Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

California Courier Online, January 6, 2005

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • California Courier Online, January 6, 2005

    ATTENTION READERS: Due to its semi-annual vacation, the California Courier
    will not
    Publish an Online Edition on Jan. 13, 2005. Publication will resume on
    January 20, 2005.
    Happy New Year and Armenian Christmas!
    California Courier Online, January 6, 2005

    1 - Commentary
    Armenian Patriarch of Turkey
    Issues Bold Message on Genocide

    By Harut Sassounian
    California Courier Publisher
    2 - Andrew Torigian Named
    AMAA Executive Director
    3 - Diocese APN
    To Host Jan 20
    Reception
    4 - Christmas Concert with Soprano Anna Mayilian,
    Armiss Choir, Celebrates Haigazian Anniversary
    5 - Armenian Language Course
    Offered at University of Venice
    6 - Genocide Monument
    Council Announces
    Design Competition
    ************************************************** ***********************
    1 - Commentary

    Armenian Patriarch of Turkey
    Issues Bold Message on Genocide

    By Harut Sassounian
    Publisher, The California Courier

    Over the years, as various Armenian Church leaders in Turkey, under
    pressure from Turkish officials, made disparaging remarks about the
    Diaspora's efforts for the recognition for the Armenian Genocide, I never
    hesitated to criticize them. Therefore, it is only fair that these Church
    leaders are to be commended whenever they bravely speak out on the Armenian
    Genocide, jeopardizing their own position and personal safety.
    Patriarch Mesrob II, in his New Year message to the Armenian community of
    Turkey, made such a bold statement last week. Surprisingly, a portion of
    his lengthy message is devoted to the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
    Genocide. That segment of the statement, issued in three languages, is
    entitled "The Great Disaster," in English, "Meds Yegherni Hishadage," in
    Armenian; and "Buyuk Felaket," in Turkish. The Patriarch's statement
    appeared on the Patriarchate's web site and in the Armenian press of
    Istanbul.
    It is understandable that under the repressive conditions in Turkey, the
    Patriarch is forced to use substitutes for the word genocide. For the
    benefit of non-Armenian speaking readers, we should point out that "Medz
    Yeghern" was used by Armenians to describe the Armenian Genocide before the
    word genocide existed. "Medz Yeghern" could be translated alternatively as
    " Great Disaster," "Great Calamity," or "Great Cataclysm." Armenians
    sometimes still refer to the Armenian Genocide as "Medz Yeghern," just as
    the Jews use the Hebrew word "Shoah" for the Holocaust.
    Here is the English version of that segment of the Patriarch's Message:
    "Beloved Church members: one of the painful historical events ... has
    become known in Armenian literature as Medz Yeghern (The Great Disaster).
    The Ottoman government of that time of the Committee for Union and
    Progress, citing security reasons in the circumstances of the First World
    War, exiled Armenian citizens living in the Ottoman Empire to the deserts
    of Syria. However, because the necessary precautions were not taken,
    hundreds of thousands of Armenian citizens lost their lives either near
    their own homes, or on the journey, or in the desert, or were the victims
    of inhuman attacks by opportunists. Of the Armenian population in the
    Ottoman Empire, only a small proportion was saved from annihilation.
    Whatever the given justification, this great unconscionable disaster has
    passed into history as a human drama that took place at the beginning of
    the 20th century. Wherever on the globe, every Armenian still feels the
    imprint of this Great Disaster in his or her identity and still lives with
    the trauma, in some way or another. Throughout the year 2005, on the 90th
    anniversary of this event, Armenians will offer to God their prayers and
    incense for the souls of their martyrs."
    While the Patriarch is careful not to use the word "Genocide," - it is a
    crime to do so in Turkey -- his statement makes it amply clear that the
    government of the Ottoman Empire was the organizer of the deportations that
    led to the deaths of "hundreds of thousands" of Armenians. In addition to
    outright murder, the United Nations defines as genocide the act of
    "deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to
    bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part."
    We should point out that the Patriarch, in his statement, uses the term
    "annihilation," meaning extermination or total destruction, which is
    another way of saying genocide.
    The Patriarch Mesrob II who is fluent in Armenian, Turkish and English, has
    probably written the statement himself in all three languages. A careful
    comparison of the three versions reveals subtle differences in the words
    used to describe the Armenian Genocide. Even though it is practically
    impossible to translate verbatim a text from one language to another, it is
    noteworthy that the Armenian version contains the strongest words.
    Finally, it is significant that the Patriarch made his bold remarks on the
    genocide less than a week after the Prime Minister of Turkey, Abdullah Gul,
    announced that the Turkish government would do everything
    in its power to counter the Armenian efforts, particularly in view of the
    90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
    For the first time, and on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the
    Armenian Genocide, the Patriarch is properly and bravely suggesting that
    Armenians in Turkey would be joining their compatriots around the globe in
    remembering the "annihilation" of their ancestors. While Armenians might
    not be able to hold any public commemorative events in Turkey on that date,
    the Patriarch is certain that they carry in their souls the trauma of the
    Genocide and the memory of their martyrs!
    ************************************************** ************************
    2 - Andrew Toriguian Named
    AMAA Executive Director

    PARAMUS, NJ - Andrew Torigian has been named Executive Director of the
    Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA), the international
    non-profit charitable organization serving in 22 countries.
    Torigian had served as the AMAA's President for an unprecedented seven
    years, as Vice President for four years, as Treasurer for two years and as
    Personnel Committee Chairman for 17 years. He had been a board member
    since 1982, prior to resigning to accept the new post.
    No stranger to the post, Torigian has served as acting Executive Director
    for seven months in 2001, then for another seven months in 2003, and for
    five months in 2004, temporarily filling vacancies, while still serving as
    President.
    Volunteering has been the hallmark of Torigian's entire life, ever since he
    joined the U.S. Navy Air Corps to be trained as a Navy pilot. He has
    served as a Trustee, as well as Treasurer for 13 years of the Armenian
    Presbyterian Church in Paramus, and is an Ordained Elder of the Church. In
    1995, he was honored as the APC Man of the Year.
    Among the many other Armenian organizations for which he has served, he is
    on the Board of Directors of the Armenian American Medical Philanthropic
    Fund since 1995, is a Vice President of the Board of Trustees of the Home
    for the Armenian Aged in Emerson, New Jersey, is a trustee of the Hovnanian
    School in New Milford, New Jersey, is on the Board of Managers of Haigazian
    University, is a Fellow Trustee of the Armenian Assembly, and was the only
    three-term Commander of the Knights of Vartan Lodge #38 and received its
    Man of the Year Award in 1998.
    His list of services for non-Armenian organizations include being a past
    Master of Willard Sylvan Grove Lodge #250 F & A.M.; a member and former
    Vice President of the New York Metro Electronics Representative
    Association, and is the past Chairman of the Board of Directors of Electro,
    producers of the largest electronic shows on the East Coast.
    He has served on the Paramus Planning Board for five years and has been the
    Commander of the Paramus American Legion Post #207 since 1988 and became
    the first and only recipient of its Man of the Year Award, in 2000.
    He is the only six-term President of the Paramus Veterans Council. He was
    a member of the Bergen County Veterans Committee that established the
    "Circle of Honor" at the County Courthouse in Hackensack, New Jersey. He
    has been the President of the Paramus Republican Club, the largest in
    Bergen County.
    In addition, Torigian is an active member of the Gideons, the Paramus
    Rotary Club and the Paramus Elks. He received the Humanitarian Award from
    the National Conference of Christians and Jews in 2002 for his work in the
    community.
    Torigian received his BA from NYU's Washington Square College and BS from
    NYU's School of Engineering where he was elected to Alpha Pi Mu and Tau
    Beta Pi's National Engineering Societies. He was President of Technilease
    Corporation, a leasing/rental company specializing in electronic
    test-and-measurement equipment before he retired in December 2003. He is a
    Senior Life Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.
    Torigian and his wife, Rose, have three children; Catherine Torigian,
    Ph.D., Drew Torigian, M.D., and Christine Torigian, M.D.
    ************************************************** *************************
    3 - Diocese APN
    To Host Jan 20
    Reception
    BURBANK, CA - The Western Diocese's Armenian Professional Network will host
    a Jan. 20 reception at the Diocese's Hampar Room, 3325 North Glenoaks
    Blvd., Burbank, for guests to meet with and learn about the Chamber of
    Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Armenia who has recently opened a
    branch office in Los Angeles.
    The 7:30 p.m. reception, which includes light fare, will have speakers with
    discussion to follow at 8 p.m.
    edia to meet with and learn
    Representatives of the CCI RA will introduce themselves to the community,
    talk about the work and role of their regional office in Los Angeles, as
    well as provide an overview of their activities and goals. An opportunity
    will be provided for discussion.
    This event is being sponsored by Nelly Dagstanyan, owner of Quizno's at
    6612 - 902 North Vermont Ave., Los Angeles.
    The APN asks all those attending to bring their business cards to
    facilitate networking and to assist the APN in creating a contact list for
    similar future events.
    For more information contact Vahe Ashjian at (818) 212-9976.
    ************************************************** ************************
    4 - Christmas Concert with Soprano Anna Mayilian,
    Armiss Choir, Celebrates Haigazian Anniversary
    BEIRUT - The latest event of the 50th anniversary celebrations of Haigazian
    University, was a Christmas Concert on Dec. 20-21, in the sanctuary of the
    First Armenian Evangelical Church of Beirut.
    The concert featured the 60-voice "Armiss" Choir, conducted by Rev. Nerses
    Balabanian, pianists Sevan Balabanian and Mathilde-Sandra Cholakian, and
    the renowed artist, mezzo-soprano Anna Mayilian from Armenia.
    University President Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, noted that this concert
    carried a special message: "It is Armenia and Lebanon coming together. It
    is talent and discipline joined. It is joy and awe put to music, and music
    turned into a sign of life. It is a Christmas story told. It is an act of
    hope in an anxious world. It is Haigazian and its supportive community
    singing peace, love, and joy together."
    The capacity audience, which included the US Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey
    Feltman, Armenian Ambassador Areg Hovannissian, and other religious and
    political officials and representatives, enjoyed classical and contemporary
    musical masterpieces dedicated to Christmas. Among the pieces impressively
    performed by Mayilian, the audience enjoyed little-heard settings of
    Armenian songs.
    In the past decade, Mayilian has established herself not only in the
    Armenian milieu, but on the international stage as well, capturing numerous
    European and American prizes. Founder of the "Saghmos" Cultural Center, and
    the artistic director of "Music Masters of Armenia," she released the
    recording, "Anna Mayilian: Armenian Sacred Songs" last year, and currently
    is preparing a new recording of the sacred music of Krikor Naregatsi.
    The Armenian Evangelical Armiss Choir is named after the pen-name of the
    pastor, poet, composer and painter, Rev. Armenag Missirian. Established in
    1981 by founding conductor Vatsche Barsoumian, the choir was reconstituted
    after the Lebanese war by Rev. Nerses Balabanian.
    ************************************************** ************************
    5 - Armenian Language Course
    Offered at University of Venice
    VENICE, Italy - The intensive summer course of Armenian Language and
    Culture of the University of Venice will take place Aug. 1-19, in
    collaboration with the Cultural Association Padus-Araxes. Exams will be
    conducted on Aug. 20.
    The course has three basic levels from Absolute Beginner to Advanced.
    Lessons take place from Monday to Friday, five hours a day in the morning.
    Students must be 18 years of age or older.
    Tuition fee is 630 euros or its equivalent in other currency. Of this
    amount, 400 euros must be sent as a registration fee before March 31. After
    this date, the registration fee will be 500 euros. Total payment must be
    completed on arrival day.
    International back checks or money orders must be made to Associazone
    Padus-Araxes, and mailed to the Association, c/o Dipt. Studi Eurasiatici -
    S. Polo 2035 - 3-125 Venezia, Italia. Personal checks are not accepted.
    Lodging is offered to participants at a Student Home (Residenz Abbazia) in
    Venice. Accommodation fee from July 31 to August 22 included is 800 euros
    for a single room; 600 euros for a double room. Lunch or dinner will cost
    6.5 euros.
    For application, send an e-mail to [email protected].
    ************************************************** ************************
    6 - Genocide Monument
    Council Announces
    Design Competition
    GLENDALE - The Armenian Genocide Monument Council of Glendale (AGMCG)
    announced on Dec. 22 the launching of their website
    www.armeniangenocidemonument.com and the beginning of their Monument
    design competition.
    The AGMCG will oversee the design and construction of a commemorative
    monument in the City of
    Glendale dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. The monument
    will serve as a befitting venue to begin the educational process of
    honoring the memory of those who perished and acknowledging the memories of
    the heroic deeds and acts of the Americans whose actions helped save
    thousands of helpless Armenian men, women and children from the rage of
    the Genocide.
    The AGMCG is a newly established organization and is dedicated to enhancing
    cross-cultural understanding amongst the different cultural and ethnic
    groups in Glendale by promoting respect for past historical events and the
    recognition thereof through continuous education, specifically that of the
    Armenian Genocide.
    In August of 2001, the City Council of Glendale adopted a motion to accept
    the gift of a monument to honor the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian
    genocide and the memory of Americans whose actions helped save thousands of
    Armenian men, women and children from perishing in the genocide.
    On April 8, 2003, the Glendale City Council approved the final
    location/site for the Genocide monument. The AGMCG has been working very
    closely with City staff to oversee the monument selection process and has
    established a Selection Committee comprised of community leaders,
    architecture and design experts and public officials.
    The announcement of the winner of the competition will take place in April
    of 2005. April 24, 2005 marks the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
    Genocide. All parties interested in submitting a design may do so by
    following the guidelines and rules for submission made available on the
    AGMCG website.
    For more information, visit www.armeniangenocidemonument.com.
    ************************************************** *************************
    *
    ************************************************** ************************
    The California Courier On-Line is a service provided by the California
    Courier. Subscriptions or changes of address should not be transmitted
    through this service. Information in that regard should be telephoned
    to (818) 409-0949; faxed to: (818) 409-9207, or e-mailed to:
    [email protected]. Letters to the editor concerning issues
    addressed in the Courier may be e-mailed, provided it is signed by
    the author. Phone and/or E-mail address is also required to verify
    authorship.

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Working...
X