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WRONG PRIORITIES, AGAIN
Avedis Kevorkian
http://www.keghart.com/Kevorkian-WrongPriorities
August 15, 2011
Let me state the fact plainly so as to spare people the time and
effort to accuse me: I do have a perverse sense of humor. Or, is it
a perverse sense of values?
Recently, I learned (and read in one of the Armenian newspapers)
that a former Armenian Ambassador to Her Majesty's Government (he was
also a former Prime Minister of Armenia) and a collection very wealthy
Armenians from around the world made a big show of contributing much
money to an Armenian charity and to a pet project of Prince Charles,
the Prince of Wales, and the heir to the throne.
There were the usual photos taken with His Highness (and with other
Royals), all of which are now hanging in prominent places in their
homes. "That's me with. . . ." and "That's me with. . . ."
What brought a smile to my lips was reading a report that when the
BBC did a feature on His Highness's project, the contributions of
the Armenians--the Reception, the photo sessions, etc--were never
mentioned. The report to me didn't say if any other wannabe group's
contributions were mentioned, but that is not the point. What is the
point is that these same wannabes probably don't know what else is
going on in London.
It is a reflection on the mentality of the crooks and thieves
and thugs who run Armenia that not one of their officials has, for
instance, visited the British Library to see the magnificent Armenian
collection--reportedly second only to that in Yerevan--although
they did manage to get to Buckingham Palace. Why is that such an
indictment? Because, in its infinite wisdom, the British Library is
closing down the entire Christian Middle East collection--the work
of the greatest living Armenian, Rev. Nerses Nersessian (who was not
invited to the Gala, I would wager), who is retiring after 35 years
as the head of the section.
I am told that during the period of Soviet Armenia, visiting officials
always made it a requirement that they must visit the British Museum,
which housed the collection prior to the building of the present
Library. No doubt, the Republic's officials feel that since they
can't make any money from the collection why waste time visiting,
when there are casinos to go to.
As for the wannabes who now can name-drop "Prince Charles" in their
conversations, I, also, wonder if they care that the British Museum
has committed a major insult to the Armenians and Armenian culture. It
has removed from display an ancient khatchkar donated to the British
Museum by the late Catholicos Vazken.
It was removed once before at the urging of the then Turkish
Ambassador. When the officials of the Museum were reminded that in
accepting the donation, the Museum agreed to DISPLAY OR RETURN the
khatchkar, the khatchkar was returned to display because "we don't
return anything."
Whether or not the present Turkish ambassador has anything to do
with this removal--the Museum, in a letter to me, denies it ("but
they would, wouldn't they?")--my efforts for its restoration (or
return) will continue. I know it would be fruitless to contact the
wannabes to enlist their support, so I will fight the battle in my
way. If being with His Highness didn't get them coverage on the BBC,
fighting on behalf of Armenian culture certainly will not.
But, just think (he says to himself, with that smile) what would happen
if the rich Armenians led by the former Ambassador/Prime MInister were
to march on the British Museum and say: "Display or Return!" Imagine
the BM's quandary. Every Hellen from 1000 miles around Britain would
be demanding the return of the Elgin Marbles!
But, I am digressing.
Why do I smile when I hear these sorts of reports? Because I assume
a smug, self-satisfied--Yes, conceited--attitude that I am the only
one who gives a damn about the important things concerning Armenia
and things-Armenian. To my knowledge, the khatchkar is the only
thing-Armenian at the Museum, and it should be on display, not
consigned to the basement.
It is a simple statement of fact that more people will see the
magnificent Armenian collection in London than will ever see the
one in Yerevan. If the British Museum and the British Library get
their way--and, they will, rest assured--it will be a greater tragedy
than the omission of any reference to the wannabe Armenians at the
Reception with Prince Charles and their contribution to his Dumfries
House restoration project.
That restoration will happen without a penny from the Armenians, but
what of the insult to the ancient culture of the Armenians by the
British Museum and the British Library? Will those who contributed
to Prince Charles's project now ask him to fight the battle for
the restoration of the khatchkar and of the Christian Middle East
collection? Do pigs fly?
That smile has now gone from my face.
Comments
Self-serving Moguls
Submitted by Ghevont on Sun, 2011-08-21 11:36.
Unfortunately, you are perfectly correct. These self-serving Armenian
"moguls" are contributing to the erosion of any and all Armenian
values that have been established especially since the Genocide
for the purpose of preserving the Armenian identity as well as to
make the world aware of our presence. These thoughtless, greedy and
selfish "moguls" unfortunately confirm the Armenian adage: "Poshan
khanum ch'ullar".
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Avedis Kevorkian
http://www.keghart.com/Kevorkian-WrongPriorities
August 15, 2011
Let me state the fact plainly so as to spare people the time and
effort to accuse me: I do have a perverse sense of humor. Or, is it
a perverse sense of values?
Recently, I learned (and read in one of the Armenian newspapers)
that a former Armenian Ambassador to Her Majesty's Government (he was
also a former Prime Minister of Armenia) and a collection very wealthy
Armenians from around the world made a big show of contributing much
money to an Armenian charity and to a pet project of Prince Charles,
the Prince of Wales, and the heir to the throne.
There were the usual photos taken with His Highness (and with other
Royals), all of which are now hanging in prominent places in their
homes. "That's me with. . . ." and "That's me with. . . ."
What brought a smile to my lips was reading a report that when the
BBC did a feature on His Highness's project, the contributions of
the Armenians--the Reception, the photo sessions, etc--were never
mentioned. The report to me didn't say if any other wannabe group's
contributions were mentioned, but that is not the point. What is the
point is that these same wannabes probably don't know what else is
going on in London.
It is a reflection on the mentality of the crooks and thieves
and thugs who run Armenia that not one of their officials has, for
instance, visited the British Library to see the magnificent Armenian
collection--reportedly second only to that in Yerevan--although
they did manage to get to Buckingham Palace. Why is that such an
indictment? Because, in its infinite wisdom, the British Library is
closing down the entire Christian Middle East collection--the work
of the greatest living Armenian, Rev. Nerses Nersessian (who was not
invited to the Gala, I would wager), who is retiring after 35 years
as the head of the section.
I am told that during the period of Soviet Armenia, visiting officials
always made it a requirement that they must visit the British Museum,
which housed the collection prior to the building of the present
Library. No doubt, the Republic's officials feel that since they
can't make any money from the collection why waste time visiting,
when there are casinos to go to.
As for the wannabes who now can name-drop "Prince Charles" in their
conversations, I, also, wonder if they care that the British Museum
has committed a major insult to the Armenians and Armenian culture. It
has removed from display an ancient khatchkar donated to the British
Museum by the late Catholicos Vazken.
It was removed once before at the urging of the then Turkish
Ambassador. When the officials of the Museum were reminded that in
accepting the donation, the Museum agreed to DISPLAY OR RETURN the
khatchkar, the khatchkar was returned to display because "we don't
return anything."
Whether or not the present Turkish ambassador has anything to do
with this removal--the Museum, in a letter to me, denies it ("but
they would, wouldn't they?")--my efforts for its restoration (or
return) will continue. I know it would be fruitless to contact the
wannabes to enlist their support, so I will fight the battle in my
way. If being with His Highness didn't get them coverage on the BBC,
fighting on behalf of Armenian culture certainly will not.
But, just think (he says to himself, with that smile) what would happen
if the rich Armenians led by the former Ambassador/Prime MInister were
to march on the British Museum and say: "Display or Return!" Imagine
the BM's quandary. Every Hellen from 1000 miles around Britain would
be demanding the return of the Elgin Marbles!
But, I am digressing.
Why do I smile when I hear these sorts of reports? Because I assume
a smug, self-satisfied--Yes, conceited--attitude that I am the only
one who gives a damn about the important things concerning Armenia
and things-Armenian. To my knowledge, the khatchkar is the only
thing-Armenian at the Museum, and it should be on display, not
consigned to the basement.
It is a simple statement of fact that more people will see the
magnificent Armenian collection in London than will ever see the
one in Yerevan. If the British Museum and the British Library get
their way--and, they will, rest assured--it will be a greater tragedy
than the omission of any reference to the wannabe Armenians at the
Reception with Prince Charles and their contribution to his Dumfries
House restoration project.
That restoration will happen without a penny from the Armenians, but
what of the insult to the ancient culture of the Armenians by the
British Museum and the British Library? Will those who contributed
to Prince Charles's project now ask him to fight the battle for
the restoration of the khatchkar and of the Christian Middle East
collection? Do pigs fly?
That smile has now gone from my face.
Comments
Self-serving Moguls
Submitted by Ghevont on Sun, 2011-08-21 11:36.
Unfortunately, you are perfectly correct. These self-serving Armenian
"moguls" are contributing to the erosion of any and all Armenian
values that have been established especially since the Genocide
for the purpose of preserving the Armenian identity as well as to
make the world aware of our presence. These thoughtless, greedy and
selfish "moguls" unfortunately confirm the Armenian adage: "Poshan
khanum ch'ullar".
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress