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ARMENIAN REPORTER
PO Box 129
Paramus, New Jersey 07652
Tel: 1-201-226-1995
Fax: 1-201-226-1660
Web: http://www.reporter.am
Email: [email protected]
May 19, 2007 -- From the community section
To see the printed version of the newspaper, complete with photographs
and additional content, visit www.reporter.am and download the pdf
files. It's free.
1. Aid to Armenia, financial and humanitarian, highlighted at
AmeriCares' 25th anniversary (by Rachel Dodakian)
Sidebar: A reunion recalls the compassion and hope that emerged from disaster
Sidebar: After 18 years, the specter of trauma still haunts
2. Richard Hovannisian, J. Michael Hagopian honored with iWitness
Awards (by Jenny Kiljian)
3. David Gaunt discusses massacres and resistance (by Arin Mikailian)
4. For a fun ride through a carnival of life, flag down Taxi, Taxi on
June 9-10 (by Anna Vandyan)
5. Through drama, students retrace the steps, and re-live the
torments, of their persecuted ancestors (by Melissa Selverian)
6. Fishing for Romeo & Juliet (by Harout Arakelian)
* All the world's a stage
7. Greater Boston parish approaches Martyrs Day through a celebration
of survival (by Seta Buchter)
Sidebar: From the ashes of genocide comes a story of survival and forgiveness
************************************* **************************************
1. Aid to Armenia, financial and humanitarian, highlighted at
AmeriCares' 25th anniversary
by Rachel Dodakian
NEW YORK -- AmeriCares, the first American relief organization to
respond to the earthquake that ripped through Armenia in 1988, marked
its 25-year milestone last Thursday at a black tie anniversary gala in
downtown Manhattan, co-chaired by President George H.W. Bush, First
Lady Barbara Bush, and Nobel laureate Dr. Elie Wiesel.
About 700 guests attended the May 10 event, which raised $1 million
for the non-profit international disaster relief and humanitarian aid
organization.
But one guest in particular came an exceptionally long way to share
in the celebration. Arman Ghazarian, who at the age of eight suffered
massive injuries during the earthquake, was flown by AmeriCares from
Yerevan to New York City earlier in the week to both honor and to be
honored by the Stamford, Connecticut-based humanitarian group that
delivered critical medical attention to him just after the quake
leveled his village, killing his mother and almost all of his
classmates.
"The city is very nice, and the people seem nice too," said
Ghazarian of his first impression of New York.
* Emotional reunion
Ghazarian, 26, of Spitak, first came to New York City in February 1989
to undergo extensive surgery to repair his skull and legs, which were
crushed when his school collapsed onto him and others. AmeriCares
brought him New York City's Hospital for Joint Diseases and Orthopedic
Institute to repair his cranial contusions and save his left leg,
which was mangled so badly it was nearly amputated.
The Halvajian family, of Saddle River, N.J., cared for and comforted
Ghazarian while he underwent the two months of painful orthopedic
reconstructive surgery in 1989. AmeriCares brought Ghazarian and the
Halvajians together again for the first time in nearly 18 years during
an emotional reunion in Fair Lawn, N.J. earlier in the week (see the
sidebar story).
"Stamford has a pretty big Armenian community and they were very
generous after the Spitak earthquake," said Elizabeth Walsh,
communications director of AmeriCares.
In addition to spending time with Arthur and Araxy Halvajian,
AmeriCares also made it possible for Arman to meet other Armenians in
the tri-state area who reached out to him as he endured his operations
6,000 miles away from his family.
"They took in a lot of survivors also, so he has been meeting
various people from the Stamford community and then he has gone into
the city to meet some Armenians in New York that visited him when he
was a boy while he was in the hospital," said Walsh.
* Immediate response
In the aftermath of the earthquake, AmeriCares immediately mobilized
plane loads of medical supplies to the devastated region and made a
major impact -- despite transportation logjams and chaos. Shortly
thereafter, in conjunction with the non-profit United Armenian Fund
(UAF), led by California-based activist and writer Harut Sassounian,
they were able to help thousands of earthquake survivors receive
critical medical attention. UAF works closely with Armenia's Ministry
of Health to distribute medical relief and supplies through the
country today.
"Ever since the earthquake in Armenia, AmeriCares has been on the
forefront of the assistance to Armenia," said Sassounian, who was also
present at the May 10 gala.
"They rushed a huge amount of supplies to Armenia initially through
their own transportation and planes, and later on when [UAF was]
formed we partnered together and we've been together for the past 17
years helping Armenia. So far they've donated close to $70 million of
medicines and medical supplies, and we provide transportation: we take
it to Armenia and we distribute it throughout Armenia to all the
hospitals and clinics."
In regard to getting supplies to remote regions, Sassounian
reflected on the changes he's seen since days of logistical nightmares
during the Soviet-era earthquake, versus how things work today.
"There's a world of difference between the aftermath of the
earthquake, where there's total chaos and destruction, and today,
where the country has advanced quite a bit from those days. It has
recovered, there's construction going on, recovery -- as a matter of
fact there's a lot of developments in Armenia, so things are going
smoothly."
* What it means to care
Giant candle-lit wreaths packed with fresh red roses bordered the
column-lined entrance archway to the Cipriani restaurant ballroom, as
Secret Service personnel continuously made security sweeps to the
inside and surrounding areas of the Wall Street venue in anticipation
for President Bush Sr.'s arrival.
Throughout the evening guests mingled, and though there was no
podium introduction of Ghazarian to the estimated 700 guests in
attendance that night, he did personally meet President Bush Sr. and
other distinguished guests, with Sassounian translating during the
introductions.
The event marked a milestone in the relief agency's history. Since
its founding in 1982 by Stamford couple Bob and Leila Macauley,
AmeriCares has raised more than $6.5 billion in aid for more than 137
countries around the world. The message of the evening was framed
around the idea of combating indifference to global suffering and
hardship.
"Our gala evening will be a celebration of 25 years of compassion,
passion, and generosity that has touched millions of people in need
around the world," said AmeriCares President and CEO Curt Welling.
Paul Rusesabagina, the man who in 1994 risked his life, defying both
indifference and duress to save 1,000 people from being butchered
during the Rwandan Genocide, and who was the inspiration for the film
Hotel Rwanda, spoke about the alarming cycle of human-on-human
violence and global indifference, as "the Armenian Genocide, the
Holocaust, the Rwandan Genocide, and now Darfur," have been allowed to
unfold, with reaction from the world coming too little too late.
Dr. Wiesel, who did not stay for dinner, addressed the problem of
indifference, of challenging the idea of simply tolerating "others,"
and pushing ourselves to go further to embrace others, "to respect the
otherness of others," and to elevate the levels of humanity and
dignity with which we treat one other. "It is often we ask ourselves
the question, and anyone who studies contemporary history must share
in that quest for an answer, Will the world ever learn?" pressed
Wiesel. He then asked the audience to reflect on the fact that on that
evening, "every single minute, a child in the world would be dying of
disease, of violence, of hunger, and yet you will go on eating."
CBS's Harry Smith was Master of Ceremonies for the event and
introduced President George H.W. Bush shortly before dinner was
served. The former President discussed Mikhail Gorbachev's reaction to
a televised image of Jeb Bush and Jeb's then-young son George P.
Bush's (nephew of President George W. Bush) visit to an Armenian
Church in Soviet Armenia shortly after the earthquake as part of an
AmeriCares relief effort.
"[Gorbachev] said to me, 'When your son wept in that church with his
little boy with him, he did more for U.S.-Soviet relations than you
can possibly imagine,' and he said it went all through the Soviet
Union, this gesture of friendship on behalf of the American people.
And that was an AmeriCares thing, and I'll never ever forget," said
Bush Sr.
As people dined, soft music ebbed from overhanging speakers while
three globe-shaped video screens, back-lit with the AmeriCares logo,
faded pictures in and out of people from a few of the countries
AmeriCares has made a difference in over the years. Two different
pictures of Armenia appeared during the montage, one dated 2000 during
one of the droughts of the decade, and one 1988, which featured
eight-year-old Ghazarian being cradled by his grandfather shortly
after undergoing emergency surgery; in the photo the left side of his
head above his ear was shaved, and his wound was still visible.
"I'm very impressed," said Ghazarian over dessert, referring
everything he'd witnessed that evening.
Harut Sassounian said: "It's a great honor for Arman and I to be
part of this very special event, [AmeriCares'] 25th anniversary, with
such distinguished VIP guests, the former President.... We want to
thank them once again for all the help over the years they've given --
and they're still committed to assist Armenia for a long time to come,
so we're very grateful for this special assistance."
Before flying back to Yerevan on May 12, Ghazarian toured New York
City and attended a Mets game on Saturday, facilitated by AmeriCares
International Programs project manager Jim O'Brien, who hired a
Russian translator to accompany them for part of the week.
In addition to bringing medical relief to people internationally,
AmeriCares also reaches out locally to people through its AmeriCares
Free Clinics, like the one in Norwalk, Conn. AmeriCares also responded
in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and to the September
11, 2001 attacks on New York City.
* * *
Sidebar: A reunion recalls the compassion and hope that emerged from disaster
When Arman Ghazarian reunited this week with the New Jersey family
that hosted and cared for him 18 years ago, "He gave us a big hug,"
said Arthur Halvajian of Saddle River.
First brought to America in the aftermath of the 1988 earthquake,
the then-8-year-old Spitak native was suffering from a crushed skull
and a badly mangled left leg which left him unable to walk.
The humanitarian organization AmeriCares had flown him to New York
for medical treatment -- and brought him back this week to take part
in the organization's 25th anniversary event.
Now 26, the intense but soft-spoken Ghazarian met again this week
with Halvajian, his wife Araxy, and son A.J. Araxy cared for Arman
during his two months of reconstructive surgery; A.J. and Arman were
boys of the same age.
Even now, Arman is not sure how he was among those who survived the
earthquake, which took the life of his mother and school classmates.
He vaguely remembers townsfolk pulling his broken body from the
rubble. When he finally returned home to Armenia after his sojourn in
the states, Arman was able to walk off the plane -- right into the
arms of his father and grandfather, who he thought had died in the
disaster.
* * *
Sidebar: After 18 years, the specter of trauma still haunts
The 6.9-magnitude earthquake demolished close to 40 percent of Soviet
Armenia on the morning of December 7, while most children were sitting
in their classrooms. According to official estimates -- generally
considered by locals as too low -- at least 25,000 people died from
the earthquake and its aftershocks. Two-thirds of those killed were
children and adolescents. Churches, schools, clinics, and homes
crumbled to the ground in villages like Spitak and Gogoran, exposing
people the most unforgivingly cold period of Armenia's winter.
The psychological weight of the experience still clearly burdens
Arman Ghazarian, who spoke sometimes with eyes averted and in
monosyllable, with a dignified stoicism, as he talked about life in
Spitak today.
"It's not good," he said. "I stay the whole day at home. There's
nothing to do."
According to a study by Anait Azarian and Vitali
Skriptchenko-Gregorian -- "Children in Natural Disasters: An
Experience of the 1988 Earthquake in Armenia," published in 1998 by
the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress -- the stages of
this traumatic experience are described as a "domino effect,"
manifested on physical, emotional, behavioral, and social levels, and
lasting for several years -- forever altering the direction of the
society in terms of vitality, productivity, and quality of life.
The study states: "Being in the school many children at first
experienced a psycho-physiological impact of the quake (pain, terrible
vibrations, frightening noise) … For instance, the children became
afraid of the school buildings themselves.... The fear continued to
increase and created behavioral changes such as avoidance and refusal
to attend school.... Furthermore, their behavioral disturbances
adversely influenced their relations with teachers, classmates, and
parents, creating different kinds of antisocial actions.... These
dominoes collected in their impact and burdened the children's
well-being with diverse psychosomatic symptoms such as headaches, loss
of appetite, and sleep disturbances and caused difficulties with
concentration and memory with impairment in school performance
exhibited."
Ghazarian spoke of the dearth of recreational activities, social
events, as well as the lack employment in Spitak, and added that while
the basic services and local hospitals are in good condition now
compared to several years ago, they still need help.
"There's no work," he said. "There are no activities, there's no
social life. Right now my dad's not working."
Ghazarian, who lives with his father, said they and his 22-year-old
sister get by with help from other family members and assistance from
relief programs.
After completing his studies through 8th grade, Ghazarian never
returned to school.
-- R.D.
******************************************** *******************************
2. Richard Hovannisian, J. Michael Hagopian honored with iWitness Awards
by Jenny Kiljian
VALLEY VILLAGE, Calif. -- On Tuesday, May 15, more than 500 people
gathered at the Adat Ari El Synagogue to pay tribute to two celebrated
Armenian-Americans -- Professors Richard Hovannisian and. J. Michael
Hagopian -- whom the Jewish World Watch was honoring with its
inaugural "iWitness Award."
"By our very act of giving witness, we make God real, and bring into
existence his tangible presence in this world," said Rabbi Jonathan
Jaffe Bernhard in his welcoming remarks. "These two men have given
witness and brought God's presence into the world, and have alleviated
the suffering of others."
The Jewish World Watch "iWitness Award" honors individuals who have
devoted themselves to documenting events related to genocide in the
hope that this recognition of their efforts can bring the world closer
to the day that there will longer be genocide.
"Jewish World Watch began with the spiritual challenge to
congregations and Jewish communities to open our eyes and hearts to
the suffering happening around the world," said founding president
Janice Kamenir-Reznick. "Because we know about denial, we too are
outraged and demand that the world cry out to honor your dead and your
genocide."
The iWitness Awards are the fourth in a series of joint Jewish and
Armenian commemorative events that the human rights organization has
cosponsored. In an effort to bridge the divide between the two
communities, Jewish World Watch hosted a screening of the acclaimed
film Screamers; held a screening of Professor Hagopian's Voices from
the Lake; and just three weeks ago held a historic commemoration of
the Armenian Genocide at the Valley Beth Shalom Synagogue in Encino.
"This event brings together two worlds that I am a part of, two
worlds that have not met, two worlds who often find what divides us
instead of what unites us," said Los Angeles City Council President
Eric Garcetti, as he explained that he is the son of a Jewish mother
and that his 13th Council district encompasses Hollywood's Little
Armenia. "There are no two peoples with as old and common histories as
the Jews and Armenians. Let us honor those tragedies, but also
remember that we survived and that is what we celebrate tonight -- two
active witnesses who never forgot, but also spoke out. Genocide as a
word was never about the killing of one people, but the killing of all
people. It is part of human history, as well as the Jewish and
Armenian one."
Rabbi Harold Schulweis founded Jewish World Watch in October 2004 as
a response to the horrors perpetrated by human beings against others.
According to the organization's Web site, Schulweis was moved to
action because of the Holocaust and the many post-Holocaust genocides
that he witnessed. Yet, he is equally sensitive to the pre-Holocaust
genocide -- the Armenian Genocide. "You can learn a lot about Armenian
history and its genocide. But there is no substitute for meeting, for
looking into the eyes of my Armenian brother -- for laughing, singing,
praying, and mourning together," said Schulweis. "We own a kinship of
suffering. We know what it means to be hated, starved, and for the
world to remain silent. This is the 92nd Yahrzeit of the Genocide.
But, while we mourn together, we are not only mourners -- we are
comforters and consolers."
His gesture of solidarity was warmly received by Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, who commended Jewish World Watch for committing its
personnel and resources to developing educational efforts to combat
genocide and denial throughout the world. "Human rights violations
have been a plague on the world, and have affected the lives of many
diverse peoples. These violations represent an absence of value and
respect for human life," said Mardirossian. "Genocide is a horror that
must be remembered as a demonstration of man's capacity for atrocity
and inhumanity. Ethnic cleansing will not be tolerated, and can only
be stopped through recognition. We must rely on the survivors to tell
their stories, and on scholars and archivists to be heroes in their
fields."
California State Assembly member Paul Krekorian introduced the
evening's first honoree, Professor J. Michael Hagopian as not only a
"respected scholar, a pioneer in research, and a fearless advocate for
the truth" but also "one of the last surviving eyewitnesses of the
Armenian Genocide who spent a lifetime seeking out and recording the
testimonies of other survivors throughout the world."
Hagopian's birthplace in the Western Armenian village of Kharpert
was destroyed, and everyone in his family was killed. "But, baby
Michael survived. He may not personally remember, but he spent a long
lifetime making sure that the world would never forget," said
Krekorian. "As the founder of the Armenian Film Foundation -- long
before Steven Spielberg created the Shoah Foudation -- Michael had the
foresight to save the oral accounts of genocide victims. As of today,
more than 400 have been preserved. The voices of witnesses have been
immortalized as the irrefutable response to revisionists and deniers
and will serve as the truth for future generations."
In receiving his "iWitness Award," Hagopian acknowledged those
survivors, as well as the two communities gathered to pay tribute to
them that evening. "Americans of Armenian heritage join with you in
this temple, just as committed against injustice. Jewish World Watch
has taken a monumental step by recognizing the Armenian Genocide,"
said Hagopian. "There are and will be detractors from our side and
your side. But together, sons and daughters of Hebrew prophets and the
descendants of Armenian patriarchs, we can combat other genocides and
the perpetrators and deniers of past genocides."
David Myers, a professor of history at UCLA,introduced his friend
and colleague Richard Hovannisian by comparing him to two historians
of long ago: Movses Khorenatsi and Shimon Dubnow. The former is the
founding father of Armenian history, and the latter is a 20th century
Jewish historian who is best remembered for his call to the Jews who
were being targeted by Hitler to "write and record that which is being
done to you."
"There are deep bonds of affinity between the Jews and Armenians.
Both people know the searing pain of denial. But perhaps both know the
secret of survival is creative adaptation and ceaseless cultural
vitality in the face of adversity -- of life trumping death," said
Myers. "We have a unique calling for seeking out and exposing the
truth, and Richard Hovannisian is the embodiment of that calling. We
are all in the debt of Jewish World Watch for having the wisdom to
select for the 'iWitness Award' a teacher, scholar, patriot, humanist,
and a mensch of the greatest distinction."
"I'm very grateful to Jewish World Watch. But I'm also thankful to
the Armenian community and organizations who, for the first time in 90
years, are bringing themselves to be activists for others," said
Hovannisian. "The wound is deep and open, and Armenians have been
unable to focus anywhere else until it healed. But in the last few
years, Armenians have joined hands with Jews and others in the name of
Darfur. It is a healthy development, but not without problems. We're
not always happy with the state positions of the Israeli and Armenian
governments. But we as people are not confined by those restraints
that they may feel."
Hovannisian spoke of the Jews in the past and present who have
helped to forge a connection with the Armenian world, including Henry
Morgenthau, Franz Werfel, and Rafael Lemkin, along with Helen Fein,
Israel Charny, and Yair Auron, among others.
In closing, he recalled how as a child in the San Joaquin Valley he
had been charged by his father with maintaining the dams at the end of
each row of vines that would keep the irrigation water from spilling
out into the highway. He described it as a Sisyphean task -- the water
would fill the rows and would invariably spill out, leaving him and
his brothers to shovel the dirt back onto the bank. "It was a hopeless
job. We'd spend ten minutes shoveling the dirt, but the water was so
rapid that it continued to wash away the sands. But slowly we'd build
the support, and the little bank would come above water, and we'd
rebuild," said Hovannisian. "We're all pieces of sand and dirt. We
will be washed away. But if we persist and if we believe in our goals,
we will sacrifice and dam up the damnation of genocide."
On behalf of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA),
Souzi Zerounian-Khanzadian offered congratulatory remarks to the two
honorees and applauded Jewish World Watch for its work in raising
genocide awareness. "This event and the events of the last few weeks
mark an important page in the collaboration of the Armenian-American
and Jewish-American communities. Our shared past as victims and
survivors of genocide obligates us to serve the world in educating and
spreading awareness about this terrible crime and prevent it from
recurring," said Zerounian-Khanzadian. "We are truly fortunate to have
Professors Hovannisian and Hagopian walk among us, and we take heart
in knowing that their work has resonance in the Jewish community, as
well. The ANC applauds them because they are an inspiration for us who
know that the only disinfectant for the infection of denial is truth.
Through their life's work, they have shown us the only way that the
truth can prevail is through serving humanity as a witness."
In attendance that evening were V. Rev. Fr. Dajad Yardemian and
deacon Megerdich Ksajikian of the Western Diocese of the Armenian
Church on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian; Lisa
Kalustian on behalf of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger; Haig Kartounian
on behalf of Rep. Adam Schiff; Los Angeles City Council member Wendy
Greuel; Judge Zaven Sinanian; as well as representatives from Rep.
Brad Sherman's office, the Armenian Assembly of America, the Armenian
Film Foundation, and the ANCA.
"These two peoples share a common tragedy, but that can serve to
prevent future tragedies from happening," said Kalustian, who also
participated in last month's inter-faith commemoration of the Armenian
genocide. "There's a synergy there and these types of activities are
very much in line with what the governor believes, his actions and his
words."
"It was a wonderful event, which honored two very prominent members
of our community, and we especially want to acknowledge the work of
Jewish World Watch because they have played a leadership role in
brining together the Armenian and Jewish communities and building a
bridge -- not only between the past and present, but also to the
future," said Armenian Assembly of America community relations
director Narine Zardarian.
On two occasions during the program, The Yuval Ron Ensemble,
comprising Jewish and Armenian members, delighted the audience with
their harmonious renditions of Jewish and Armenian traditional songs.
The evening ended with the singing of the Armenian and Israeli
national anthems, along with "America the Beautiful," with the
ensemble's accompaniment.
********************************* ******************************************
3. David Gaunt discusses massacres and resistance
by Arin Mikailian
SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. -- Genocide historian Professor David Gaunt,
speaking at Merdinian Armenian Christian School on May 11, shed some
light on the massacres of Assyrians and Armenians during the First
World War.
The lecture was the last stop in California for his series,
"Massacres and Resistance: The Genocide of the Armenians and Assyrians
Based on New Evidence from the Archives."
Gaunt's speech included evidence he found through his own research
in Ottoman archives in Istanbul. By piecing together a timeline with
actual documents, Gaunt said he hoped to get a better idea of how
certain individuals thought and communicated during this dark time in
history.
"I'm more of a social historian than a political historian," he
said. "My intention in doing this was to be more of a natural
scientist and to see how many different kinds of documentation you can
find in such a small area to see who are the perpetrators,
instigators, planners, what are the motivations that are going through
their heads, and how are people reacting."
Before diving into his research findings, Gaunt gave a little
background on Turkey in 1915 and in the years before and after.
Turkey was a melting pot, he said, with Assyrians and Armenians
scattered throughout the empire. Ministers of the interior, including
Talaat Pasha, forced minorities, including Armenians and Assyrians, to
move. No village was to have more than two dozen individuals from a
single minority, Gaunt said.
"This means it's impossible to keep your culture and religion," said
Gaunt. "Not being in contact with your religious leader and it's very
probably that you convert over to Islam in order to have some kind of
religious life."
In 1915, Russia and Turkey were at war. Russian forces --
Russian-Armenians among them -- achieved an astonishing victory at the
Battle of Dilman on May 2. Gaunt said this frightened the Turkish
government and a massacre of Armenian and Assyrian Christians ensued.
Gaunt said that the Russian press kept records of the massacres.
"Armenian journalists writing in the Russian press wrote about both
the Armenians and Assyrians," he said. "It was a fairly amazing
document."
Gaunt then moved on to demonstrating the importance of how
documentation has kept the images of genocide alive for generations.
He discussed the manuscript, "The Calamities of the Christians,"
written by Ishaq Armalto, an Assyrian priest who chronicled the
slaughters of villagers in the town of Mardin in June 1915.
Gaunt said one of the most important sections of this document,
which weighs in at 600 pages, was a description of another Catholic
priest Ignace Maloyan, and his last days of life.
Gaunt discussed how Armalto described how Maloyan was framed by
Turks, who planted weapons in his church so he could be accused of
aiding the Russians.
"No other book is as complete about the destruction of the Armenian
community," said Gaunt.
Gaunt then talked about another priest who set up an orphanage in
the city of Van after it was devastated by the Young Turks.
Gaunt said his account gave a numerical account of Armenians and
Assyrians before and after the massacre.
Prior to the killings, there were 10,500 Armenians living in the
Mardin area, according to the priest's account. After the massacre
there were only about 300 left.
"These are extreme losses of life," he said. "It's possible there
are other places with similar high proportions, but we just don't know
at the moment."
While sifting through countless documents in the archives in
Istanbul, Gaunt found an important telegram, he said.
It was a message discussing what should be done about Assyrians and
Armenians. The message accused Armenians and Assyrians of being in
revolt against the state.
"It said the revolt should be treated with the utmost severity,"
said Gaunt. "This comes from Enver Pasha, the minister of war."
Before bringing his speech to an end, Gaunt discussed his most
recent brush with history.
In the fall of last year, a mass grave was found near Mardin. Local
villagers claimed the grave contained the remains of 38 Armenians from
1915.
Gaunt said the head of the Turkish Historical Society, Yusuf
Halacoglu, dismissed the theory and claimed they were remains from the
Roman Empire.
But on the day Gaunt hoped to conduct a scientific investigation, he
found the location of the grave empty, with only a few bones
remaining.
Gaunt said the matter left him without a means to conduct an
investigation and reach a credible solution.
While the site was questionably evacuated and Gaunt had become
subject to ridicule in some Turkish newspapers, some individuals are
starting to side with his skepticism about what really happened to the
remains.
"I've managed to get a few journalists on my side," he said.
After the speech, some audience members said they felt more informed
about a part of history about which they didn't know too much.
"I'm glad that people are talking about what he's talking about, I
want to know more and come to future lectures about it," said Virginia
Karnik, 33. "Our great grandparents are slowly dying and soon will not
be around to tell us what happened in that part of history. We need to
have that connection to the past."
The event was sponsored by National Association for Armenian Studies
and Research and the Assyrian American National Federation.
************************************ ***************************************
4. For a fun ride through a carnival of life, flag down Taxi, Taxi on June 9-10
by Anna Vandyan
ENGLEWOOD, N.J. -- The Tekeyan Cultural Association's Mher Megerdchian
Theatrical Group will premiere Taxi, Taxi, or Love in a Suitcase,
directed by Vardan Garniki, on Saturday and Sunday, June 9 and 10.
Taxi, Taxi is an unusual play -- difficult to pigeon-hole into any
one comedic genre. According to producers, it involves elements of
tragi-comedy, situation comedy, comedy of errors, and a love story --
among other things.
Most of all, it insightfully conveys the realities of life during
Armenia's Soviet era (when the play was originally mounted), locating
humor in the language-mishaps between Armenians of different
backgrounds, and framing relationships involving the family, employers
and employees, and romantic couples in acute and funny ways.
In Armenia, Taxi, Taxi is a well-known work by Jirayr Ananian,
remembered for its brilliant staging years ago. But it has remained
relatively unknown in the diaspora. Director Vardan Garniki has
rediscovered Ananian's play and reconceived it for people who would be
otherwise unacquainted with its sharp wit and poignancy.
As staged by Garniki, Taxi, Taxi has found new freshness,
timeliness, and relevance for a diaspora audience. Garniki has imbued
the play with new colors and vibrancies, bringing out its
larger-than-life emotions, sense of fun, and universal values.
The new production of Taxi, Taxi features an exceptional cast of
actors from Armenia and the diaspora, who have uncovered interesting
nuances and new comedic moments in the play. Most of these arose in
rehearsal from on-the-spot improvisations by the director and his
actors, all of whom share a magnificent onstage chemistry.
The public is invited to become a part of this colorful, funny
carnival of life by taking a ride on Taxi, Taxi, when the curtain
rises for two performances at the Dwight Englewood School Auditorium,
315 East Palisade Avenue, in Englewood. The Saturday, June 9 show
starts at 8:00 p.m., and the Sunday, June 10 show starts at 5:00 p.m.
Tickets go for $35 and $25. For information and tickets, call Marie
Zokian at (201) 947-4365, or Noushig Atamian at (718) 894-5878.
*************************************** ************************************
5. Through drama, students retrace the steps, and re-live the
torments, of their persecuted ancestors
by Melissa Selverian
RADNOR, Pa. -- "When a grain of wheat dies, it bears more fruit," said
Fr. Armenag Bedrossian to students of Radnor's Armenian Sisters
Academy on April 24. "You are that fruit: You turn each April 24 into
a day of harvest."
He made the remarks following the students' performance honoring the
memory of the victims and survivors of the 1915 Genocide. The
performance aroused tears, prayers, and hope in an audience of family
and friends, as they traced the paths and stories of countless fellow
Armenians exiled and slain 92 years before.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania had marked the day as one of
official mourning for the Armenian people, and a resolution issued by
Delaware county stated that in 1915, "the Ottoman Empire began the
planned extermination of the Armenian people from Armenia's 2,500 year
historic homeland [where] approximately 1,500,000 men, women and
children were killed and hundreds of thousands more were expelled from
their homes, violated, tortured and driven into exile during the
Armenian Genocide."
Sisters Academy parents Anna Marie and Frank Murphy, who initiated
the county and state recognitions with the help of State Senator
Dominic Pileggi and County Councilwoman Linda Cartisano, had gathered
at Delaware County Courthouse on April 17, along with a group
including Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian as well as the Academy's Sister
Anna Jobanian, students Natalie and Julianna Murphy, Sarah and Meline
Derderian, and Lauren Semerjian, to accept the resolution.
At the Academy's April 24 event, children celebrated life after the
Genocide by planting flowers outside their gymnasium, then took to the
stage to re-enact the atrocities of the 1915 massacres -- in order to
"come to terms with the injustices of oppression and persecution and
to rise above them," according to Sister Anna Jobanian.
Eighth-grader Gregory Megerian sat as a grandfather huddled in a
corner recounting the horrors of his past, as fellow students acted
out flashbacks of Turkish gendarmes pillaging his village, killing his
father, brother and sister, and assaulting his mother. The vivid
dramatizations sparked discussions among speakers, students and guests
about the continuance of genocide throughout the world.
Academy families, friends, and faculty joined the students as they
prayed and sang in honor of the Armenian martyrs, to express their
grief, courage, faith and survival. As the ceremony drew quietly to a
close, children placed memorial ribbons on a large black cross at the
front of the stage, accompanied by readings from 8th graders Garen
Kaloustian and Gregory Megerian.
Fr. Bedrossian of St. Mark's Armenian Catholic Church officiated
over a requiem service, accompanied by the Academy's music director
Maroush Paneyan-Nigon.
********************************** *****************************************
6. Fishing for Romeo & Juliet
* All the world's a stage
by Harout Arakelian
PASADENA, Calif. -- The eighth-grade class of St. Gregory's Alfred &
Marguerite Hovsepian School held its annual school play last week. The
play, "Fishing for Romeo & Juliet," was written by school principal
and accomplished writer Shahe Mankerian. The play was held at the
school's Calustian-Dunaians Hall in Pasadena.
Prior to the closing-night performance the cast of students and the
writer-principal had an opportunity to reflect on the past year and
discuss the play. One of the young actors, eighth-grader Garegin
Chepian says of the play, "It's 'Romeo & Juliet' except it's a comedy
during the rehearsal of the play and it's weird." When asked about his
role in the play, he looks down and somewhat shamefully admits that
he's Juliet. For these eighth-grade boys, it may be difficult to dress
as a girl before the entire school. But Garegin and the other boys can
hold their heads high: his portrayal of Juliet was quite good, and the
play as a whole was exceptionally original, with a boyish attitude.
Shahe Mankerian has spent the year nurturing his students, preparing
them for the future. He felt this play specifically would be a perfect
fit for this particular class, one that holds a total of 12 students.
In discussing the small class size, Mr. Mankerian (or Baron Shahe as
his students call him) says, "It's a challenge, with a class this
size. We basically have to create a community with them." The students
admit that they were a rowdy bunch in previous years. Mr. Mankerian
gave them a fresh start and fresh opportunities. "I think they've
come a long way this year," he says of the young actors before him.
"They went from being one of the worst to now being one of the best
classes this school has ever seen. The other students really look up
to them and they have a really positive presence this year. Another
thing is a class like this is perfect for the play because they needed
a place to act up or act out their craziness. More or less they all
act their own characters on stage"
"Fishing For Romeo & Juliet" is a play about the chaos and hectic
ordeals that go on with producing a theatrical production. It's
creatively witty and gives the young actors the opportunity to
discover a fresh way to share their comedic talents. The play was
written staying true to Shakespeare's iambic pentameter. Shahe
Mankerian wrote the play but during rehearsals the cast made
adjustments. "A lot of craziness happens, some of it works and we put
it in the play; some of it doesn't. We still allow the space for a lot
of things to be added." He added, "One thing was for certain: We could
not mess with the sentences of the play because they're all in iambic
pentameter, even if we were going to add lines we made sure it
followed the meter." Written in the tradition of Shakespeare's plays,
it also meant only the boys could be on-stage. Mr. Mankerian
brilliantly had a remedy to include the lone two girls of his
eighth-grade class. Ovsanna Garabedian and Nairie Tarakchian played
the roles of puppeteers. Operating two hand-held puppets they
interacted with the characters onstage while adding snide, witty, or
comedic lines throughout the play, also performing as a chorus in the
traditional stage sense. Having no experience with puppets, Nairie
Tarakchian says, "We didn't know how to perform with the puppets but
we practiced a lot and it's easier with practice. You have to perform
as if the puppet is you as an actor."
Getting the boys to agree to wear tights was something that
concerned Mr. Mankerian, "I think the whole process was quite
interesting. Personally when I first presented them with the play I
didn't think they would go for it. Because I'd asked a couple of the
guys in the class to play girls, and I thought either they're going to
say, 'Ahh… Baron, this is like stupid and we're not going to do this'
(as he sighs and mimics kids) or they were going to go for it. In the
beginning they argued with it but eventually they went for it. It's
pretty funny watching them.… Yesterday there was a teacher here from
an American school, he came up to me and said, 'There's no way I'd be
able to do this play in a public school. The guys would not go for
this.'"
Mher Bashian, the playful outspoken one of the bunch, interrupts
Baron Shahe to state boldly, "We're Armenians and we do crazy things
like that."
Shahe explains it more clearly, "We're a small class, and we're
basically a tight-knit family. It's easier because they can see the
vision of this, they can find it funny also. And they also realize
that the audience thinks the play is funny."
The students run the production of the play; they are the actors,
the lighting technicians, the sound operators, and the ticket-booth
workers. As family and guests arrive it is the students who greet them
at the door, welcoming the guests to a performance they have worked on
hard and happily. One might not expect too many charming moments in an
eighth-grade play, but in "Fishing For Romeo & Juliet" there were many
of them. The play opens to a Stevie Wonder tune, with the theater's
custodian sweeping the floors and addressing the audience. This
character is also the prince in the play and is aptly named Ishkhan.
He is played by Sevagg Kazarian. When asked about his character and
his lines of dialogue, Sevagg recites a certain line, "The world is
full of garbage a blind man needs an octopus to clean up this mess,
this line I say randomly throughout the play. William Soroyan used it
in one of his plays, it wasn't the same line but it was like that.
That's why I like it." Mr. Mankerian adds, "it symbolizes the mess
these people have created onstage and he [Sevagg] is going to clean it
up."
Shahe Mankerian was able to involve his students and helped them
believe in their characters. The audience was able to see how much fun
the students were having on stage simply by the performances of Arsan
Melidonian who seemed to be having a blast playing the flirtatious
Lady Capulet and Alex Gharakhani who portrayed Friar Lawrence, with an
exceptional performance channeling in a Southern Baptist preachers'
drawl into his delivery. During rehearsal they had problems with the
way Gharakhani played Friar Lawrence, Mr. Mankerian remembering, "Alex
was very interesting. I kept telling him how he had to play the part.
For some reason he was not able to do it, until the second
performance." Alex and his classmates all nod in agreement. "He just
couldn't do it until all of a sudden on stage he just channeled it."
Alex explains "it was a joke before the play and everybody laughed
so I felt, 'Okay I can do this during the play,' and it just worked
out."
Of the performances that stood out was Daniel Madatovian portraying
the French director of the play. It was remarkable how Madatovian
remained in character throughout the play performing with a heavy
French accent coupled by heavy stereotypical characteristics of the
role. Also worthy of mention was the portrayal of Juliet. It was
performed exceptionally well by Garegin Chepian. One could easily tell
he was not happy having to dress as a girl, and that was the charm of
the bitter character that he performs.
The closing act of the play is the entire cast, led by the janitor,
lip-syncing the classic tune S'amore. As the house lights came up the
audience's applause and appreciation was heard.
Next for Shahe Mankerian and his students is a trip to the east
coast. Over the course of the year, Mr. Mankerian is doing all he can
to maintain the high standards he has for the Armenian youth he's
involved with, motivating them to reach for more and apply themselves
in ways they normally wouldn't. Here is how Arsan Melidonian describes
his experience: "Up until the eighth grade I used to be very shy. I
couldn't even stand up in front of a small class and say anything. But
now with the things Baron Shahe has taught me I have no problems doing
plays and things like this." And as Garegin Chepian stated, "Baron
Shahe kills the butterflies, and as he says, 'Your principal is your
pal.'" Nairie Tarakchian says he "is like a second dad for us. He
actually cares and wants to know how we're doing."
The eyes of these young actors light up as they talk about their
principal, the kids tease him a bit, but in that teasing what is most
important is the understanding of his dedication to them as
individuals who's future is bright, and who's eighth-grade play is an
accomplishment they can all be proud of.
********************************************* ******************************
7. Greater Boston parish approaches Martyrs Day through a celebration
of survival
by Seta Buchter
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- During a special weekend of activities at
Cambridge's Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Diocesan Primate Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian presided over the ordination of eight local students,
the dedication of a new handicapped-accessible church entrance, and a
lecture by a survivor of the Rwandan genocide.
On Saturday evening, April 21, Archbishop Barsamian assisted by
parish pastor Fr. Vasken Kouzouian, Fr. Oshagan Minassian, Fr. Mampre
Kouzouian, and Fr. Khachatur Kesablyan, conducted a service conferring
the four minor orders (Doorkeeper, Reader, Exorcist, and Candle
Bearer) of acolyte on Nayiri Ayanian (daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Mark
Ayanian); Gregory Dorian (son of Mr. and Mrs. David Dorian); Alexander
Ensign (son of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Ensign); Ani Hollisian (daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Ara Hollisian); Ani Soultanian (daughter of Dean
Soultanian and Arlene Kasarjian); Lori Keverian (daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. George Keverian); Caroline Thayer (daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Harvey Thayer); and Haig Torosian (son of Mr. and Mrs. Kaspar
Torosian).
The evening was preceded by an "ice cream social," during which the
acolytes and their families had an opportunity to spend time
informally with Archbishop Barsamian.
On Sunday, April 22, the Primate presided over the Divine
Liturgycelebrated by Fr. Khachatur Kesablyan, a pastoral intern at the
Cambridge church. To conclude the Divine Liturgy, the archbishop
blessed three liturgical robes donated by Ara and Janet Dermovsesian,
James Kalustian, and Gregory and Carol Krikorian. Then Sunday School
students and the eight new acolytes led a procession to the parish's
Martyrs Monument, where Archbishop Barsamian conducted a requiem
service to commemorate the 92nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
Earlier that morning, he had led a similar service for the parish's
primary-grade Sunday School students.
* Two families honored
What followed was a ribbon-cutting for the church's new
handicapped-accessible entrance and walkway, and a re-dedication
ceremony for its Bridal Room. The projects had been brought to
fruition through the generosity of two long-serving families of the
Holy Trinity Church. Daniel K. and Helene Dorian and family donated
the new walkway and handicapped-accessible church entrance; and the
children and families of the late Aram and Nubar Hintlian -- Mrs. Aram
Hintlian, Aram and Becky Hintlian, Cynthia and Richard Kazanjian,
Nancy Hintlian, Mrs. Gregory Hintlian, Harry and Mary Hintlian,
Lorraine and Robert Damerjian, Arnold Hintlian and Arleen Hintlian --
contributed the renovations to the Bridal Room.
The Dorian and Hintlian families have been pillars of Holy Trinity
Church and the community in general.
Dan Dorian, a member of the parish council, a Diocesan Delegate and
Diocesan Council member, was honored in 1994 with the St. Nersess
Shnorhali Medal by the late Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness
Vasken I. Helene Dorian was the first woman elected to chair the
parish council, and a founder andchair of the Women's Guild Central
Council.
The late Aram Hintlian, Sr., a 1984 parish "Man of the Year," was a
member of the parish council and thebuilding committee that built the
church on Brattle Street in Cambridge. The late Nubar Hintlian, Holy
Trinity's 1979 "Man of the Year," likewise served as a parish council
member and Diocesan Delegate, and was treasurer of the church building
committee.
A reception honoring all the benefactors was held in the church's
Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall. The weekend's special
events concluded on Sunday afternoon with the Dr. Michael and Joyce
Kolligian Distinguished Speaker Series presenting Rwandan genocide
survivor and author Immaculйe Ilibagiza (see the sidebar story).
* * *
Sidebar: From the ashes of genocide comes a story of survival and forgiveness
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- "What began in April 1994 in the land of Rwanda
was sadly no different than what began nearly 80 years earlier, in
April 1915, in the land of Armenia," said Fr. Vasken Kouzouian, pastor
of Holy Trinity Church, in remarks introducing speaker Immaculйe
Ilibagiza on April 22.
The author of Left to Tell, Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan
Holocaust,shared her remarkable story of survival during the Rwandan
genocide -- and the spiritual journey which led her to forgiveness and
a deeper relationship with God.
In 1994, during the Rwandan genocide, Ms. Ilibagiza and seven other
women huddled together in a cramped bathroom for 91 days while
hundreds of machete-wielding killers looked for them. Unable to
converse for fear of being discovered, and barely able to move or
sleep, the anxiety at the prospect of violent death proved a source of
mental and physical torture for her.
But it was in the crucible of this terror that she discovered the
power of prayer and complete trust in God. Nevertheless, the conflict
between good and evil, and love and hate, continued to cause her
internal turmoil. In Ms. Ilibagiza's telling, it wasn't until she
realized that "it was possible to forgive the unforgivable" that she
was able to find peace and move forward with her life, despite the
brutal murder of her family and the atrocities perpetuated against her
people.
Having survived the genocide, Immaculйe spoke about her persistence
and strong faith, which enabled her to find employment with the United
Nations in Rwanda. During this time she met her future husband, Bryan
Black, who was in Rwanda to set up the UN court that would prosecute
those responsible for the genocide. Four years after her ordeal,
Immaculйe immigrated to the United States and began working for the UN
in New York.
Ms. Ilibagiza spoke at the parish as part of the Dr. Michael and
Joyce Kolligian Distinguished Speaker Series. The event was presided
over by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian; also in attendance were Rev.
Diane Kessler, of the Massachusetts Council of Churches; Fr. Thomas
Fitzgerald, dean of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology; Rev.
Karen Montagno, dean of Spiritual Formation at the Episcopal Divinity
School in Cambridge; and clergy from the Armenian churches in New
England.
Archbishop Barsmian concluded the program by thanking Immaculйe "for
being here to share your remarkable story. We identify with you in a
very special way, not only because of your ordeal, but because you
have taken up the cross and given a powerful witness to that profound
love that can only come from God." -- S.A.B.
****************************************** *********************************
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May 19, 2007 -- From the community section
To see the printed version of the newspaper, complete with photographs
and additional content, visit www.reporter.am and download the pdf
files. It's free.
1. Aid to Armenia, financial and humanitarian, highlighted at
AmeriCares' 25th anniversary (by Rachel Dodakian)
Sidebar: A reunion recalls the compassion and hope that emerged from disaster
Sidebar: After 18 years, the specter of trauma still haunts
2. Richard Hovannisian, J. Michael Hagopian honored with iWitness
Awards (by Jenny Kiljian)
3. David Gaunt discusses massacres and resistance (by Arin Mikailian)
4. For a fun ride through a carnival of life, flag down Taxi, Taxi on
June 9-10 (by Anna Vandyan)
5. Through drama, students retrace the steps, and re-live the
torments, of their persecuted ancestors (by Melissa Selverian)
6. Fishing for Romeo & Juliet (by Harout Arakelian)
* All the world's a stage
7. Greater Boston parish approaches Martyrs Day through a celebration
of survival (by Seta Buchter)
Sidebar: From the ashes of genocide comes a story of survival and forgiveness
************************************* **************************************
1. Aid to Armenia, financial and humanitarian, highlighted at
AmeriCares' 25th anniversary
by Rachel Dodakian
NEW YORK -- AmeriCares, the first American relief organization to
respond to the earthquake that ripped through Armenia in 1988, marked
its 25-year milestone last Thursday at a black tie anniversary gala in
downtown Manhattan, co-chaired by President George H.W. Bush, First
Lady Barbara Bush, and Nobel laureate Dr. Elie Wiesel.
About 700 guests attended the May 10 event, which raised $1 million
for the non-profit international disaster relief and humanitarian aid
organization.
But one guest in particular came an exceptionally long way to share
in the celebration. Arman Ghazarian, who at the age of eight suffered
massive injuries during the earthquake, was flown by AmeriCares from
Yerevan to New York City earlier in the week to both honor and to be
honored by the Stamford, Connecticut-based humanitarian group that
delivered critical medical attention to him just after the quake
leveled his village, killing his mother and almost all of his
classmates.
"The city is very nice, and the people seem nice too," said
Ghazarian of his first impression of New York.
* Emotional reunion
Ghazarian, 26, of Spitak, first came to New York City in February 1989
to undergo extensive surgery to repair his skull and legs, which were
crushed when his school collapsed onto him and others. AmeriCares
brought him New York City's Hospital for Joint Diseases and Orthopedic
Institute to repair his cranial contusions and save his left leg,
which was mangled so badly it was nearly amputated.
The Halvajian family, of Saddle River, N.J., cared for and comforted
Ghazarian while he underwent the two months of painful orthopedic
reconstructive surgery in 1989. AmeriCares brought Ghazarian and the
Halvajians together again for the first time in nearly 18 years during
an emotional reunion in Fair Lawn, N.J. earlier in the week (see the
sidebar story).
"Stamford has a pretty big Armenian community and they were very
generous after the Spitak earthquake," said Elizabeth Walsh,
communications director of AmeriCares.
In addition to spending time with Arthur and Araxy Halvajian,
AmeriCares also made it possible for Arman to meet other Armenians in
the tri-state area who reached out to him as he endured his operations
6,000 miles away from his family.
"They took in a lot of survivors also, so he has been meeting
various people from the Stamford community and then he has gone into
the city to meet some Armenians in New York that visited him when he
was a boy while he was in the hospital," said Walsh.
* Immediate response
In the aftermath of the earthquake, AmeriCares immediately mobilized
plane loads of medical supplies to the devastated region and made a
major impact -- despite transportation logjams and chaos. Shortly
thereafter, in conjunction with the non-profit United Armenian Fund
(UAF), led by California-based activist and writer Harut Sassounian,
they were able to help thousands of earthquake survivors receive
critical medical attention. UAF works closely with Armenia's Ministry
of Health to distribute medical relief and supplies through the
country today.
"Ever since the earthquake in Armenia, AmeriCares has been on the
forefront of the assistance to Armenia," said Sassounian, who was also
present at the May 10 gala.
"They rushed a huge amount of supplies to Armenia initially through
their own transportation and planes, and later on when [UAF was]
formed we partnered together and we've been together for the past 17
years helping Armenia. So far they've donated close to $70 million of
medicines and medical supplies, and we provide transportation: we take
it to Armenia and we distribute it throughout Armenia to all the
hospitals and clinics."
In regard to getting supplies to remote regions, Sassounian
reflected on the changes he's seen since days of logistical nightmares
during the Soviet-era earthquake, versus how things work today.
"There's a world of difference between the aftermath of the
earthquake, where there's total chaos and destruction, and today,
where the country has advanced quite a bit from those days. It has
recovered, there's construction going on, recovery -- as a matter of
fact there's a lot of developments in Armenia, so things are going
smoothly."
* What it means to care
Giant candle-lit wreaths packed with fresh red roses bordered the
column-lined entrance archway to the Cipriani restaurant ballroom, as
Secret Service personnel continuously made security sweeps to the
inside and surrounding areas of the Wall Street venue in anticipation
for President Bush Sr.'s arrival.
Throughout the evening guests mingled, and though there was no
podium introduction of Ghazarian to the estimated 700 guests in
attendance that night, he did personally meet President Bush Sr. and
other distinguished guests, with Sassounian translating during the
introductions.
The event marked a milestone in the relief agency's history. Since
its founding in 1982 by Stamford couple Bob and Leila Macauley,
AmeriCares has raised more than $6.5 billion in aid for more than 137
countries around the world. The message of the evening was framed
around the idea of combating indifference to global suffering and
hardship.
"Our gala evening will be a celebration of 25 years of compassion,
passion, and generosity that has touched millions of people in need
around the world," said AmeriCares President and CEO Curt Welling.
Paul Rusesabagina, the man who in 1994 risked his life, defying both
indifference and duress to save 1,000 people from being butchered
during the Rwandan Genocide, and who was the inspiration for the film
Hotel Rwanda, spoke about the alarming cycle of human-on-human
violence and global indifference, as "the Armenian Genocide, the
Holocaust, the Rwandan Genocide, and now Darfur," have been allowed to
unfold, with reaction from the world coming too little too late.
Dr. Wiesel, who did not stay for dinner, addressed the problem of
indifference, of challenging the idea of simply tolerating "others,"
and pushing ourselves to go further to embrace others, "to respect the
otherness of others," and to elevate the levels of humanity and
dignity with which we treat one other. "It is often we ask ourselves
the question, and anyone who studies contemporary history must share
in that quest for an answer, Will the world ever learn?" pressed
Wiesel. He then asked the audience to reflect on the fact that on that
evening, "every single minute, a child in the world would be dying of
disease, of violence, of hunger, and yet you will go on eating."
CBS's Harry Smith was Master of Ceremonies for the event and
introduced President George H.W. Bush shortly before dinner was
served. The former President discussed Mikhail Gorbachev's reaction to
a televised image of Jeb Bush and Jeb's then-young son George P.
Bush's (nephew of President George W. Bush) visit to an Armenian
Church in Soviet Armenia shortly after the earthquake as part of an
AmeriCares relief effort.
"[Gorbachev] said to me, 'When your son wept in that church with his
little boy with him, he did more for U.S.-Soviet relations than you
can possibly imagine,' and he said it went all through the Soviet
Union, this gesture of friendship on behalf of the American people.
And that was an AmeriCares thing, and I'll never ever forget," said
Bush Sr.
As people dined, soft music ebbed from overhanging speakers while
three globe-shaped video screens, back-lit with the AmeriCares logo,
faded pictures in and out of people from a few of the countries
AmeriCares has made a difference in over the years. Two different
pictures of Armenia appeared during the montage, one dated 2000 during
one of the droughts of the decade, and one 1988, which featured
eight-year-old Ghazarian being cradled by his grandfather shortly
after undergoing emergency surgery; in the photo the left side of his
head above his ear was shaved, and his wound was still visible.
"I'm very impressed," said Ghazarian over dessert, referring
everything he'd witnessed that evening.
Harut Sassounian said: "It's a great honor for Arman and I to be
part of this very special event, [AmeriCares'] 25th anniversary, with
such distinguished VIP guests, the former President.... We want to
thank them once again for all the help over the years they've given --
and they're still committed to assist Armenia for a long time to come,
so we're very grateful for this special assistance."
Before flying back to Yerevan on May 12, Ghazarian toured New York
City and attended a Mets game on Saturday, facilitated by AmeriCares
International Programs project manager Jim O'Brien, who hired a
Russian translator to accompany them for part of the week.
In addition to bringing medical relief to people internationally,
AmeriCares also reaches out locally to people through its AmeriCares
Free Clinics, like the one in Norwalk, Conn. AmeriCares also responded
in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and to the September
11, 2001 attacks on New York City.
* * *
Sidebar: A reunion recalls the compassion and hope that emerged from disaster
When Arman Ghazarian reunited this week with the New Jersey family
that hosted and cared for him 18 years ago, "He gave us a big hug,"
said Arthur Halvajian of Saddle River.
First brought to America in the aftermath of the 1988 earthquake,
the then-8-year-old Spitak native was suffering from a crushed skull
and a badly mangled left leg which left him unable to walk.
The humanitarian organization AmeriCares had flown him to New York
for medical treatment -- and brought him back this week to take part
in the organization's 25th anniversary event.
Now 26, the intense but soft-spoken Ghazarian met again this week
with Halvajian, his wife Araxy, and son A.J. Araxy cared for Arman
during his two months of reconstructive surgery; A.J. and Arman were
boys of the same age.
Even now, Arman is not sure how he was among those who survived the
earthquake, which took the life of his mother and school classmates.
He vaguely remembers townsfolk pulling his broken body from the
rubble. When he finally returned home to Armenia after his sojourn in
the states, Arman was able to walk off the plane -- right into the
arms of his father and grandfather, who he thought had died in the
disaster.
* * *
Sidebar: After 18 years, the specter of trauma still haunts
The 6.9-magnitude earthquake demolished close to 40 percent of Soviet
Armenia on the morning of December 7, while most children were sitting
in their classrooms. According to official estimates -- generally
considered by locals as too low -- at least 25,000 people died from
the earthquake and its aftershocks. Two-thirds of those killed were
children and adolescents. Churches, schools, clinics, and homes
crumbled to the ground in villages like Spitak and Gogoran, exposing
people the most unforgivingly cold period of Armenia's winter.
The psychological weight of the experience still clearly burdens
Arman Ghazarian, who spoke sometimes with eyes averted and in
monosyllable, with a dignified stoicism, as he talked about life in
Spitak today.
"It's not good," he said. "I stay the whole day at home. There's
nothing to do."
According to a study by Anait Azarian and Vitali
Skriptchenko-Gregorian -- "Children in Natural Disasters: An
Experience of the 1988 Earthquake in Armenia," published in 1998 by
the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress -- the stages of
this traumatic experience are described as a "domino effect,"
manifested on physical, emotional, behavioral, and social levels, and
lasting for several years -- forever altering the direction of the
society in terms of vitality, productivity, and quality of life.
The study states: "Being in the school many children at first
experienced a psycho-physiological impact of the quake (pain, terrible
vibrations, frightening noise) … For instance, the children became
afraid of the school buildings themselves.... The fear continued to
increase and created behavioral changes such as avoidance and refusal
to attend school.... Furthermore, their behavioral disturbances
adversely influenced their relations with teachers, classmates, and
parents, creating different kinds of antisocial actions.... These
dominoes collected in their impact and burdened the children's
well-being with diverse psychosomatic symptoms such as headaches, loss
of appetite, and sleep disturbances and caused difficulties with
concentration and memory with impairment in school performance
exhibited."
Ghazarian spoke of the dearth of recreational activities, social
events, as well as the lack employment in Spitak, and added that while
the basic services and local hospitals are in good condition now
compared to several years ago, they still need help.
"There's no work," he said. "There are no activities, there's no
social life. Right now my dad's not working."
Ghazarian, who lives with his father, said they and his 22-year-old
sister get by with help from other family members and assistance from
relief programs.
After completing his studies through 8th grade, Ghazarian never
returned to school.
-- R.D.
******************************************** *******************************
2. Richard Hovannisian, J. Michael Hagopian honored with iWitness Awards
by Jenny Kiljian
VALLEY VILLAGE, Calif. -- On Tuesday, May 15, more than 500 people
gathered at the Adat Ari El Synagogue to pay tribute to two celebrated
Armenian-Americans -- Professors Richard Hovannisian and. J. Michael
Hagopian -- whom the Jewish World Watch was honoring with its
inaugural "iWitness Award."
"By our very act of giving witness, we make God real, and bring into
existence his tangible presence in this world," said Rabbi Jonathan
Jaffe Bernhard in his welcoming remarks. "These two men have given
witness and brought God's presence into the world, and have alleviated
the suffering of others."
The Jewish World Watch "iWitness Award" honors individuals who have
devoted themselves to documenting events related to genocide in the
hope that this recognition of their efforts can bring the world closer
to the day that there will longer be genocide.
"Jewish World Watch began with the spiritual challenge to
congregations and Jewish communities to open our eyes and hearts to
the suffering happening around the world," said founding president
Janice Kamenir-Reznick. "Because we know about denial, we too are
outraged and demand that the world cry out to honor your dead and your
genocide."
The iWitness Awards are the fourth in a series of joint Jewish and
Armenian commemorative events that the human rights organization has
cosponsored. In an effort to bridge the divide between the two
communities, Jewish World Watch hosted a screening of the acclaimed
film Screamers; held a screening of Professor Hagopian's Voices from
the Lake; and just three weeks ago held a historic commemoration of
the Armenian Genocide at the Valley Beth Shalom Synagogue in Encino.
"This event brings together two worlds that I am a part of, two
worlds that have not met, two worlds who often find what divides us
instead of what unites us," said Los Angeles City Council President
Eric Garcetti, as he explained that he is the son of a Jewish mother
and that his 13th Council district encompasses Hollywood's Little
Armenia. "There are no two peoples with as old and common histories as
the Jews and Armenians. Let us honor those tragedies, but also
remember that we survived and that is what we celebrate tonight -- two
active witnesses who never forgot, but also spoke out. Genocide as a
word was never about the killing of one people, but the killing of all
people. It is part of human history, as well as the Jewish and
Armenian one."
Rabbi Harold Schulweis founded Jewish World Watch in October 2004 as
a response to the horrors perpetrated by human beings against others.
According to the organization's Web site, Schulweis was moved to
action because of the Holocaust and the many post-Holocaust genocides
that he witnessed. Yet, he is equally sensitive to the pre-Holocaust
genocide -- the Armenian Genocide. "You can learn a lot about Armenian
history and its genocide. But there is no substitute for meeting, for
looking into the eyes of my Armenian brother -- for laughing, singing,
praying, and mourning together," said Schulweis. "We own a kinship of
suffering. We know what it means to be hated, starved, and for the
world to remain silent. This is the 92nd Yahrzeit of the Genocide.
But, while we mourn together, we are not only mourners -- we are
comforters and consolers."
His gesture of solidarity was warmly received by Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, who commended Jewish World Watch for committing its
personnel and resources to developing educational efforts to combat
genocide and denial throughout the world. "Human rights violations
have been a plague on the world, and have affected the lives of many
diverse peoples. These violations represent an absence of value and
respect for human life," said Mardirossian. "Genocide is a horror that
must be remembered as a demonstration of man's capacity for atrocity
and inhumanity. Ethnic cleansing will not be tolerated, and can only
be stopped through recognition. We must rely on the survivors to tell
their stories, and on scholars and archivists to be heroes in their
fields."
California State Assembly member Paul Krekorian introduced the
evening's first honoree, Professor J. Michael Hagopian as not only a
"respected scholar, a pioneer in research, and a fearless advocate for
the truth" but also "one of the last surviving eyewitnesses of the
Armenian Genocide who spent a lifetime seeking out and recording the
testimonies of other survivors throughout the world."
Hagopian's birthplace in the Western Armenian village of Kharpert
was destroyed, and everyone in his family was killed. "But, baby
Michael survived. He may not personally remember, but he spent a long
lifetime making sure that the world would never forget," said
Krekorian. "As the founder of the Armenian Film Foundation -- long
before Steven Spielberg created the Shoah Foudation -- Michael had the
foresight to save the oral accounts of genocide victims. As of today,
more than 400 have been preserved. The voices of witnesses have been
immortalized as the irrefutable response to revisionists and deniers
and will serve as the truth for future generations."
In receiving his "iWitness Award," Hagopian acknowledged those
survivors, as well as the two communities gathered to pay tribute to
them that evening. "Americans of Armenian heritage join with you in
this temple, just as committed against injustice. Jewish World Watch
has taken a monumental step by recognizing the Armenian Genocide,"
said Hagopian. "There are and will be detractors from our side and
your side. But together, sons and daughters of Hebrew prophets and the
descendants of Armenian patriarchs, we can combat other genocides and
the perpetrators and deniers of past genocides."
David Myers, a professor of history at UCLA,introduced his friend
and colleague Richard Hovannisian by comparing him to two historians
of long ago: Movses Khorenatsi and Shimon Dubnow. The former is the
founding father of Armenian history, and the latter is a 20th century
Jewish historian who is best remembered for his call to the Jews who
were being targeted by Hitler to "write and record that which is being
done to you."
"There are deep bonds of affinity between the Jews and Armenians.
Both people know the searing pain of denial. But perhaps both know the
secret of survival is creative adaptation and ceaseless cultural
vitality in the face of adversity -- of life trumping death," said
Myers. "We have a unique calling for seeking out and exposing the
truth, and Richard Hovannisian is the embodiment of that calling. We
are all in the debt of Jewish World Watch for having the wisdom to
select for the 'iWitness Award' a teacher, scholar, patriot, humanist,
and a mensch of the greatest distinction."
"I'm very grateful to Jewish World Watch. But I'm also thankful to
the Armenian community and organizations who, for the first time in 90
years, are bringing themselves to be activists for others," said
Hovannisian. "The wound is deep and open, and Armenians have been
unable to focus anywhere else until it healed. But in the last few
years, Armenians have joined hands with Jews and others in the name of
Darfur. It is a healthy development, but not without problems. We're
not always happy with the state positions of the Israeli and Armenian
governments. But we as people are not confined by those restraints
that they may feel."
Hovannisian spoke of the Jews in the past and present who have
helped to forge a connection with the Armenian world, including Henry
Morgenthau, Franz Werfel, and Rafael Lemkin, along with Helen Fein,
Israel Charny, and Yair Auron, among others.
In closing, he recalled how as a child in the San Joaquin Valley he
had been charged by his father with maintaining the dams at the end of
each row of vines that would keep the irrigation water from spilling
out into the highway. He described it as a Sisyphean task -- the water
would fill the rows and would invariably spill out, leaving him and
his brothers to shovel the dirt back onto the bank. "It was a hopeless
job. We'd spend ten minutes shoveling the dirt, but the water was so
rapid that it continued to wash away the sands. But slowly we'd build
the support, and the little bank would come above water, and we'd
rebuild," said Hovannisian. "We're all pieces of sand and dirt. We
will be washed away. But if we persist and if we believe in our goals,
we will sacrifice and dam up the damnation of genocide."
On behalf of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA),
Souzi Zerounian-Khanzadian offered congratulatory remarks to the two
honorees and applauded Jewish World Watch for its work in raising
genocide awareness. "This event and the events of the last few weeks
mark an important page in the collaboration of the Armenian-American
and Jewish-American communities. Our shared past as victims and
survivors of genocide obligates us to serve the world in educating and
spreading awareness about this terrible crime and prevent it from
recurring," said Zerounian-Khanzadian. "We are truly fortunate to have
Professors Hovannisian and Hagopian walk among us, and we take heart
in knowing that their work has resonance in the Jewish community, as
well. The ANC applauds them because they are an inspiration for us who
know that the only disinfectant for the infection of denial is truth.
Through their life's work, they have shown us the only way that the
truth can prevail is through serving humanity as a witness."
In attendance that evening were V. Rev. Fr. Dajad Yardemian and
deacon Megerdich Ksajikian of the Western Diocese of the Armenian
Church on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian; Lisa
Kalustian on behalf of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger; Haig Kartounian
on behalf of Rep. Adam Schiff; Los Angeles City Council member Wendy
Greuel; Judge Zaven Sinanian; as well as representatives from Rep.
Brad Sherman's office, the Armenian Assembly of America, the Armenian
Film Foundation, and the ANCA.
"These two peoples share a common tragedy, but that can serve to
prevent future tragedies from happening," said Kalustian, who also
participated in last month's inter-faith commemoration of the Armenian
genocide. "There's a synergy there and these types of activities are
very much in line with what the governor believes, his actions and his
words."
"It was a wonderful event, which honored two very prominent members
of our community, and we especially want to acknowledge the work of
Jewish World Watch because they have played a leadership role in
brining together the Armenian and Jewish communities and building a
bridge -- not only between the past and present, but also to the
future," said Armenian Assembly of America community relations
director Narine Zardarian.
On two occasions during the program, The Yuval Ron Ensemble,
comprising Jewish and Armenian members, delighted the audience with
their harmonious renditions of Jewish and Armenian traditional songs.
The evening ended with the singing of the Armenian and Israeli
national anthems, along with "America the Beautiful," with the
ensemble's accompaniment.
********************************* ******************************************
3. David Gaunt discusses massacres and resistance
by Arin Mikailian
SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. -- Genocide historian Professor David Gaunt,
speaking at Merdinian Armenian Christian School on May 11, shed some
light on the massacres of Assyrians and Armenians during the First
World War.
The lecture was the last stop in California for his series,
"Massacres and Resistance: The Genocide of the Armenians and Assyrians
Based on New Evidence from the Archives."
Gaunt's speech included evidence he found through his own research
in Ottoman archives in Istanbul. By piecing together a timeline with
actual documents, Gaunt said he hoped to get a better idea of how
certain individuals thought and communicated during this dark time in
history.
"I'm more of a social historian than a political historian," he
said. "My intention in doing this was to be more of a natural
scientist and to see how many different kinds of documentation you can
find in such a small area to see who are the perpetrators,
instigators, planners, what are the motivations that are going through
their heads, and how are people reacting."
Before diving into his research findings, Gaunt gave a little
background on Turkey in 1915 and in the years before and after.
Turkey was a melting pot, he said, with Assyrians and Armenians
scattered throughout the empire. Ministers of the interior, including
Talaat Pasha, forced minorities, including Armenians and Assyrians, to
move. No village was to have more than two dozen individuals from a
single minority, Gaunt said.
"This means it's impossible to keep your culture and religion," said
Gaunt. "Not being in contact with your religious leader and it's very
probably that you convert over to Islam in order to have some kind of
religious life."
In 1915, Russia and Turkey were at war. Russian forces --
Russian-Armenians among them -- achieved an astonishing victory at the
Battle of Dilman on May 2. Gaunt said this frightened the Turkish
government and a massacre of Armenian and Assyrian Christians ensued.
Gaunt said that the Russian press kept records of the massacres.
"Armenian journalists writing in the Russian press wrote about both
the Armenians and Assyrians," he said. "It was a fairly amazing
document."
Gaunt then moved on to demonstrating the importance of how
documentation has kept the images of genocide alive for generations.
He discussed the manuscript, "The Calamities of the Christians,"
written by Ishaq Armalto, an Assyrian priest who chronicled the
slaughters of villagers in the town of Mardin in June 1915.
Gaunt said one of the most important sections of this document,
which weighs in at 600 pages, was a description of another Catholic
priest Ignace Maloyan, and his last days of life.
Gaunt discussed how Armalto described how Maloyan was framed by
Turks, who planted weapons in his church so he could be accused of
aiding the Russians.
"No other book is as complete about the destruction of the Armenian
community," said Gaunt.
Gaunt then talked about another priest who set up an orphanage in
the city of Van after it was devastated by the Young Turks.
Gaunt said his account gave a numerical account of Armenians and
Assyrians before and after the massacre.
Prior to the killings, there were 10,500 Armenians living in the
Mardin area, according to the priest's account. After the massacre
there were only about 300 left.
"These are extreme losses of life," he said. "It's possible there
are other places with similar high proportions, but we just don't know
at the moment."
While sifting through countless documents in the archives in
Istanbul, Gaunt found an important telegram, he said.
It was a message discussing what should be done about Assyrians and
Armenians. The message accused Armenians and Assyrians of being in
revolt against the state.
"It said the revolt should be treated with the utmost severity,"
said Gaunt. "This comes from Enver Pasha, the minister of war."
Before bringing his speech to an end, Gaunt discussed his most
recent brush with history.
In the fall of last year, a mass grave was found near Mardin. Local
villagers claimed the grave contained the remains of 38 Armenians from
1915.
Gaunt said the head of the Turkish Historical Society, Yusuf
Halacoglu, dismissed the theory and claimed they were remains from the
Roman Empire.
But on the day Gaunt hoped to conduct a scientific investigation, he
found the location of the grave empty, with only a few bones
remaining.
Gaunt said the matter left him without a means to conduct an
investigation and reach a credible solution.
While the site was questionably evacuated and Gaunt had become
subject to ridicule in some Turkish newspapers, some individuals are
starting to side with his skepticism about what really happened to the
remains.
"I've managed to get a few journalists on my side," he said.
After the speech, some audience members said they felt more informed
about a part of history about which they didn't know too much.
"I'm glad that people are talking about what he's talking about, I
want to know more and come to future lectures about it," said Virginia
Karnik, 33. "Our great grandparents are slowly dying and soon will not
be around to tell us what happened in that part of history. We need to
have that connection to the past."
The event was sponsored by National Association for Armenian Studies
and Research and the Assyrian American National Federation.
************************************ ***************************************
4. For a fun ride through a carnival of life, flag down Taxi, Taxi on June 9-10
by Anna Vandyan
ENGLEWOOD, N.J. -- The Tekeyan Cultural Association's Mher Megerdchian
Theatrical Group will premiere Taxi, Taxi, or Love in a Suitcase,
directed by Vardan Garniki, on Saturday and Sunday, June 9 and 10.
Taxi, Taxi is an unusual play -- difficult to pigeon-hole into any
one comedic genre. According to producers, it involves elements of
tragi-comedy, situation comedy, comedy of errors, and a love story --
among other things.
Most of all, it insightfully conveys the realities of life during
Armenia's Soviet era (when the play was originally mounted), locating
humor in the language-mishaps between Armenians of different
backgrounds, and framing relationships involving the family, employers
and employees, and romantic couples in acute and funny ways.
In Armenia, Taxi, Taxi is a well-known work by Jirayr Ananian,
remembered for its brilliant staging years ago. But it has remained
relatively unknown in the diaspora. Director Vardan Garniki has
rediscovered Ananian's play and reconceived it for people who would be
otherwise unacquainted with its sharp wit and poignancy.
As staged by Garniki, Taxi, Taxi has found new freshness,
timeliness, and relevance for a diaspora audience. Garniki has imbued
the play with new colors and vibrancies, bringing out its
larger-than-life emotions, sense of fun, and universal values.
The new production of Taxi, Taxi features an exceptional cast of
actors from Armenia and the diaspora, who have uncovered interesting
nuances and new comedic moments in the play. Most of these arose in
rehearsal from on-the-spot improvisations by the director and his
actors, all of whom share a magnificent onstage chemistry.
The public is invited to become a part of this colorful, funny
carnival of life by taking a ride on Taxi, Taxi, when the curtain
rises for two performances at the Dwight Englewood School Auditorium,
315 East Palisade Avenue, in Englewood. The Saturday, June 9 show
starts at 8:00 p.m., and the Sunday, June 10 show starts at 5:00 p.m.
Tickets go for $35 and $25. For information and tickets, call Marie
Zokian at (201) 947-4365, or Noushig Atamian at (718) 894-5878.
*************************************** ************************************
5. Through drama, students retrace the steps, and re-live the
torments, of their persecuted ancestors
by Melissa Selverian
RADNOR, Pa. -- "When a grain of wheat dies, it bears more fruit," said
Fr. Armenag Bedrossian to students of Radnor's Armenian Sisters
Academy on April 24. "You are that fruit: You turn each April 24 into
a day of harvest."
He made the remarks following the students' performance honoring the
memory of the victims and survivors of the 1915 Genocide. The
performance aroused tears, prayers, and hope in an audience of family
and friends, as they traced the paths and stories of countless fellow
Armenians exiled and slain 92 years before.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania had marked the day as one of
official mourning for the Armenian people, and a resolution issued by
Delaware county stated that in 1915, "the Ottoman Empire began the
planned extermination of the Armenian people from Armenia's 2,500 year
historic homeland [where] approximately 1,500,000 men, women and
children were killed and hundreds of thousands more were expelled from
their homes, violated, tortured and driven into exile during the
Armenian Genocide."
Sisters Academy parents Anna Marie and Frank Murphy, who initiated
the county and state recognitions with the help of State Senator
Dominic Pileggi and County Councilwoman Linda Cartisano, had gathered
at Delaware County Courthouse on April 17, along with a group
including Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian as well as the Academy's Sister
Anna Jobanian, students Natalie and Julianna Murphy, Sarah and Meline
Derderian, and Lauren Semerjian, to accept the resolution.
At the Academy's April 24 event, children celebrated life after the
Genocide by planting flowers outside their gymnasium, then took to the
stage to re-enact the atrocities of the 1915 massacres -- in order to
"come to terms with the injustices of oppression and persecution and
to rise above them," according to Sister Anna Jobanian.
Eighth-grader Gregory Megerian sat as a grandfather huddled in a
corner recounting the horrors of his past, as fellow students acted
out flashbacks of Turkish gendarmes pillaging his village, killing his
father, brother and sister, and assaulting his mother. The vivid
dramatizations sparked discussions among speakers, students and guests
about the continuance of genocide throughout the world.
Academy families, friends, and faculty joined the students as they
prayed and sang in honor of the Armenian martyrs, to express their
grief, courage, faith and survival. As the ceremony drew quietly to a
close, children placed memorial ribbons on a large black cross at the
front of the stage, accompanied by readings from 8th graders Garen
Kaloustian and Gregory Megerian.
Fr. Bedrossian of St. Mark's Armenian Catholic Church officiated
over a requiem service, accompanied by the Academy's music director
Maroush Paneyan-Nigon.
********************************** *****************************************
6. Fishing for Romeo & Juliet
* All the world's a stage
by Harout Arakelian
PASADENA, Calif. -- The eighth-grade class of St. Gregory's Alfred &
Marguerite Hovsepian School held its annual school play last week. The
play, "Fishing for Romeo & Juliet," was written by school principal
and accomplished writer Shahe Mankerian. The play was held at the
school's Calustian-Dunaians Hall in Pasadena.
Prior to the closing-night performance the cast of students and the
writer-principal had an opportunity to reflect on the past year and
discuss the play. One of the young actors, eighth-grader Garegin
Chepian says of the play, "It's 'Romeo & Juliet' except it's a comedy
during the rehearsal of the play and it's weird." When asked about his
role in the play, he looks down and somewhat shamefully admits that
he's Juliet. For these eighth-grade boys, it may be difficult to dress
as a girl before the entire school. But Garegin and the other boys can
hold their heads high: his portrayal of Juliet was quite good, and the
play as a whole was exceptionally original, with a boyish attitude.
Shahe Mankerian has spent the year nurturing his students, preparing
them for the future. He felt this play specifically would be a perfect
fit for this particular class, one that holds a total of 12 students.
In discussing the small class size, Mr. Mankerian (or Baron Shahe as
his students call him) says, "It's a challenge, with a class this
size. We basically have to create a community with them." The students
admit that they were a rowdy bunch in previous years. Mr. Mankerian
gave them a fresh start and fresh opportunities. "I think they've
come a long way this year," he says of the young actors before him.
"They went from being one of the worst to now being one of the best
classes this school has ever seen. The other students really look up
to them and they have a really positive presence this year. Another
thing is a class like this is perfect for the play because they needed
a place to act up or act out their craziness. More or less they all
act their own characters on stage"
"Fishing For Romeo & Juliet" is a play about the chaos and hectic
ordeals that go on with producing a theatrical production. It's
creatively witty and gives the young actors the opportunity to
discover a fresh way to share their comedic talents. The play was
written staying true to Shakespeare's iambic pentameter. Shahe
Mankerian wrote the play but during rehearsals the cast made
adjustments. "A lot of craziness happens, some of it works and we put
it in the play; some of it doesn't. We still allow the space for a lot
of things to be added." He added, "One thing was for certain: We could
not mess with the sentences of the play because they're all in iambic
pentameter, even if we were going to add lines we made sure it
followed the meter." Written in the tradition of Shakespeare's plays,
it also meant only the boys could be on-stage. Mr. Mankerian
brilliantly had a remedy to include the lone two girls of his
eighth-grade class. Ovsanna Garabedian and Nairie Tarakchian played
the roles of puppeteers. Operating two hand-held puppets they
interacted with the characters onstage while adding snide, witty, or
comedic lines throughout the play, also performing as a chorus in the
traditional stage sense. Having no experience with puppets, Nairie
Tarakchian says, "We didn't know how to perform with the puppets but
we practiced a lot and it's easier with practice. You have to perform
as if the puppet is you as an actor."
Getting the boys to agree to wear tights was something that
concerned Mr. Mankerian, "I think the whole process was quite
interesting. Personally when I first presented them with the play I
didn't think they would go for it. Because I'd asked a couple of the
guys in the class to play girls, and I thought either they're going to
say, 'Ahh… Baron, this is like stupid and we're not going to do this'
(as he sighs and mimics kids) or they were going to go for it. In the
beginning they argued with it but eventually they went for it. It's
pretty funny watching them.… Yesterday there was a teacher here from
an American school, he came up to me and said, 'There's no way I'd be
able to do this play in a public school. The guys would not go for
this.'"
Mher Bashian, the playful outspoken one of the bunch, interrupts
Baron Shahe to state boldly, "We're Armenians and we do crazy things
like that."
Shahe explains it more clearly, "We're a small class, and we're
basically a tight-knit family. It's easier because they can see the
vision of this, they can find it funny also. And they also realize
that the audience thinks the play is funny."
The students run the production of the play; they are the actors,
the lighting technicians, the sound operators, and the ticket-booth
workers. As family and guests arrive it is the students who greet them
at the door, welcoming the guests to a performance they have worked on
hard and happily. One might not expect too many charming moments in an
eighth-grade play, but in "Fishing For Romeo & Juliet" there were many
of them. The play opens to a Stevie Wonder tune, with the theater's
custodian sweeping the floors and addressing the audience. This
character is also the prince in the play and is aptly named Ishkhan.
He is played by Sevagg Kazarian. When asked about his character and
his lines of dialogue, Sevagg recites a certain line, "The world is
full of garbage a blind man needs an octopus to clean up this mess,
this line I say randomly throughout the play. William Soroyan used it
in one of his plays, it wasn't the same line but it was like that.
That's why I like it." Mr. Mankerian adds, "it symbolizes the mess
these people have created onstage and he [Sevagg] is going to clean it
up."
Shahe Mankerian was able to involve his students and helped them
believe in their characters. The audience was able to see how much fun
the students were having on stage simply by the performances of Arsan
Melidonian who seemed to be having a blast playing the flirtatious
Lady Capulet and Alex Gharakhani who portrayed Friar Lawrence, with an
exceptional performance channeling in a Southern Baptist preachers'
drawl into his delivery. During rehearsal they had problems with the
way Gharakhani played Friar Lawrence, Mr. Mankerian remembering, "Alex
was very interesting. I kept telling him how he had to play the part.
For some reason he was not able to do it, until the second
performance." Alex and his classmates all nod in agreement. "He just
couldn't do it until all of a sudden on stage he just channeled it."
Alex explains "it was a joke before the play and everybody laughed
so I felt, 'Okay I can do this during the play,' and it just worked
out."
Of the performances that stood out was Daniel Madatovian portraying
the French director of the play. It was remarkable how Madatovian
remained in character throughout the play performing with a heavy
French accent coupled by heavy stereotypical characteristics of the
role. Also worthy of mention was the portrayal of Juliet. It was
performed exceptionally well by Garegin Chepian. One could easily tell
he was not happy having to dress as a girl, and that was the charm of
the bitter character that he performs.
The closing act of the play is the entire cast, led by the janitor,
lip-syncing the classic tune S'amore. As the house lights came up the
audience's applause and appreciation was heard.
Next for Shahe Mankerian and his students is a trip to the east
coast. Over the course of the year, Mr. Mankerian is doing all he can
to maintain the high standards he has for the Armenian youth he's
involved with, motivating them to reach for more and apply themselves
in ways they normally wouldn't. Here is how Arsan Melidonian describes
his experience: "Up until the eighth grade I used to be very shy. I
couldn't even stand up in front of a small class and say anything. But
now with the things Baron Shahe has taught me I have no problems doing
plays and things like this." And as Garegin Chepian stated, "Baron
Shahe kills the butterflies, and as he says, 'Your principal is your
pal.'" Nairie Tarakchian says he "is like a second dad for us. He
actually cares and wants to know how we're doing."
The eyes of these young actors light up as they talk about their
principal, the kids tease him a bit, but in that teasing what is most
important is the understanding of his dedication to them as
individuals who's future is bright, and who's eighth-grade play is an
accomplishment they can all be proud of.
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7. Greater Boston parish approaches Martyrs Day through a celebration
of survival
by Seta Buchter
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- During a special weekend of activities at
Cambridge's Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Diocesan Primate Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian presided over the ordination of eight local students,
the dedication of a new handicapped-accessible church entrance, and a
lecture by a survivor of the Rwandan genocide.
On Saturday evening, April 21, Archbishop Barsamian assisted by
parish pastor Fr. Vasken Kouzouian, Fr. Oshagan Minassian, Fr. Mampre
Kouzouian, and Fr. Khachatur Kesablyan, conducted a service conferring
the four minor orders (Doorkeeper, Reader, Exorcist, and Candle
Bearer) of acolyte on Nayiri Ayanian (daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Mark
Ayanian); Gregory Dorian (son of Mr. and Mrs. David Dorian); Alexander
Ensign (son of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Ensign); Ani Hollisian (daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Ara Hollisian); Ani Soultanian (daughter of Dean
Soultanian and Arlene Kasarjian); Lori Keverian (daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. George Keverian); Caroline Thayer (daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Harvey Thayer); and Haig Torosian (son of Mr. and Mrs. Kaspar
Torosian).
The evening was preceded by an "ice cream social," during which the
acolytes and their families had an opportunity to spend time
informally with Archbishop Barsamian.
On Sunday, April 22, the Primate presided over the Divine
Liturgycelebrated by Fr. Khachatur Kesablyan, a pastoral intern at the
Cambridge church. To conclude the Divine Liturgy, the archbishop
blessed three liturgical robes donated by Ara and Janet Dermovsesian,
James Kalustian, and Gregory and Carol Krikorian. Then Sunday School
students and the eight new acolytes led a procession to the parish's
Martyrs Monument, where Archbishop Barsamian conducted a requiem
service to commemorate the 92nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
Earlier that morning, he had led a similar service for the parish's
primary-grade Sunday School students.
* Two families honored
What followed was a ribbon-cutting for the church's new
handicapped-accessible entrance and walkway, and a re-dedication
ceremony for its Bridal Room. The projects had been brought to
fruition through the generosity of two long-serving families of the
Holy Trinity Church. Daniel K. and Helene Dorian and family donated
the new walkway and handicapped-accessible church entrance; and the
children and families of the late Aram and Nubar Hintlian -- Mrs. Aram
Hintlian, Aram and Becky Hintlian, Cynthia and Richard Kazanjian,
Nancy Hintlian, Mrs. Gregory Hintlian, Harry and Mary Hintlian,
Lorraine and Robert Damerjian, Arnold Hintlian and Arleen Hintlian --
contributed the renovations to the Bridal Room.
The Dorian and Hintlian families have been pillars of Holy Trinity
Church and the community in general.
Dan Dorian, a member of the parish council, a Diocesan Delegate and
Diocesan Council member, was honored in 1994 with the St. Nersess
Shnorhali Medal by the late Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness
Vasken I. Helene Dorian was the first woman elected to chair the
parish council, and a founder andchair of the Women's Guild Central
Council.
The late Aram Hintlian, Sr., a 1984 parish "Man of the Year," was a
member of the parish council and thebuilding committee that built the
church on Brattle Street in Cambridge. The late Nubar Hintlian, Holy
Trinity's 1979 "Man of the Year," likewise served as a parish council
member and Diocesan Delegate, and was treasurer of the church building
committee.
A reception honoring all the benefactors was held in the church's
Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall. The weekend's special
events concluded on Sunday afternoon with the Dr. Michael and Joyce
Kolligian Distinguished Speaker Series presenting Rwandan genocide
survivor and author Immaculйe Ilibagiza (see the sidebar story).
* * *
Sidebar: From the ashes of genocide comes a story of survival and forgiveness
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- "What began in April 1994 in the land of Rwanda
was sadly no different than what began nearly 80 years earlier, in
April 1915, in the land of Armenia," said Fr. Vasken Kouzouian, pastor
of Holy Trinity Church, in remarks introducing speaker Immaculйe
Ilibagiza on April 22.
The author of Left to Tell, Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan
Holocaust,shared her remarkable story of survival during the Rwandan
genocide -- and the spiritual journey which led her to forgiveness and
a deeper relationship with God.
In 1994, during the Rwandan genocide, Ms. Ilibagiza and seven other
women huddled together in a cramped bathroom for 91 days while
hundreds of machete-wielding killers looked for them. Unable to
converse for fear of being discovered, and barely able to move or
sleep, the anxiety at the prospect of violent death proved a source of
mental and physical torture for her.
But it was in the crucible of this terror that she discovered the
power of prayer and complete trust in God. Nevertheless, the conflict
between good and evil, and love and hate, continued to cause her
internal turmoil. In Ms. Ilibagiza's telling, it wasn't until she
realized that "it was possible to forgive the unforgivable" that she
was able to find peace and move forward with her life, despite the
brutal murder of her family and the atrocities perpetuated against her
people.
Having survived the genocide, Immaculйe spoke about her persistence
and strong faith, which enabled her to find employment with the United
Nations in Rwanda. During this time she met her future husband, Bryan
Black, who was in Rwanda to set up the UN court that would prosecute
those responsible for the genocide. Four years after her ordeal,
Immaculйe immigrated to the United States and began working for the UN
in New York.
Ms. Ilibagiza spoke at the parish as part of the Dr. Michael and
Joyce Kolligian Distinguished Speaker Series. The event was presided
over by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian; also in attendance were Rev.
Diane Kessler, of the Massachusetts Council of Churches; Fr. Thomas
Fitzgerald, dean of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology; Rev.
Karen Montagno, dean of Spiritual Formation at the Episcopal Divinity
School in Cambridge; and clergy from the Armenian churches in New
England.
Archbishop Barsmian concluded the program by thanking Immaculйe "for
being here to share your remarkable story. We identify with you in a
very special way, not only because of your ordeal, but because you
have taken up the cross and given a powerful witness to that profound
love that can only come from God." -- S.A.B.
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