The Armenian Weekly... Thursday, December 19, 2013

Recent Articles from  Ketsemanian: Apology​ ANC of Merrimack Valley Meets with Congressman Tierney​ ‘Armenian Youth Talent’ Showcased at Carnegie Hall​ ASA Announces 2014 ‘Arthur Halvajian’ Poetry Competition​ The Year 2014: Hope for Change or Same Old, Same Old?​ Search Armenian Weekly​

Ketsemanian: Apology In one of my recent articles for the Weekly, titled “Internalizing Western Armenia,” I attempted to elucidate the sense in which, the diaspora, throughout its years of separation and estrangement, created an entity called “Western Armenia,” which acquired a separate ontological existence in the perception and conception of modern-day Diasporan Armenians. I designated this phenomenon of perceptual separation between us and this entity as alienationtowards our motherland, which supposedly constitutes the axis of our struggle. Not surprisingly, but unfortunately, a few days after its publication in September, the Armenian media was full of articles, news coverage, and opinion pieces praising and admiring, on the one hand, the construction of a huge Armenian Church in Moscow that cost a fortune, and on the other, the exhibition of jewelry following its grand opening. Public speakers and commentators began writing about their experience in Moscow, and how the occasion was marked... Read More »      • Email to a friend • Article Search •

ANC of Merrimack Valley Meets with Congressman Tierney PEABODY, Mass.—Activists of the ANC-Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts had a successful meeting with Congressman John Tierney of the sixth district of the commonwealth on Monday, Dec. 16 in his district office in Peabody. Congressman John Tierney (D-MA-6) with ANC of Merrimack Valley activists Anahid Mardiros, Tom Vartabedian, Joe Dagdigian, Saro Khachikian, Ani Babaian, and Dr. Ara Jeknavorian. Activists Tom Vartabedian and Joe Dagdigian, as well as constituents Saro Khachikian, Ani Babaian, and Anahid Mardiros, brought forth a number of local and national issues concerning Armenian-Americans, which included the Armenian Genocide resolution, U.S. aid to Armenia, and the dire situation in Syria. “I was pleased to meet with members of the Armenian National Committee this week to discuss the ongoing challenges that the Armenian community is experiencing. As a member of both the Congressional Armenian Caucus and the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, I remain committed to urging... Read More »      • Email to a friend • Article Search •

‘Armenian Youth Talent’ Showcased at Carnegie Hall NEW YORK—On Dec. 1, for the fifth consecutive year, “Armenian Youth Talent” finalists were featured at New York’s prestigious Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Dedicated to the 110thanniversary of the legendary composer, pianist, and conductor Aram Khachaturian, and the 5thanniversary of “Armenian Youth Talent,” the concert was organized by Direct Help for Armenian People (DHAP), under the dedicated leadership of Dr. Svetlana Amirkhanian, the president and founder of DHAP. Eugenia Sarian and Dr. Svetlana Amirkhanian (with flowers) Concert hosts Harut Minasian and Eugenia Sarian welcomed the sold-out audience, and noted the event was “to encourage young Armenian talent in the performing arts.” “It is a great expression of Armenian ability, musicianship, and spirit that our heritage demonstrates and is proud of,” the said. The unique event featured 32 young musicians ages 6-15, many of whom had chosen compositions by Khachaturian, in honor of the anniversary... Read More »      • Email to a friend • Article Search •

ASA Announces 2014 ‘Arthur Halvajian’ Poetry Competition WARWICK, R.I.—The Armenian Students Association of America (ASA), Inc. this month announced that it will sponsor the Armenian Poetry Project’s (APP) annual Arthur Halvajian Memorial writing competition. This is the fourth year that the ASA, Inc. has sponsored the competition named in memory of Halvajian, a longtime member and trustee of the ASA, Inc., who passed away in 2010. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 28, 2014. Winners will be announced in March 2014. “We are happy to continue our support of the Armenian Poetry Project in honor of Arthur Halvajian, who first built our relationship with the project,” said Brian Assadourian, chairman of the ASA, Inc. Board of Trustees. “We are encouraged by the hundreds of individuals, from elementary and high school students to college students and post-graduates, who participate in the competition. Their involvement shows that the Armenian community continues to value and promote creative writing, which has been a... Read More »      • Email to a friend • Article Search •

The Year 2014: Hope for Change or Same Old, Same Old? Welcoming a new year is a joyous occasion. It offers the opportunity for a fresh start. Unfortunately, there are times when the “baggage” of the old year has to be dragged along, condemning us to the same old, same old for another year. Christmas tree on Renaissance Square in Stepanakert (Photo by Arevik Danielian, The Armenian Weekly) The unilateral decision by President Sarkisian to have Armenia forsake the West and align its- self with Russia is unwanted baggage to carry into the new year. No doubt intense pressure was put on Yerevan to weigh the consequences if it spurned this Russian overture. Although Armenia is not as favorably situated geographically as Ukraine, dependence on Moscow should not encourage subservience by our leaders. It was important that our people demonstrated against this abdication to Russian interests when President Vladimir Putin visited Armenia recently. However, it paled in comparison to the anti-government demonstrations in Ukraine... Read More »