WAITING FOR THE "G" WORD FROM PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

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WAITING FOR THE "G" WORD FROM PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

By Robert Fisk - It’s all supposed to be about campaign promises. Didn’t Barack Obama promise to deliver an address from a “Muslim capital” in his first 100 days? It’s got to be in a safe, moderate country, of course, but where better than Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s secular/Islamist nation of Turkey, whose rulers talk to Syria as well as Israel, Iran as well as Iraq? But when the Obama cavalcade turned up in the heart of the old Ottoman Empire last night, he and all his panjandrums were praying that he did not have to use the “G” word. The “G” word? Well, if it doesn’t trip him up in Turkey, Mr Obama is going to have to walk into a far worse minefield on 24 April when he has to honour another campaign promise: to call the 1915 massacre of 1,500,000 Armenian Christians by Ottoman Turkey a “genocide”. Presidents Clinton and Bush Jr. made the same pledge in return for Armenian votes, then broke their solemn promise when Turkish generals threatened to cut access to their airbases and major US-Turkish business deals after they were in office. This is no mere academic backwater into which Mr Obama must step but a dangerous confrontation with the truth of history, an explosive swamp of bones and old photographs—along with a few still-living survivors—through which he must either walk with dignity or retreat with shame; and the entire Middle East will be watching the results. For the Palestinians—most of whom, ironically, are Sunni Muslims, the same religion as the Ottoman Turkish murderers—it is a crucial issue. For if Mr Obama cannot risk offending America’s Turkish allies about a 94-year-old persecution, what chance is there that he will risk offending America’s even more powerful ally, Israel, by condemning the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land, the ever-growing illegal Jewish settlements on the West Bank and the constant destruction by Israel of Palestinian homes that prevent the creation of a Palestinian state? Starting on 24 April 1915, Enver Pasha’s Turkish army and militias rounded up almost the entire Armenian community, massacred hundreds of thousands of men and sent vast death marches of women and children into the deserts of Anatolia and what is now northern Syria. Expert historians, including Israel’s own top genocide academic, insist that the shooting-pits, the organised throat-cutting, the mass rapes and kidnappings-even the use of primitive suffocation chambers-all constituted a systematic genocide.

And it is important to record exactly what Mr Obama said on his campaign website in January 2008. “The Armenian genocide is not an allegation, a personal opinion, or a point of view, but rather a widely documented fact supported by an overwhelming body of historical evidence. America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian genocide and responds forcefully to all genocides. I intend to be that president.” Which pretty much locks up any attempt to wriggle out of the promise. Or so you would think. But already the administration’s soft shoes have been trying to finesse away the pledge. “At this moment,” Mike Hammer, a White House National Security Council spokesman, said last month, “our focus is on how, moving forward, the US can help Turkey and Armenia work together to come to terms with the past”. That Mr Obama should allow such a statement to be made, along with the usual weasel clichés about “moving forward” and “coming to terms”, speaks volumes. Neither the Palestinians nor the Arabs in general have tried to—or should—compare the 1915 slaughter with Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians, but there are some faint historical mirrors which rightly worry them. The Turks allege that they began killing Armenians in the city of Van because Armenian insurgents, backed by a regional superpower, in this case, Tsarist Russia, attacked the Turks of eastern Anatolia. Israel claims it bombarded Gaza last December and January because Palestinian “terrorists”, backed by a regional superpower—Iran—fired rockets at Israelis. The political parallels are not exact, of course, but Israel can in any case scarcely debate them when it officially refuses to acknowledge the Armenian genocide in the first place. But for Mr Obama, there are more pressing points. US and Turkish officials are already discussing how Ankara can help in a US military withdrawal from Iraq, and Mr Obama desperately wants Turkey to help open up the Muslim world to his government to staunch the massive wounds the Bush administration inflicted.

TURKEY'S NEW ARMENIAN RADIO IN WRONG DIALECT

Friday, April 10, 2009 - Bolis (Hetq) - Whether by accident or politically inspired, the newly launched, state-run Armenian radio station in Turkey is broadcasting in the Eastern Armenian dialect, spoken by the Armenians of the Republic of Armenia and quite incomprehensible to Armenians living in Turkey. Officials now say that they are investigating the matter. But some speculate the station's intended audience was never meant to be the Armenians of Turkey. “This means Turkey's target audience is Armenia, not their own citizens,” said Etyen Mahkupian, the editor in chief of the weekly Agos newspaper, speaking to the Hurriyet Daily News. “This initiative is for supporting the foreign policies of Turkey; therefore, it is not sincere,” he added. “It bears thought that Turkey makes such an initiative without trying to find out what its own citizens need.” According to Hurriyet, Turkey's Chief Negotiator to the European Union Egemen Bagis expressed surprise at the situation last Friday night and said he will investigate. In a speech before an annual meeting on the European Union and Turkey, sponsored by daily Radikal and the Center for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies, Bagis defended the ruling party's outreach into state broadcasts in “local languages.” When told that most local Armenians did not understand the broadcasts, Bagis said: “I hadn't a clue. This is the first time I have heard this. Perhaps TRT could only find news presenters speaking this dialect, I just don't know. But I will look into it.” One major problem faced by young Armenians in Turkey is their lack of proficiency in speaking their mother tongue even though most graduate from minority schools. Lack of proficiency also precludes them from following a radio station broadcast in a different dialect. While the government has initiated efforts for the establishment of Armenian language and literature departments at universities, the current lack of academic teaching at the university level has taken its toll on the development of the language. Some Armenians in Turkey attempted to establish a private Armenian radio station a decade ago with efforts led by journalist Hrant Dink, who was gunned down in 2007. Lack of funds prevented the establishment of the station. While the Armenian Society of Turkey had abandoned any hope of getting their own radio frequency, they were nevertheless surprised with TRT's Armenian broadcast.

TURKISH PM SETS CONDITIONS TO ARMENIA RECONCILIATION

Saturday, April 11 ANKARA (AFP) - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday ruled out a deal with Armenia to normalise ties unless Yerevan resolved its conflict with Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, the Anatolia news agency reported. "We will not sign a final deal with Armenia unless there is agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia on Nagorno-Karabakh," Erdogan was quoted as telling reporters. He was speaking from the southern province of Hatay, where he is holidaying, in response to remarks by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan earlier Friday. Sargsyan had expressed the hope that the border with Turkey, closed for more than a decade, would reopen before an October football match between their national teams. "We can do the preliminary work (for a deal with Armenia), but it definitely depends on the resolution of the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh," Erdogan said. Recent reports have suggested that Ankara and Yerevan will soon sign a landmark deal paving the way for formal diplomatic ties and opening their shared border. The reports have irked Azerbaijan, a close ally of Turkey. Azerbaijan insists that any deal should be contingent on Armenian concessions over Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian enclave that broke away from Baku during a war in the early 1990s. On a visit to Turkey this week, US President Barack Obama urged Ankara and Yerevan to "move forward" in fence-mending talks to normalise ties poisoned by disagreements over the World War I killings of Armenians. Armenians say up to 1.5 million of their kin were systematically killed between 1915 and 1917 during the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, Turkey's predecessor -- a charge that Ankara categorically denies. Turkey has refused to establish diplomatic ties with Armenia because of Yerevan's international campaign to have the killings recognised as genocide. In 1993, Turkey also shut its border with Armenia in a show of solidarity with Azerbaijan over the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. Ankara and Yerevan have been pursuing a tentative reconciliation process that has gathered steam since President Abdullah Gul paid a landmark visit last year to Armenia, the first by a Turkish leader, to watch a football match.

EGOYAN TO SCREEN NEW FILM ON APRIL 24

Filmmaker Atom Egoyan will be presenting a sneak preview of his latest film, Adoration, on Friday April 24 at the Aero Theatre at 1328 Montana Ave. Santa Monica, CA. The showing will begin at 7:30 pm. Egoyan will lead a discussion on the film after the screening. Adoration, written, produced and directed by Egoyan, tells the tale of a young French student who uses a school assignment on terrorism to delve into his own family's murky past. The film speaks to our connections with one another, with our family history, with technology and with the modern world.

Click here to buy the 3DVD Pack from KOHAR

Letters to The Editor

Sireli Gibrahayer Amsaterti khempakrabed yev Sireli Antsnagazm, Gue shenorhavorem Sourp Zadigue ,haytselov Amenagaroghen vor barkeveh tsezi ouyj yev garoghoutioun, vorbeszi lesseli tartsenek hayou shountche ashkharhov meg. Sireliner ays Asdvadzadour aritov gue maghtem polorit katcharoghtchoutioun,arevshadoutioun yev yertchanig orer. KRISDOS HARYAV I MERELOTS - ORHNIAL EH HAROUTIOUNEN KRISDOSSI P.S. Im khorin shenorhagaloutiounneres gue haydnem polor antsnagazmit vor antatar indzi garakek tser Badvarjan Amsaterte. Michel Dik Khorozian Agapite Simon, Attached is the front of the old postcard (it dates from 1918). The card was written in the camp of Monarga (near occupied Boghaz) where as I am sure you know there was the French led Armenian Legion which was trained there and then went off to fight the Turks in Cilicia. The back (i will send scan tonight from home) has text written in Armenian and I believe it is from (Arch)bishop Hagopian. The question is who was Hagopian, what position he had etc and whether the image I am sending is known to you. Best wishes, Panos Loizou - London

Dear Panos, The back of the card is dedicated to Commissioner Cousteau. It is signed by Archbishop Taniel Hagopian on 17 October 1918, as the spiritual shepherd of the Eastern Legion. Archbishop Hagopian became the Armenian Archbishop of Cyprus in 1920 and only for a few months. Researching on him, I have found some interesting information. He was born on 02/09/1865 in Kadikoy, Constantinople, under the name Garabed Shampeoekian. He studied at the Seminary of Scutari, at the Holy Cross School and then at the Seminary of Jerusalem. He was ordained Archbishop in September 1910 by Catholicos Matteos II. On October 1916, he was arrested in Bolis by the Ottoman Police and was deported to Jerusalem. I hope this information helps. Thanks to Vahan Aynedjian for helping me translate the postcard. Alexander-Michael Hadjilyra - Nicosia Sireli Melkoniantziner yev paregamner, Melkonian Sanoutz Myoutyunnere, ardasahmani metch tchedesnevads SDORAKRAHAVKI hamahaygagan arshavi me sguesads yen, Kovast tenelov meg etch, yergoo ankam dbeloo baymanov, Haygagan polor terteteroun, ardasahmani metch yev Hayasdan, aravel Gibrossi hoonagan terteroun yevs, Hounarenov louys gue desnen sdorakrahaviki haydararoutyune, hamajoghovertagan ays vitkhari arshavov yev ashkharhaspur Melkoniantzineroo ou paregamneroo atchagtzoutiamp yev masnagtzoutyamp gaguengalenk 20,000 sdorakroutyun havakel yev ghergel Gibrosi Hanrabedoutyan Nakhakahin yev rnthanour tadakhazin, vorbeszi AGBUn tchi garena dsakhel Melkoniani galvadsnere yev hamozel vor AGBUn verapana mer Sireli Melkonian Guertagan Hasdadoutyune, nor dserakirnerov. Hajetzek panal veri hishvads (Attachments) haghortakroutunnere ar I kidoutyun. Hedevapar, gotch guenenk polor mer ashkharhatzriv melkoniantzi harazadneroun ou paregamneroun, anmitchabes gayketch website) yertan ou panan www.midk.org/am, sdorakren ou ghergen anmitchabes. Gue khentrenk oktakordsel tzer aravelakouyn mitchodsnere, heratzayn, namag, e-mail yev miyevnouyn badkame gherguetzek tzer "face book"i tzangin ou khentrel polore sdorakren mer vere hishvads sdorakrahavake. Touk, urakantchuret, guernak tzer endanegan barakaneroun, paregamneroun, azkaganneroun tratzineroun oknel, yete elektonayin mitchotz tchounin sdorakreloo yev ghergeloo. Antzamp mod 400 Melkoniantzinerou -email-neroun gue ghergem Touk al tzer garkin yete tzer anvananatzangeroun gherket, vesdah gernak ellal menk bidi antznink 20000n isg. Gue sbassenk desnel tzer tzangoutyune mer sdorakrahavin dag. Asiga, mer amenen aztetzig yev artunavor arite bidi ella arjevoreloo mer melkoniantzyoutyune. Hachoghoutian lavakouyn maghtanknerov, Zohrab Shamassian - Melkonian Alumni Press Coordinator e-mail: zohrabs@cox.net - tel. 949-855 2015 To the editor, My name is John Karakashian and I am a descendant of the survivors of Mousa Dagh. I am searching of any knowledge of my Grandfather Ohaness Karakashian who was a Volunteer in the Armenian Defense forces and was training in Cyprus. He was never heard of after his departure from Mousa Dagh. Maybe the Armenian Church has records of him in their registries. I live in Australia and am 70 Years old your assistance could be appreciated. Thanks John Karakashian - April 2009 - zofia@bigpond.net.au

ARMENIANS IN FRANCE DEMAND RELEASE OF CHAKHALYAN

Jean Eckian / Paris Freelance Journalist - One Hundred Armenians living in Paris gathered in front of Georgia's Embassy to demand the release of Vahagn Chakhalyan, the leader of the United Javakhk movement, who is being subjected to political persecution by the Georgian authorities. On April 7, Chakhalyan was sentenced to ten years imprisonment for "possession of weapons, damage to an official building and participation in a prohibited demonstration." Representatives of the Co-ordination Council of Armenian Organizations in France (CCAF), Alexis Govciyan and Mourad Papazian of ARF Dashnaktsoutiun were received by the Ambassador of Georgia, Mamuka Kudava. The French Armenian community representatives presented Ambassador Kudava the formal complaints of the French organizations and pointed out the fact, that according to Union Yerkir, Chakhalyan was not in possession of any weapons and that the lawsuit was not been justified and the proceedings were not transparent. The Armenian representatives urged the immediate release of Chakhalyan. Ambassador recorded the claims, assuring that they will be transmitted to Tbilisi and underlining that the procedure would follow its course, since Chakhalyan had lodged an appeal. Alexis Govciyan and Mourad Papazian then asked that French lawyers work for the defence of the leader of United Javakhk.

PILGRIMAGE TO THE OCCUPIED SOURP MAGAR MONASTERY

Pilgrimage to the Turkish-occupied Armenian Monastery of Sourp Magar organised by the Office of the Armenian Office of MP Vartkes Mahdessian and The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus Sunday 10 May, 2009 Participants are requested to contact the Office of the Armenian MP Vartkes Mahdessian on 22-454540, supplying the following information: 1.- Name, Surname, Birth date and city/country 2.- European Identity Card or Passport Number 3.- Citizenship The last day to register is Thursday 30 April, 2009 at the Office of The Armenian MP - The convoy is under the supervision of UNFICYP - Participation Fee is 10 euros - Make sure you have your European ID or Passports with you on the day of the Pilgrimage - Buses leave from The Armenian Prelature in Nicosia at 11:00 am sharp

TURKEY'S CULTURE MINISTER HINGES RESTORATION OF ANI ON KARABAKH RESOLUTION

Monday, April 13, (Hurriyet) - Turkey's Culture Minister on Monday conditioned its cooperation with Armenia in restoring the ruins of the medieval Armenian capital of Ani on the Turkish side of the border to Yerevan's acceptance of a resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict favourable to Baku. Turkey and Armenia should cooperate to restore the ancient town of Ani, said Culture Minister Ertugrul Gunay, adding that any such effort would require a resolution of the problems between Azerbaijan and Armenia. According to Gunay, cultural efforts to establish peace in the Caucasus region cannot be maintained if they ignore Azerbaijan. “We cannot treat the people of Azerbaijan as if they don't exist while trying to establish diplomatic relations with Armenia,” he said. “We should never forget that the province of Nagorno-Karabakh is still under Armenian occupation.” Gunay told the Hurriyet Daily Newspaper that his ministry's plans for cooperation between the two countries are not limited to restoration work. He said he hoped to undertake many joint cultural projects with both Armenia and Azerbaijan. Gunay said world-renowned Turkish piano virtuoso Idil Biret would hold a concert in Armenia in the next few months as part of her Caucasus tour. “We have certain sensitivities, but we also are aware that cultural activities can play a key role in resolving political issues,” he said. “This [the concert] is a first step.” The ancient town of Ani was the capital of the Kingdom of Armenia between 961 and 1045. Its ruins are situated in the Arpacay region of the north-eastern province of Kars, on the Turkish side of the border between the two countries. During the 1980s and 1990s, Ani was under the full control of the Turkish Army; as a result, very little damage was done to the ruins during this period. In 2004, however, the Turkish Ministry of Defense transferred control over Ani to the Turkish Ministry of Culture, which has neglected its upkeep and protection from grave robbers. The Turkish government's negligence of Ani has accelerating the destruction of the ancient city. This has been a sore issue with Armenia over the years. The Turkish government's attempt to Turkify the city's name has also been a source of controversy. When asked about the matter, Gunay implied that it would soon be resolved. “I find changing the original names of historical sites meaningless,” he said. “Such names harm no one.” The Culture Minister said the current restoration efforts in Ani would soon turn their focus to the town's cathedral and that Armenian experts had recently attended a meeting on the project. The World Monuments Fund would support the restoration of the cathedral, he said. Gunay added that the ministry was also ready to contribute to the Turkish-Armenian community in Istanbul's efforts to raise the funds needed to restore the 500-year-old Sourp Giragos Church in the southeastern province of Diyarbakir. But the community fears any application for help would result in the church being restored as a museum rather than a place of worship that would serve the community, as happened with the church on the island of Akhtamar in the Van. Gunay said if the community filed a request, his ministry would be glad to be of assistance, adding, “We have the utmost respect for all beliefs.”

THE VOICE OF DOUBLE STANDARDS ECHOES AGAIN

Center for Armenian Remembrance website - Totally disregarding Turkey occupation in Cyprus, and applying double standards yet again, Turkish opposition leader Deniz Baykal warned the government against making a very serious mistake in the issue of re-opening the border with Armenia. He said that the main condition for normalisation of relations with Armenia is the end of "Armenian occupation in Azerbaijan."

GIBRAHAYER'S APRIL 1 FOOL'S DAY JOKE - SOAD are not coming to Cyprus on 29 August

Gibrahayer - Nicosia 1 April, 2009 - Galaxy Productions spokesperson Yioula Andreou announced yesterday that System of a Down will be coming to Cyprus for a single concert that will take place at Tsirion Stadium in Limassol on Saturday 29 August, 2009. More details in future Gibrahayer publications.

YOUTUBE LINKS OF THE WEEK

Video excerpts of The Joint Press Conference with President Obama and President Gul on 6 April, 2009 in Ankara - Turkey. Click here

Serj Tankian, along with the help of Tom Morello and the Axis of Justice, is launching a campaign for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide to commemorate the annual global day of remembrance for victims of the human rights atrocity on April 24th. (Watch the video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcJjxOqgANM )

A presentation prepared by Alexander-Michael Hadjilyra on "The religious groups and the Republic of Cyprus". Click here http://rapidshare.com/files/221642089/Religious_groups.pdf

and for some fun - father and son Cyprus Duo in Britain has got Talent - click here

Sharagan dedicated to Avak Hinkshapti "Our es Mayr im". Click here

Azad Or's Greek language supplement of 3rd April - click here

News in Brief by Sevag Devletian

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan says he is hopeful his country's border with Turkey will reopen by Oct. 7, in time for a World Cup soccer qualifying match. Turkish President Abdullah Gul says the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be resolved by late 2009."The most serious problem in the Caucasus is the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. I believe the problem will be resolved by the end of 2009," he said. Hawaii, home to President Barack Obama, became the 42nd U.S. state to recognise the Armenian Genocide, with the State House of Representatives adopting a formal measure (HR192) that both condemned this crime and noted Turkey's ongoing denial of this atrocity. Former Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert, R-Plano, is now lobbying for Turkey, according to papers filed last week with the Justice Department’s Foreign Agents Registration Act unit. His role is “educating members of the Congress and the administration on issues of importance to Turkey,” his registration statement said.

RECEIVED WITH THANKS Gibrahayer e-magazine would like to thank a Canadian / Diaspora Armenian originally from Lapadj - a subscriber to our e-magazine since 2001 - for his contribution of 500 euros towards our weekly publication. Simon Aynedjian - Gibrahayer e-magazine - Nicosia Monday 13 April, 2009

SUBSIDISED TO GIBRAHAYER E-MAGAZINE SUBSCRIBERS FROM GAP VASSILOPOULOS E-MEDIA LTD

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Sports by Sevag Devletian

Armenia's Nazik Avdalyan (69 kg) won a silver medal at the European Weightlifting Championship held in Bucharest. Arakel Mirozyan of Armenia has captured the gold medal in the 69kg category at the European Weightlifting Championships in Bucharest. The International Judo Tournament ended in the Georgian town Gory. Gor Harutyunyan (55 kg) won a gold medal. Two other Armenian sportsmen, Vahe Haneyan (90 kg) and Artush Mkrtchyan (100+ kg), won bronze medals. Armenian Graeco-Roman wrestlers Yuri Patrikeyev and Arsen Julfalakyan won two gold medals at European Championship held in Lithuania from March 31 to April 5. With 2754 points, grand master Levon Aronian is ranked the 6th in the latest list of world’s best chess players published by FIDE. Vladimir Hakobian with 2696 points is in the 34th place, Gabriel Sargsyan is in the 63rd place with 2660 points and Armen Pashikian with 2655 points is in the 71st place among 100 best chess players of the world. In the rating of world’s best women chess players grand master, Elina Danielian is in the 13th place with 2503 points and grand master Lilit Mkrtchian – in the 22nd with 2479 points. Vic Darchinyan has agreed to terms for his biggest payday yet by taking on Joseph Agbeko in Miami on July 11. The 33-year-old Darchinyan is expected to pocket more than $1 million should he flatten Ghanian-born Agbeko and win his seventh world title in a third weight division.

Cyprus Tennis - * Mad4tennis Nicosia tournament - www.mad4tennis.com * 2nd Tony Mantovani Cup

Stepan Bianjyan defeated Christos Kodjapashis 6-3, 6-2 in the first round of the Mad4tennis tournament that began in Nicosia. His next opponent is Andreas Papacharalambous. Barrett Costanian defeated Lefkos Clerides 6-0, 6-0. Edmond and Simon Aynedjian started their defence of their Nicosia doubles title by defeating Themis Moryiannis and Stavros Stavropoulos 6-0, 6-3. Simon Aynedjian defeated Andreas Toumazou 6-3, 6-2. The 2nd Tony Mantovani Seniors Tennis Cup organised by former Davis Cup star Haig Ashdjian in memory of his father in law, was concluded in Larnaca. Haig Ashdjian defeated Marios Petrou 6-4, 6-2 in the +45 singles finals. Haig then teamed up with Andreas Georgiades defeating Thasos and Andreas Kyradjis 6-2, 6-2. The tournament had more than 55 participants and gave out prize money for the winners. But that was not all. Since Sunday Haig is also a proud grandfather. Congratulations yev Asdvadz bahe !

Cyprus Football by Sevag Devletian

AGBU Ararat FC suffered a 2-4 defeat by Parnassos in the 1st Division of the Cyprus Futsal League. Omonia FC were crowned champions, while AGBU Ararat FC ended the season in 3rd place. Nor Serount's Homenmen suffered a 15-4 defeat by Lefkoniko in the 3rd Division of the Cyprus Futsal Championships. After finishing 3rd place in the championship, AGBU Ararat FC trying to salvage silverware put their concentration on the Futsal Cup defeating Cyprus College 6-2 and advanced to the last 8 where they will face OXEN of the 3rd division.

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GIBRAHAYER CALENDAR

Wednesday 15 April at 8:00 pm - Gomidas Song recital by Kevork Hadjian, accompanied by Hasmig Kasparian (piano), at Kasteliotissa Hall in Nicosia. Organised by The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus. Under the auspices of Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian. Entrance 10 euros. Wednesday 22 April from 5:00 - 7:30 pm - Blood Donation in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide at Nareg School in Nicosia. Thursday 23 April at 4:00 pm - Armenian MP in the Cyprus Parliament Vartkes Mahdessian will address the Cyprus Parliament on the occasion of The 94th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The public may attend the session which will be aired from the first programme of the State Radio as well as on the Internet on www.cybc.com.cy Friday April 24 at 7:00 pm - Youth March from Eleftherias Square to Armenia street. Friday April 24 at 7:30 pm - Community March from Armenia street to The Genocide Monument. Friday April 24 at 8:00 pm - Memorial service for the victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide at the Genocide Monument on Armenia street. Saturday April 25 at 7:00 pm at PASIDY Hall - Political Gathering commemorating the 94th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Main Speaker: President of The Cyprus Parliament Marios Garoyian, under whose auspices is the main event. Buses leave from Limassol and Larnaca at 5:00 pm from the local Churches

Sunday 26th April, 3:00pm - Armenian Divine Liturgy & Memorial for the Victims of the Armenian Genocide victims at St. George Greek Orthodox church in Paphos Weekend of 2nd & 3rd May - "Magara Vanki Oukhdi Or". Preparation and Blessing of Traditional Sourp Magar Herissa at Sourp Asdvadzadzin church, Nicosia Sunday 10 May, 2009 - Pilgrimage to the Turkish-occupied Armenian Monastery of Sourp Magar, organised by the Office of the Armenian Office of MP Vartkes Mahdessian and The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus.

Gibrahayer Calendar every week

Every Saturday at 6:00 pm at AYMA - Weekly meetings of Azadamard Junior Badanegan (8-13 year olds). An educational and fun environment for the younger generation of our community. Games, trips, parties and lots of fun in a family environment. For more information contact Kevork Keoshgerian on 99817806. Every Saturday at 7:00 pm at AYMA - Weekly meetings of Azadamard Senior Badanegan (13-17 year olds). For more information contact Kevork Keoshgerian on 99817806. Every Sunday at 7:30 pm at AYMA - Weekly meetings of AYF Koyamard Branch (17-30 year olds). Every Wednesday at 7:00 pm - Community gathering at The Armenian Club of Larnaca, followed by dinner. Every Friday and Saturday evening - Marie-Louise Kouyoumdjian sings at ENALLAX with the resident Band.