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PRESS RELEASE
National Association for Armenian
Studies and Research (NAASR)
395 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478
Tel.: 617-489-1610
Email: [email protected]
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
PHOTO 1: Gregory Ketabgian presenting Armen Aroyan with gift.
PHOTO 2: Program participants; left to right: Martin Eskijian, Gregory
Ketabgian, Maggie Mangassarian Goschin, Roupen Berberian, Anne
Elizabeth Redgate, Armen Aroyan, Richard Hovannisian, Bruce Roat
Tribute to Armen Aroyan Held
at ararat-eskijian museum
Armen Aroyan was honored for his achievements and dedication over the
past 25 years, during which he has tailored more than 75 Armenian
Heritage tours for over 1,200 pilgrims to historic Armenia to show
them the lands of their parents and grandparents. The tribute was
organized and cosponsored by the Ararat-Eskijian Museum (AEM) and the
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). The
program took place on February 9, 2014, at the Sheen Chapel on the
grounds of the Ararat Home Nursing Facility in Mission Hills, CA,
followed by a dinner reception in the Museum.
The master of ceremonies was Bruce Roat, Southern California board
member of NAASR. He was introduced by Martin Eskijian, Chairman of the
Ararat-Eskijian Museum, who initially welcomed an audience of more
than 220 enthusiastic attendees. The program started by the Ani String
Quartet rendering selections from Gomidas, Khatchaturian, and
Berberian, including "Tzitzernak."
Prof. Richard Hovannisian reviewed the history of the confiscation and
redistribution of Armenian properties during and after the
deportations and massacres. He commented that the Armenian Genocide
was unique among the 20th century genocides since its survivors were
the only ones who could not return back to inhabit their historic
homes. If they attempted, they were invariably arrested and sent
back. Prior to the 1980s, by law no non-Muslim could venture to the
interior of Turkey, even if they were Turkish citizens of
Istanbul. Prof. Hovannisian gave examples of how difficult it was for
Armenians to visit eastern Turkey in the early 1980s, when some
travelers had their cameras and film as well as their luggage
confiscated by Turkish security personnel, and they finally had to
leave.
Armen Aroyan's first expedition into the interior of Turkey in 1987
was to Antep, his own ancestral land. He dealt in a low-key manner
with the Turkish inhabitants and won them over with his smile while he
searched for remnants of old Armenian homes and churches. From that
point on, he extended his scope by discovering the small villages that
his pilgrims yearned to visit. More than anything, he enjoyed seeing
the joy and pleasure in the eyes of the people he took there, the
descendants of the Genocide survivors, as they experienced the
life-altering event of walking where their parents and grandparents
had once walked. Prof. Hovannisian ended his talk by thanking Armen
for having enriched so many people's lives. The next presentation was
an extensive slide show by Roupen Berberian, a four-time traveler with
Armen, of the groups he guided at numerous historic sites visited by
the pilgrims. This was accompanied with historical commentary by
Mr. Berberian. In addition, there was coverage of Armen's genealogy,
family influences, and education in Cairo, Egypt, and his immigration
to Southern California where he furthered his education in Electrical
Engineering at USC. He worked for McDonnell Douglas Aerospace for 25
years. Armen had guided many scholars, authors, religious leaders, and
documentarians from different countries on their trips to Turkey.
Anne Elizabeth Redgate, a historian from Newcastle University in
England, made the long trip specifically to be present on this
occasion. She had been with Armen Aroyan on previous trips and
commented on how he had been able to fulfill the realization of the
pilgrims' dreams by taking them safely to the heart of historic
Armenia. She had studied Armenian history for a long time, but being
given a chance to connect with the people and being "a beneficiary of
Armen's magic" had meant a great deal to her.
Bruce Roat acknowledged the many messages of congratulation that were
received from pilgrims who were not able to travel to the tribute
event. He read three testimonials, one by Lucille Hamparian, and
another from Jack Bournazian, who compared Armen to "an Armenian
locksmith" who "came into our lives and fitted a personal key for each
of us, unlocking the door to our personal pasts." In a third
testimonial, Nancy Kolligian, former Chairman of NAASR, who has worked
closely with Armen Aroyan and Prof. Hovannisian in organizing several
NAASR Armenian Heritage Tours, commended Armen for "the importance you
have always placed in making each traveler feel special and complete
in their personal quests" and commented that her visit to Hussenig in
historic Armenia was "one of the most memorable and emotional
experiences in my life."
Martin Eskijian presented Armen with an award of recognition from the
Ararat-Eskijian Museum, a sculpture of an Armenian mother protecting
her child during the deportation. The NAASR tribute was given by
Southern California board member Dr. Gregory Ketabgian who presented
Armen with a symbolic silver bowl designed by Michael Aram and
representing Noah's Ark resting on top of Mt. Ararat . He said
"although British ships could not climb Mt. Ararat, Armen was
symbolically able to do it with his vans."
Armen thanked all the organizers of the event and explained the
"providential chain of events" that led to his passion for organizing
tours through historic Armenia. He described some of the Armenians he
had discovered still living in remote corners of historic Armenia. He
was inspired by how they were initially reluctant but after relaxing
were able to sing the sharagans, recite the Havadamk, the Armenian
alphabet, and so on. He explained what he calls the "King Arshak
phenomenon," the transformation process he has witnessed in pilgrims
"reminiscent of the legend of the forlorn, depressed, and subservient
Armenian King Arshak II in captivity, who would miraculously regain
his boldness and strength when he stepped on the soil brought from the
homeland." He also thanked all the pilgrims who had travelled with
him and emphasized that he had learned much from them and their family
histories. "The pilgrims," he said, "gave me the opportunity to see
our homeland through their eyes, with the very wonder and awe of the
first time-every time. Together, we turned a haunted memory into a
tangible reality."
Armen explained the importance to him of the poem "My Death" by Bedros
Tourian and recited the last two lines: "When from the world my memory
fades away, / That is the time when I indeed shall die!" He
concluded: "First and foremost, last but not least, it is all about
keeping the memory of our rich legacy alive and propagating it for
future generations."
Armen Aroyan is in the process of publishing a two-volume collection
of writings by and about his co-travelers and their experiences.
Rev. Kevork Terian of the Armenian Cilicia Evangelical Church of
Pasadena ended the program with the benediction and wished Armen good
health to "continue his sacred mission to create new memories for
those yearning for their homeland which was so unjustly taken away
from them."
The reception, prepared by Maggie Mangassarian Goschin, the director
of the Ararat-Eskijian Museum as well as one of Armen Aroyan's
pilgrims, and Nora Nalbandian, was a veritable cornucopia of Armenian
dishes representing the different regions of historic Armenia. A
varied selection of wine was donated by Mr. Paul Kalemkiarian of the
Wine of the Month Club.
National Association for Armenian
Studies and Research (NAASR)
395 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478
Tel.: 617-489-1610
Email: [email protected]
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
PHOTO 1: Gregory Ketabgian presenting Armen Aroyan with gift.
PHOTO 2: Program participants; left to right: Martin Eskijian, Gregory
Ketabgian, Maggie Mangassarian Goschin, Roupen Berberian, Anne
Elizabeth Redgate, Armen Aroyan, Richard Hovannisian, Bruce Roat
Tribute to Armen Aroyan Held
at ararat-eskijian museum
Armen Aroyan was honored for his achievements and dedication over the
past 25 years, during which he has tailored more than 75 Armenian
Heritage tours for over 1,200 pilgrims to historic Armenia to show
them the lands of their parents and grandparents. The tribute was
organized and cosponsored by the Ararat-Eskijian Museum (AEM) and the
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). The
program took place on February 9, 2014, at the Sheen Chapel on the
grounds of the Ararat Home Nursing Facility in Mission Hills, CA,
followed by a dinner reception in the Museum.
The master of ceremonies was Bruce Roat, Southern California board
member of NAASR. He was introduced by Martin Eskijian, Chairman of the
Ararat-Eskijian Museum, who initially welcomed an audience of more
than 220 enthusiastic attendees. The program started by the Ani String
Quartet rendering selections from Gomidas, Khatchaturian, and
Berberian, including "Tzitzernak."
Prof. Richard Hovannisian reviewed the history of the confiscation and
redistribution of Armenian properties during and after the
deportations and massacres. He commented that the Armenian Genocide
was unique among the 20th century genocides since its survivors were
the only ones who could not return back to inhabit their historic
homes. If they attempted, they were invariably arrested and sent
back. Prior to the 1980s, by law no non-Muslim could venture to the
interior of Turkey, even if they were Turkish citizens of
Istanbul. Prof. Hovannisian gave examples of how difficult it was for
Armenians to visit eastern Turkey in the early 1980s, when some
travelers had their cameras and film as well as their luggage
confiscated by Turkish security personnel, and they finally had to
leave.
Armen Aroyan's first expedition into the interior of Turkey in 1987
was to Antep, his own ancestral land. He dealt in a low-key manner
with the Turkish inhabitants and won them over with his smile while he
searched for remnants of old Armenian homes and churches. From that
point on, he extended his scope by discovering the small villages that
his pilgrims yearned to visit. More than anything, he enjoyed seeing
the joy and pleasure in the eyes of the people he took there, the
descendants of the Genocide survivors, as they experienced the
life-altering event of walking where their parents and grandparents
had once walked. Prof. Hovannisian ended his talk by thanking Armen
for having enriched so many people's lives. The next presentation was
an extensive slide show by Roupen Berberian, a four-time traveler with
Armen, of the groups he guided at numerous historic sites visited by
the pilgrims. This was accompanied with historical commentary by
Mr. Berberian. In addition, there was coverage of Armen's genealogy,
family influences, and education in Cairo, Egypt, and his immigration
to Southern California where he furthered his education in Electrical
Engineering at USC. He worked for McDonnell Douglas Aerospace for 25
years. Armen had guided many scholars, authors, religious leaders, and
documentarians from different countries on their trips to Turkey.
Anne Elizabeth Redgate, a historian from Newcastle University in
England, made the long trip specifically to be present on this
occasion. She had been with Armen Aroyan on previous trips and
commented on how he had been able to fulfill the realization of the
pilgrims' dreams by taking them safely to the heart of historic
Armenia. She had studied Armenian history for a long time, but being
given a chance to connect with the people and being "a beneficiary of
Armen's magic" had meant a great deal to her.
Bruce Roat acknowledged the many messages of congratulation that were
received from pilgrims who were not able to travel to the tribute
event. He read three testimonials, one by Lucille Hamparian, and
another from Jack Bournazian, who compared Armen to "an Armenian
locksmith" who "came into our lives and fitted a personal key for each
of us, unlocking the door to our personal pasts." In a third
testimonial, Nancy Kolligian, former Chairman of NAASR, who has worked
closely with Armen Aroyan and Prof. Hovannisian in organizing several
NAASR Armenian Heritage Tours, commended Armen for "the importance you
have always placed in making each traveler feel special and complete
in their personal quests" and commented that her visit to Hussenig in
historic Armenia was "one of the most memorable and emotional
experiences in my life."
Martin Eskijian presented Armen with an award of recognition from the
Ararat-Eskijian Museum, a sculpture of an Armenian mother protecting
her child during the deportation. The NAASR tribute was given by
Southern California board member Dr. Gregory Ketabgian who presented
Armen with a symbolic silver bowl designed by Michael Aram and
representing Noah's Ark resting on top of Mt. Ararat . He said
"although British ships could not climb Mt. Ararat, Armen was
symbolically able to do it with his vans."
Armen thanked all the organizers of the event and explained the
"providential chain of events" that led to his passion for organizing
tours through historic Armenia. He described some of the Armenians he
had discovered still living in remote corners of historic Armenia. He
was inspired by how they were initially reluctant but after relaxing
were able to sing the sharagans, recite the Havadamk, the Armenian
alphabet, and so on. He explained what he calls the "King Arshak
phenomenon," the transformation process he has witnessed in pilgrims
"reminiscent of the legend of the forlorn, depressed, and subservient
Armenian King Arshak II in captivity, who would miraculously regain
his boldness and strength when he stepped on the soil brought from the
homeland." He also thanked all the pilgrims who had travelled with
him and emphasized that he had learned much from them and their family
histories. "The pilgrims," he said, "gave me the opportunity to see
our homeland through their eyes, with the very wonder and awe of the
first time-every time. Together, we turned a haunted memory into a
tangible reality."
Armen explained the importance to him of the poem "My Death" by Bedros
Tourian and recited the last two lines: "When from the world my memory
fades away, / That is the time when I indeed shall die!" He
concluded: "First and foremost, last but not least, it is all about
keeping the memory of our rich legacy alive and propagating it for
future generations."
Armen Aroyan is in the process of publishing a two-volume collection
of writings by and about his co-travelers and their experiences.
Rev. Kevork Terian of the Armenian Cilicia Evangelical Church of
Pasadena ended the program with the benediction and wished Armen good
health to "continue his sacred mission to create new memories for
those yearning for their homeland which was so unjustly taken away
from them."
The reception, prepared by Maggie Mangassarian Goschin, the director
of the Ararat-Eskijian Museum as well as one of Armen Aroyan's
pilgrims, and Nora Nalbandian, was a veritable cornucopia of Armenian
dishes representing the different regions of historic Armenia. A
varied selection of wine was donated by Mr. Paul Kalemkiarian of the
Wine of the Month Club.