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The Armenian Weekly On-Line
80 Bigelow Avenue
Watertown MA 02472 USA
(617) 926-3974
[email protected]
http://www.a rmenianweekly.com
The Armenian Weekly; Volume 74, No. 9; March 8, 2008
AYF Section:
1. AYF Chapters Remember Artsakh Struggle
2. The Burden of Privilege
By Vrej haroutounian
***
1. AYF Chapters Remember Artsakh Struggle
With this year marking the 20th anniversary of Artsakh's liberation
movement, AYF chapters throughout the country are holding events in their
local communities honoring those who perished and commemorating the struggle
that achieved independence for Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabagh).
On Feb. 24, the Providence "Varantian" AYF Seniors and Juniors came together
to organize a special commemorative event marking the 20th anniversary. Over
150 community members attended the event, which was held after Sunday
service at the Sts. Vartanantz Church Hall in Providence, R.I.
Alexan Topalian, a member of the "Varantian" Junior executive, addressed the
crowd by noting the importance of never forgetting the massacres that befell
Armenians in places like Sumgait 20 years ago at the hands of Azeris. He
also remembered the heroic sacrifices made to achieve victory for Artsakh
and stressed the need to stand by the side of the people in their continuing
struggle for self-determination.
AYF members also distributed packets to attendees, which featured background
information on the struggle and pictures of some of the ARF freedom fighters
who gave their lives on the battlefield. Songs dedicated to Artsakh, as well
as video montages of various heroic figures and battles, were played
regularly throughout the event.
In addition to helping AYF members learn more about Artsakh's liberation,
organizing such an event served to encourage the community to do more to
help strengthen Artsakh's independence.
"From an awareness stand point, it helped us realize that we as Armenians
are in this all together. Regardless of what area of the world we live in,
we can all do something to help," said AYF Junior advisor Simon Sarkisian.
***
In the same spirit, the New York "Hyoritk" chapter remembered the Artsakh
movement with a commemoration held on Feb. 29 in the Armenian Center in
Woodside, NY.
The turnout was overwhelming, with over 250 in attendance and what became a
standing room only event.
After opening with the singing of "Mer Hairenik," a moment of silence was
held in memory of the victims of the Baku and Sumgait massacres and of those
who gave their lives fighting for Artsakh's freedom. This was followed by a
moving program featuring a poem recital, dance performance, skit and the
reading of an inspiring statement from the ARF Youth in Artsakh.
Hyortik executive member Sossi Essajanian then took to the podium and spoke
on behalf of her chapter, noting the just nature of the Artsakh struggle.
"February 1988 and the start of the struggle for the liberation of Artsakh
proved that the Armenian nation has equal rights with the rest of the world
to live free and determine its own future," stated Essajanian.
She remembered the fedayees that fought for this cause saying, "Armenians
>From Artsakh, Armenia and the diaspora stood side by side to fight and die
for the idea of a free, independent and united Armenia."
The night culminated with a documentary screening dedicated to Artsakh
followed by closing remarks from Archbishop Anoushavan Tanelian. A reception
was held afterward, during which attendees received free CDs of songs
dedicated to Artsakh and browsed through an exhibit of black and white
photos by ArmenPress photographer Robert Garabedian, which depicted the
inception of the Artsakh movement.
This diverse and captivating program served as a truly memorable event and
succeeded in conveying the importance of Artsakh for all those in
attendance. "Through all these different mediums we wanted to put on a
diverse cultural program engaging attendees in a multi-media approach to
envelope them in the world that is Artsakh," said Hyortik member Toros
Asadourian.
David Ambartsumyan, a Sumgait survivor in attendance, added, "I think we are
doing a strong thing here by remembering this past tragedy. It was brutal
what they did, especially for us who went through it. But by looking at this
young generation, who knows about the genocide and is teaching others about
the massacres in Baku and Sumgait, I feel hopeful."
----------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- -----
2. The Burden of Privilege
By Vrej haroutounian
In March of last year, I found myself in Armenia, walking to the AYF Central
Office in Yerevan. There was a light snow coming down, the streets were
filled with mud and potholes were everywhere. As I walked down those
streets, I could not help but compare my experience in Haiastan to the life
I had in the States. I thought, "Man, I have it nice back home. A nice
house, new car, and...hot water." I realized just how much we take things
for granted in the States, things which are actually luxuries in Armenia.
For instance, that morning I had waited for 45 minutes for the water heater
to turn on so I could take a hot shower. After the wait, my choice for water
was simply hot or cold, there was no in-between. A few more comparisons of
this sort crossed my mind as I got closer to the office.
Finally, I walked in to find a young man sitting there reading a book. He
asked me who I was there to see and showed me the way to his office. As I
walked into the building, my friend greeted me and we immediately started
talking about the upcoming ARF rallies that were to take place later that
day. We waited for a few minutes before our fellow youth steadily began
showing up at the office. We all quickly mobilized and headed off to a
political gathering that was taking place in one of the regions of Yerevan.
It was great seeing all of these young people climbing into the vans with
their Armenian and ARF flags ready to go. It was especially impressive
because it was not taking place on a Saturday or Sunday-it was a Monday
afternoon.
When we got to the rally, everyone went off to do his or her job. Some
people set up the stage, others waived the flags, and others listened while
the ARF candidates spoke. As I stood there, I could not help but feel a
sense of humbleness. My fellow Armenians humbled me, as they were doing what
some of us do back in the States, but in their own homeland with much fewer
resources to work with.
At the end, when the speeches ended and some folk dancers took to the stage,
I remember looking around at the crowd, thinking how our people are a proud
people, yet their state is not what it should be. The streets were filled
with mud, everyone was dressed in gray and black, and the building weighed
down upon the square. But, just then, I saw something that gave me hope.
Behind the dancers on stage, there was the statue of Soghomon Tehlirian and
there with it stood the spirit I am confident will lead to a brighter
future.
On the drive back, all I could think of were the excuses. The excuses that
we all have, the excuses that we all make about having work, having school,
concentrating on our futures. The millions of excuses that we have given
and, at times, heard, if not to someone else, then to ourselves. The end
realization was that we in the U.S. live in an abundance of "privilege."
Every one of us has a home, which, even if it may not be a mansion, still
has running hot water every morning. Every one of us has a car and not once
have any of us had to walk through a muddy street in order to get to school.
At the same time, every one of us has a burden: a "burden of privilege."
This is a burden that a person trying to survive does not have. We are
privileged enough to have the financial means to attend universities and, as
such, a special burden to use our skills to work for the survival and future
of the Armenian people. We have the privilege of being citizens of a country
where we are not persecuted for calling for the recognition of the Armenian
genocide, and it is our burden to work towards that recognition.
I can go on listing a million other privileges. But recognizing your
luxuries and privileges is not what is important. The real question is, what
are you willing to do with the burden that comes with your privilege?
80 Bigelow Avenue
Watertown MA 02472 USA
(617) 926-3974
[email protected]
http://www.a rmenianweekly.com
The Armenian Weekly; Volume 74, No. 9; March 8, 2008
AYF Section:
1. AYF Chapters Remember Artsakh Struggle
2. The Burden of Privilege
By Vrej haroutounian
***
1. AYF Chapters Remember Artsakh Struggle
With this year marking the 20th anniversary of Artsakh's liberation
movement, AYF chapters throughout the country are holding events in their
local communities honoring those who perished and commemorating the struggle
that achieved independence for Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabagh).
On Feb. 24, the Providence "Varantian" AYF Seniors and Juniors came together
to organize a special commemorative event marking the 20th anniversary. Over
150 community members attended the event, which was held after Sunday
service at the Sts. Vartanantz Church Hall in Providence, R.I.
Alexan Topalian, a member of the "Varantian" Junior executive, addressed the
crowd by noting the importance of never forgetting the massacres that befell
Armenians in places like Sumgait 20 years ago at the hands of Azeris. He
also remembered the heroic sacrifices made to achieve victory for Artsakh
and stressed the need to stand by the side of the people in their continuing
struggle for self-determination.
AYF members also distributed packets to attendees, which featured background
information on the struggle and pictures of some of the ARF freedom fighters
who gave their lives on the battlefield. Songs dedicated to Artsakh, as well
as video montages of various heroic figures and battles, were played
regularly throughout the event.
In addition to helping AYF members learn more about Artsakh's liberation,
organizing such an event served to encourage the community to do more to
help strengthen Artsakh's independence.
"From an awareness stand point, it helped us realize that we as Armenians
are in this all together. Regardless of what area of the world we live in,
we can all do something to help," said AYF Junior advisor Simon Sarkisian.
***
In the same spirit, the New York "Hyoritk" chapter remembered the Artsakh
movement with a commemoration held on Feb. 29 in the Armenian Center in
Woodside, NY.
The turnout was overwhelming, with over 250 in attendance and what became a
standing room only event.
After opening with the singing of "Mer Hairenik," a moment of silence was
held in memory of the victims of the Baku and Sumgait massacres and of those
who gave their lives fighting for Artsakh's freedom. This was followed by a
moving program featuring a poem recital, dance performance, skit and the
reading of an inspiring statement from the ARF Youth in Artsakh.
Hyortik executive member Sossi Essajanian then took to the podium and spoke
on behalf of her chapter, noting the just nature of the Artsakh struggle.
"February 1988 and the start of the struggle for the liberation of Artsakh
proved that the Armenian nation has equal rights with the rest of the world
to live free and determine its own future," stated Essajanian.
She remembered the fedayees that fought for this cause saying, "Armenians
>From Artsakh, Armenia and the diaspora stood side by side to fight and die
for the idea of a free, independent and united Armenia."
The night culminated with a documentary screening dedicated to Artsakh
followed by closing remarks from Archbishop Anoushavan Tanelian. A reception
was held afterward, during which attendees received free CDs of songs
dedicated to Artsakh and browsed through an exhibit of black and white
photos by ArmenPress photographer Robert Garabedian, which depicted the
inception of the Artsakh movement.
This diverse and captivating program served as a truly memorable event and
succeeded in conveying the importance of Artsakh for all those in
attendance. "Through all these different mediums we wanted to put on a
diverse cultural program engaging attendees in a multi-media approach to
envelope them in the world that is Artsakh," said Hyortik member Toros
Asadourian.
David Ambartsumyan, a Sumgait survivor in attendance, added, "I think we are
doing a strong thing here by remembering this past tragedy. It was brutal
what they did, especially for us who went through it. But by looking at this
young generation, who knows about the genocide and is teaching others about
the massacres in Baku and Sumgait, I feel hopeful."
----------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- -----
2. The Burden of Privilege
By Vrej haroutounian
In March of last year, I found myself in Armenia, walking to the AYF Central
Office in Yerevan. There was a light snow coming down, the streets were
filled with mud and potholes were everywhere. As I walked down those
streets, I could not help but compare my experience in Haiastan to the life
I had in the States. I thought, "Man, I have it nice back home. A nice
house, new car, and...hot water." I realized just how much we take things
for granted in the States, things which are actually luxuries in Armenia.
For instance, that morning I had waited for 45 minutes for the water heater
to turn on so I could take a hot shower. After the wait, my choice for water
was simply hot or cold, there was no in-between. A few more comparisons of
this sort crossed my mind as I got closer to the office.
Finally, I walked in to find a young man sitting there reading a book. He
asked me who I was there to see and showed me the way to his office. As I
walked into the building, my friend greeted me and we immediately started
talking about the upcoming ARF rallies that were to take place later that
day. We waited for a few minutes before our fellow youth steadily began
showing up at the office. We all quickly mobilized and headed off to a
political gathering that was taking place in one of the regions of Yerevan.
It was great seeing all of these young people climbing into the vans with
their Armenian and ARF flags ready to go. It was especially impressive
because it was not taking place on a Saturday or Sunday-it was a Monday
afternoon.
When we got to the rally, everyone went off to do his or her job. Some
people set up the stage, others waived the flags, and others listened while
the ARF candidates spoke. As I stood there, I could not help but feel a
sense of humbleness. My fellow Armenians humbled me, as they were doing what
some of us do back in the States, but in their own homeland with much fewer
resources to work with.
At the end, when the speeches ended and some folk dancers took to the stage,
I remember looking around at the crowd, thinking how our people are a proud
people, yet their state is not what it should be. The streets were filled
with mud, everyone was dressed in gray and black, and the building weighed
down upon the square. But, just then, I saw something that gave me hope.
Behind the dancers on stage, there was the statue of Soghomon Tehlirian and
there with it stood the spirit I am confident will lead to a brighter
future.
On the drive back, all I could think of were the excuses. The excuses that
we all have, the excuses that we all make about having work, having school,
concentrating on our futures. The millions of excuses that we have given
and, at times, heard, if not to someone else, then to ourselves. The end
realization was that we in the U.S. live in an abundance of "privilege."
Every one of us has a home, which, even if it may not be a mansion, still
has running hot water every morning. Every one of us has a car and not once
have any of us had to walk through a muddy street in order to get to school.
At the same time, every one of us has a burden: a "burden of privilege."
This is a burden that a person trying to survive does not have. We are
privileged enough to have the financial means to attend universities and, as
such, a special burden to use our skills to work for the survival and future
of the Armenian people. We have the privilege of being citizens of a country
where we are not persecuted for calling for the recognition of the Armenian
genocide, and it is our burden to work towards that recognition.
I can go on listing a million other privileges. But recognizing your
luxuries and privileges is not what is important. The real question is, what
are you willing to do with the burden that comes with your privilege?