1

July 23, 2017 Issue #475

Complete owe. All admitted

that now they understand

the complexity of life in the

Holy Land and were amazed

as to how many Holy Sites

Armenians possess within

the walled City of Jerusalem

and throughout the Holy

Land. Equally amazing to

many was how the country

has advanced since its

independence in 1948.

The infrastructure was most

impressive, specifically

major super highways,

which have helped economic

growth.

Jericho, Bethlehem and

the Holocaust Museum Yad

Vashem. Of course, the two

square mile walled city of

Jerusalem was the highlight

of our trip. It is truly a

unique experience to visit

the four Quarters of

Jerusalem and observe how

close the centers of

Christianity, Judaism and

Islam are to each other,

praying to one God, and yet

so far from each other. No

other place in the world

offers the diversity which

Jerusalem offers.

What was the overall

response of the members

in your group?

This was the third time

you have taken a group

to the Holy Land. How

was your experience the

third time around?

Our itinerary remains

basically the same. For the

first three days we were

stationed in Haifa, from

there we explored the

Northern part of Israel -

Acre, Nazareth, Israeli-

Lebanese border, Sea of

Galilee, the many churches

where Jesus preached and

worked miracles. Over the

next six days we were

stationed in Notre Dame,

Jerusalem from where we

explored the River Jordan,

Masssada, Dead Sea,

In This Issue:

The AGBU Performing

Arts Department Holds

Benefit Concert for Music

Schools in Nagorno-

Karabakh

AGBU Armenia Launches

E U - F u n d e d

BRIDGE4CSOs Program

The AGBU Armenian

Virtual College Expands

Focus on Armenian

Language Education

K h r i m i a n L y c e u m

c e l e b r a t e s i t s

30th anniversary at

graduation festivities

Poetry presented by Mrs.

Zarmine Boghosian

This week’s videos from

PAREV-TV

Current news from around

the world

Directory

Calendar of Events

Advertisers & Supporters

Editorial volunteer staff of

Armenian Interests

Volunteers of ARHNJ

Interview with Vartan Abdo following

his tour of the Holy Land

Continued on next page

Please send any

information

related to

Armenian Interests

e-newsletter to:

TalinKupelian@gmail.com

2

Listen to WSOU 89.5FM

Sundays 2:00-4:00PM

Interview with Vartan Abdo

Continued from previous page

Armenian Interests

What is the population of Israel

and more specifically

the Armenian population in

Israel?

The population of Israel is 8.4 million

with 75% Jews and 25% Arabs. There

are close to 160,000 Christians.

There are 2,000 Armenians. The

Christian population is decreasing at

a rapid rate. This is a problem

throughout the Middle East.

How safe is a trip to Israel?

Very safe. We would not take our

friends on a trip that is not safe. This

is our third trip and every individual

would attest that they felt safe

walking in the streets and traveling

throughout the country.

How about the language barrier?

In Israel there are two official

languages - Hebrew and Arabic.

Every street sign is recorded in

Hebrew, Arabic and

English. Everyone knows English

and there is no difficulty in

communicating.

Have any in your group been in

Jerusalem before?

That’s a fascinating question. Most of

the participants are friends of ours -

Armenians who were born

in Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Iran, and

Turkey. Surprisingly, quite a few

were born in Jerusalem and many

others have been to Jerusalem in the

1950’s and 1960’s when Jerusalem

was more accessible to the Arab

world. Things have changed since

1967 when Israel occupied

Jerusalem. For quite a few years our

attitude has been that Jerusalem is

out of reach. Nowadays, more and more

Armenians, who are American citizens,

are looking into visiting the area. With

an American passport, one would

have absolutely no problem visiting

Israel. Yet the normal passport control

and security questions have to be dealt

with like in any other country.

Did you visit with the

Patriarch Nurhan Manougian?

Yes, we visited the Armenian Quarter of

Jerusalem and the Armenian Patriarch

of Jerusalem, His Beatitude

Patriarch Nurhan Manougian. An

Armenian a trip to Jerusalem cannot be

complete without visiting the Patriarch.

We were greeted warmly and spent

some quality time with him, asking

questions and discussing how

Armenians have been able to hold onto

so many Holy Sites in the area. The

Patrairach’s message has always been

the same, “Come and visit your

home, especially during the Easter and

Christmas holidays.”

Is there anything new that you

experienced or discovered on this

trip?

I was born and raised in Jaffa and lived

close to the historic Jaffa Lighthouse,

which I had never been inside of. On this

trip we were able to go into the

lighthouse thanks to the hospitality of

an Armenian lady Hripsime Zakarian. It

was build in 1865 by Ottoman

authorities and the caretaker has

always been an Armenian of the

Zakarian family. The location is

significant because this was the place

where Simon the Tanner hosted St.

Peter. It was in this location that St.

Peter, the first Pope of Rome, prayed

and saw a vision which he understood as

a calling to convert the masses to

Christianity.

Something I discovered on this trip

was the Soorp Pirgitch ( Holy Savior)

Armenian Cemetery in the

Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem.

This is not a popular touristic site,

but it is very venerated by the local

Armenian community. This is where

the great Armenian Patriarchs of

Jerusalem are laid to rest alongside

the brotherhood and laymen. There

is so much history in this cemetery,

including a memorial for the brave

soldier who fought at the Battle of

Arara in 1918. For me, to stand next

to the graves of Patriarch Yeghishe

Derderian, Torkom Manougian, and

Patriarch elect Diran Nersoyan was

moving. I had know all three of these

individuals. They were giants of the

Armenian Church who lead the

Diasporan communities through

some very turbulent times. I would

strongly recommend visiting the

Soorp Pirgitch Cemetery to all those

who are interested in the history of

the Armenian diaspora.

The renovations that are taking

place in these Armenian Holy Sites

are very promising. Talented

Armenian artisans from Armenia are

working on the restoration and

renovation of these noble buildings.

The whole project is funded by an

Armenian philanthropist from

Moscow, Samuel Garabedian.

When is your next trip?

Our next trip is scheduled for

January 10 - January 20, 2018. This

will coincide with Armenian

Christmas in Bethlehem on Jan

19th. There is already a group of

people that is very interested in

joining us on this upcoming trip.

3

Armenian Interests

Argentina,

t h e

p r o c e e d s

from which

h a v e

a l r e a d y

been used

to buy

t h r e e

s c h o o l

p i a n o s .

C o n c e r t s

a r e

scheduled

for São

Paulo, Brazil on July 27 as well as

Yerevan, Armenia on September 22 in

collaboration with the National Folk

Instrument Ensemble and the Armenian

State Dance Ensemble. During the week

of the concert, from September 18 to 23,

an art exhibition will be held at Yerevan

City Hall to raise money for the cause.

The goal of the series is to purchase

more than 250 instruments for schools.

"Being part of this incredible project

means a lot to me personally. Concerts

like this one remind us of how

lucky we are to be using our

music and passion to contribute

to bettering society, to making

the world a better place. While I

was playing, I felt a stronger

connection to my roots and

ancestors who sacrificed so

much and went through all

kinds of hardship so our

generation could have a better

life. In a way, this concert

symbolizes my gratitude to

them, to all Armenians around

the world, for keeping our

The AGBU Performing Arts Department Holds Benefit

Concert for Music Schools in Nagorno-Karabakh

identity and culture alive. When we

work together, we are stronger. I'm

humbled to be a part of this world

concert tour and team of musicians

who are donating their talent to

bring smiles to children and

contribute to a brighter future in

Artsakh," said Sami Merdinian.

For more information on the AGBU

Performing Arts Department, please

v i s i t

http://www.agbuperformingarts.org/.

On June 14, the AGBU Performing

Arts Department held a benefit

concert for music schools in Nagorno-

Karabakh entitled “What Have You

Done for Artsakh?” at the Yamaha

Piano Salon in New York. The

performers included mezzo-soprano

Solange Merdinian; violinist Sami

Merdinian; as well as pianist and

AGBU Performing Arts Department

director Hayk Arsenyan, and boasted

a varied program with traditional

Armenian pieces and lullabies

alongside Argentine tangos and Afro-

Cuban dances.

The concert, which raised nearly

$4,000 to purchase instruments for

music schools in Nagorno-Karabakh,

is part of a series of benefit concerts

initiated by the Armenian Ministry

of Diaspora and launched by AGBU

Buenos Aires in May through the

efforts of AGBU Buenos Aires vice

president Antonio Sarafian and

artistic director of the series, duduk

player Gagik Gasparyan. Concerts

have been held in three cities across

(left to right) Violinist Sami Merdinian, pianist

Hayk Arsenyan and mezzo-soprano Solange

Merdinian. (photo credit: Linda Ravul)

On June 14, the AGBU Performing Arts

Department held a benefit concert for music

schools in Nagorno-Karabakh entitled “What

Have You Done for Artsakh?”

(photo credit: Linda Ravul)

Concerts have been held in three cities

across Argentina, the proceeds from which

have already been used to buy three

school pianos

4

Armenian Interests

New program to strengthen civil

society will engage diaspora

expertise to help Armenian non-

profits provide better services

On June 26, AGBU Armenia

o f f i c i a l l y l a u n c h e d i t s

B R I D G E 4 C S O s p r o g r a m

implemented in collaboration with

the Eurasia Partnership Foundation

and financed by the European Union.

The three-year, 2.2 million euro

program aims to help Armenian civil

society organizations (CSOs) enhance

their skills and deepen their

knowledge by tapping into the

expertise of the diaspora.

With more than 5,000 NGOs

registered in Armenia, the lack of

funding along with the lack of

professional skills often hinder the

sustainability of the non-profit

sector, leaving many CSOs inactive.

Charities, associations, CSOs, and

foundations address the needs of the

citizens in many different areas,

ranging from education and youth

and women empowerment to culture

and health. BRIDGE’s main goal is to

strengthen the capacity of the

Armenian nonprofit sector to

effectively contribute to decision-

making processes in Armenia and to

better respond to citizen’s needs.

The program started by building a

database of CSOs and conducting

their needs assessments. The more

than 200 Armenian non-profits

and experts surveyed have stated

that they are more and more

willing to acquire new skills and

better knowledge. This is where

BRIDGE truly helps by providing

funding and expertise, and

finding the most relevant pro

bono consultants from the

d i a s p o r a t o h e l p l o c a l

organizations on a specific project

or task.

As the first step in the program’s

implementat ion , BRIDGE4CSOs

conducted sector-related professional

needs assessments of more than 200

Armenian non-profits and experts

working in the fields of education,

healthcare, art and culture, sports,

youth and gender issues. The research

findings revealed that Armenian CSOs

are willing to become more professional,

and believe that peer-to-peer trainings,

on-site consultations and coaching are

among the most efficient methods to

improve their skills. Most of the CSOs

also consider social entrepreneurship as

key to self-sustainability and are looking

for more opportunities to form networks

and consortia to experience exchange

and to build links with overseas

organizations working in the same area.

Through the program, Armenian CSOs

will have the opportunity to participate

in thematic trainings and a university-

based , non-pro f i t management

certificate program; benefit from free

consultations; and apply for small

grants. ''Bringing the expertise of

diaspora Armenians to Armenian CSOs

is a win-win situation for all,” said head

of the EU Delegation in Armenia,

Ambassador Piotr Świtalski.

“As a global Armenian organization,

AGBU is committed to strengthening

civil society in Armenia by shaping its

resilience, sustainability and impact,”

said Vasken Yacoubian, President of

AGBU Armenia.

AGBU Armenia Launches EU-Funded

BRIDGE4CSOs Program

A unique component of the program

is the engagement of diaspora talent

and potential in the development of

the Armenian non-profit sector.

“Through our program, any qualified

individual can be a consultant,

become a board member of a local

organization, conduct a specific

training or workshop, become a

supporter of a non-profit’s projects

and thus contribute to diaspora

involvement in advancing Armenian

civil society,” said Arsen Stepanyan,

t h e t e a m l e a d e r o f t h e

BRIDGE4CSOs program.

A f r e e , w e b - b a s e d

Together4Armenia.am platform,

jointly managed by AGBU Armenia

and UNICEF in Armenia, will allow

for the transfer of knowledge and

skills from a network of experts

based in the diaspora. Experts and

CSOs can register on this platform,

and the BRIDGE4CSOs team will

then match them. BRIDGE4CSOs is

not limited to three years as it

intends to enact a new approach to

linking Armenia and the diaspora. A

tool for change-making in the long

term, the program expects to turn a

new page for the Armenian world at

large with EU support.

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n o n

BRIDGE4CSOs project, please visit

http://www.agbu.am/en/bridge-for-

csos.

AGBU Armenia President Vasken

Yacoubian at the launch of the

BRIDGE4CSOs program implemented

in collaboration with the Eurasia

Partnership Foundation and financed

by the European Union

Ambassador Piotr Świtalski, head of

the EU Delegation in Armenia,

highlights the importance of having

a strong civil society in Armenia

5

Armenian Interests

In April, the AGBU Armenian

Virtual College (AVC) launched its

Armenian language e-Hangouts as a

way for e-learners to practice their

language skills. Founded in 2009, the

Armenian Virtual College has

addressed the demand for Armenian

language instruction worldwide with

its online courses in Eastern and

Western Armenian, along with

courses in Armenian history, culture

and chess. The establishment of the

e-Hangouts, open to all AVC students

past and present, marks an

expansion of the program by

providing opportunities for learners

to practice and forge bonds with this

innovative platform.

For the past two months, AVC

alumni with intermediate and

advanced Armenian language skills

e-meet fellow e-learners during the e-

Hangout sessions and discuss various

topics, such as philosophy, art and

cooking. “Communicating in

Armenian through the AVC e-

Hangouts is not only important as a

forum to our e-learners, but it is also

very effective in connecting global

Armenians,” said AGBU Central

Board member and AVC founder

Yervant Zorian.

T h e i d e a f o r t h i s g l o b a l

communication platform was

proposed in February during a series

of events in honor of the United

Nations Educational, Scientific and

Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

International Mother Language

Day that was dedicated to

Armenian language preservation

in Armenia and in the diaspora.

Since 1999, the UNESCO

International Mother Language

Day—held each year on February

21—has supported mother

language and multilingual

education to raise awareness

about linguistic and cultural

d ivers ity through global

language education and intercultural

communication.

The opening event of the series was the

13th Yerevan Book Fair-Expo at the

Khnko Aper National Children's

Library, which took place from February

18 to 21. In the AVC and the Armenian

Ministry of Diaspora joint pavilion, AVC

showcased its multimedia e-Book series

and Armenian language course

materials to demonstrate the innovative

capabilities developed to meet the needs

of young e-learners. During this Fair-

Expo, the Minister of Diaspora Hranush

Hakobyan commended AVC and its

methods: “This unique institution

always stands out with its innovative

offerings. The e-publications are what

we have been missing today for a new

generation of readers. The Ministry will

support AVC to further raise awareness

and participation.”

A roundtable discussion, entitled “The

Armenian Language in Textbooks,” was

The AGBU Armenian Virtual College Expands

Focus on Armenian Language Education

held on February 20 and co-

organized by AVC, the Armenian

Ministry of Diaspora and the

National Academy of Sciences of

Armenia. During the discussion,

AVC detailed its approaches for

disseminating the Armenian

language and AVC Hybrid Education

coordinator Arpine Tavakalyan

shared AVC’s online experience in

preparing e-learning materials.

“Distance learning and applying the

latest technologies need to have a

special place in the development of

new language policy and new

textbooks need to be accessible to the

Armenian diaspora as well,” she

said.

The Armenia-Lebanon virtual

conference held on February 24 was

devoted to the preservation of

Western Armenian. During the

event, AVC Academic director

Hasmik Khalapyan and online

Western Armenian instructor Zepur

Kheblikian reemphasized the

significance of using e-learning

methods to teach today’s generations

and AVC’s proactive efforts in

preserving Western Armenian.

To conclude the series, AVC held an

e-Hangout session on March 2 to join

the AGBU Lazar Najarian-Calouste

Gulbenkian School in Aleppo with

the #150 Public School after F.

Nansen in Yerevan. The topic of

discussion was language learning in

Armenia and in the diaspora.

AVC continues to provide a unique

method of learning for its e-learners

to ensure progress in their

conversation and comprehension

skills as well as in creating bonds

within the global Armenian

community.

For more information about AGBU

Armenian Virtual College, please

visit www.avc-agbu.org/.

AVC held an e-Hangout session on March

2 to join the AGBU Lazar Najarian-

Calouste Gulbenkian School in Aleppo

with the #150 Public School after F.

Nansen in Yerevan

In April, the AGBU Armenian

Virtual College (AVC) launched its

Armenian Language e-Hangouts as

a way for e-learners to practice the

Armenian language

6

Armenian Interests

The Diocese’s Khrimian Lyceum

graduation festivities were held

recently, at the Diocesan Center in

New York. The event, sponsored by

the Armenian Studies department,

also celebrated the 30th anniversary

of the prestigious “immersion

program” in the Armenian heritage

and culture.

Diocesan Vicar the Very Rev. Fr.

Simeon Odabashian conducted

the Azkatroshm graduat ion

ceremony in collaboration with Fr.

Abraham Malkhasyan, pastor of the

Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, NY.

This year’s graduating class included

Shant Gemdzian, Claudine Haigian,

G r e g o r y M a n u e l i a n , T a l a r

Manuelian, Richard Mouradian, and

Stephanie Ani Tarian. Each

graduate, accompanied by an adult

sponsor, pledged to continue

upholding their Armenian Christian

heritage, and received a diploma and

gifts in the presence of some 90

people.

In remarks congratulating the

graduates, Fr. Odabashian invoked

the memory of the great Catholicos of

All Armenian Mkrtich Khrimian

(1820-1907)—the patron of Armenian

culture fondly remembered as

“Khrimian Hayrig,” who gives the

Lyceum its name.

Diocesan Armenian Studies director

Gilda Kupelian emphasized the

enduring significance of the Lyceum’s

educational program. “In

addition to linguistic and

faith literacy, Khrimian

Lyceum offers students

cultural identification, public

speaking opportunities,

exposure to the creative arts

in the Armenian tradition,

p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n

philanthropic endeavors, and

service to the church. No

wonder one of our guest lecturers

characterized Khrimian Lyceum as “a

leadership training program for teens.”

Former St. Vartan School Principal and

Lyceum teacher Shakeh Kadehjian,

recalled the impressive inception of the

program, and the current status it has

achieved. She also noted its current

branch in Armenia, and offered a wish

that the program would enjoy “30 times

30 more years” of success.

Alumna Taleen Babayan spoke on her

experience at the Lyceum, crediting the

founding director, as well as its current

administration. She emphasized the

profound influence the Lyceum has had

on her later involvement in the

Armenian community.

All speakers expressed their gratitude to

the Primate, Archbishop Khajag

Barsamian, and especially to Sylva Der

Stepanian, the founding director of the

Khrimian Lyceum, its major advocate,

and a decades-long promoter of

Armenian cultural and linguistic

studies.

The cultural program in the sanctuary

and on the plaza of St. Vartan Armenian

Cathedral included church hymns,

Gomidas songs conducted by Solange

Merdinian, violin music played by

graduate Stephanie Tarian, recitations

and tributes to Khrimian Hayrig, and

traditional Armenian dances.

Printed notecards featuring the

students’ artwork were on sale, proceeds

Khrimian Lyceum celebrates its 30th anniversary

at graduation festivities

of which will benefit the FAR-

sponsored “Ayo” project for teens in

Armenia. The students’ self-

published yearbook showcased a

retrospective of activities, including

a collage of photos spanning 30

years.

Alumni from the past were eager to

share their memories of the time

they spent in the Khrimian Lyceum.

“It had a great impact on my life as

an Armenian,” said Melissa Nazar.

“Attending Khrimian once a month

brought me to my Armenian roots by

socializing with my friends, learning

about my culture and history, and

singing our songs. Khrimian made

me to be the Armenian I am today:

proud of my heritage and culture.”

Nayad Manukian concurred.

“Khrimian was one of my best

experiences,” she said; “I wish I

could be given a chance to relive

those moments.”

Gilda Buchakjian Kupelian leads the

staff of the Khrimian Lyceum as

director of the Diocese’s Armenian

Studies department. This year’s

instructors included Vartan Garniki,

Ani Essayan, Artemis Khatcherian,

Anie Manuelian, Solange Merdinian,

F l o r e n c e A v a k i a n , N a y r a

Mkrtichyan, Anahid Oganesyan, and

Lucia Vorperian. The Lyceum is

grateful to all of its benefactors and

parents, as well as to the Akhtamar

Dance Ensemble and Berch

Manukian for their contributions.

The Khrimian Lyceum welcomes

graduates of Armenian schools in the

NY Metro area to attend the

program at its monthly sessions at

the Diocesan Center. An open house

and the first session will be held on

September 23, 2017, 10 AM – 3 PM.

For information please contact Gilda

Kupelian gildak@armeniandiocese.or

g , 212-686-0710.

7

Armenian Interests

8

Poetry presented by Mrs. Zarmine Boghosian

Armenian Interests

Տուր ինձ քո ոգին, որ ես շառաչեմ,

Որ ես դադարեմ հանդարտ հոսելուց,

Ինձնից խօսելուց քեզնից չ՛ամաչեմ,

Ինձնից չ՛ամաչեմ քեզնից խօսելուց:

Տո՜ւր ինձ քո ոգին, քո միտքը ներհուն,

Առ ինձ հանճարեղ քո տարերքի մէջ,

Որ չմոլորուեմ քո ոլորտներում

Եւ իմ հոգու բարդ տիեզերքի մէջ:

Պարզեցրու, զտիր խոհերն իմ խառնակ,

Ա՛ռ քո թեւերին, տա՜ր ինձ, ժամանա՛կ:

Դրուագ մը՝ Մեծերու Կեանքէն

Մի անգամ Վազգեն Ա․ Վեհափառը,

Մարտիրոս Սարեանը, Ռաֆայէլ Իսրայէլ-

եանը եւ այլ մտաւորականներ ու հոգևորա-

կաններ գնացել էին Հաղարծինի վանք:

Քանաքեռից մի քիչ անց նստեցին խոտերին

հանգստանալու ու նախաճաշելու: Ռաֆայէլ

Իսրայէլեանը ասաց, որ ամենաշատը սիրում է

նոր հնձած խոտի բուրմունքը, Մ․ Սարեանն էլ,

թէ՝ փռից նոր հանած հացինը, մի հոգեւո-

րական էլ ասաց, թէ սիրում է խորովածի հոտը:

Պարզուեց, որ Վեհափառն էլ սիրում է նոր

ծնած երեխայի բուրմունքը...

Զարմանալի հա՜յ...Գէորգ Էմին- Հատուած-

Պապդ թուրքահայ,-Հայրդ ռուսահայ, Դու

ֆրանսահայ,. . . ․ Զարմանալի հա՜յ...

Սասունում ծնած, Պէյրութում ապրած,

Էջմիածնում մեռած... Զարմանալի՜ հայ։

Տղադ Սուանում, Թոռդ Միլանում,

Ծոռդ՝ Թեհրանում։

Քո սերմը վաղու՜ց քեզ չի հասկանում... Առանց պապ

ու տատ, Հայրենական հող, Մայրենի լեզու՝, Առանց

հայր ու մայր։

Զարմանալի հա՜յ...

Որ որպէս հիւր է իր տունը գալիս,

Որպէս տուրիստ իր տան մէջ ման գալիս,

Եւ ետ գնում տու՛ն, Որ ․ ․ Նիս է կոչւում,

Հալէպ կամ Շանհա՜յ։ Զարմանալի՜ հայ,

Զարմանալի հա՜յ...

Հայ Գրականութեան Մրգաստանէն Փունջ Մը

From the Orchards of Armenian Literature

Compiled by: Zarminé Boghosian

Vahan Totovents-

ՎԱՀԱՆԹՈԹՈՎԵՆՑ

(1889¬937).

Հայ գիրի մեծատաղանդ ճառա-

գայթող դէմքերէն է ան, որ 1937-1938 տարիներու

ստալինեան մշակութասպանութեան, Եղիշէ

Չարենցի ու Ակսէլ Բակունցի, Աղասի Խանջեանի

եւ Զապէլ Եսայեանի տարողութեամբ Մեծերու՝

հայ ժողովուրդի սերուցքը կազմող փաղան-գին

հետ զոհ գնաց կարմիր մուրճ-մանգա-ղին։ Իր

ակունքներով Ակն քաղաքէն սերած եւ 1889-ին

Խարբերդ գաւառի Եփրատի ափին գտնուող Մեզրէ

քաղաքը ծնած էր ան, որուն հասուն հասկը նոյն

մանգաղին զոհը դարձաւ։

- «Գեղեցկութիւնները ծածկուած են ստուեր-ներով.

ստուեր կայ կեանքի ամէն երեւոյթի վրայ։

- «Արշալոյսները ստուերներու ծոցէն կը պատռին,

ինչպէս շուշանները՝ կոկոններէն։

- Վրէժը կ՛աճի լռութեան ստուերներուն մէջ։

Սէրը՝ խորն է սրտերուն։...

- «Աշխարհը ծածկուած է անհունութեան

ստուերով։

- «Ժամանակը մեծ ստուերն է սերունդներու

պատմութեան»։

ՏԱՐ ԻՆՁ, ԺԱՄԱՆԱԿ

ՎԱՀԱՆԹՈԹՈՎԵՆՑ Առ քո թեւերին, տար ինձ, ժամանակ,

Ես ետ մնալուց շատ եմ վախենում:

Յուշերից որքան հեռու եմ կենում,

Մէկ է, կապում են թեւերս նրանք:

Ակնթարթի մէջ դու կուլ ես տալիս

Այնպիսի մի նոր յաւիտենութիւն,

Որ խօսքս հազիւ հասած բերանիս,

Դառնում է արդեն խորին հնութիւն:

Դուրս հանիր ինձ այս մթին կիրճերից,

Որ քեզ հասկանամ եւ ինձ ճանաչեմ:

Փրկիր ինձ այս խուլ ախ ու ճիչերից,

Տո՛ւր ինձ քո ոգին, որ ես շառաչեմ:

9

WELCOME TO PAREV-TV

Armenian Interests

We invite you to watch videos produced by PAREV-TV which cover current Armenian life.

These videos are unique and serve to inform and educate the Armenian public. You may find

our entire collection of videos archived at www.ArmenianRadioNJ.net

Go to our Parev-TV channel on YouTube to watch all our videos

Soorp Pirgitch Cemetery in

Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem

Historic Jaffa Lighthouse taken care of by the

Zakarian family since 1860

THANK YOU

To all our supporters of

Armenian Radio Hour of NJ

Armenian Interests E-Newsletter

Parev-TV

10

Armenian Interests

Armenia hopes to connect with Russia via links

through Abkhazia and South Ossetia relations,” Martirosyan said.

"Particular results will be seen only

when trade corridors will really be

opened, and I hope they will be soon.

And now Georgia, Russia and Swiss

SGS Company are working."

The transport corridor through

Abkhazia will give Armenia an

alternative to Upper Lars, the only

ground way connecting Armenia and

Russia, and will have positive

impacts on the price policy.

opened between Russia and Georgia

through Abkhazia and South Ossetia

soon, according to Vahan Martirosyan,

Armenian transport, communication and

information technology minister.

Kommersant, a Russian media resource,

reported that representatives of Moscow

and Tbilisi had decided to embark on

implementation of the agreement on

trade corridors signed in 2011.

"The process, first of all, depends on

development of Russian-Georgian

YEREVAN, July 13. /ARKA/. Armenia

hopes that trade corridors will be

Sevan Nişanyan Turkish Armenian intellectual

escapes from prison: The bird has flown

personalities in Turkish intellectual

life and critical of the government,

has been in Foça Open Prison.

Nişanyan was sentenced to a total of

17 years.

Nişanyan came to public attention in

January with a twitter message

saying that Turkey’s Justice

Ministry had banned all newspapers

and books from prisons except for the

Quran as of Jan. 9.

escaped from

prison.

“The bird has

flown. Wish the

same for 80

m i l l i o n l e f t

behind,” said

Nişanyan in his

Twitter message.

N i ş a n y a n

confirmed his

situation with

Habertürk by

phone but declined to give details of

when and how he escaped from prison.

Nişanyan (61), one of the most colorful

Sevan Nişanyan, a Turkish

intellectual of Armenian origin who

was imprisoned on Dec. 2, 2014 for

“construction infractions,” announced

in a tweet on Friday that he had

11

Turkey refuses German lawmarkers’ permission to

visit NATO base in Konya

Armenian Interests

The National Assembly of Nagorno-

Karabakh (Artsakh) on Thursday

announced the date of the upcoming

presidential election.

The lawmakers in the second

Armenian Republic will hold a general

voting on July 19 to elect the country’s

top leader.

Eduard Aghabekyan of the opposition

Movement-88 party will challenge

incumbent Bako Sahakyan in the

election.

Nagorno-Karabakh parliament sets date for

presidential election

"The government, especial ly

Chancellor Angela Merkel, must now

take the necessary steps to ensure

lawmakers can soon visit the soldiers

in Konya," said Rainer Arnold,

defense spokesperson for the Social

Democrats, the junior coalition party

in the government as reported by

R e u t e r s .

Ankara's earlier refusal to let

lawmakers visit German soldiers

serving at İncirlik air base led to

Berlin relocating those troops to

Jordan. For historical reasons,

Germany's armed forces are under

parliamentary control, and Berlin

insists the parliamentarians must

have access to its soldiers. spokesman said, marking a new

escalation in tensions between the

t w o N A T O a l l i e s .

Turkey on July 14 refused a visit

b y G e r m a n l a w m a k e r s a t

a NATO base in the Central Anatolian

province of Konya, a party defense

12

Azerbaijan sentences blogger Alexander Lapshin

to 3 years in jail

Armenian Interests

STEPANAKERT, JULY 19,

ARMENPRESS/ARTSAKHPRESS.

Bako Sahakyan has been re-elected

as President of Artsakh on June 19

by the country’s parliament.

28 lawmakers voted in favor of the

incumbent president, with 4 others

voting for the other candidate,

opposition MP Eduard

Aghabekyan. 32 out of the overall

33 MPs were present at the special

session of the parliament.

Bako Sahakyan re-elected as President of Artsakh

(Artsakh) in 2011 and 2012, blogger

and journalist Alexander Lapshin—

who is a citizen of Russia, Israel, and

several other countries—was

“blacklisted” by Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan issued an international

search for this famous blogger. On

December 15, 2016, Lapshin was

detained in the Belarusian capital

city of Minsk, and was later

extradited to Baku.

jail on charges of public appeals to

violent capture of authority and

violation of law on infringement of

Azerbaijan’s territorial.

The verdict was announced during the

hearing on Thursday.

The prosecutor earlier asked the court to

sentence Lapshin for a period of 6.6

years in prison.

After his visits to Nagorno-Karabakh The Baku court sentenced blogger

Alexander Lapshin to three years in

Please send any information related to

Armenian Interests

e-newsletter to:

TalinKupelian@gmail.com

13

Protests as Turkey extends emergency rule

Armenian Interests

Turkey ran a budget deficit of 25.2

billion Turkish Liras (about $6.9

billion) this January to June with fiscal

measures to stimulate the economy

costing nearly 12 billion liras ($3.3

billion), Finance Minister Naci Ağbal

said on July 17.

The government is aiming for a budget

deficit of 46.9 billion liras (nearly $12.9

billion) at the end of the year,

according to the Finance Ministry.

Turkey’s government ran a 29.3 billion

lira (some $9.7 billion) budget deficit

last year.

Turkey runs nearly $7 bln budget deficit in first

half of 2017: Minister

Party has a comfortable majority,

extended the state of emergency for a

f o u r t h t i m e .

Its now been in effect since last

year’s failed coup.

The extens i on f o l lows the

anniversary of last years abortive

coup which left 250 people dead.

Since then under emergency rule

more than 50,000 people have been

arrested and 150,000 have been

suspended in a crackdown on alleged

coup supporters.

The government says the purge is

necessary to confront security

challenges facing Turkey and to root

out supporters of the US-based cleric

Fethullah Gulen who it says was

behind the coup attempt. Gulen has

denied any involvement. were complaining against the massive

sackings of public workers already

carried out as part of a crackdown under

emergency rule.

Earlier Turkey’s parliament where

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s AK

Violence erupted in Turkey’s Kurdish-

dominated south east following the

decision to extend the government-

backed state of emergency.

Police were seen attacking union

members in Diyarbakir province who

14

Legendary coach Ara Parseghian

being treated for hip infection

Armenian Interests

TaTever (The Wings of Tatev) in the

southern part of Armenia, serviced

1,371 people yesterday hitting a new

record, the press office of IDeA

Foundation reported on Monday.

The previous record was hit on July 20,

2014 – as many as 1,321 people

enjoyed the ropeway that day.

The ropeway was officially launched on

October 26, 2010, in the presence of a

hundred of guests and the country’s

leaders. It was the first project under

YEREVAN, July 17. /ARKA/. The

longest in the world reversible ropeway

Armenia’s TaTever ropeway sets new record

the USD45mln worth large-scale

“Tatev Revival” project of Armenian

National Competitiveness Fund.

The ropeway spans 5.7 kilometers with

highest point at 330 meters; one-way

journey from Halidzor to the famous

medieval Tatev Monastery of Siunik

takes 11 minutes.

Tatev Ropeway, the longest reverse

ropeway in the world, got into the

Guinness Record Book on October 23,

2010

Another surgery isn't an option for

Parseghian because of his age, and

the infection is being treated with

antibiotics.

Famed Notre Dame coach Ara

Parseghian, 94, is undergoing treatment

for an infection in his hip.

Parseghian has had five operations on

the hip, the Chicago Tribune reports,

and currently is being treated at a care

facility in South Bend, Indiana.

4 Armenians Listed Among 150 Most Influential

People in Russia The fourth Armenian in the list is

businessman Ruben Vardanyan – CEO

of Troika Dialog, philanthropist and

founder of the Aurora Prize for

Awakening Humanity.

Four Armenians are included in the

list of 150 most influential people in

Russia issued by GQ Russia

magazine.

The list includes TV host Sati

Spivakova – the wife of famous

Russian conductor and violinist

Vladimir Spivakov; restaurant owner

A l e x a n d e r O g a n e z o v ; A r a m

Mnatsakanov, the owner of Probka

restaurant group.

15

Armenian Interests

“Everyone is imprisoned there. I do not

know whether they think like me or

not, but when you speak to people, the

main part will say that it is not a place

to live. Turkey is a terrible prison,” he

noted, adding that many people want

to leave the country, but there are

difficulties: they do not know the

language, they do not have money,

they have no idea where to go and

what to do.

“But when they find a way, they will

definitely go to Europe, Australia,

Africa, Armenia and Syria,” he said.

Speaking about Turkey's ruling

regime, Nisanyan emphasized that

Turkey is a terrible prison everybody

wants to escape, well-known Istanbul

Armenian writer Sevan Nisanyan told

Arevelk news agency.

Istanbul-Armenian writer: Erdogan's regime

cannot last long

Erdogan's regime cannot last long.

According to him, the current

government will leave eventually, and

it will be very difficult to restore the

country's collapsed system.

Nishanyan expressed hope that the

Turkish authorities will hardly make

any attempt to return him: “They

wanted me to leave. They told me not

to speak, but I'll speak.”

With regard to Turkish prisons,

Nisanyan noted that choice of food was

very limited, while the area was

incredibly small. Prisons were very

crowded, that is why prisoners are

exposed to double stress.

To send us your feedback

and/or suggestions

for radio, newsletter &

Parev-TV

please email us at

ArmenianRadio1979@gmail.com

16

Sesquicentennial Gala in Ottawa

Armenian Interests

On June 30, 2017, Cardus – the only

Christian think-tank in Canada,

within the framework of Faith in

Canada 150 Project, organized the

Gala Reception on the occasion of the

150th Anniversary of Canada, in the

Governor General Ballroom at the

W e s t i n O t t a w a .

The Gala was co-sponsored by the

Diocese. His Grace Bishop Abgar

Ho v a k i m y a n , P r i m a t e , R e v .

Archpriest Zareh Zargarian, Vicar,

Parish Priest of Holy Trinity

Armenian Church of Toronto, Rev. Fr.

Komitas Mirzakhanyan, Parish Priest

of Holy Cross Armenian Church of

Laval, Mrs. Apet Alpay, Diocesan

Council Chair, Mr. Jean-Philippe

Tachdjian, Diocesan Council Member,

Mr. Antranik Sirinyan, Chair of St.

Gregory the Illuminator Armenian

Cathedral of Montreal Parish Council,

Mr. Hovsep Mardian, Diocesan

Delegate, Mr. Levon Isakhanyan,

Diocesan Chancellor, Dr. Levon

Petrosyan, Deacon of St. Mesrob

Armenian Church of Ottawa,

a t t e n d e d t h e G a l a .

Bishop Hovakimyan was invited to

b l e s s t h e m e a l .

Mrs. Isabel Bayrakdarian, renowned

soprano, opened the Gala with the

national anthem of Canada “O

Canada”, and conducted three pieces,

including the Pontifical Hymn “Amen

Hayi srditz pkhadz”, and the Lord’s

Prayer.

17

Misha to represent Armenia at Junior Eurovision

Song Contest 2017

Armenian Interests

and German Steudner for “aiding a

terror group.”

Merkel made the unscheduled remarks

at a ceremony for German top athletes,

saying the case was of “the utmost

concern.”

“We are firmly convinced that this

arrest is absolutely unjustified. We, as

the German government, condemn it.

We declare our solidarity with him and

all the others arrested,” Merkel said.

“And the German government will do

all it can, on all levels, to secure his

release,” she added.

The arrest marked another case

“where innocent people had been

caught up in the wheels of the justice

system and wound up in detention,”

said Merkel.

Meanwhile, the German government

also criticized the decision for

Steudtner’s arrest.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on

July 18 sharply criticized the arrest

of German human rights activist Peter

Steudtner in Turkey as “absolutely

unjustified” and said

the German government would do all it

could to secure his release.

The Turkish court ruled for the arrest

of six human rights activists on July

18, including the director of Amnesty

International Turkey, İdil Eser

Germany's Merkel criticizes Turkey over arrest of

German human rights activist

“The German government condemns

the arrest of Peter Steudtner and other

human rights defenders in Turkey. We

demand that he is quickly released

from prison,” said a spokeswoman for

Germany’s foreign office.

Moreover, the Swedish Foreign

Ministry expressed their concern over

the arrest of Swedish citizen Ali

Gharavi.

“Our Consulate General in Istanbul,

our Embassy in Ankara and the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs in

Stockholm are working on this issue,”

said the Foreign Ministry’s

spokesperson Jessica Garpvall.

Amnesty International called on world

leaders on July 17 to pressure Turkey

into releasing six human rights

activists accused of aiding “terror”

groups, saying the country was

turning “increasingly rogue.”

Y E R E V A N , J U L Y 1 8 ,

ARMENPRESS. Misha (Michael

Grigoryan) will represent Armenia at

the Junior Eurovision international

song contest. The Junior Eurovision

song contest will be held for the

15th time under the slogan “Shine

Bright” on November 26 in Tbilisi.

Besides Armenia, 11 other countries

have confirmed their participation in

the contest – Albania, Belarus,

Ireland, Italy, FYR Macedonia, Malta,

the Netherlands, Ukraine, Russia,

Serbia and the host country –

Georgia. Armenia has been a

contestant in the Junior Eurovision

Song Contest since 2007.

18

Armenian Interests

A team representing Armenia placed

third during the annual FIRST Global

robotics challenge held in Washington,

D.C.

Armenia’s team was represented by

students from the TUMO Center for

Creative Technologies.

Armenia’s TUMO Students Placed Third in First

Global Robotics

Listen to WSOU 89.5FM

Sundays 2:00-4:00PM

19

For providing an informative radio service for over

38 years; leading and training the younger

generation and persistently ensuring that

Armenian voice is heard,

we give the Armenian Radio Hour of NJ

a standing ovation

Sundays 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. on WSOU 89.5 F.M.

Armenian Interests

20

AGBU

55 East 59th Street

New York, NY 10022

212-319-6383

Email: agbuny@agbu.org

www.agbu.org

Diocese of the Armenian Church

630 Second Avenue

New York, NY 10016

212-686-0710

Prelacy of the Armenian Church

138 East 39th Street,

New York, NY 10016

212-689-7810

Saint Illuminator Armenian Cathedral

221 East 27th. Street,

New York, NY 10016

212-689-5880

Armenian Presbyterian Church

140 Forest Avenue,

Paramus, NJ 07652

201-265-8585

St. Leon Armenian Church

12-61 Saddle River Rd

Fair Lawn, NJ 07410

201-791-2862

Sts Vartanantz Armenian Church

461 Bergen Boulevard

Ridgefield, NJ 07657

201-943-2950

St Stepanos Armenian Apostolic Church

1184 Ocean Avenue

Elberon, New Jersey 07740

Phone 732-229-3661 Fax 732-229-3857

Holy Cross Armenian Church

318 27th Street,

Union City, NJ 07087

201-864-2480

Hovnanian School

817 River Road

New Milford, NJ

201-967-0249

www.hovnanianschools.org

Sacred Heart Armenian Catholic Church

155 Long Hill Road

Little Falls, NJ 07424

Tel: 973-890-0447

St. Thomas Armenian Church

Route 9W-E Clinton Avenue

Tenafly, NJ 07670

201-567-5446

St. Mary Armenian Church

200 W. Mt. Pleasant Avenue

Livingston, NJ 07039

973-533-9794

St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church

38-65 234 Street

Douglaston, NY 11363

718-224-2275

Ararat Youth and Conference Center

6944 S.R. 32

Greenville, NY 12083

212-686-0710, x120

www.araratcener.org

St. Nersess Armenian Seminary

486 Bedford Road

Armonk, NY 10504

914-636-2003

info@stnersess.edu www.stnersess.edu

Armenian Network of America-NY Region

P.O. Box 205

Bible School Park, NY 13737

(617) 688-2741

newyorkregion@armnet.org www.armnet.org

Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs

209-15 Horace Harding Expressway

Bayside, New York 11364

718-225-0235

www.holy-martyrs.org

St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral

630 2nd Ave

New York, NY 10016

(212) 686-0710

St. Gregory the Enlightener Armenian Church

1131 North Street

White Plains, NY 10605

Tel. (914) 428-2595

DIRECTORY The following are addresses where Armenian gatherings are frequently held

This is NOT a list of Armenian organizations or churches

We will be glad to list additional addresses

21

To be included in our Calendar of Events,

please provide us with your non-profit organization’s event, date and

location along with a contact name and telephone number

Please e-mail your submissions to:

Talin Kupelian - TalinKupelian@gmail.com

or

Vartan Abdo - VartanAbdo@optonline.net

We reserve the right to accept or reject submissions

not in accordance with our service

We also reserve the right to edit and modify all copies submitted

***Armenian Interests & Armenian Radio Policy***

Due to the heavy volume of flyers/announcements we receive weekly, our policy is:

Flyers will be posted NO EARLIER than 3 months prior to event date

Announcements on the radio program will be made NO EARLIER than 3 months

prior to event date

Prior to the 3 month limit, your event will be listed in the “Save the Date” section

of our events page with a link to your website/email for 2 months (5 months total)

The only exception to this policy are cruises and travel (we will post those in our

“Save the Date” section up to 9 months in advance, with flyers posted 6 months

prior to departure & announcements made 6 months prior to departure)

The Armenian Radio and Armenian Interests newsletter mission is to promote

Armenian cultural/educational/social functions run by non-profit organizations

Armenian Interests

22

Armenian Interests

UPCOMING EVENTS

July 22 - August 2, 2017 - Armenia and Artsakh 12 day tour

August 4-14, 2017 - Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs - Pilgramage to Jerusalem

August 25-26, 2017 - Return to Asbury kef weekend

September 16-17, 2017 - St. Mary Armenian Church annual festival

September 17, 2017 - St. Gregory the Enlightener Armenian Church Family Picnic

September 17, 2017 - ARENI Choir presents FANTASIA: Traversing through Armenia

September 29, 2017 - "They Shall Not Perish: The Story of Near East Relief." hosted by the cultural

committee of St. Thomas Armenian Church

SAVE THE DATE FOR FUTURE EVENTS

October 28-29, 2017 - Save the Date - TCA Mher Megerdchian Theatrical Group presents a new play, “The

Unexpected Guest” by Agatha Christie. A Murder Mystery presented in Armenian with English subtitles.

Oradell Elementary School. Oradell, NJ. Details to follow.

November 11-12, 2017 - Save the Date: Hovnanian School’s 9th Annual Art in Fall. Artists of Armenian

descent, please submit your applications & artwork by August 7, 2017. For more information,

visit www.artinfall.org

November 18, 2017 - Save the date for Tekeyan Cultural Association’s 70th Platinum Anniversary Gala at

The Terrace at Biagio's in Paramus, NJ. Cultural program and entertainment by Elie Berberian and his

band from Montreal.

November 29, 2017 - Save the date! Armenia Fund USA proudly presents the historic debut of the

Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra with legendary violinist Pinchas Zukerman and others at

Carnegie Hall, NYC at 7:30PM. Details will follow.

December 3, 2017 - HMADS 50th Anniversary Cultural Program at Landmark Theater in Port Washington,

NY

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

Math Center One-on-One Tutoring

Middle School

High School

College and beyond

973-763-4447

We Offer Solutions

Advertise your business in our newsletter

OR Sponsor an issue in honor of a friend or in memory of a loved one

Help us DEFRAY the cost of publishing this newsletter!

For more information contact:

VartanAbdo@optonline.net OR TalinKupelian@gmail.com

THANK YOU!!

31

32

Armenian Interests

Armenian Interests

Editorial Board

Vartan Abdo

Director

Editor-in-chief

Talin Kupelian

Managing Editor

Design & Layout

Rafi Krikorian

Email Distribution

Website Manager

Armenian Interests e-newsletter serves all Armenian non-

profit organizations and churches. We gladly post all flyers

and press releases submitted by officers of the organization.

Information makes us all a better and healthier community.

We request that the information be sent to us two weeks in

advance, so that we can serve the community better.

(Please read our policy in the Calendar of Events section)

Please email all submissions to:

TalinKupelian@gmail.com

Thank you!

This newsletter was prepared with the highest attention to accuracy and detail

We apologize for any unintentional omission or accidental misprint

We thank all our readers for their continuous support and contribution to Armenian Interests

Interested in receiving a copy of

ARMENIAN INTERESTS?

Simply go to

www.Armenianradionj.net

and click the

subscribe button

We are on

Facebook, Twitter & iHeart

We are wherever you are

Armenian Radio Hour NJ

Listen to the

Armenian Radio Hour NJ

Every Sunday on

WSOU 89.5FM

2:00-4:00PM

33

Vartan Abdo - Founder & Director

Florence Avakian - News in English

Seta Jebejian - “Temker yev Tebker”

Khoren Bezirdjian - News in Armenian

Diran Jebejian

Katya Kupelian

Lori Kupelian

Armen Panossian

Serge Panossian

Volunteers of

ARHNJ

THANK

YOU

ARHNJ

VOLUNTEERS