were also resolutions calling for members to be more politically
active in their local communities; to develop a better understanding of the
situation of Armenians living in Turkey; and to be more vigilant in response
to the increasing pressure on the diaspora from the Turkish government.
I hope that these resolutions will serve as bookmarks or guides for the ARF
youth in determining their activities. If each region takes these
resolutions and tries to work on them as they fit in their region, I believe
that one of the strengths of the organization-its global network-will be
properly exploited. Further I hope that the topics that were brought up in
these resolutions will inspire regions to start new initiatives and not feel
alone in their daily struggles as a local organization.
For the AYF Eastern Region, I believe that resolutions about being vigilant
regarding Turkish state pressure are particularly relevant. During the
regional report period, it was evident that of all the regions, ours is one
where in the past two years Turkish diasporan activities have increased and
become more aggressive. Here is where, for example, support and ideas from
other regions can help our region think of different ways to deal with
Turkish propaganda, and to counter protests and disruptive activities.
A.W.-How was the Eastern Region represented? How would you evaluate its
activities over the last year compared to the other organizations from
different parts of the world?
S.E.-The Eastern Region sent two delegates to the meeting: Unger Anthony
Deese and myself. Overall I felt our representation was very welcomed and
our voices respected. I am glad to have had the opportunity to participate
and engage with my fellow Ungers.
I noticed that the meeting illustrated the various ways each region is
structurally organized. This allowed me to see how certain activities are
engaged in or restricted. In reference to our region in particular, many
Ungers seemed interested in learning about our region's strengths and
weaknesses, and in becoming acquainted with our particular challenges,
assets and unique organizational framework.
A.W.-You visited Roupina Ohanchanian's grave. Could you describe the
emotional dimension of that visit? How did it feel to stand before the grave
of such a great woman? Do you think she is a role model for today's Armenian
youth?
S.E.-What I remember feeling while standing in silence, together with my
fellow Ungers, at the grave of Roupina Ohanchanian is the embodiment of the
summit's most important theme: The visit illustrated the deepness of the
bonds our organization fosters and the sense of respect and dignity we are
taught to show our fellow man. And it is through and with these bonds that
we are able to work and create projects that venture in directions that are
grounded in the reality of the ever-changing lives of people..
Thirty years after her death, ARF youth think about Roupina's life, what she
did, where she went and what she thought. This process, I believe, is
provided by the structural framework of the AYF and ARF. Through these means
we as youth are pushed to think about our ideology, think about her efforts
that came not from her alone but was born from the network of thinkers who
together did not allow anything, even physical distance, to stand in the way
of their vision.
A.W.-What will future summits focus on? What is the general aim for these
international ARF youth summits, and do you think they are reaching that
aim?
S.E.-The work of future summits depends on what delegates do after this
meeting. I believe that the actual work comes after such gatherings: it
comes by keeping those delegates at the meeting part of our everyday lives,
considering them as accessible as our fellow chapter members, and creating
projects together around the themes of the meeting.
On a very basic level, these gatherings serve to strengthen the connections
between the leaders of the various regions. But I believe that this fact
alone does not take us anywhere. Discussing just the "how" of activities or
organizational structure means nothing if it is not trying to achieve
something; the "how" is the way it is because people answer "why"? This
ideological development, the discussions of the "what" and the "why," I
believe, is the responsibility of the youth. Our leaders must prepare us
with information and also give us the tools to remold and reshape because
those movements start with us. It is the young generation that will be
shaping future directions, decisions and ideas, and we must not be afraid to
dialogue, discuss and act on the foundations towards what we envision for
the future.
***
(c) 2007 Armenian Weekly On-Line. All Rights Reserved.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
80 Bigelow Avenue
Watertown MA 02472 USA
(617) 926-3974
[email protected]
http://www.a rmenianweekly.com
* * *
Armenian Weekly On-Line; Volume 73, Number 25; June 23, 2007
Commentary:
1. Armenia Would Have Gained More if ARF Remained More Independent
By Khajag Mgrditchian
2. Some Thoughts on the 'Wannabe Nation of Nagorno Karabakh'
By Michael G. Mensoian
3. More Good News
By Garen Yegparian
Literature:
4. Transparency and Transplants
'Yerevan Journal': An In-Depth Look Back at Armenia's Time of Troubles
By Andy Turpin
5. Sarkozy's 'Testimony' in English
By K.M.
6. Lala
By Knarik O. Meneshian
Events:
7. Harvard COOP Hosts 'Das Kapital' Reading
By Andy Turpin
8. Black Sea Salsa at Ryles Jazz Club
9. Azad Paints at Somerville Museum
10. Armenia:
Golden Apricot will be Launched on July 9
By Zaruhi Shushanian
11. Youth:
An Interview with Sossi Essajanian
By Simon Beugekian
--------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
1. Armenia Would Have Gained More if ARF Remained More Independent
By Khajag Mgrditchian
On June 6, the leading coalition of the Armenian government, made up of the
Armenian Republican Party and Prosperous Armenia Party, signed a cooperation
agreement with the ARF "for the sake of the realization of the greatly
similar platforms of the government and of the ARF" and to "efficiently
respond to the challenges facing the Armenian Republic."
This agreement continues to generate much discussion in the political
circles and media in Armenia. So much has been said about the agreement
because the Armenian Republican Party, which took the majority of the votes
in the May 12 elections, could have formed a government by itself. Thus,
analysts are trying to interpret not only why a coalition was formed, but
also why a third party was involved in it.
Let us put all these commentaries aside and concentrate on the real reasons
why the ARF signed the agreement, not from the viewpoint of party gains or
losses, but of the more general interests of the Armenian nation.
The history of the development of nations shows that democratic governments
have much more of a chance to develop and progress than authoritarian
regimes. The main difference between democratic regimes and authoritarian
regimes is the presence of a vigorous, powerful and responsible opposition
in the democratic system.
In the Armenian state over the last four years, unfortunately, the
parliamentary and non-parliamentary opposition was unable to assert itself
as a vigorous, powerful, responsible and balancing force. Thus, the
opposition is as responsible as the authorities for the slow rate of growth
in Armenia over the last few years. The people made this statement, too,
with their vote, expelling shortsighted opposition leaders from the
Parliament and replacing them with forces that actually have something to
say. Also, an important segment of the ARF's vote in the elections came from
a constituency that at least saw the ARF platform as an alternative to the
establishment, if not in outright opposition to it. Unfortunately, that
platform was not able to gain a resounding victory; but the people gave it
the mandate to remain as a party that proposes alternative and different
solutions.
Today, the ARF has not forsaken its platform and its promise to the people,
and with that in mind, has signed this agreement with the government, "for
the sake of the realization of the greatly similar platforms of the
government and of the ARF." It is interesting that the phrase talks only
about those parts of the ARF platform that are similar with the platform of
the government. As for policies that differ, in order not to restrain itself
the ARF refused to make a coalition and only signed an agreement of
cooperation in order to maintain its political and ideological independence.
Given that being an opposition party doesn't mean simply cursing the
government, this agreement may give the ARF the possibility to become a
constructive opposition within the government.
With the stance of the ARF, there is still a path leading to the creation of
a powerful opposition force in Armenia, which can not only inspire a new
political consciousness and culture in Armenia, but can also speed up the
rate of democratic development. Here we are not talking about negative and
pointless opposition, the kind of which we have experience before.
The presence of a constructive opposition is also beneficiary to the ruling
coalition, because in the presence of alternative and competing platforms,
it will constantly involve itself in a process of self-correction and
perhaps get better results.
There is no doubt that the agreement of cooperation signed between the ARF
and the leading coalition gives the ARF the ability to implement some of its
election promise and parts of its platform, especially those that are
similar to the government's own. However, on the other hand, it remains
impossible to be completely independent when one is in a coalition. In this
way, the manifestation of the ARF's true, independent identity is delayed by
another year, given that the cooperation agreement says, "The agreement goes
in effect immediately and remains in effect until the next presidential
elections."
------------------------------- -------------------------------
2. Some Thoughts on the 'Wannabe Nation of Nagorno Karabakh'
By Michael G. Mensoian
The May 19 issue of the Armenian Weekly reprinted an article by Nicole Itano
that appeared in the May 30 issue of the Christian Science Monitor. The
purpose of the reprint was to show ".the way Karabakh is generally presented
by the international media." The article by Mr. Itano was based on his
visit to Nagorno Karabakh. These comments are not offered as a critique, but
rather, to complement the purpose for reprinting the article in the Armenian
Weekly.
It would have been a service to the readership of the CSM if the so-called
"Wannabe Nation of Nagorno Karabakh" had been identified by its official
name, Nagorno Karabakh Republic. That the nation does receive humanitarian
and economic aid from the United States, small as it may be.
Readers might have wanted to know why the Christian Armenians, initially
comprising 95 percent of Karabakh's population, were unilaterally removed
from Armenian jurisdiction in 1923 to be governed by the Turkic Muslim
government of Azerbaijan. How for some 70 years the Armenians endured
government policies that sought to depopulate the region and to prevent its
economic development. That would have answered the question over why
Karabakh Armenians fought to gain their independence at the cost of some
7,000 freedom fighters who made the supreme sacrifice for their people and
land.
Comparing the area of the NKR to the Great Salt Lake was truly perplexing.
Why a lake? Who has any idea how large the Great Salt Lake is? Moreover, how
many people really know where it is located? Solely for informational
purposes, the lake has an area of approximately 6,200 square kilometers.
Why not compare Nagorno Karabakh's 4,400 square kilometers to Rhode Island
(4,600 sq. km.)? The Office of the NKR in Washington, D.C. gives the area of
Artsakh today as 7,059 square kilometers, which is more than 2.5 times the
size of Luxembourg's 2,586 square kilometers. That's a more meaningful
comparison.
It would have been interesting to note that there are 17 independent
countries with smaller populations than the NKR's estimated 2007 population
of 148,000, not the 100,000 mentioned in the article. Thirty-four countries
are smaller in area and 58 have fewer people per square kilometer than NKR's
density of 33.
The gratuitous comment, "Never heard of it? Don't worry. That's because it
doesn't officially exist." Sad to say, how many Americans are familiar with
the names of countries that officially exist? It's not likely that they
worry about that shortcoming.
How important was it to know that "Plastic flowers sit in a vase" in the
office of the prime minister or that he has a ".glossy bald head"? Why not
mention the natural beauty of Karabakh's towering mountains and deep gorges,
the fields of beautiful wild flowers and the pride the people have in their
land?
He mentions the complicated nature of the relationship that exists between
Armenia and the NKR. Then to confound the reader, adds that "Officially,
even Armenia doesn't recognize Karabakh's independence." The use of the word
even raises a question that begs an answer. Are the readers to know that
diplomacy has odd rules of engagement?
His tour of the capital Stepanakert, however, was on point. He correctly
reports that this city of some 50,000 (whose size is not mentioned) is
rebuilding. This writer was impressed by the progress that is being made
under the most difficult of circumstances.
I don't know if all or, for that fact, if any of the Karabakh officials are
desperate ".to point out how they've built the trappings of a legitimate
democratic state." Could it be that these officials were both anxious and
proud to explain having achieved the trappings of a democratic state while
Azerbaijan, the country that formerly governed the region, continues to be
ruled by a soviet style dictator? To describe them as being "desperate" is
180 degrees from being anxious and proud.
For some unknown reason it must have been important for the readers to know
that "In a dim coffee house.[there was] a hefty Russian-speaking
waitress..."
"The Wannabe Nation of Nagorno Karabakh" illustrates the quality of articles
available for publication by the printed media. To that end, its reprint
served its purpose to show ".the way Karabakh is generally presented by the
international media." It is important that the panoply of socio-economic,
political and military issues facing the fledgling nation of the NKR be
accurately and appropriately reported to the general public as well as to
the Armenian community to facilitate their understanding of the how and why
of a people seeking to gain recognition as an independent, democratic member
of the world community of nations.
Michael G. Mensoian is geography professor emeritus at the University of
Massachusetts, Boston.
------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
3. More Good News
By Garen Yegparian
Two weeks in a row with positive things to say. I'm starting to feel like a
cheerleader-a narcissistic cheerleader at that, with this and other
references to my own spoutings. But fair's fair, things aren't all bad.
On June 20, LA City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, hosted the opening of an
exhibit cosponsored by the Armenian Center for the Arts (ACA), in his own
offices, of works by four Armenian artists. This is the third exhibit.
Last year it was of The Genocide Project's photos and the year before, Sara
Anjargolian's photographic work.
This speaks well of those Armenians working in the office, of which there
are a respectable number. It says they know that besides their jobs, they
can also contribute to our community's well being by organizing such
affairs. I have no doubt that part of the reason Delgadillo allows this is
cynical, self serving, and political. That does not mean he doesn't have a
genuine interest, nor does it mean we should not avail ourselves of such
opportunities. It means that there's a mutual benefit. I wish our
employees in giants such as Boeing, large law firms, universities-public and
private (not just those with Armenian Studies chairs/departments), or
government all got together and did this kind of work. It's great positive
PR work for us.
But, there is another issue that rises here relating to the ACA. Aside from
the fact that the acronym might confuse our public, since the ACAA already
exists on the East Coast, there is the matter of organizations such as the
ACA being created. This is not meant to undermine the work being done. The
people involved in it, at least the ones I know, are all high caliber,
committed, and competent. The goals of the organization are ones I support
whole-heartedly. ACA just happened to serve as the trigger for this
commentary.
ACA and others like it are groups that seem to be multiplying of late.
These are people who want to do good work but for whatever reason, choose
not to affiliate with existing, larger, usually more multi-purpose groups.
This can be a waste of energy as I mentioned last week, in that each startup
must establish its own credentials. It can be an advantage since smaller
entities are often more nimble and less burdened with hierarchy and "we've
always done it this way" attitudes.
But what most often drives such proliferation is a fear of being marked as
belonging to one faction or another of our community. But if one faction
has done a better job of preparing or engaging people in a certain arena,
why should the benefits not accrue there? What's wrong with the completely
natural phenomenon of factions anyway? Besides, wouldn't you rather have
factionalization than ego/personality-based groups popping up? The smaller
an entity, the more likely it is for one or two swollen-head types two
dominate. Then someone gets irritated and spins off with a following, and
the cycle repeats. Net result? Small-scale factionalization.
On top of the above, this process creates a sort of confusion and consequent
and reticence of support among people. No one is served by this attitude.
I do not argue that new organizations are never the answer. The best
example I can provide is the professional organizations that have come on
the Armenian scene over the last two decades-engineers, scientists,
pharmacists, mental health types, nurses, jewelers, doctors, dentists, and
perhaps others I know not of or have (apologetically) forgotten. However,
even hear, I would recommend these groups form an umbrella organization to
help with economies of scale whenever possible.
So heed my plea all ye inspired do-gooders, please integrate and help build
(and usually modernize) what we already have.
-------------------------------------------- -----------------------
4. Transparency and Transplants
'Yerevan Journal': An In-Depth Look Back at Armenia's Time of Troubles
By Andy Turpin
WATERTOWN, Mass- In jest, Dr. A Scott Earle's Yerevan Journal, a record
primarily of his time spent in Armenia in 1993 as the AGBU's
reconstructive/plastic surgery advisor, is one big answer to the rhetorical
question, "What's up, Doc?" If only in Armenian.
In all reality though, this book may be one of the sleeper gems of the year
in Armenian community reading circles; and at the very least, the kind of
well annotated and anecdotal primary source material that historians will
lust for when they write future volumes on the early post-Soviet region.
Earle was on the ground at a time in Armenian history when economics were
comparable to Great Depression America (if not worse by ratio) and victims
from both the Karabakh war and the 1988 earthquake were in clinics en masse.
As a former WWII army veteran and reconstructive/plastic surgeon with a
previous knowledge of classical history, and experience providing medical
assistance in other foreign clinics, his writings and notes on Armenia
represent a valid and unique perspective not often portrayed by historians
or journalists.
Reading Yerevan Journal has the personality and thoroughness of dropping off
a modern day Dr. Watson into the heart of Yerevan. Earle is deft at noting
particular cultural trends and idiosyncrasies pertinent to Armenia and
Armenian culture that continue to affect the Republic to this day.
In one such example in he recalls how the extreme love and nurturing
Armenian parents show their children can be a detriment in trying to run a
well-ordered hospital: "The infant aspirated stomach contents into her lungs
as she was being put to sleep. Nurses and anesthesiologists are supposed to
check that patients have taken nothing by mouth before surgery; they did not
do this so we came close to losing the child. It would be best if parents
did not have access to their kids before surgery, but doctors say that this
would not be acceptable here."
In his candor there are often several bits of humor that pervade the memoir,
as when Earle inquires about the cultural relationship to cosmetic surgery
in the post-Soviet Armenia: "I thought that their nose was an ethnic
characteristic that Armenians would wear with pride. Not so; many want nose
jobs. Armine told me several days ago that if anyone in Armenia started
doing noses, there'd be no end to it."
Earle pulls no punches in describing the numerous pitfalls he encountered as
a doctor in Armenia trying to cope with limited resources and more than a
few differences in culture than his native Idaho. One of which was the
love/hate, low-tech relationship Armenia has with modern technology
availability.
At one point he records, "A serious problem is that many of the appliances
sent from the States are broken or have never functioned." He furthers later
with an anecdote about the clinic's much-abhorred Stalin-like director and
his own technological faults when he adds, "'He [the director] has no idea
how to use that computer.' Mike said. 'A lady comes in each morning and puts
his schedule on the screen (that too is what I had seen) and it stays on all
day. That's all the computer does.'"
The bulk of much of the book is dedicated to in-depth chronicles of various
surgical procedures on victims of the natural and belligerent carnage that
visited Armenia prominently in those years and still lingers there at
present. These passages are heart-felt, compassionate and analytical in all
the right places and should be of interest to anyone curious about what life
has been like recently in Armenia.
Earle is never critical of Armenia's kindness or her capacity for love, but
Yerevan Journal also provides a valid window into the pervasive corruption
culture that exists in Armenia. His observations are often keen, and though
not a police officer, cannot be excluded as entirely layman.
Regarding the rampant crime, mafia oligarchs, and nepotism that exist there,
he writes, "To be fair, honesty is relative. We Americans should not judge
the Armenians too harshly.everything here depends on favors. If I do
something for you, you must do something for me. A godfather ethic is not
only tolerated here; it is the norm."
One such incident can only be regarded as absurd it its reality, involving
the formerly mentioned hospital director and the extent of such corruption,
that Earle recounts by journaling:
"[A friend] told me about a scam that involved Tamasian and a biologic
products company in California. The plan was to use Armenians for blood
donors. Blood products would be extracted and shipped to the States. I
discounted the story; it seemed so unlikely. Then today, Marianne spoke of
an incident that had occurred while she was lecturing to medical students.
The Director brought visitors in the room, interrupted her lecture, and had
each of the students donate a unit of blood on the spot- for what purpose
she did not know."
Of the Armenian police authorities Earle enquired, "I asked Karen why
Armenians still refer to their country's Security Service as 'KGB'. Same
organization, same personnel, same function, he told me, so why call it
anything else? In Armenia, I often feel like person who admires water lilies
without knowing what goes on in the turbid water below."
Having finished "Yerevan Journal" I myself compared it to my former Peace
Corp volunteer journal in Armenia and found many similarities. As a didactic
travelogue, I recommend it highly to anyone going to Armenia in future, or
even for those moments upon your return when you need a fellow traveler's
voice to remember Ararat with.
Or maybe just when you need fodder to win a bet among your incredulous
friends, exclaiming, "See, they really do those things in Armenia! Earle has
my back.and he's a doctor!"
------------------------------------ --------------------------------
5. Sarkozy's 'Testimony' in English
By K.M.
WATERTOWN, Mass. (A.W.)-Available now to readers in the U.S. is French
President Nicolas Sarkozy's book Testimony: France in the Twenty-first
Century (Pantheon Books, 2007). In the preface of the English edition,
translated by Philip H. Gordon, Sarkozy says, "This book presents my
analysis of the difficulties France faces. It outlines my proposals for
putting France back on the path toward economic growth, social justice and
modernity. And it addresses many of the common domestic, international,
economic and social challenges that advanced democracies like France and the
United States must confront."
Also in the preface, Sarkozy deals with the commonalities and differences
between the U.S. and France. After talking about the "unbreakable historical
links" and about how today "the United States and France again stand
together in the same camp against a serious threat to global freedom
[terrorism]," and discussing how in some areas the U.S. has succeeded "while
France remains shackled by enduring prejudices," Sarkozy says, "I know my
country well enough to know that certain aspects of American society would
never suit France."In this context, he mentions the importance France
attributes to providing a social safety net for the poor and to gun control,
and also expresses his admiration at the way the French people are
interested in global affairs, while in the U.S. only specialists express
such interest.
Turkey and Armenia
In Chapter 4, titled "Doing Things Differently," Sarkozy alludes to the
issues of Turkey's accession to the EU and the Armenian genocide. "The
prospect of Turkey entering the European Union is.nonsensical in my view. I
understand the strategic hopes that underpin this idea. They could be
achieved with the conclusion of a strategic partnership with Turkey," he
says.
According to Sarkozy, "Europe seems incapable of escaping from the promise
it made in 1963 in an entirely different geopolitical context. But the more
time that passes, the harder it will be to tell the Turks that they cannot
enter the EU. And yet this is a likely scenario, since the French
Constitution now requires that Turkish accession be put to a referendum in
France."
"I also feel strongly that we should have the courage to insist that Turkey
fulfills its historical duty toward Armenia," he adds.
-------------------------------------------- -----------------------
6. Lala
By Knarik O. Meneshian
Lala is little,
Not because she is a child,
She never finished growing.
Forever her mother's "baby,"
Her father's "if only."
She spends her days
In the toneer room
Where once a week
Her mother bakes bread,
Thin, round, flat bread-lavash-
The first piece always
For the Lord.
Lala looks on
As her mother bakes.
She utters sounds
Only The Lord and her mother understand.
And her mother nods, giving her lavash-
The second piece always
For Lala.
With mangled fingers
Lala holds the bread and takes a bite.
Stooped and wobbling,
She gurgles and grins.
She crawls,
Then steps to the window,
Mangled feet
Barely holding her up.
"Ahhh, ahhh!" she sings as she sits on the floor and claps.
"Uh, uh!" she says as she rocks and points
At birds flying past the window.
Lala's mother looks at her "baby" of thirty eight
And sighs.
Outside, cows and sheep
Lumber down the road
Trailing dust behind them.
Returning from their grazing grounds,
Each knows its "home."
Chickens peck in the dirt,
Roosters crow,
Dogs bark, scampering past dung bricks
Piled high against the sides of houses,
Smoke rising from the chimneys.
Children play near clotheslines
Heavy with laundry still flapping in the wind.
And old dadeeks spinning wool into yarn
Finally put down their eeleeks.
The day is coming to an end.
But tomorrow, another new day
Wrapped always in the old ways here,
Will come.
And the mother will walk at dawn
Down the winding dirt road
To labor in the fields till dusk,
While Lala sits
Cross-legged on a mat
On the concrete floor
Next to the covered toneer
In the toneer room near the house.
Locked for safety there
With water, bread, and fruit
Lala will look at the ceiling and walls,
At the window,
At cherry pits strewn in the corner,
And wait for evening,
For her mother to come
And take her to the house.
It is night.
Lala is washed
And changed and fed by her mother
Just as gently as the day she was born.
She is helped into bed, the nicest in the house,
And covered with a blanket, the best in the house.
Lala coos and waves her arms in the air.
Her mother nods,
And with callused hands
Softly strokes her daughter's cheeks again.
Lala coos.
Her mother weeps.
June 2007
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7. Harvard COOP Hosts 'Das Kapital' Reading
By Andy Turpin
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (A.W.)-Viken Berberian, author of the new novel Das
Capital: A Novel of Love and Money Markets (Simon and Schuster, 2007), read
from his latest book at the Harvard COOP bookstore as part of their Live
Author series.
Das Kapital is a modern-day love story about Wall Street set in New York,
Corsica and Marseille. It involves a cutthroat hedge fund runner, a Corsican
nationalist Romantic turned businessman, and the woman who catalyzes them
both. Its title pays homage with to the Wilhelm-era German literature titan
of the same name by Karl Marx.
Berberian introduced the audience to the story's two main characters, Wayne
and "the Corsican," by reading the first 15 pages of the novel before taking
questions. In the Corsican, Berberian later explained, "I wanted to have a
character who wanted to return to a state of nature, in opposition to Wayne.
Corsicans tend to be very inward looking. I was very much interested in the
island and this tendency to oppose modernity. An overwhelming number of
Corsicans tend to oppose globalization."
When asked how he was able to capture the two worlds of high finance and
Corsican nationalismo, Berberian replied, "I wrote the first two drafts in
the south of France in Marseille. I happened to be working in a hedge fund
at the time and made notes of what people said during the day. Much of the
foul-or colorful-language came from that, though I don't think everyone in
the finance world speaks like that. Maybe it was just my office."
Berberian admitted he felt like an outsider in that world, peering in,
pretending. "I think as a writer it helps to feel like an outsider. I think
it makes you more observant," he said.
He spoke about the intensity involved in writing his relatively short novel
of 175 pages. "Writing for me is a very labor intensive practice," he said.
His last-and first-book, The Cyclist (Simon and Schuster), was published in
2002.
Berberian decided to write a story that revolved around the world of finance
because "It is my persuasion that finance is really more of an art than a
science," he explained. "Just look at long-term capital management. It's not
a science, and I try to make fun of that. You can't reduce the universe just
to numbers."
He went on, "Wayne initially is someone with a very scientific mind. He
makes a jump to discover that love is something you cannot numerically
prove. The Corsican is the noblest one. He represents nature. But he
undergoes a transformation, too. In the end, he becomes all about power."
------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
8. Black Sea Salsa at Ryles Jazz Club
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (A.W.)-On June 16, the Black Sea Salsa band performed in
the evening at Ryles Jazz Club.
Black Sea Salsa is a 15-piece world-music group made up of six horns, four
vocalists and five rhythms, playing an original blend of Armenian music and
Afro-Cuban jazz.
Led by trumpeter Dan Teager, who writes and arranges the band's repertoire,
Black Sea Salsa has established itself as one of Boston's premier festival
bands, playing for venues such as Sail Boston 2000, Marblehead Arts
Festival, Norwood Summerfest and the Boston Arts Festival. In addition, the
group has been officially recognized by the Massachusetts Arts Council,
which awarded Black Sea Salsa a grant to perform a series of outdoor
concerts in Belmont and Watertown.
Teager started the group in October 1996 with the help of the Armenian
International Women's Association. Since then, he has honed his writing
skills to take advantage of the formidable talent that 15 professional
musicians can bring to the stage. Whether it's a fast mambo with lyrics in
three languages, a lilting aria that transforms iself into hard-driving
blues, or a classic line dance with an unexpected horn line, Black Sea Salsa
has an original sound that is danceable, fun and loaded with energy.
Among the songs played was "Maria Alejandra," because "it's my daughter's
favorite," Teager quipped. The adorable 3-year-old entertained the audience
by dancing the night away in front of the band.
Other notable tunes included "Drop By Drop, You Build a Lake" and Teager's
mambo "Stay Cool," which he said he wrote when "we didn't have any AC in my
house. If more people bought CDs, we'd have AC. Hint, Hint."
For more information on Black Sea Salsa or to purchase their albums, visit
www.BlackSea Salsa.com.
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9. Azad Paints at Somerville Museum
SOMERVILLE, Mass. (A.W.)-The Somerville Museum is hosting an exhibition of
Ara Azad's works from May 11-June 29. An opening reception was held at the
museum on June 9, during which Azad did an in-situ painting on an L-shaped 8'x8'x9'
wall.
Ara Azad is a graduate from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts and holds
a degree from Tufts University (BFA). He is a graduate of EPIIC 95,
Education for Public Inquiry and International Citizenship at Tufts
University, with a special focus on developing visions for our world through
the merging of arts and sciences.
His works have been exhibited around the world, including Berlin, Germany;
Florence, Italy; FEMIS-Palais de Tokyo, Paris; Liverpool, England (Man
Museum); Beirut, Lebanon (Noah's Ark Art Gallery and Art Lounge); Kuwait
(Communication Zone); and Boston, Mass. (Armenian Library and Museum of
America).
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10. Golden Apricot will be Launched on July 9
By Zaruhi Shushanian
YEREVAN (A.W.)-The 4th Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival
will take place from July 9-14 in Moscow Cinema. Before the official
opening of the festival, the traditional blessing of apricots will be held
at Charles Aznavour Square, near Moscow Cinema.
The festival will open with the film "The Lark Farm" by the renowned Italian
directors Paolo and Vittorio Taviani. The film is dedicated to the victims
of the Armenian genocide.
According to Harutiun Khachatryan, founder and director of the Golden
Apricot Film Festival, the film was warmly welcomed by the European film
critics during its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival. The Taviani
brothers, along with famous Italian-Armenian screenwriter Antonio Arslan,
and actors Arsinée Khanjian and Tchéky Karyo are all invited to the Yerevan
premiere of the film.
About 340 participants from 53 different countries are included in this year's
program, which consists of two competition programs: the International
Competition and the Armenian Panorama Program. The members of the selection
committee of the competition part of the festival are artists from Armenian
Cinematographers' Union. The head of the jury is famous Armenian writer,
director and producer Vigen Chaldranyan. The jury members of the Golden
Apricot Film Festival are renowned film directors, actors and artists from
Armenia and the diaspora. Among them are Michael A. Goorjian, director and
actor from the U.S.; Jack Boghossian, journalist and actor from Argentina;
Naira Mouradyan, a director from Armenia; and Arthur Bakhdamyan, TV anchor
of the Armenian Public Television.
This year, six Armenian films are included in the New Armenian Film program.
According to Khachatryan, the New Armenian Film program is an attempt to
introduce the modern Armenian film industry to the world. The following
Armenian films are included in the non-competitive part of the festival:
Vigen Chaldranyan's "Priestess," Hovik Galstyan's "Banded Parallels," Gagik
Haroutyunyan's "Incention," Artak Sevada's "As a Beginning," Aram
Shahbazyan's "Don't Be Afraid" and Davit Matevossyan's "Enemies."
***
The following films are included in the Armenian Panorama 2007 portion of
Golden Apricot:
"Anomalia", Michael Dominic, Short Film, 2006, Poland
"Children of Adam", Georgy Parajanov, Documentary,
2007, Russia
"Poprishchin", Armen Mkrdchyan, Documentary, 2007, Armenia
"Graffiti", Igor Apasyan, Feature, 2007, Armenia
"Momik", Ashot Movsisyan, Documentary, 2006, Armenia
"Hope, Faith, Love", Armen Khatchatryan, Documentary, 2006,
Armenia
"Blessing of the Grapes", Davit Aslanyan, Documentary, 2007, Armenia
"Julfa", Digran Karapetyan, Documentary, 2006, Armenia
"Seven Indian Boys", Ashot Mkrdchyan, Documentary, 2006, Armenia
"On the Wheels", Grigor Haroutyunyan, Documentary, 2007, Armenia
"Angels that Live on Earth", Alexander Gabrielyan, Documentary, 2007,
Russia
"Through the Traces of Memories", Arthur Oustyan, Documentary, 2007,
Armenia
"The Flight", Elina Hakobjanyan, Documentary, 2007, Armenia
"Bojho", Mikael Vatinyan, Animation, 2007, Armenia
"Little Fairy-Tale", Gor Maragaryan, Documentary,
2006, Armenia
"Karabagh Fairy-Tale", Levon Grigoryan, Documentary, 2006,
Armenia
"A Story of People in War and Peace", Vartan Hovhannisyan, Documentary,
2007, Armenia
"Dinner Time", Gor Baghtasaryan, Documentary, 2006, Armenia
"I am Gayane from Tiflis", Levon Grigoryan & Kora Dzereteli, Documentary,
2007, Russia
"Callshop", Eldar Grigorian, Documentary, 2007, Germany
"The Autumn Sun", Diana Kardoumyan, Short Film, 2006, Armenia
"4 Songs", Davit Sahakyants, Animation, 2007, Armenia
"Screamers", Carla Garapedian, Documentary, 2007,United States
------------------------------------------- -------------------------------
11. An Interview with Sossi Essajanian
By Simon Beugekian
Sossi Essajanian was the AYF-YOARF Eastern Region delegate to the ARF Youth
Conference held from may 24-26 in Lavalle, Canada. In this interview, she
recounts her impressions and experiences.
Armenian Weekly-What kind of atmosphere was the summit held in? Were there
any major differences or similarities among the organizations from different
areas?
Sossi Essajanian-The summit was enveloped in an unspoken spirit of
fraternalism, with each member bringing his or her regional representation
to form one meeting body. This, I believe, was important in generating
discussions and new ideas for the organization at large. Further, there was
an energy among the participants that was inviting, motivated and genuine.
Each person seemed to have an interest in the state of the ARF youth, and
considered its membership and the activities of the various regions and the
ways in which their efforts can be better combined to work on old and new
initiatives.
However, the discussion seemed to settle in particular on the challenges
facing the ARF youth in the diaspora, possibly because delegates from
Armenia and Javakhk could not be present at the meeting. This was compounded
by the fact that other major regions such as Syria and Iran could also not
be present. Luckily there was one participant from Artsakh who was able to
provide some valuable insight into the activities, challenges and directions
of the ARF youth in the Caucasus.
Despite these shortcomings, the group did not make the mistake of lumping
all of the diaspora together. During the report portion, each region
highlighted its activities, strengths and challenges. It was interesting
that even within North America, for example, the work of the East Coast,
West Coast and Canada differed in membership amounts, yearly activities,
organization structure and ideological focus, for example. One of the major
similarities within all regions was the difficulty in attracting new
members. The West Coast, for example, described how they used a "battle of
the bands" type of event to bring Armenian youth into the AYF fold, while
France seemed to use political activism to generate membership.
A.W.-Was there some sort of theme for the event this year? What did the
summit mainly focus on?
S.E.-It was clear through the guidance of the AYF Khourourt members that the
meeting was to asses the overall state of the various regions and to get a
sense of where the organization stands in the 21st century. It began by
considering the role of the ARF Youth Office in Armenia, with delegates
calling for a clearer and more direct link between the office and the
regional executives. Another topic that seemed to underlie the various
discussions was each region's focus and activities towards Armenia, Artsakh
and Javakhk. It was unanimously agreed that more direct links must be made
between diasporan regions and those in the Caucasus, thus leading to
effective projects on the ground there. Finally, the meeting discussed ways
to attract or at least connect with non-AYF Armenian youth.
A.W.-Could you walk us through some important resolutions that were made
during the summit? What implications do you think they will have on ARF
youth activity in general and the AYF Eastern Region in particular?
S.E.-In general, there were resolutions passed about the various problems
discussed above: ways to approach and understand Armenian youth in our
communities; to strengthen connections and work between diasporan regions
and the Caucasus; to establish a more united face of the ARF Youth (through,
for example, establishing one common logo for the entire organization).
There were also resolutions calling for members to be more politically
active in their local communities; to develop a better understanding of the
situation of Armenians living in Turkey; and to be more vigilant in response
to the increasing pressure on the diaspora from the Turkish government.
I hope that these resolutions will serve as bookmarks or guides for the ARF
youth in determining their activities. If each region takes these
resolutions and tries to work on them as they fit in their region, I believe
that one of the strengths of the organization-its global network-will be
properly exploited. Further I hope that the topics that were brought up in
these resolutions will inspire regions to start new initiatives and not feel
alone in their daily struggles as a local organization.
For the AYF Eastern Region, I believe that resolutions about being vigilant
regarding Turkish state pressure are particularly relevant. During the
regional report period, it was evident that of all the regions, ours is one
where in the past two years Turkish diasporan activities have increased and
become more aggressive. Here is where, for example, support and ideas from
other regions can help our region think of different ways to deal with
Turkish propaganda, and to counter protests and disruptive activities.
A.W.-How was the Eastern Region represented? How would you evaluate its
activities over the last year compared to the other organizations from
different parts of the world?
S.E.-The Eastern Region sent two delegates to the meeting: Unger Anthony
Deese and myself. Overall I felt our representation was very welcomed and
our voices respected. I am glad to have had the opportunity to participate
and engage with my fellow Ungers.
I noticed that the meeting illustrated the various ways each region is
structurally organized. This allowed me to see how certain activities are
engaged in or restricted. In reference to our region in particular, many
Ungers seemed interested in learning about our region's strengths and
weaknesses, and in becoming acquainted with our particular challenges,
assets and unique organizational framework.
A.W.-You visited Roupina Ohanchanian's grave. Could you describe the
emotional dimension of that visit? How did it feel to stand before the grave
of such a great woman? Do you think she is a role model for today's Armenian
youth?
S.E.-What I remember feeling while standing in silence, together with my
fellow Ungers, at the grave of Roupina Ohanchanian is the embodiment of the
summit's most important theme: The visit illustrated the deepness of the
bonds our organization fosters and the sense of respect and dignity we are
taught to show our fellow man. And it is through and with these bonds that
we are able to work and create projects that venture in directions that are
grounded in the reality of the ever-changing lives of people..
Thirty years after her death, ARF youth think about Roupina's life, what she
did, where she went and what she thought. This process, I believe, is
provided by the structural framework of the AYF and ARF. Through these means
we as youth are pushed to think about our ideology, think about her efforts
that came not from her alone but was born from the network of thinkers who
together did not allow anything, even physical distance, to stand in the way
of their vision.
A.W.-What will future summits focus on? What is the general aim for these
international ARF youth summits, and do you think they are reaching that
aim?
S.E.-The work of future summits depends on what delegates do after this
meeting. I believe that the actual work comes after such gatherings: it
comes by keeping those delegates at the meeting part of our everyday lives,
considering them as accessible as our fellow chapter members, and creating
projects together around the themes of the meeting.
On a very basic level, these gatherings serve to strengthen the connections
between the leaders of the various regions. But I believe that this fact
alone does not take us anywhere. Discussing just the "how" of activities or
organizational structure means nothing if it is not trying to achieve
something; the "how" is the way it is because people answer "why"? This
ideological development, the discussions of the "what" and the "why," I
believe, is the responsibility of the youth. Our leaders must prepare us
with information and also give us the tools to remold and reshape because
those movements start with us. It is the young generation that will be
shaping future directions, decisions and ideas, and we must not be afraid to
dialogue, discuss and act on the foundations towards what we envision for
the future.
***
(c) 2007 Armenian Weekly On-Line. All Rights Reserved.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress