Tweet
'LEADERSHIP REQUIRES WISDOM': DETROIT ARF CELEBRATES PAST AND PRESENT GLORY
by Betty Apigian-Kessel
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/12/07/leadership-requires-wisdom-detroit-arf-celebrates-past-and-present-glory/
December 7, 2012
When Kristapor Mikaelian, Simon Zavarian, and Stepan Zorian (Rosdom)
formed the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) in 1890, they surely
believed that there would be others to follow in their footsteps to
maintain a vibrant democratic society for Armenians, and to lead the
organization into the future. They were absolutely correct, and the
beat goes on. These men of vision would not be disappointed in the
ARF of the 21st century.
On Sat., Dec. 1, the Detroit ARF "Azadamard" Gomideh invited the
community to a complimentary dinner and program featuring speaker Asbed
Kotchikian, a professor at Boston's Bentley University and editor of
"The Armenian Review."
Gomideh chairman Raffi Ourlian greeted the 125 guests with thanks
for their unfailing support of the organization. Detroit remains a
stronghold for the Tashnagtsutiun, he said, noticing the hamagirs
and sympathizers who filled the room.
"What can be said of 122 years of existence," he asked, proceeding
to recount the ARF's long dedication for a free and independent
Armenia, which finally became a reality in 1991; its support for
Nagorno-Karabagh's freedom; and its opposition to the Turkish-Armenian
protocols "from the beginning."
Ourlian explained the ARF's nation-building thusly with its umbrella
organizations: "The Homenetmen teach our youth to elevate themselves;
Hamazkayin are our cultural soldiers with its accomplished Arax dance
troupe; the Armenian Relief Society supports worldwide charities;
the Armenian Youth Federation is creating the future ARF leadership;
and finally the church is for spiritual guidance."
"I challenge those who oppose the ARF, asking what have you done for
the Armenian nation?" he said.
Kotchikian asked the audience to think forward regarding the ARF's
role serving Armenia and the diaspora. He said that with Armenia's
independence, the nation must adapt to a fast-changing technological
world; that we are challenged to think globally, to have a larger
agenda. He repeated the fact that the ARF is an organization meant
to serve both Armenia and its diaspora.
"Without a state [Armenia], the fact that in 2015 we will commemorate
100 years of the genocide and 125 years of the ARF's existence will be
less important. It's the real tangible Armenia we have had in history
and we are still struggling with the idea of independence. The ARF
has a clear-cut ideology of equitable social justice important for
a viable society."
Kotchikian hit a high point when he stated, "A gap was created between
Armenia and the diaspora when after the election several years ago
the diaspora remained silent when there was violence, deaths, and
imprisonments in the homeland."
His intellectual background is represented by extensive travel to Iran,
Lebanon, Syria, and the former Soviet States of Georgia, Latvia, and
Russia. He lectures in political science, international relations,
and politics in the Middle East, and has published numerous articles
and books.
The ARF proudly counts many Ph.D.'s among its ranks. Therefore we
can only hope for a continuation of this strength and leadership,
tempered with wisdom and coupled with support from hamagirs.
Also participating in the event were Emily Movsesian singing the
American and Armenian National Anthems, Shoghere Ourlian reciting
"We Are Brothers," and Sebouh Hatsakordzian.
The spirit of the ARF's original founders was alive and well that day,
represented by stalwart ARF members sprinkled throughout the Armenian
Community Center, including but not limited to Greg Vartanian, Nishan
Apigian, Narses Gedigian, Sebouh Sarkisian, Khatchig Kafavian, Jack
Garbooshian, Armen Topouzian, Avetis Mishigian, Hayg and Georgi-Ann
Oshagan, Shant Jamkotchian, Krista Tossounian, Ross Bagdasarian,
Serop Ghazourian, and Hovagim Manoogian.
The ARF represents the land, the air, the essence of what Armenia
is and will continue to be through the strength of its leadership
and accountability to the diaspora and Armenia, seeking reparations,
genocide recognition, and justice for our martyrs.
We will keep our place in the sun.
by Betty Apigian-Kessel
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/12/07/leadership-requires-wisdom-detroit-arf-celebrates-past-and-present-glory/
December 7, 2012
When Kristapor Mikaelian, Simon Zavarian, and Stepan Zorian (Rosdom)
formed the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) in 1890, they surely
believed that there would be others to follow in their footsteps to
maintain a vibrant democratic society for Armenians, and to lead the
organization into the future. They were absolutely correct, and the
beat goes on. These men of vision would not be disappointed in the
ARF of the 21st century.
On Sat., Dec. 1, the Detroit ARF "Azadamard" Gomideh invited the
community to a complimentary dinner and program featuring speaker Asbed
Kotchikian, a professor at Boston's Bentley University and editor of
"The Armenian Review."
Gomideh chairman Raffi Ourlian greeted the 125 guests with thanks
for their unfailing support of the organization. Detroit remains a
stronghold for the Tashnagtsutiun, he said, noticing the hamagirs
and sympathizers who filled the room.
"What can be said of 122 years of existence," he asked, proceeding
to recount the ARF's long dedication for a free and independent
Armenia, which finally became a reality in 1991; its support for
Nagorno-Karabagh's freedom; and its opposition to the Turkish-Armenian
protocols "from the beginning."
Ourlian explained the ARF's nation-building thusly with its umbrella
organizations: "The Homenetmen teach our youth to elevate themselves;
Hamazkayin are our cultural soldiers with its accomplished Arax dance
troupe; the Armenian Relief Society supports worldwide charities;
the Armenian Youth Federation is creating the future ARF leadership;
and finally the church is for spiritual guidance."
"I challenge those who oppose the ARF, asking what have you done for
the Armenian nation?" he said.
Kotchikian asked the audience to think forward regarding the ARF's
role serving Armenia and the diaspora. He said that with Armenia's
independence, the nation must adapt to a fast-changing technological
world; that we are challenged to think globally, to have a larger
agenda. He repeated the fact that the ARF is an organization meant
to serve both Armenia and its diaspora.
"Without a state [Armenia], the fact that in 2015 we will commemorate
100 years of the genocide and 125 years of the ARF's existence will be
less important. It's the real tangible Armenia we have had in history
and we are still struggling with the idea of independence. The ARF
has a clear-cut ideology of equitable social justice important for
a viable society."
Kotchikian hit a high point when he stated, "A gap was created between
Armenia and the diaspora when after the election several years ago
the diaspora remained silent when there was violence, deaths, and
imprisonments in the homeland."
His intellectual background is represented by extensive travel to Iran,
Lebanon, Syria, and the former Soviet States of Georgia, Latvia, and
Russia. He lectures in political science, international relations,
and politics in the Middle East, and has published numerous articles
and books.
The ARF proudly counts many Ph.D.'s among its ranks. Therefore we
can only hope for a continuation of this strength and leadership,
tempered with wisdom and coupled with support from hamagirs.
Also participating in the event were Emily Movsesian singing the
American and Armenian National Anthems, Shoghere Ourlian reciting
"We Are Brothers," and Sebouh Hatsakordzian.
The spirit of the ARF's original founders was alive and well that day,
represented by stalwart ARF members sprinkled throughout the Armenian
Community Center, including but not limited to Greg Vartanian, Nishan
Apigian, Narses Gedigian, Sebouh Sarkisian, Khatchig Kafavian, Jack
Garbooshian, Armen Topouzian, Avetis Mishigian, Hayg and Georgi-Ann
Oshagan, Shant Jamkotchian, Krista Tossounian, Ross Bagdasarian,
Serop Ghazourian, and Hovagim Manoogian.
The ARF represents the land, the air, the essence of what Armenia
is and will continue to be through the strength of its leadership
and accountability to the diaspora and Armenia, seeking reparations,
genocide recognition, and justice for our martyrs.
We will keep our place in the sun.