Armenian News...A Topalian...
{see attachment for an announcement from the Ministry of Diaspora
aimed at 13-18 age teenagers to visit Armenia]
ԱՐԻ
ՏՈՒՆ
DEAR
COMMUNITY
MEMBERS
There is a wonderful opportunity to
introduce young diaspora Armenians
aged 13 to 18 years old to Armenian
history and culture. The Ministry of
Diaspora of Republic of Armenia has
relaunched the 'Ari Tun' ('Come Home')
programme. The goal of the program is
to familiarize Armenian Diaspora youth
spread allover the world with their
Homeland, with the traditions and
practices of their people, and foster a
closer cooperation with Armenia. For
details of the programme and to apply,
please visit www.aritun.am. Please take
up this exciting opportunity to build
a closer cultural connection between Diaspora youth and Armenia.
For more information please email zorik1956@yahoo.co.uk
or call 0771 363 1268
a closer cultural connection between Diaspora youth and Armenia.
For more information please email zorik1956@yahoo.co.uk
or call 0771 363 1268
ՒՄ
ԱՄԱՌԱՅԻՆ
ԱՐՁԱԿՈՒՐԴԸ
‘ԱՐԻ ՏՈՒՆ’
ԾՐԱԳՐԻ
ՄԻՋՈՑՈՎ։
Երբ մենք գնում էինք Հայաստան ես միշտ
ուզում էի սովորել իմ մշակույթի մասին,
այցելել պատմական վայրեր եւ տեսնել կյանքը շրջապատված հայ ժողովրդով։ Ես միշտ ուզում էի իմանալ թե ինչ են մտաձում հայերը ցրված ամբողջ աշխարհով մեր հայրենիքի եւ մշակույթի մասին։
‘Արի տուն’ ծրագիրը ինծ օգնեց գտնել պատասխանը այդ հարցին, վերամիավորվել
իմ արմատների հետ եւ տեսնել կյանքը իմ Հայրենիքում հայերի հետ ձամանած աշխարհի տարբեր անկյուններից։
Մենք հաճախեցինք մի շարք գեղեցիկ տեսարձան վայրեր ինչպիսիք են Խոր Վիրապ, Երաբլուր, Հայ Ցեղասպանության Համալիր։
Այդ ամենը շատ տպավորիչ էր եւ հետաքրքիր։ Նաեւ մենք հաձախեցինք Ռազմական ուսուցման ակադեմիա, որտեղ մենք տեսանք թե ոնց են մեր ռազմիկները ապրում, ինչպիսի պայմաններում են նրանք ծառայում, որից հետո մենք բոլորս ‘Արի տան’ երեխաները եւ մառզիկները նստեցինք եւ կերանք ճաշ ռազմական ճաշացուցակից։
‘Արի տան’ ծրագրի վերջի շաբաթը մենք գնացինք ճամբար, որտեղ մենք ունեցանք հնարավորություն մասնակցել մի շարք գործունեություններում ինչպիսիք են սպորտ, պատմություն, երաձշտություն եւ պար։ Դա
մի հրաշալի փործ էր գտնվելով մի աշխույձ մթնոլորտում։ Ճամբար ղեկավարողները կազմակերպել էին համերգ, որը ավարտվեց ձողովրդական երգերով։
Ճամբարը ‘Արի տան’ ծրագրի ամենելավ փորձն էր։ Ես ծանոթացա հայերի հետ աշխարհի տարբեր անկյուններից՝ ԱՄՆ, Իրաք, Ճապոնիա, Ֆռանսիա, Ռուսաստան եւ ընկերություն հաստատեցի շատ շատերի հետ որը կմնա ամբողջ իմ կյանքի ընթացկում։
‘Արի տուն’ ծրագրի փորձը իմ լավագույն հիշողություններից մեկն է։ Ւսկ ամենակարեվորը ես ստացա իմ հարցի պատասխանը եւ հասկացա, որ անկախ
նրանից թե հայը աշխարհի որ ծայրում է ապրում նա միշտ կա եւ կմնա ջերմ, կրքոտ եւ պահպանողական մեր Հայրենիքի եւ մշակույթի նկատմամբ։
այցելել պատմական վայրեր եւ տեսնել կյանքը շրջապատված հայ ժողովրդով։ Ես միշտ ուզում էի իմանալ թե ինչ են մտաձում հայերը ցրված ամբողջ աշխարհով մեր հայրենիքի եւ մշակույթի մասին։
‘Արի տուն’ ծրագիրը ինծ օգնեց գտնել պատասխանը այդ հարցին, վերամիավորվել
իմ արմատների հետ եւ տեսնել կյանքը իմ Հայրենիքում հայերի հետ ձամանած աշխարհի տարբեր անկյուններից։
Մենք հաճախեցինք մի շարք գեղեցիկ տեսարձան վայրեր ինչպիսիք են Խոր Վիրապ, Երաբլուր, Հայ Ցեղասպանության Համալիր։
Այդ ամենը շատ տպավորիչ էր եւ հետաքրքիր։ Նաեւ մենք հաձախեցինք Ռազմական ուսուցման ակադեմիա, որտեղ մենք տեսանք թե ոնց են մեր ռազմիկները ապրում, ինչպիսի պայմաններում են նրանք ծառայում, որից հետո մենք բոլորս ‘Արի տան’ երեխաները եւ մառզիկները նստեցինք եւ կերանք ճաշ ռազմական ճաշացուցակից։
‘Արի տան’ ծրագրի վերջի շաբաթը մենք գնացինք ճամբար, որտեղ մենք ունեցանք հնարավորություն մասնակցել մի շարք գործունեություններում ինչպիսիք են սպորտ, պատմություն, երաձշտություն եւ պար։ Դա
մի հրաշալի փործ էր գտնվելով մի աշխույձ մթնոլորտում։ Ճամբար ղեկավարողները կազմակերպել էին համերգ, որը ավարտվեց ձողովրդական երգերով։
Ճամբարը ‘Արի տան’ ծրագրի ամենելավ փորձն էր։ Ես ծանոթացա հայերի հետ աշխարհի տարբեր անկյուններից՝ ԱՄՆ, Իրաք, Ճապոնիա, Ֆռանսիա, Ռուսաստան եւ ընկերություն հաստատեցի շատ շատերի հետ որը կմնա ամբողջ իմ կյանքի ընթացկում։
‘Արի տուն’ ծրագրի փորձը իմ լավագույն հիշողություններից մեկն է։ Ւսկ ամենակարեվորը ես ստացա իմ հարցի պատասխանը եւ հասկացա, որ անկախ
նրանից թե հայը աշխարհի որ ծայրում է ապրում նա միշտ կա եւ կմնա ջերմ, կրքոտ եւ պահպանողական մեր Հայրենիքի եւ մշակույթի նկատմամբ։
Նինա Մանուկյան
Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK
3
DEAR
COMPATRIOTS,
The Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of
Armenia re-launches “Ari Tun” program for the
Diaspora youth.
The goal of the program is to familiarize Armenian Diaspora youth spread all over
the world with its Homeland, instill them acknowledge their national identity, familiarize them with the traditions and practices of their people, Armenian families and the Armenian soul, foster a closer cooperation of Armenia and the Diaspora both in educational-cultural and moral-psychological respect.
In 2015 the program is going to be launched on June 14 and will continue till August 29, in 8 phases (each phase will last for 14 days). Diaspora youngsters from 13 to 18 will be hosted in Armenian families and will participate in a four- day camp envisaged by the program. the program is open for application by young people who did not participate in the program before.
The choice of host families is carried out
by the administrative districts of Yerevan,
RA community councils, and RA Ministry
of Diaspora. The participants’ stay with the Armenian families is not remunerated. The process of selection of groups and individuals for program participation is carried by the Diasporan community structures, educational institutions and the Diaspora Armenian organizations, with the support of RA diplomatic representations in the given country. Individual applications for participation in the program are also welcomed. Travel expenses are covered either by the participants or sponsors.
The Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia meets the participants upon their arrival and sees them off when they leave Armenia. Armenian language classes, visits to the museums, tours to the sights of Armenia are also organized by the Ministry. During the camping days there will be educational programs, classes of Armenian language and Armenian Studies,
of national songs and dances will be organized. Meetings with state, public and cultural figures will also take place.
The goal of the program is to familiarize Armenian Diaspora youth spread all over
the world with its Homeland, instill them acknowledge their national identity, familiarize them with the traditions and practices of their people, Armenian families and the Armenian soul, foster a closer cooperation of Armenia and the Diaspora both in educational-cultural and moral-psychological respect.
In 2015 the program is going to be launched on June 14 and will continue till August 29, in 8 phases (each phase will last for 14 days). Diaspora youngsters from 13 to 18 will be hosted in Armenian families and will participate in a four- day camp envisaged by the program. the program is open for application by young people who did not participate in the program before.
The choice of host families is carried out
by the administrative districts of Yerevan,
RA community councils, and RA Ministry
of Diaspora. The participants’ stay with the Armenian families is not remunerated. The process of selection of groups and individuals for program participation is carried by the Diasporan community structures, educational institutions and the Diaspora Armenian organizations, with the support of RA diplomatic representations in the given country. Individual applications for participation in the program are also welcomed. Travel expenses are covered either by the participants or sponsors.
The Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia meets the participants upon their arrival and sees them off when they leave Armenia. Armenian language classes, visits to the museums, tours to the sights of Armenia are also organized by the Ministry. During the camping days there will be educational programs, classes of Armenian language and Armenian Studies,
of national songs and dances will be organized. Meetings with state, public and cultural figures will also take place.
For additional information
please apply to:
The Department of Europe
of the RA Ministry of Diaspora
at the following address:
Yerevan 0010
V. Sargsyan 26/1
Tel: (+37410) 585601 (112) E mail: europedep@yahoo.fr
Tel: (+37410) 585601 (112) E mail: europedep@yahoo.fr
ՀԱՐԳԵԼԻ՛
ՀԱՅՐԵՆԱԿԻՑՆԵՐ,
ՀՀ սփյուռքի նախարարությունը վերսկսում է
Սփյուռքի երիտասարդների հայրենաճանաչության
«Արի տուն» ծրագիրը:
Ծրագրի նպատակն է` աշխարհասփյուռ
հայ երիտասարդներին ճանաչելի դարձնել Հայաստան-հայրենիքը, նրանց մեջ սերմանել ազգային ինքնության գիտակցություն,
ծանոթացնել իր ժողովրդի ավանդույթներին ու սովորույթներին, հայ ընտանիքին, հայ մարդու հոգեկերտվածքին, աջակցել Հայաստան-Սփյուռք բարոյահոգեբանական, կրթամշակութային մերձեցմանը:
Ծրագիրն այս տարի մեկնարկում է հունիսի 14-ին եւ շարունակվելու է մինչեւ օգոստոսի 29-ը՝ 8 փուլերով (յուրաքանչյուր փուլը՝ 14 օր): Սփյուռքահայ 13-18 տարեկան երիտասարդները կհյուրընկալվեն հայաստանյան ընտանիքներում, կմասնակցեն ծրագրի ճամբարային փուլին: Կարող են մասնակցել այն երիտասարդները, ովքեր նախկինում չեն մասնակցել «Արի տուն» ծրագրին:
Հյուրընկալող ընտանիքների ընտրությունը կատարվում է Երեւան քաղաքի վարչական շրջանների, ՀՀ մարզպետարանների եւ ՀՀ սփյուռքի նախարարության կողմից: Երիտասարդներն ընտանիքներում հյուրընկալվում են անհատույց: Ծրագրին մասնակցության համար խմբերի եւ անհատների հավաքագրումը եւ Հայաստան այցելության գործընթացն իրականացվում
է Սփյուռքի համայնքային կառույցների, կրթօջախների, հայկական կազմակերպությունների կողմից` տվյալ երկրում ՀՀ դիվանագիտական ներկայացուցչությունների աջակցությամբ: Ծրագրին մասնակցելու համար կարող են
դիմել նաեւ անհատապես: Հայաստան այցելող երիտասարդներն իրենց ճանապարհածախսը հոգում են սեփական կամ հովանավորների միջոցներով:
«Արի տուն» ծրագրի շրջանակներում ՀՀ սփյուռքի նախարարությունն ապահովում է երիտասարդների դիմավորումը եւ ճանապարհումը, կազմակերպում
է հայոց լեզվի դասընթացներ, այցելություններ թանգարաններ, շրջայցեր՝ Հայաստանի տեսարժան վայրերով: Ծրագրի ճամբարային փուլում կկազմակերպվեն նաեւ ուսուցողական ծրագրեր. հայոց լեզվի, հայրենագիտության, ազգային
երգի ու պարի դասընթացներ: Կկազմակերպվեն հանդիպումներ Հայաստանի պետական, հասարակական, մշակութային գործիչների հետ:
Ծրագրի նպատակն է` աշխարհասփյուռ
հայ երիտասարդներին ճանաչելի դարձնել Հայաստան-հայրենիքը, նրանց մեջ սերմանել ազգային ինքնության գիտակցություն,
ծանոթացնել իր ժողովրդի ավանդույթներին ու սովորույթներին, հայ ընտանիքին, հայ մարդու հոգեկերտվածքին, աջակցել Հայաստան-Սփյուռք բարոյահոգեբանական, կրթամշակութային մերձեցմանը:
Ծրագիրն այս տարի մեկնարկում է հունիսի 14-ին եւ շարունակվելու է մինչեւ օգոստոսի 29-ը՝ 8 փուլերով (յուրաքանչյուր փուլը՝ 14 օր): Սփյուռքահայ 13-18 տարեկան երիտասարդները կհյուրընկալվեն հայաստանյան ընտանիքներում, կմասնակցեն ծրագրի ճամբարային փուլին: Կարող են մասնակցել այն երիտասարդները, ովքեր նախկինում չեն մասնակցել «Արի տուն» ծրագրին:
Հյուրընկալող ընտանիքների ընտրությունը կատարվում է Երեւան քաղաքի վարչական շրջանների, ՀՀ մարզպետարանների եւ ՀՀ սփյուռքի նախարարության կողմից: Երիտասարդներն ընտանիքներում հյուրընկալվում են անհատույց: Ծրագրին մասնակցության համար խմբերի եւ անհատների հավաքագրումը եւ Հայաստան այցելության գործընթացն իրականացվում
է Սփյուռքի համայնքային կառույցների, կրթօջախների, հայկական կազմակերպությունների կողմից` տվյալ երկրում ՀՀ դիվանագիտական ներկայացուցչությունների աջակցությամբ: Ծրագրին մասնակցելու համար կարող են
դիմել նաեւ անհատապես: Հայաստան այցելող երիտասարդներն իրենց ճանապարհածախսը հոգում են սեփական կամ հովանավորների միջոցներով:
«Արի տուն» ծրագրի շրջանակներում ՀՀ սփյուռքի նախարարությունն ապահովում է երիտասարդների դիմավորումը եւ ճանապարհումը, կազմակերպում
է հայոց լեզվի դասընթացներ, այցելություններ թանգարաններ, շրջայցեր՝ Հայաստանի տեսարժան վայրերով: Ծրագրի ճամբարային փուլում կկազմակերպվեն նաեւ ուսուցողական ծրագրեր. հայոց լեզվի, հայրենագիտության, ազգային
երգի ու պարի դասընթացներ: Կկազմակերպվեն հանդիպումներ Հայաստանի պետական, հասարակական, մշակութային գործիչների հետ:
Լրացուցիչ տեղեկությունների
համար կարող եք դիմել
ՀՀ սփյուռքի նախարարության
աշխատակազմի
Եվրոպայի հայ համայնքների
վարչություն
Հասցե`
ք. Երեւան 0010,
Վ. Սարգսյան 26/1,
Հեռ.` (+37410) 58-56-01 (112) Էլ. փոստ` europedep@yahoo.fr
Հեռ.` (+37410) 58-56-01 (112) Էլ. փոստ` europedep@yahoo.fr
5
ARI TUN 2012
‘IF I COULD GO
AGAIN RIGHT
NOW, MY BAGS
WOULD BE
PACKED WITHIN
5 MINUTES’
In 2012 I was planning on spending the
majority of another long summer in
Armenia. I hadn’t planned anything out
of the ordinary, just the generic things which I seemed to repeat year upon
year. The countless visits to friends and family, hundreds of hours spent in cafe’s & restaurants and of course the classic tourist ritual of walking up and down North Avenue.
However just when I thought I was going to spend yet another year walking circles around Yerevan’s old landmarks, I came across an advertisement for a programme named ‘Ari Tun’.
Intrigued by the name, I spent some time researching the programme and found that I was eligible to attend. At first glance, what I understood was that Ari Tun was
a historic and cultural sightseeing tour of Armenia, for the Armenian youth diaspora from around the globe.
We were able to visit many different fascinating historic sites around the country such the Garni Monastery, Khor Virap and the Genocide Memorial. We were able to learn about our heritage and culture by being present in the location which was
a much more captivating than reading about it in a book or on the internet. Not only were we able to visit historic sites,
but also areas of high national importance such as Yerablur Cemetery, and a military training academy outside Yerevan. It was an incredible eye-opening experience to see these areas especially the Armenian Army military training grounds.
of the ordinary, just the generic things which I seemed to repeat year upon
year. The countless visits to friends and family, hundreds of hours spent in cafe’s & restaurants and of course the classic tourist ritual of walking up and down North Avenue.
However just when I thought I was going to spend yet another year walking circles around Yerevan’s old landmarks, I came across an advertisement for a programme named ‘Ari Tun’.
Intrigued by the name, I spent some time researching the programme and found that I was eligible to attend. At first glance, what I understood was that Ari Tun was
a historic and cultural sightseeing tour of Armenia, for the Armenian youth diaspora from around the globe.
We were able to visit many different fascinating historic sites around the country such the Garni Monastery, Khor Virap and the Genocide Memorial. We were able to learn about our heritage and culture by being present in the location which was
a much more captivating than reading about it in a book or on the internet. Not only were we able to visit historic sites,
but also areas of high national importance such as Yerablur Cemetery, and a military training academy outside Yerevan. It was an incredible eye-opening experience to see these areas especially the Armenian Army military training grounds.
HRACH MANOUKYAN
On the final few days we attended ‘Jambar’
which was a chance for all to take part in
various activities such as team sports, dance,
music, history classes and many more. This
was one of my most favourite experiences
of the whole trip as the atmosphere was
upbeat and lively. Everyone treated each
other like family as if they had known each
other for years. On the final night of Jambar
we had a concert with all the organisers
and visiting members. We sang historic
Armenian folk songs, contemporary hits
and danced the Kochari around a fire.
From the first day I was able to make friends with Armenians from every corner of the world such as the U.S, Russia, Canada, Germany, France, Iran, Iraq, Japan and even Senegal! The friendships I was able to make will last for years and through the use of social media I am able to keep
From the first day I was able to make friends with Armenians from every corner of the world such as the U.S, Russia, Canada, Germany, France, Iran, Iraq, Japan and even Senegal! The friendships I was able to make will last for years and through the use of social media I am able to keep
in regular contact with them all. Nothing
could have prepared me for the experiences
and memories I gained from Ari Tun.
It truly is something which you must experience to understand the excitement
of it all.
The most uplifting thing from this whole experience by far was my realisation that although we are all different coming
from various far corners of the world, and although we all spoke different languages, grew up in different cultures and had different experiences which shaped
us, we were all able to find a common ground based on our culture, heritage and language.
This is the beauty of the Ari Tun Programme, and if I could go again right now, my bags would be packed within 5 minutes.
It truly is something which you must experience to understand the excitement
of it all.
The most uplifting thing from this whole experience by far was my realisation that although we are all different coming
from various far corners of the world, and although we all spoke different languages, grew up in different cultures and had different experiences which shaped
us, we were all able to find a common ground based on our culture, heritage and language.
This is the beauty of the Ari Tun Programme, and if I could go again right now, my bags would be packed within 5 minutes.
7
ՒՄ ԱՄԱՌԱՅԻՆ
ԱՐՁԱԿՈՒՐԴԸ
‘ԱՐԻ ՏՈՒՆ’
ԾՐԱԳՐԻ
ՄԻՋՈՑՈՎ։
Երբ մենք գնում էինք Հայաստան ես
միշտ ուզում էի սովորել իմ մշակույթի
մասին, այցելել պատմական վայրեր
եւ տեսնել կյանքը շրջապատված հայ ժողովրդով։ Ես միշտ ուզում էի իմանալ թե ինչ են մտաձում հայերը ցրված ամբողջ աշխարհով մեր հայրենիքի եւ մշակույթի մասին։
‘Արի տուն’ ծրագիրը ինծ օգնեց
գտնել պատասխանը այդ հարցին, վերամիավորվել իմ արմատների հետ եւ տեսնել կյանքը իմ Հայրենիքում հայերի հետ ձամանած աշխարհի տարբեր անկյուններից։
Մենք հաճախեցինք մի շարք գեղեցիկ տեսարձան վայրեր ինչպիսիք
են Խոր Վիրապ, Երաբլուր, Հայ Ցեղասպանության Համալիր։
Այդ ամենը շատ տպավորիչ էր եւ հետաքրքիր։ Նաեւ մենք հաձախեցինք Ռազմական ուսուցման ակադեմիա, որտեղ մենք տեսանք թե ոնց են մեր ռազմիկները ապրում, ինչպիսի պայմաններում են նրանք ծառայում, որից հետո մենք բոլորս ‘Արի
տան’ երեխաները եւ մառզիկները նստեցինք եւ կերանք ճաշ ռազմական ճաշացուցակից։
‘Արի տան’ ծրագրի վերջի շաբաթը մենք գնացինք ճամբար, որտեղ
մենք ունեցանք հնարավորություն մասնակցել մի շարք գործունեություններում ինչպիսիք են սպորտ, պատմություն, երաձշտություն
եւ տեսնել կյանքը շրջապատված հայ ժողովրդով։ Ես միշտ ուզում էի իմանալ թե ինչ են մտաձում հայերը ցրված ամբողջ աշխարհով մեր հայրենիքի եւ մշակույթի մասին։
‘Արի տուն’ ծրագիրը ինծ օգնեց
գտնել պատասխանը այդ հարցին, վերամիավորվել իմ արմատների հետ եւ տեսնել կյանքը իմ Հայրենիքում հայերի հետ ձամանած աշխարհի տարբեր անկյուններից։
Մենք հաճախեցինք մի շարք գեղեցիկ տեսարձան վայրեր ինչպիսիք
են Խոր Վիրապ, Երաբլուր, Հայ Ցեղասպանության Համալիր։
Այդ ամենը շատ տպավորիչ էր եւ հետաքրքիր։ Նաեւ մենք հաձախեցինք Ռազմական ուսուցման ակադեմիա, որտեղ մենք տեսանք թե ոնց են մեր ռազմիկները ապրում, ինչպիսի պայմաններում են նրանք ծառայում, որից հետո մենք բոլորս ‘Արի
տան’ երեխաները եւ մառզիկները նստեցինք եւ կերանք ճաշ ռազմական ճաշացուցակից։
‘Արի տան’ ծրագրի վերջի շաբաթը մենք գնացինք ճամբար, որտեղ
մենք ունեցանք հնարավորություն մասնակցել մի շարք գործունեություններում ինչպիսիք են սպորտ, պատմություն, երաձշտություն
ՆԻՆԱ ՄԱՆՈՒԿՅԱՆ
HARPENDEN, HERTFORDSHIRE, UK
եւ պար։ Դա մի հրաշալի փործ էր
գտնվելով մի աշխույձ մթնոլորտում։
Ճամբար ղեկավարողները
կազմակերպել էին համերգ, որը
ավարտվեց ձողովրդական երգերով։
Ճամբարը ‘Արի տան’ ծրագրի ամենելավ փորձն էր։ Ես ծանոթացա հայերի հետ աշխարհի տարբեր անկյուններից՝ ԱՄՆ, Իրաք, Ճապոնիա, Ֆռանսիա, Ռուսաստան եւ ընկերություն հաստատեցի շատ
Ճամբարը ‘Արի տան’ ծրագրի ամենելավ փորձն էր։ Ես ծանոթացա հայերի հետ աշխարհի տարբեր անկյուններից՝ ԱՄՆ, Իրաք, Ճապոնիա, Ֆռանսիա, Ռուսաստան եւ ընկերություն հաստատեցի շատ
շատերի հետ որը կմնա ամբողջ իմ
կյանքի ընթացկում։
‘Արի տուն’ ծրագրի փորձը իմ լավագույն հիշողություններից մեկն է։
Ւսկ ամենակարեվորը ես ստացա իմ հարցի պատասխանը եւ հասկացա, որ անկախ նրանից թե հայը աշխարհի որ ծայրում է ապրում նա միշտ կա եւ կմնա ջերմ, կրքոտ եւ պահպանողական մեր Հայրենիքի եւ մշակույթի նկատմամբ։
‘Արի տուն’ ծրագրի փորձը իմ լավագույն հիշողություններից մեկն է։
Ւսկ ամենակարեվորը ես ստացա իմ հարցի պատասխանը եւ հասկացա, որ անկախ նրանից թե հայը աշխարհի որ ծայրում է ապրում նա միշտ կա եւ կմնա ջերմ, կրքոտ եւ պահպանողական մեր Հայրենիքի եւ մշակույթի նկատմամբ։
9
WELCOME
DEAR FRIEND!
Thank you for your interest to participate in “Ari Tun” program. By visiting Armenia and taking part in “Ari Tun” program you will have
a chance to get acquainted with the sights, history and culture of your motherland, live in an Armenian family for 9 days and get new friends. You will get an opportunity to take Armenian language courses and participate in “Ari Tun” camp, where you can have a four-day rest and learn national songs and dances.
Armenian families will be happy to host you.
Though this program you get a chance see your Homeland, its picturesque nature and learn more about your Armenian roots.
Terms of participation in “Ari Tun” Program
1. A participant (a guest) should
You can upload the application form at www.mindiaspora.am or www.aritun.am websites, attach your photo, fill it in and sign.
The application form and a copy of the passport should be submitted to the community institution (educational, cultural, church, public...etc.) in the territory of your residence, or to the Ministry of Diaspora via postal service, fax or E-mail in a scanned version (aritun.mindiaspora@gmail.com).
The deadline for the applications’ submission is at least 20 days before the beginning of each stage of the program.
DEAR FRIEND!
Thank you for your interest to participate in “Ari Tun” program. By visiting Armenia and taking part in “Ari Tun” program you will have
a chance to get acquainted with the sights, history and culture of your motherland, live in an Armenian family for 9 days and get new friends. You will get an opportunity to take Armenian language courses and participate in “Ari Tun” camp, where you can have a four-day rest and learn national songs and dances.
Armenian families will be happy to host you.
Though this program you get a chance see your Homeland, its picturesque nature and learn more about your Armenian roots.
Terms of participation in “Ari Tun” Program
1. A participant (a guest) should
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be 13-18 years old,
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not have participated in the program before,
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be able to cover round-trip travel expenses,
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submit a filled in application with a photo attached to the upper
right corner of page, and a copy of the passport,
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submit a health certificate (signed and sealed by a doctor).
You can upload the application form at www.mindiaspora.am or www.aritun.am websites, attach your photo, fill it in and sign.
The application form and a copy of the passport should be submitted to the community institution (educational, cultural, church, public...etc.) in the territory of your residence, or to the Ministry of Diaspora via postal service, fax or E-mail in a scanned version (aritun.mindiaspora@gmail.com).
The deadline for the applications’ submission is at least 20 days before the beginning of each stage of the program.
ՈՂՋՈՒՅՆ,
ԹԱՆԿԱԳԻՆ ԲԱՐԵԿԱՄ
Շնորհակալություն ենք հայտնում «ԱՐԻ ՏՈՒՆ» ծրագրին մասնակցելու քո ցանկության համար: Այցելելով Հայաստան եւ մասնակցելով «ԱՐԻ ՏՈՒՆ» ծրագրին` դու հնարավորություն կունենաս ծանոթանալու քո Հայրենիքի տեսարժան վայրերին, պատմությանը, մշակույթին, 9 օր ապրել հայաստանյան ընտանիքում եւ ձեռք բերել ընկերներ:
Քեզ համար կկազմակերպվեն հայոց լեզվի դասեր, «Արի տուն» ճամբար, ուր կանցկացնես քո քառօրյա հանգիստը եւ կսովորես ազգային երգ ու պար:
Հայկական օջախի դռները միշտ բաց են քո առջեւ:
Մասնակցելով այս ծրագրին՝ դու կտեսնես քո Հայաստան հայրենիքը, նրա գեղատեսիլ բնությունը, առավել կճանաչես քո հայկական արմատները:
ՀՀ ՍՓՅՈՒՌՔԻ ՆԱԽԱՐԱՐՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ
ՊԱ Յ Մ Ա Ն Ն Ե Ր
«ԱՐԻ ՏՈՒՆ» ծրագրին մասնակցության
1. Ծրագրի մասնակիցը (հյուրընկալվողը) պետք է
Հայտադիմումը կարող եք ներբեռնել www.mindiaspora.am եւ www.aritun.am կայքերից, փակցնել նկարը, լրացնել եւ ստորագրել:
Լրացված հայտադիմումը եւ անձնագրի պատճենը պետք է ուղարկել տվյալ տարածքում համայնքային կառույց (կրթական, մշակութային, եկեղեցական, մարզական, լրատվական, հասարակական, այլ) կամ ՀՀ սփյուռքի նախարարություն` փոստով, հեռապատճենով կամ էլ. փոստով (aritun. mindiaspora@gmail.com)` լուսապատճենված (scan):
Հայտադիմումը ներկայացնելու վերջնաժամկետն է յուրաքանչյուր փուլի սկսվելուց առնվազն 20 օր առաջ:
ԹԱՆԿԱԳԻՆ ԲԱՐԵԿԱՄ
Շնորհակալություն ենք հայտնում «ԱՐԻ ՏՈՒՆ» ծրագրին մասնակցելու քո ցանկության համար: Այցելելով Հայաստան եւ մասնակցելով «ԱՐԻ ՏՈՒՆ» ծրագրին` դու հնարավորություն կունենաս ծանոթանալու քո Հայրենիքի տեսարժան վայրերին, պատմությանը, մշակույթին, 9 օր ապրել հայաստանյան ընտանիքում եւ ձեռք բերել ընկերներ:
Քեզ համար կկազմակերպվեն հայոց լեզվի դասեր, «Արի տուն» ճամբար, ուր կանցկացնես քո քառօրյա հանգիստը եւ կսովորես ազգային երգ ու պար:
Հայկական օջախի դռները միշտ բաց են քո առջեւ:
Մասնակցելով այս ծրագրին՝ դու կտեսնես քո Հայաստան հայրենիքը, նրա գեղատեսիլ բնությունը, առավել կճանաչես քո հայկական արմատները:
ՀՀ ՍՓՅՈՒՌՔԻ ՆԱԽԱՐԱՐՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ
ՊԱ Յ Մ Ա Ն Ն Ե Ր
«ԱՐԻ ՏՈՒՆ» ծրագրին մասնակցության
1. Ծրագրի մասնակիցը (հյուրընկալվողը) պետք է
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լինի 13-18 տարեկան,
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նախկինում մասնակցած չլինի «Արի տուն» ծրագրին,
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հոգա Հայաստան եւ հետադարձ այցելության ճանապարհածախսը,
-
ներկայացնի մեկ լրացված հայտադիմում, մեկ լուսանկար` փակցված էջի վերին աջ
անկյունում, ինչպես նաեւ անձնագրի պատճենը,
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ժամանելուց ներկայացնի առողջության մասին բժշկի կողմից տրված տեղեկանք
(ստորագրված, կնքված):
Հայտադիմումը կարող եք ներբեռնել www.mindiaspora.am եւ www.aritun.am կայքերից, փակցնել նկարը, լրացնել եւ ստորագրել:
Լրացված հայտադիմումը եւ անձնագրի պատճենը պետք է ուղարկել տվյալ տարածքում համայնքային կառույց (կրթական, մշակութային, եկեղեցական, մարզական, լրատվական, հասարակական, այլ) կամ ՀՀ սփյուռքի նախարարություն` փոստով, հեռապատճենով կամ էլ. փոստով (aritun. mindiaspora@gmail.com)` լուսապատճենված (scan):
Հայտադիմումը ներկայացնելու վերջնաժամկետն է յուրաքանչյուր փուլի սկսվելուց առնվազն 20 օր առաջ:
11
APPLICATION FORM
Name:
Family name:
Date of Birth (day/month/year):
Gender: feminine masculine
Birthpalce: Country City
Country of Residence:
Citizenship:
Current Address: City/Village
Street name Apt. number Home phone number or the phone number of a parent:
Name:
Family name:
Date of Birth (day/month/year):
Gender: feminine masculine
Birthpalce: Country City
Country of Residence:
Citizenship:
Current Address: City/Village
Street name Apt. number Home phone number or the phone number of a parent:
Country code
City code
Mobile Phone Number:
Country code
Code of an operator
E-mail:
Father
Name, family name: Mother
Name, family name:
Mobile Phone Number:
Country code
Father
Name, family name: Mother
Name, family name:
Number
Number
Occupation:
Number
Occupation:
Occupation:
The institution you are studying or working, your status:
Do you know Armenian? Yes No Partially
Have you ever been to Armenia? Yes No
Please, specify the time period of your previous visit and its aim.
Please, specify the time period of your previous visit and its aim.
photo
Do you have relatives in Armenia? Yes No
If yes, fill their personal data in the table
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N
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Name, family name
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Address (street name,
building number, apt.
number)
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Phone number
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3
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Please, specify your preferred time period of participation
(you can specify more than one time period)
Will you need a host family for the first 9 days of the program or you can live at your relatives’ place?
Yes, I will need I can live at my relative’s place
Will you participate in the camping part of the program during the last four days? Yes No
Additional information (Specify any information that you consider may be necessary for the organizers of the program and the host families, such as any special conditions for medical care or a special nutrition needed, or any restrictions (e.g. allergy):
Will you need a host family for the first 9 days of the program or you can live at your relatives’ place?
Yes, I will need I can live at my relative’s place
Will you participate in the camping part of the program during the last four days? Yes No
Additional information (Specify any information that you consider may be necessary for the organizers of the program and the host families, such as any special conditions for medical care or a special nutrition needed, or any restrictions (e.g. allergy):
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June 14 – June 27
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2
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June 21 – July 4
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3
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July 5 – July 18
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4
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July 12 – July 25
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5
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July 19 – August 1
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6
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August 2 – August 15
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7
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August 9 – August 22
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8
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August 16 – August 29
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Signature: Date:
ՀԱՅՏԱԴԻՄՈՒՄ
Անուն:
Ազգանուն:
Ծննդյան տարեթիվ (Օր/Ամիս/Տարի):
Սեռ`: իգական արական Ծննդավայր: Երկիր Քաղաք Բնակության երկիր:
Քաղաքացիություն:
Բնակության հասցե: բնակավայր
փողոց համար Տան կամ ծնողի հեռախոսահամար:
Երկրի կոդ
օպերատորի կոդ
Բջջային հեռախոսահամար:
Երկրի կոդ
օպերատորի կոդ
Էլ. փոստ:
Անուն:
Ազգանուն:
Ծննդյան տարեթիվ (Օր/Ամիս/Տարի):
Սեռ`: իգական արական Ծննդավայր: Երկիր Քաղաք Բնակության երկիր:
Քաղաքացիություն:
Բնակության հասցե: բնակավայր
փողոց համար Տան կամ ծնողի հեռախոսահամար:
Երկրի կոդ
Երկրի կոդ
Էլ. փոստ:
համար
համար
Հայրը`
Անուն, ազգանուն: Մայրը`
Անուն, ազգանուն:
Անուն, ազգանուն: Մայրը`
Անուն, ազգանուն:
զբաղմունք:
զբաղմունք:
Ո՞ր ուսումնական հաստատությունում եք
սովորում, կամ աշխատավայրը, կարգավիճակը
Տիրապետու՞մ եք արդյոք հայերենին: Այո Ոչ Մասամբ Երբեւէ եղե՞լ եք Հայաստանում: Այո Ոչ
Եթե այո, ապա ե՞րբ եւ ի՞նչ նպատակով.
Տիրապետու՞մ եք արդյոք հայերենին: Այո Ոչ Մասամբ Երբեւէ եղե՞լ եք Հայաստանում: Այո Ոչ
Եթե այո, ապա ե՞րբ եւ ի՞նչ նպատակով.
ՆԿԱՐ
Ունե՞ք արդյոք ազգականներ Հայաստանում: Այո Ոչ
Եթե այո, խնդրում ենք աղյուսակում պարտադիր լրացնել նրանց բոլոր տվյալները
Եթե այո, խնդրում ենք աղյուսակում պարտադիր լրացնել նրանց բոլոր տվյալները
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N
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Անուն, ազգանուն
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Հասցե (փողոց, շենք,
բնակարան)
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Հեռախոսահամար
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1
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2
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3
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Խնդրում ենք նշել ծրագրին մասնակցության Ձեր նախընտրելի
ժամանակահատվածը (կարող եք նշել մի քանիսը).
Ունե՞ք արդյոք հյուրընկալող ընտանիքի կարիք ծրագրի առաջին 9 օրերի համար, թե՞ կարող եք բնակվել Ձեր բարեկամների տանը:
Ունեմ կարիք Կարող եմ բնակվել բարեկամիս տանը
Մասնակցելու ե՞ք արդյոք ճամբարային փուլին ծրագրի վերջին 4 օրերի ընթացքում Այո Ոչ
Լրացուցիչ տեղեկատվություն (նշեք, եթե ունեք հատուկ բժշկական պայմանների, սննդակարգի կարիք կամ որեւէ հակացուցում (ալերգիա) կամ այնպիսի տեղեկատվություն, որը Ձեր կարծիքով անհրաժեշտ է ծրագրի կազմակերպիչներին եւ հյուրընկալող ընտանիքներին հաղորդելու համար):
Ունե՞ք արդյոք հյուրընկալող ընտանիքի կարիք ծրագրի առաջին 9 օրերի համար, թե՞ կարող եք բնակվել Ձեր բարեկամների տանը:
Ունեմ կարիք Կարող եմ բնակվել բարեկամիս տանը
Մասնակցելու ե՞ք արդյոք ճամբարային փուլին ծրագրի վերջին 4 օրերի ընթացքում Այո Ոչ
Լրացուցիչ տեղեկատվություն (նշեք, եթե ունեք հատուկ բժշկական պայմանների, սննդակարգի կարիք կամ որեւէ հակացուցում (ալերգիա) կամ այնպիսի տեղեկատվություն, որը Ձեր կարծիքով անհրաժեշտ է ծրագրի կազմակերպիչներին եւ հյուրընկալող ընտանիքներին հաղորդելու համար):
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1
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Հունիսի 14 – հունիսի 27
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2
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Հունիսի 21– հուլիսի 4
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Հուլիսի 5 – հուլիսի 18
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Հուլիսի 12 – հուլիսի 25
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Հուլիսի 19– օգոստոսի 1
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Օգոստոսի 2 – օգոստոսի 15
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7
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Օգոստոսի 9 – օգոստոսի 22
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8
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Օգոստոսի 16 – օգոստոսի 29
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Ստորագրություն` Ամսաթիվ`
17
ԱՐԻ
ՏՈՒՆ
armradio.am
12 DERSIM ARMENIANS BAPTIZED TO COMPLETE RETURN
Only the older woman standing in middle of this Christian Armenian
family, living in the village of Komik, can still speak Armenian.
Eurasianet - For Armenians, the towns of MuÅ~_ and Sason in
southeastern Turkey, not far to the west of Lake Van, hold particular
historical significance. But today, 100 years after the massacre of
1915, few ethnic Armenians still remain there
In the medieval era, MuÅ~_ served as the central town of the
influential Armenian principality of Taron, home to Mesrop Mashtots,
who invented the Armenian alphabet in the early fifth century.
Sason, known to Armenians as Sasun, is the setting for the
8th-10th-century Armenian national epic, "The Daredevils of Sasun"
(also called "The Daredevils of Sassoun"), which tells how Armenian
fighters, led by the legendary ruler, David of Sasun (or Sassoun),
repulsed repeated Arab invasions.
Although both locations lost their prominence in modern times, they
remained important regional centers for Armenian culture until the
bloodshed of 1915.
BuÅ~_ra, whose mother is a Muslim Armenian, recently had a DNA test
to confirm she is ethnic Armenian.
Today, little sign of that past remains. The old part of MuÅ~_,
where many ethnic Armenians once lived, has been partly destroyed,
though the walls of a women's hamam and an Armenian church still stand.
Khachkars, Armenian memorial cross-stones, stand near many Kurdish
houses. Stones with carved crosses often have been used for
construction materials. A graveyard can be found on a nearby mountain.
Recently, an Armenian club opened in MuÅ~_ with the name "Daron -
Hay," a local Armenian rendition of "Taron-Armenian." Members say
they chose the Armenian word "Hay" since the Turkish word for Armenia,
Ermeni, can be used as an insult.
Members say, though, that those attitudes are starting to change a
little. But still, despite a relative liberalization of government
policies in recent years, many ethnic Armenians in Turkeyremain
cautious.
The desire to retain an Armenian cultural identity, though,
runs strong. One Muslim ethnic Armenian told a visiting Armenian
photographer about his family's difficulty in finding their relatives
in Armenia, where they fled after the massacre of 1915.
But in both MuÅ~_ and Sason/Sasun, only the older generation of ethnic
Armenians speak Armenian. Youngsters say they try to learn the language
while attending school in Istanbul, where more opportunities exist
to study Armenian.
Istanbul and other larger Turkish cities also have drawn away most
of the local ethnic Armenian families who are Christian; a faith seen
as an integral part of Armenian culture. Many of those who remain are
Muslim, while others are mixed. A few have converted to Christianity.
Marriage is viewed as a key tool in preserving these families'
Armenian heritage within Turkey. To do so, some locals often even
opt for distant relatives as spouses.
Still, their focus remains on the future. One Muslim Armenian man
discussed the prospects for a bride for his son. The father's hope
is that she will be Armenian.
AZERBAIJAN WARNS AMERICANS AGAINST UNAUTHORIZED
arka.am
EVERY FIFTH MARRIAGE IN ARMENIA BREAKS UP
YEREVAN, May 15. /ARKA/. Every fifth marriage in Armenia breaks
up, Aharon Adibekyan, a sociologist, said in an interview with
Sputnik-Armenia radio.
He is quoted by Novosti-Armenia as saying that a traditional family
model is preserved in Armenia.
<and in Russia about 50%, while in Armenia it is just 20%, i.e. every
fifth marriage ends in divorce,>> Adibekyan said in his interview.
In his opinion, family in Armenia remains a fortress where people
find protection from social, economic, psychological and other shocks.
According to the National Statistical Service, 18,912 marriages were
registered in the country in 2014 - 3% more than in 2013, and the
number of divorces rose 19.8% to 4 498.
arka.am
ARMENIAN DRAM DEPRECIATED 16.11% IN THE FIRST QUARTER
14.05.2015
YEREVAN, May 14. /ARKA/. Armenian dram depreciated versus dollar
by 16.11% in January-March 2015, says the website of the Eurasian
Economic Commission.
According to the commission, average dollar exchange rate in Armenia
was $477.26 drams per dollar in January-March 21015, as compared to
$411.04 in the same period of the year before (16.11% increase). Euro
versus dram rate was 538.40 drams per euro in the period, compared
to 562.89 drams respectively. Armenian dram strengthened by 35%
versus the Russian ruble, and the ruble rate was 7.61 drams per ruble.
According to the report, the Russian ruble versus dollar exchange
rate recorded the highest growth rates - 77.85% (62.165rubles per $1).
Ruble versus euro growth rate was 46.88% (70.37 rubles per euro).
Belarusian ruble depreciated versus US dollar by 52.53% in the first
quarter of 2015, compared to Q 1 2014. Its devaluation versus euro
was 25.64%.
Kazakhstani tenge depreciated versus dollar by 8.48%, which is the
lowest devaluation level among the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU)
countries. At the same time, tenge strengthened versus dollar by 10.7%.
National currencies versus dollar rates were in the EEU member states
considerably higher in January-March 2015 than in the same period of
the year before.
At the same time, the Russian ruble showed strengthening dynamics this
February, having influenced also the other national currencies. In
particular, the Armenian dram and Belarusian ruble have slightly
strengthened, and the Kazakhstani tenge depreciation slowed down.
The national currencies' rates versus euro were influenced by the
euro versus dollar devaluation. -0-
Remembering the Armenians of Ethiopia
By R.P. Sevadjian
Boghos Markarian, who arrived in 1866 and supplied goods and
It is difficult to overestimate the contribution that Armenians made in
Among a number of amusing stories of the arbitrary ways Armenians
With the opening up of Ethiopia to foreign embassies and foreign
As has been written about in many articles and publications, Ras Tafari,
Although few families remain, the Armenian legacy lives on in the
12 DERSIM ARMENIANS BAPTIZED TO COMPLETE RETURN
TO THEIR IDENTITY
15 May 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan
Agos - Following a six-month course of church doctrine and basic
knowledge of Christian belief, 12 more Dersim Armenians took their
first step back to Christianity with a collective baptism ceremony.
Two married couples also held religious engagement ceremonies following
the baptism ceremony held on 9 May 2015, Saturday at the YeÅ~_ilköy
Surp Istepanos Church.
The efforts of forcibly Islamised Armenians to 'return to their
identity' has accelerated in recent years. Such individuals display a
desire to live and express their identity openly, which they are forced
to conceal in their neighbourhood, at school and at their workplace,
and to bring an end to the division of identities sometimes even
experienced within the same family.
Dersim Armenians have thus organized collective baptism ceremonies at
Armenian churches to officially rturn to their religion. Following a
six-month course of church doctrine and basic knowledge of Christian
belief, 12 more Dersim Armenians took their first step back to
Christianity with a collective baptism ceremony. Two married couples
also held religious engagement ceremonies following the baptism
ceremony held on 9 May 2015, Saturday at the YeÅ~_ilköy Surp
Istepanos Church.
A new life
Led by Father Dırtad Uzunyan, the baptism ceremony was presided
over by Archbishop Aram AteÅ~_yan. Nazar Binatlı, Pakrat Estukyan,
Bogos Colak, Kamer Karataylı ve Hagop Altınkaya were the godfathers
of the Dersimians who returned to Christianity and took the names
Karin, Derev, Naira, Lia, Arev, ArÅ~_aluys, Kristin, Hovnan, Rupen,
Hovannes Minas, Lusin Mane and Minas. The couples Bogos-Sırpuhi
Colak and Hovannes-Lusin Colak consolidated their marriage ties by
repeating their vows in the presence of the Church. Yervant Dink and
Kamer Karataylı acted as groomsmen for the couple.
We spoke to some of the Dersim Armenians who were baptized on Saturday
at the Surp Istepanos Church, and asked them about their feelings.
Arev: 'We are returning to our roots'
'I am now experiencing the freedom of being able to defend myself
against those who insult us. Today, I am the happiest person in
the world. For years, Armenians suffered the greatest insults at my
workplace, and I could not speak back, fearing I would lose my job.
>From now on, I will wear my cross around my neck. We dreamed of this
day since our childhood. We are returning to our roots.'
Hovannes Minas: 'We began as three, we ended up as twelve'
'This is a very happy day for me. I have been both baptized, and
we held our religious marriage ceremony. It is an inexpressible
happiness. We never forgot our religion. We can live freely now. I
had made a promise to my mother and father to bury them in an Armenian
cemetery, I was able to keep that promise as well. We were three of us
when we decided to become baptized, and we achieved our purpose as 12.
We are very happy.'
Hovnan: 'I will wear the Patriarchate's cross around my neck'
'I am very excited. We all received a course to become Christians. It
was a beautiful experience to meet Archbishop Aram AteÅ~_yan. The cross
presented to us as a gift by the Patriarchate is very meaningful for
me, I will wear it around my neck for the rest of my life. In the past,
I could not defend myself on this issue, now I can. I feel much freer
now, I can express my identity to everyone.'
Kristin: 'I can now freely say I am a Christian'
'I feel amazing. I have been waiting for this day for a long time. I
no longer have to conceal my identity. I can now freely say I am a
Christian. I felt, from time to time, both in the Armenian community
and my circle of friends, that I was being excluded because I had
not been baptized, but this emancipation will serve as a remedy.'
15 May 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan
Agos - Following a six-month course of church doctrine and basic
knowledge of Christian belief, 12 more Dersim Armenians took their
first step back to Christianity with a collective baptism ceremony.
Two married couples also held religious engagement ceremonies following
the baptism ceremony held on 9 May 2015, Saturday at the YeÅ~_ilköy
Surp Istepanos Church.
The efforts of forcibly Islamised Armenians to 'return to their
identity' has accelerated in recent years. Such individuals display a
desire to live and express their identity openly, which they are forced
to conceal in their neighbourhood, at school and at their workplace,
and to bring an end to the division of identities sometimes even
experienced within the same family.
Dersim Armenians have thus organized collective baptism ceremonies at
Armenian churches to officially rturn to their religion. Following a
six-month course of church doctrine and basic knowledge of Christian
belief, 12 more Dersim Armenians took their first step back to
Christianity with a collective baptism ceremony. Two married couples
also held religious engagement ceremonies following the baptism
ceremony held on 9 May 2015, Saturday at the YeÅ~_ilköy Surp
Istepanos Church.
A new life
Led by Father Dırtad Uzunyan, the baptism ceremony was presided
over by Archbishop Aram AteÅ~_yan. Nazar Binatlı, Pakrat Estukyan,
Bogos Colak, Kamer Karataylı ve Hagop Altınkaya were the godfathers
of the Dersimians who returned to Christianity and took the names
Karin, Derev, Naira, Lia, Arev, ArÅ~_aluys, Kristin, Hovnan, Rupen,
Hovannes Minas, Lusin Mane and Minas. The couples Bogos-Sırpuhi
Colak and Hovannes-Lusin Colak consolidated their marriage ties by
repeating their vows in the presence of the Church. Yervant Dink and
Kamer Karataylı acted as groomsmen for the couple.
We spoke to some of the Dersim Armenians who were baptized on Saturday
at the Surp Istepanos Church, and asked them about their feelings.
Arev: 'We are returning to our roots'
'I am now experiencing the freedom of being able to defend myself
against those who insult us. Today, I am the happiest person in
the world. For years, Armenians suffered the greatest insults at my
workplace, and I could not speak back, fearing I would lose my job.
>From now on, I will wear my cross around my neck. We dreamed of this
day since our childhood. We are returning to our roots.'
Hovannes Minas: 'We began as three, we ended up as twelve'
'This is a very happy day for me. I have been both baptized, and
we held our religious marriage ceremony. It is an inexpressible
happiness. We never forgot our religion. We can live freely now. I
had made a promise to my mother and father to bury them in an Armenian
cemetery, I was able to keep that promise as well. We were three of us
when we decided to become baptized, and we achieved our purpose as 12.
We are very happy.'
Hovnan: 'I will wear the Patriarchate's cross around my neck'
'I am very excited. We all received a course to become Christians. It
was a beautiful experience to meet Archbishop Aram AteÅ~_yan. The cross
presented to us as a gift by the Patriarchate is very meaningful for
me, I will wear it around my neck for the rest of my life. In the past,
I could not defend myself on this issue, now I can. I feel much freer
now, I can express my identity to everyone.'
Kristin: 'I can now freely say I am a Christian'
'I feel amazing. I have been waiting for this day for a long time. I
no longer have to conceal my identity. I can now freely say I am a
Christian. I felt, from time to time, both in the Armenian community
and my circle of friends, that I was being excluded because I had
not been baptized, but this emancipation will serve as a remedy.'
A CENTURY LATER
By Anahit Hayrapetyan
By Anahit Hayrapetyan
May 14, 2015
Only the older woman standing in middle of this Christian Armenian
family, living in the village of Komik, can still speak Armenian.
Eurasianet - For Armenians, the towns of MuÅ~_ and Sason in
southeastern Turkey, not far to the west of Lake Van, hold particular
historical significance. But today, 100 years after the massacre of
1915, few ethnic Armenians still remain there
In the medieval era, MuÅ~_ served as the central town of the
influential Armenian principality of Taron, home to Mesrop Mashtots,
who invented the Armenian alphabet in the early fifth century.
Sason, known to Armenians as Sasun, is the setting for the
8th-10th-century Armenian national epic, "The Daredevils of Sasun"
(also called "The Daredevils of Sassoun"), which tells how Armenian
fighters, led by the legendary ruler, David of Sasun (or Sassoun),
repulsed repeated Arab invasions.
Although both locations lost their prominence in modern times, they
remained important regional centers for Armenian culture until the
bloodshed of 1915.
BuÅ~_ra, whose mother is a Muslim Armenian, recently had a DNA test
to confirm she is ethnic Armenian.
Today, little sign of that past remains. The old part of MuÅ~_,
where many ethnic Armenians once lived, has been partly destroyed,
though the walls of a women's hamam and an Armenian church still stand.
Khachkars, Armenian memorial cross-stones, stand near many Kurdish
houses. Stones with carved crosses often have been used for
construction materials. A graveyard can be found on a nearby mountain.
Recently, an Armenian club opened in MuÅ~_ with the name "Daron -
Hay," a local Armenian rendition of "Taron-Armenian." Members say
they chose the Armenian word "Hay" since the Turkish word for Armenia,
Ermeni, can be used as an insult.
Members say, though, that those attitudes are starting to change a
little. But still, despite a relative liberalization of government
policies in recent years, many ethnic Armenians in Turkeyremain
cautious.
The desire to retain an Armenian cultural identity, though,
runs strong. One Muslim ethnic Armenian told a visiting Armenian
photographer about his family's difficulty in finding their relatives
in Armenia, where they fled after the massacre of 1915.
But in both MuÅ~_ and Sason/Sasun, only the older generation of ethnic
Armenians speak Armenian. Youngsters say they try to learn the language
while attending school in Istanbul, where more opportunities exist
to study Armenian.
Istanbul and other larger Turkish cities also have drawn away most
of the local ethnic Armenian families who are Christian; a faith seen
as an integral part of Armenian culture. Many of those who remain are
Muslim, while others are mixed. A few have converted to Christianity.
Marriage is viewed as a key tool in preserving these families'
Armenian heritage within Turkey. To do so, some locals often even
opt for distant relatives as spouses.
Still, their focus remains on the future. One Muslim Armenian man
discussed the prospects for a bride for his son. The father's hope
is that she will be Armenian.
AZERBAIJAN WARNS AMERICANS AGAINST UNAUTHORIZED
VISITS TO KARABAKH
Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
May 15 2015
The adviser to the Embassy of Azerbaijan in the US, Mammad Talibov, has
published a letter in the New York Times criticizing the previously
released article "A warm welcome in the Caucasus mountains" that
encourages tourists to visit the Nagorno-Karabakh region occupied
by Armenia.
"The author doesn't tell the full and tragic story of the illegal
occupation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and the
displacement of nearly one million Azerbaijani citizens. He failed
to inform the readers that by travelling to the occupied territories
illegally, they would violate Azerbaijani laws and international
rules and never mentioned a number of travel warnings about
the area, including ones issued by the US Department of State,"
Interfax-Azerbaijan cited the letter.
The diplomat added that such unauthorized travel results in
restrictions on future travel to Azerbaijan.
Talibov said that, based on the article, the reader might consider
the region to be a tourist destination akin to any other, although
according to an International Crisis Group report internally
displaced people have to cope with automatic gunfire, land mines,
water contamination and fires.
"Azerbaijan continues to work toward a peaceful resolution of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict so that displaced persons and tourists
alike may return to this beautiful land," he stressed.
STORMY TIMES AHEAD FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN
Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
May 15 2015
The adviser to the Embassy of Azerbaijan in the US, Mammad Talibov, has
published a letter in the New York Times criticizing the previously
released article "A warm welcome in the Caucasus mountains" that
encourages tourists to visit the Nagorno-Karabakh region occupied
by Armenia.
"The author doesn't tell the full and tragic story of the illegal
occupation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and the
displacement of nearly one million Azerbaijani citizens. He failed
to inform the readers that by travelling to the occupied territories
illegally, they would violate Azerbaijani laws and international
rules and never mentioned a number of travel warnings about
the area, including ones issued by the US Department of State,"
Interfax-Azerbaijan cited the letter.
The diplomat added that such unauthorized travel results in
restrictions on future travel to Azerbaijan.
Talibov said that, based on the article, the reader might consider
the region to be a tourist destination akin to any other, although
according to an International Crisis Group report internally
displaced people have to cope with automatic gunfire, land mines,
water contamination and fires.
"Azerbaijan continues to work toward a peaceful resolution of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict so that displaced persons and tourists
alike may return to this beautiful land," he stressed.
STORMY TIMES AHEAD FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN
ARMENIA
EurActiv
May 15 2015
In the last 15 years, Armenia and the EU have been developing an
increasingly close relationship going beyond co-operation to involve a
significant measure of economic integration and a deepening political
cooperation: from the EU-Armenia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement
(1999) to the inclusion in the European Neighbourhood Policy (2004)
and the Eastern Partnership (2009).
However, in January of this year, Armenia suddenly decided to join the
Eurasian Economic Union led by Russia. This political decision has
had an immediate negative impact on the human rights situation. The
"Eurasian values," as defined by Moscow, have quickly affected the
work of the Armenian human rights activists. They have been suspected
of being "foreign agents," they have been slandered and threatened.
Defending LGBT rights is suddenly perceived as a betrayal of Armenian
values and collaboration with Western powers to destroy the family,
the cornerstone of the Armenian nation. Freedom of assembly has also
been targeted and political activists have been arrested.
Since their first "AutoMarch" on 19 October last year, created on the
model of the AutoMaidan in Kyiv, opponents to the current Armenian
regime have been routinely stopped, beaten and arrested by the police
during their peaceful demonstrations. Their cars have been heavily
damaged by the law enforcement forces as several videos clearly show
on YouTube. As in Kyiv during the EuroMaidan, the members of the
Armenian movement demonstrate in cars to call for regime change.
The "Centennial without this Regime" movement and the "Founding
Parliament" (FP), a civil initiative, are the driving forces of the
socio-political opposition to the President of the Republic of Armenia
behind the demonstrations.
Their events have always been peaceful and have remained within the
limits of the law, leaders insist. Yerevan municipality recently
authorised a series of rallies that were to start on 24 April but a
crackdown on the two movements was decided by the regime on the basis
of suspicions of wrongdoings.
On 7 April, ten apartments belonging to members of the movement and
five offices were searched by the National Security Service and police
Special Investigative Division. These searches were conducted on the
sole grounds of a "suspicion of preparation for mass disturbances."
On 9 and 10 April 2015, the court of the administrative districts
Kentron and Nork-Marash in Yerevan sentenced several leaders of the
movement to two months' pre-trial detention for allegedly attempting to
"organise mass disturbances" at a rally on 24 April; Jirayr Sefilyan,
Garegin Chugaszyan, Varuzhan Avetisyan, Pavel Manukyan and Gevorg
Safaryan. Hakobyan, accused of illegal possession of arms, was released
on bail (EURO 1,000) but the criminal prosecution against him goes on.
The lawyers representing Jirair Sefilian and other prominent members
of the group announced their intention to appeal the court decisions
regarding the custody of their clients at the European Court of Human
Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg.
In a press conference on 15 April, lawyer Lusine Hakobyan reminded that
Sefilyan had been a regular target of the authorities in the last 10
years. In 2006, he was accused of calling for a violent overthrow of
the constitutional order and for illegally keeping his weapon after
his demobilisation in 1998. In 2007, he was sentenced to one year
and six months imprisonment. On 2nd January 2013 the European Court
of Human Rights recognised the unlawfulness of Sefilyan's detention
and condemned the Armenian state to pay EURO 6,000 euros to Sefilyan
as financial compensation.
The European Union should be concerned about such developments in the
human rights area and remain vigilant in its future relations with
countries attracted by the Eurasian Economic Union, including Armenia,
as it is obvious that Moscow is paving the way to a new cultural Iron
Curtain between liberal democracies and autocratic regimes.
Willy Fautre
HATE SPEECH VS. FREE SPEECH IN ARMENIA
Institute for War and Peace Reporting, UK
IWPR Caucasus Reporting #777
EurActiv
May 15 2015
In the last 15 years, Armenia and the EU have been developing an
increasingly close relationship going beyond co-operation to involve a
significant measure of economic integration and a deepening political
cooperation: from the EU-Armenia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement
(1999) to the inclusion in the European Neighbourhood Policy (2004)
and the Eastern Partnership (2009).
However, in January of this year, Armenia suddenly decided to join the
Eurasian Economic Union led by Russia. This political decision has
had an immediate negative impact on the human rights situation. The
"Eurasian values," as defined by Moscow, have quickly affected the
work of the Armenian human rights activists. They have been suspected
of being "foreign agents," they have been slandered and threatened.
Defending LGBT rights is suddenly perceived as a betrayal of Armenian
values and collaboration with Western powers to destroy the family,
the cornerstone of the Armenian nation. Freedom of assembly has also
been targeted and political activists have been arrested.
Since their first "AutoMarch" on 19 October last year, created on the
model of the AutoMaidan in Kyiv, opponents to the current Armenian
regime have been routinely stopped, beaten and arrested by the police
during their peaceful demonstrations. Their cars have been heavily
damaged by the law enforcement forces as several videos clearly show
on YouTube. As in Kyiv during the EuroMaidan, the members of the
Armenian movement demonstrate in cars to call for regime change.
The "Centennial without this Regime" movement and the "Founding
Parliament" (FP), a civil initiative, are the driving forces of the
socio-political opposition to the President of the Republic of Armenia
behind the demonstrations.
Their events have always been peaceful and have remained within the
limits of the law, leaders insist. Yerevan municipality recently
authorised a series of rallies that were to start on 24 April but a
crackdown on the two movements was decided by the regime on the basis
of suspicions of wrongdoings.
On 7 April, ten apartments belonging to members of the movement and
five offices were searched by the National Security Service and police
Special Investigative Division. These searches were conducted on the
sole grounds of a "suspicion of preparation for mass disturbances."
On 9 and 10 April 2015, the court of the administrative districts
Kentron and Nork-Marash in Yerevan sentenced several leaders of the
movement to two months' pre-trial detention for allegedly attempting to
"organise mass disturbances" at a rally on 24 April; Jirayr Sefilyan,
Garegin Chugaszyan, Varuzhan Avetisyan, Pavel Manukyan and Gevorg
Safaryan. Hakobyan, accused of illegal possession of arms, was released
on bail (EURO 1,000) but the criminal prosecution against him goes on.
The lawyers representing Jirair Sefilian and other prominent members
of the group announced their intention to appeal the court decisions
regarding the custody of their clients at the European Court of Human
Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg.
In a press conference on 15 April, lawyer Lusine Hakobyan reminded that
Sefilyan had been a regular target of the authorities in the last 10
years. In 2006, he was accused of calling for a violent overthrow of
the constitutional order and for illegally keeping his weapon after
his demobilisation in 1998. In 2007, he was sentenced to one year
and six months imprisonment. On 2nd January 2013 the European Court
of Human Rights recognised the unlawfulness of Sefilyan's detention
and condemned the Armenian state to pay EURO 6,000 euros to Sefilyan
as financial compensation.
The European Union should be concerned about such developments in the
human rights area and remain vigilant in its future relations with
countries attracted by the Eurasian Economic Union, including Armenia,
as it is obvious that Moscow is paving the way to a new cultural Iron
Curtain between liberal democracies and autocratic regimes.
Willy Fautre
HATE SPEECH VS. FREE SPEECH IN ARMENIA
Institute for War and Peace Reporting, UK
IWPR Caucasus Reporting #777
by Parandzem Avagyan and Lilit Arakelyan
May 15 2015
Recent court battles have revealed a gap in the law in Armenia,
where members of sexual minorities are not protected against hate
speech and discriminatory comments.
This week, a district court found against the Iravunk newspaper in
a case brought by three individuals who alleged that it had made
defamatory and discriminatory comments about them on grounds of
sexual orientation.
The three plaintiffs, Arman Sahakyan, Hovhannes Mkrtchyan and Grigor
Gevorgyan, took legal action concerning an article the newspaper's
chief editor Hovhannes Galajyan wrote in May 2014 calling for "zero
tolerance" of gay people, who he said "served the interests of an
international homosexual lobby".
The article went on to name 60 people as "enemies of the people and the
state". Galajyan called on public- and private-sector employers not to
hire any of the 60 individuals and urged both the media and educational
institutions not to give them opportunities to make themselves heard.
When people named in the list threatened to sue the newspaper and its
editor, the newspaper published more articles containing homophobic
slurs.
The Kentron and Nork-Marash district court in the capital Yerevan
ordered Iravunk to publish on its website a retraction of the May
2014 article, which it deemed defamatory, and instructed Galajyan to
pay the plaintiffs damages of 250,000 drams (500 US dollars) each.
The May 14 ruling came as a surprise given that in March, Armenia's
highest court of appeal rejected a case brought by 16 other individuals
who alleged that Iravunk had defamed and discriminated against them
in the same manner.
The appeals court ruled that the 16 plaintiffs' rights and reputation
had suffered no damage as a result of the Iravunk material, which it
said fell within the editorial right to freedom of expression.
Galajyan says he was the victim of a "homosexual lobby" trying to
silence comment, and that there are legal precedents for journalists
to use robust forms of expression.
He was defended by Hovhannes Sahakyan, a politician from the ruling
Republican Party who sits on parliament's legislative committee.
"As a well-known journalist who shares the national mindset, Galajyan
was merely expressing his point of view in exactly the same way as
minorities do," Sahakyan said. Under Armenia's laws, sexual minorities
have "no particular privileges, but nor is there any discrimination",
he said.
This week's ruling could yet be overturned by a higher court, but it
could set a precedent nonetheless.
Even so, rights groups following the case urge caution. Haykuhi
Harutyunyan, head of the NGO Protection of Rights Without Borders,
points out that no one has read the fine detail of the ruling yet.
"If the verdict states that this [article] was merely insulting,
and it doesn't mention discrimination or hate speech, then it won't
constitute a precedent," she said.
For Harutyunyan, Galajyan's defence argument was made possible by
the absence of anti-discrimination legislation in Armenia.
"As Armenia has no anti-discrimination law, the newspaper
editor tried using freedom of speech as a defence," she said. "An
anti-discrimination law is the basic document that enables a clear
distinction to be made between freedom of expression and material
that preaches intolerance and hate, and that makes accountability
for the latter possible."
Hate speech is covered by Article 226 of Armenia's Criminal Code,
but it is defined there as ethnic, racial and religious terms, with
a rising scale of penalties if it occurs in private, in the public
domain, and if violence or threats to violence are involved.
Justice Minister Hovhannes Manukyan has said his staff are considering
whether a special law is needed, and if so how the drafting process
should proceed.
"We need to understand whether it's expedient to pass such a law at
all," he told an IWPR reporter at a discussion event hosted by the
Eurasia Partnership Foundation last month.
Armenia's ombudsman submitted a draft anti-discrimination law two
years ago, but although informal consultations were held, it did not
make it into parliament.
The ombudsman's deputy Tatevik Khachatryan points out that cohesive
anti-discrimination legislation would benefit everyone, since the
various laws that touch on the matter are disjointed and not applied
properly.
"This kind of law is not passed in order to protect one specific
social group," she said. "Passing an anti-discrimination law will
protect all citizens regardless of sex, social status, health,
political views or other things," she said.
Sergei Gabrielyan heads the charity Nor Serund (New Generation) to
which Sahakyan and some of the others named in the Iravunk article
belonged. He argues that the government has shown no will to broaden
the definition of hate speech through new legislation.
As evidence of the lack of political interest, he notes that despite
the newspaper being embroiled in court cases, its director Hayk
Babukhanyan, a Republican member of parliament, was awarded a state
honour by President Serzh Sargsyan last October.
Boris Navasardyan, chairman of the Yerevan Press Club, fears that
Armenia's entry to the Eurasian Economic Union, which happened
this January but has been in the making since 2013, has encouraged
retrograde legislative moves inspired by Russia
"The rejection of the lawsuit brought by 16 individuals [in the
Iravunk case] is a consequence of the general political climate,"
he told IWPR. "The standards required by human rights conventions are
not being applied because of the geopolitical choice Armenia made a
year-and-a-half ago."
Amnesty International's latest annual report says the draft
anti-discrimination law was required by the Association Agreement
which Armenia was hoping to sign with the European Union, but was
put on ice after President Sargsyan's September 2013 announcement
that the country would seek to join Moscow's trade bloc.
"Since we joined the Eurasian union, Armenia has been trying to borrow
the policies and attitudes towards the LGBT community that exist
in Russia," Gabrielyan said. "Armenia doesn't yet have the shameful
law on [gay] propaganda that Russia passed, but it has already been
passed in Kazakstan. (See "Gay Propaganda" Ban for Internet on how
the Kazak law was brought in under the radar.)
However, there are signs that the door to closer relations with the
EU is far from closed, a factor which could temper some repressive
inclinations. (See Armenia Seeks New Deal With EU.)
Dirk Lorenz, head of press and information at the EU delegation in
Yerevan, said a commitment to human rights reforms was set down in
an agreement reached with Armenia at the recent summit in Vilnius,
and this would be firmed up in a bilateral agreement still to come.
"Irrespective of Armenia's choice to join this or that bloc, both
parties [EU and Yerevan] are prepared to continue cooperating in the
sphere of human rights in Armenia," Lorenz said.
TURKISH GOVERNMENT PLANNING TO NATIONALIZE THE
May 15 2015
Recent court battles have revealed a gap in the law in Armenia,
where members of sexual minorities are not protected against hate
speech and discriminatory comments.
This week, a district court found against the Iravunk newspaper in
a case brought by three individuals who alleged that it had made
defamatory and discriminatory comments about them on grounds of
sexual orientation.
The three plaintiffs, Arman Sahakyan, Hovhannes Mkrtchyan and Grigor
Gevorgyan, took legal action concerning an article the newspaper's
chief editor Hovhannes Galajyan wrote in May 2014 calling for "zero
tolerance" of gay people, who he said "served the interests of an
international homosexual lobby".
The article went on to name 60 people as "enemies of the people and the
state". Galajyan called on public- and private-sector employers not to
hire any of the 60 individuals and urged both the media and educational
institutions not to give them opportunities to make themselves heard.
When people named in the list threatened to sue the newspaper and its
editor, the newspaper published more articles containing homophobic
slurs.
The Kentron and Nork-Marash district court in the capital Yerevan
ordered Iravunk to publish on its website a retraction of the May
2014 article, which it deemed defamatory, and instructed Galajyan to
pay the plaintiffs damages of 250,000 drams (500 US dollars) each.
The May 14 ruling came as a surprise given that in March, Armenia's
highest court of appeal rejected a case brought by 16 other individuals
who alleged that Iravunk had defamed and discriminated against them
in the same manner.
The appeals court ruled that the 16 plaintiffs' rights and reputation
had suffered no damage as a result of the Iravunk material, which it
said fell within the editorial right to freedom of expression.
Galajyan says he was the victim of a "homosexual lobby" trying to
silence comment, and that there are legal precedents for journalists
to use robust forms of expression.
He was defended by Hovhannes Sahakyan, a politician from the ruling
Republican Party who sits on parliament's legislative committee.
"As a well-known journalist who shares the national mindset, Galajyan
was merely expressing his point of view in exactly the same way as
minorities do," Sahakyan said. Under Armenia's laws, sexual minorities
have "no particular privileges, but nor is there any discrimination",
he said.
This week's ruling could yet be overturned by a higher court, but it
could set a precedent nonetheless.
Even so, rights groups following the case urge caution. Haykuhi
Harutyunyan, head of the NGO Protection of Rights Without Borders,
points out that no one has read the fine detail of the ruling yet.
"If the verdict states that this [article] was merely insulting,
and it doesn't mention discrimination or hate speech, then it won't
constitute a precedent," she said.
For Harutyunyan, Galajyan's defence argument was made possible by
the absence of anti-discrimination legislation in Armenia.
"As Armenia has no anti-discrimination law, the newspaper
editor tried using freedom of speech as a defence," she said. "An
anti-discrimination law is the basic document that enables a clear
distinction to be made between freedom of expression and material
that preaches intolerance and hate, and that makes accountability
for the latter possible."
Hate speech is covered by Article 226 of Armenia's Criminal Code,
but it is defined there as ethnic, racial and religious terms, with
a rising scale of penalties if it occurs in private, in the public
domain, and if violence or threats to violence are involved.
Justice Minister Hovhannes Manukyan has said his staff are considering
whether a special law is needed, and if so how the drafting process
should proceed.
"We need to understand whether it's expedient to pass such a law at
all," he told an IWPR reporter at a discussion event hosted by the
Eurasia Partnership Foundation last month.
Armenia's ombudsman submitted a draft anti-discrimination law two
years ago, but although informal consultations were held, it did not
make it into parliament.
The ombudsman's deputy Tatevik Khachatryan points out that cohesive
anti-discrimination legislation would benefit everyone, since the
various laws that touch on the matter are disjointed and not applied
properly.
"This kind of law is not passed in order to protect one specific
social group," she said. "Passing an anti-discrimination law will
protect all citizens regardless of sex, social status, health,
political views or other things," she said.
Sergei Gabrielyan heads the charity Nor Serund (New Generation) to
which Sahakyan and some of the others named in the Iravunk article
belonged. He argues that the government has shown no will to broaden
the definition of hate speech through new legislation.
As evidence of the lack of political interest, he notes that despite
the newspaper being embroiled in court cases, its director Hayk
Babukhanyan, a Republican member of parliament, was awarded a state
honour by President Serzh Sargsyan last October.
Boris Navasardyan, chairman of the Yerevan Press Club, fears that
Armenia's entry to the Eurasian Economic Union, which happened
this January but has been in the making since 2013, has encouraged
retrograde legislative moves inspired by Russia
"The rejection of the lawsuit brought by 16 individuals [in the
Iravunk case] is a consequence of the general political climate,"
he told IWPR. "The standards required by human rights conventions are
not being applied because of the geopolitical choice Armenia made a
year-and-a-half ago."
Amnesty International's latest annual report says the draft
anti-discrimination law was required by the Association Agreement
which Armenia was hoping to sign with the European Union, but was
put on ice after President Sargsyan's September 2013 announcement
that the country would seek to join Moscow's trade bloc.
"Since we joined the Eurasian union, Armenia has been trying to borrow
the policies and attitudes towards the LGBT community that exist
in Russia," Gabrielyan said. "Armenia doesn't yet have the shameful
law on [gay] propaganda that Russia passed, but it has already been
passed in Kazakstan. (See "Gay Propaganda" Ban for Internet on how
the Kazak law was brought in under the radar.)
However, there are signs that the door to closer relations with the
EU is far from closed, a factor which could temper some repressive
inclinations. (See Armenia Seeks New Deal With EU.)
Dirk Lorenz, head of press and information at the EU delegation in
Yerevan, said a commitment to human rights reforms was set down in
an agreement reached with Armenia at the recent summit in Vilnius,
and this would be firmed up in a bilateral agreement still to come.
"Irrespective of Armenia's choice to join this or that bloc, both
parties [EU and Yerevan] are prepared to continue cooperating in the
sphere of human rights in Armenia," Lorenz said.
TURKISH GOVERNMENT PLANNING TO NATIONALIZE THE
ARMENIAN ORPHANAGE
15 May 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan
The Turkish government is discussing ways to save the Armenian
orphanage in Tuzla from demolition, said the head of the Foundations
Department, adding nationalization is the best option,Daily Sabah
reports.
The government is planning to nationalize the Armenian orphanage
located in the Tuzla region of Istanbul to save it from demolition.
The Kamp Armen orphanage will be nationalized before being handed
over to the Armenian community. This way, the current owner of the
property will not suffer from the transaction.
Foundations Department President Adnan Ertem, speaking to Sabah daily,
said some were trying to cloud the issue and attack the government,
arguing that everyone needs to understand that the government was
doing everything it could.
Some representatives of the Armenian community have called for the
return of the property, which Ertem highlighted was impossible without
nationalization. The property has changed ownership several times,
and the present owner needs to be fairly compensated before anything
happens, Ertem said, adding, "The only solution is for the state to
nationalize and take over the property. After which we can discuss
handing it over to the community." Ertem cited the example of the
Madımak Hotel in Sivas where 37 people were killed in 1993, being
used as a restaurant for years before being nationalized and turned
into a science and culture center.
The state seized the orphanage in 1987 before selling it. It changed
hands several times over the years and the last owner, having decided
to demolish the structure, faced serious demonstrations and protests.
Dozens of demonstrators are currently holding a sit-in to prevent
the structure's destruction.
Hrant Dink, the Armenian-Turkish journalist who was gunned down by a
young nationalist in 2007, and his wife, Rachel, are known to have
first met at the orphanage. The respected journalist, who was the
editor-in-chief of the Armenian newspaper Agos, was known for his
efforts to spur reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia.
According to a report by Uygar Gultekin from Agos, the Armenian
community is "cautiously optimistic" that the building will be saved.
However, he also said that the community does not want the property
to be nationalized, but rather totally handed over to the community.
However, the orphanage is not covered by the government-initiated law
that orders the return of minority foundations' properties seized by
the state.
In addition to the discussions over nationalization and the handing
over of the deed to the Armenian foundation, the Tuzla Municipality
is also expected to revoke the site's demolition license.
Markar Esayan, a prominent Armenian origin Turkish citizen and a
candidate for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party)
for the June 7 parliamentary elections, is also involved in the
discussions. Esayan, who is also a Daily Sabah columnist, said he knew
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu was involved in the matter, adding it
is now impossible to demolish the structure. He accused the current
owner of deceiving the municipality by arguing that the structure was
close to collapsing, which is how he was able to obtain the demolition
license. He said the Armenian foundation was also to blame for not
filing the necessary legal claims for the building in time.
15 May 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan
The Turkish government is discussing ways to save the Armenian
orphanage in Tuzla from demolition, said the head of the Foundations
Department, adding nationalization is the best option,Daily Sabah
reports.
The government is planning to nationalize the Armenian orphanage
located in the Tuzla region of Istanbul to save it from demolition.
The Kamp Armen orphanage will be nationalized before being handed
over to the Armenian community. This way, the current owner of the
property will not suffer from the transaction.
Foundations Department President Adnan Ertem, speaking to Sabah daily,
said some were trying to cloud the issue and attack the government,
arguing that everyone needs to understand that the government was
doing everything it could.
Some representatives of the Armenian community have called for the
return of the property, which Ertem highlighted was impossible without
nationalization. The property has changed ownership several times,
and the present owner needs to be fairly compensated before anything
happens, Ertem said, adding, "The only solution is for the state to
nationalize and take over the property. After which we can discuss
handing it over to the community." Ertem cited the example of the
Madımak Hotel in Sivas where 37 people were killed in 1993, being
used as a restaurant for years before being nationalized and turned
into a science and culture center.
The state seized the orphanage in 1987 before selling it. It changed
hands several times over the years and the last owner, having decided
to demolish the structure, faced serious demonstrations and protests.
Dozens of demonstrators are currently holding a sit-in to prevent
the structure's destruction.
Hrant Dink, the Armenian-Turkish journalist who was gunned down by a
young nationalist in 2007, and his wife, Rachel, are known to have
first met at the orphanage. The respected journalist, who was the
editor-in-chief of the Armenian newspaper Agos, was known for his
efforts to spur reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia.
According to a report by Uygar Gultekin from Agos, the Armenian
community is "cautiously optimistic" that the building will be saved.
However, he also said that the community does not want the property
to be nationalized, but rather totally handed over to the community.
However, the orphanage is not covered by the government-initiated law
that orders the return of minority foundations' properties seized by
the state.
In addition to the discussions over nationalization and the handing
over of the deed to the Armenian foundation, the Tuzla Municipality
is also expected to revoke the site's demolition license.
Markar Esayan, a prominent Armenian origin Turkish citizen and a
candidate for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party)
for the June 7 parliamentary elections, is also involved in the
discussions. Esayan, who is also a Daily Sabah columnist, said he knew
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu was involved in the matter, adding it
is now impossible to demolish the structure. He accused the current
owner of deceiving the municipality by arguing that the structure was
close to collapsing, which is how he was able to obtain the demolition
license. He said the Armenian foundation was also to blame for not
filing the necessary legal claims for the building in time.
arka.am
EVERY FIFTH MARRIAGE IN ARMENIA BREAKS UP
YEREVAN, May 15. /ARKA/. Every fifth marriage in Armenia breaks
up, Aharon Adibekyan, a sociologist, said in an interview with
Sputnik-Armenia radio.
He is quoted by Novosti-Armenia as saying that a traditional family
model is preserved in Armenia.
<
fifth marriage ends in divorce,>> Adibekyan said in his interview.
In his opinion, family in Armenia remains a fortress where people
find protection from social, economic, psychological and other shocks.
According to the National Statistical Service, 18,912 marriages were
registered in the country in 2014 - 3% more than in 2013, and the
number of divorces rose 19.8% to 4 498.
arka.am
ARMENIAN DRAM DEPRECIATED 16.11% IN THE FIRST QUARTER
14.05.2015
YEREVAN, May 14. /ARKA/. Armenian dram depreciated versus dollar
by 16.11% in January-March 2015, says the website of the Eurasian
Economic Commission.
According to the commission, average dollar exchange rate in Armenia
was $477.26 drams per dollar in January-March 21015, as compared to
$411.04 in the same period of the year before (16.11% increase). Euro
versus dram rate was 538.40 drams per euro in the period, compared
to 562.89 drams respectively. Armenian dram strengthened by 35%
versus the Russian ruble, and the ruble rate was 7.61 drams per ruble.
According to the report, the Russian ruble versus dollar exchange
rate recorded the highest growth rates - 77.85% (62.165rubles per $1).
Ruble versus euro growth rate was 46.88% (70.37 rubles per euro).
Belarusian ruble depreciated versus US dollar by 52.53% in the first
quarter of 2015, compared to Q 1 2014. Its devaluation versus euro
was 25.64%.
Kazakhstani tenge depreciated versus dollar by 8.48%, which is the
lowest devaluation level among the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU)
countries. At the same time, tenge strengthened versus dollar by 10.7%.
National currencies versus dollar rates were in the EEU member states
considerably higher in January-March 2015 than in the same period of
the year before.
At the same time, the Russian ruble showed strengthening dynamics this
February, having influenced also the other national currencies. In
particular, the Armenian dram and Belarusian ruble have slightly
strengthened, and the Kazakhstani tenge depreciation slowed down.
The national currencies' rates versus euro were influenced by the
euro versus dollar devaluation. -0-
Remembering the Armenians of Ethiopia
By R.P. Sevadjian
May 6, 2015
Special for the Armenian Weekly
At the beginning of March, a Requiem was offered for my parents
Special for the Armenian Weekly
At the beginning of March, a Requiem was offered for my parents
and for the Sevadjian clan, and it transported me back 40 years
to when I had last been to a service in the magnificent church of my
childhood: the St. George Armenian Apostolic Church in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia.
The church and the cross on its dome stood out against a perfect
blue sky. I went in and lit a candle. The altar curtain was pulled across
as it was Lent. I looked up at the azure ceiling and the chandeliers.
Light was streaming through the stained glass windows into the
chorister’s gallery. It was a moving and beautiful experience. The
sonorous tones of Vartkes Nalbandian and the clear soprano of Salpi
Nalbandian made me very emotional. It was not possible to have a
full Badarak as Vartkes is a deacon, and there is no longer an
Armenian priest in residence in Ethiopia.
y Mr. and Mrs. Bablanyan.
I stood and listened and prayed. I thought of all the Yetovbahayer
y Mr. and Mrs. Bablanyan.
I stood and listened and prayed. I thought of all the Yetovbahayer
who had prayed in that church, who had made up the richest and
most vibrant foreign community in Ethiopia, their numbers now
dwindled to less than 100 souls. Philanthropists, industrialists,
businessmen, talented men and women, and most of all, artisans,
artisans, and more artisans. What a great number of them there
were!
Boghos Markarian, who arrived in 1866 and supplied goods and
arms to the courts of Emperor Yohannes and later Emperor Menelik II,
was one of the first Armenians to settle in Ethiopia in modern times.
By the late 1960’s, the Armenians numbered some 1,200.
There had been Armenians in Ethiopia long, long before then, as
There had been Armenians in Ethiopia long, long before then, as
early as the 13 th century, but a real community with significant numbers
was only established in the early 1900’s when many left their ancestral
homes in the Ottoman Empire and found a safe haven in Christian
Ethiopia. Another wave of Armenians arrived in the 1920’s. Thereafter
the numbers increased as people married, invited cousins and other
relatives to join them from wherever they had ended up—mostly Syria
and Lebanon—after the genocide.
The Armenians who settled in Ethiopia before the 1920’s, and those
The Armenians who settled in Ethiopia before the 1920’s, and those
who arrived after 1945, were mostly well educated; they were doctors,
dentists, chemists, architects, engineers, lawyers, and accountants.
Many of those who arrived in the 1920’s as a direct consequence of
the genocide were artisans; they were tailors, watchmakers, cobblers,
and carpet makers. Thus in almost every trade, profession, and industry,
there were Armenians in Addis Ababa. They had come from a very wide
area of the Ottoman Empire and brought with them the special expertise
of their hometowns.
Addis Ababa boasted a large number of remarkably skilled jewelers.
Addis Ababa boasted a large number of remarkably skilled jewelers.
One of the first was Dikran Ebeyan, who had arrived from Constantinople.
He had the distinction of making the coronation crowns of Emperors
Yohannes in 1881 and Menelik II in 1889.
Should you visit any jewelry shop in Addis Ababa today, you will see
Should you visit any jewelry shop in Addis Ababa today, you will see
filigree work in gold and silver. This skill was introduced and taught to
Ethiopian artisans by Armenian craftsmen.
A visit to the Armenian cemetery gives an idea of the origins of the
A visit to the Armenian cemetery gives an idea of the origins of the
three major waves of Armenian immigrants, mirroring the tragedies
that befell their homeland: First came those from Constantinople,
Aintab, Arapkir, Kharpert; then Adana and Van; then Marash, Sparta,
and Smyrna.
It is difficult to overestimate the contribution that Armenians made in
their 100 years in Ethiopia. Armenians moved with Emperor Menelik II
from Harar to Addis Ababa and helped build a modern capital city.
There is not enough space here to describe all their important and
lasting contributions, in trade, industry, and government, but a few must
be mentioned as they are truly exceptional.
Firstly, there were two great philanthropists whose legacies live on
Firstly, there were two great philanthropists whose legacies live on
today. One was Mihran Mouradian, a merchant, who built the church
that was consecrated in 1935. The other was Matig Kevorkoff, who
in 1923 built a modern school to unite the two schools that had
previously divided the community. Kevorkoff was a French citizen
who grew up in Egypt and moved to Djibouti at the age of 29 to
pursue a highly successful career as a merchant of tobacco and other
commodities. During the fascist occupation of Ethiopia (1936-41),
because of his French nationality, all of his assets were confiscated
by the Italians as “enemy property.” Kevorkoff died in penury in
Marseille in the early 1950’s.
Among a number of amusing stories of the arbitrary ways Armenians
ended up in Ethiopia is that of the Darakdjians. Stepan Darakdjian
left Kharpert in 1912 and made his way to Egypt, hoping to immigrate
to America. A requirement for a visa to America was an examination
for trachoma. While waiting to be seen by the eye doctor, he went to
an Armenian cafe, where he fell into conversation with a man named
Hovhannes Assadourian, who had just returned from Ethiopia.
Assadourian said, “You are a tanner. Why go to America? Go to
Ethiopia where they need shoes!” So Stepan Darakdjian made his
way to Harar and set up a tannery in partnership with another Armenian
called Karikian. Later on, his son, Mardiros, moved to Addis Ababa
where he founded a modern tannery in Akaki and a shoe factory called
Darmar (Darakdjian Mardiros). Later still, he branched out into many
other businesses and became very wealthy. The factory and shops
still exist with the old sign of a lion (which looks very much like the
Metro Goldwyn Mayer one), but the shops are now called Ambassa
(lion).
Two of the earliest settlers, Hovsep Behesnilian and Sarkis Terzian,
Two of the earliest settlers, Hovsep Behesnilian and Sarkis Terzian,
made their fortunes by supplying arms to Emperor Menelik II during
his 1896 war against the invading Italians. The Behesnilian name lives
on in perhaps the largest and most successful conglomerate in Ethiopia,
HAGBES, founded by Hovsep’s nephew, Hagop Behesnilian, still
privately owned, and employing some 1,000 people.
In 100 years or so, Armenians ran big industries and businesses,
as well as departments of government. Because of their loyalty to
the emperors—Yohannes, Menelik II, and Haile Selassie—they were
entrusted with work in such important government departments as the
imperial mint, the treasury, the police force (complete with a secret
service), town planning, and the municipality. There was an Armenian
deputy governor of province, an officer of the Kbur Zebagna (Imperial
Bodyguard), and a deputy mayor of Addis Ababa. Some 50 Armenians
found employment at the Imperial Court because of their expertise
(for example, as chauffeurs, not only because they could drive, but
because they knew how to properly maintain cars).
With the opening up of Ethiopia to foreign embassies and foreign
trade by Emperor Menelik II, there was a great need for translators.
Armenians, who had been the best dragomans in the Ottoman Empire,
became the translators of choice at many embassies and consulates.
Matig Kevorkoff became the honorary representative of the French
government in Ethiopia, as well as the nascent First Armenian Republic’s
ambassador plenipotentiary to Ethiopia.
As has been written about in many articles and publications, Ras Tafari,
later Emperor Haile Selassie I, was pleased to bring 40 orphans of the
Armenian Genocide of 1915 to Ethiopia. In 1923, on his way to Europe,
he had seen some of the orphans in Jerusalem and was impressed by
the stories of how they came to be there. The Arba Lidjoch —
“the Forty Children”—arrived in Addis Ababa in September 1924 on
an initial four-year contract to form a marching band, some of them
only having learned how to play an instrument en route! In 1930, under
the leadership of maestro Kevork Nalbandian, who had composed a
new national anthem for Ethiopia, the band played at the coronation
of Haile Selassie I. The national anthem of each country that sent a
delegation was played upon the entrance of its representative. The
band refused to play the national anthem of Turkey—for obvious
reasons.
The Ethiopian Revolution of 1974, which deposed Haile Selassie I
The Ethiopian Revolution of 1974, which deposed Haile Selassie I
and installed a Marxist government, devastated the Armenian
community. The “Red Terror” meant no one was safe. Life became
unbearable. Younger Armenians, who had already left Ethiopia for
higher education, did not return. Many of those who were able, took
their families and immigrated to other countries. The community was
thus scattered to the four corners of the earth, with just a few families
staying on, upholding the Yetovbahay traditions.
This year, the Armenians of Ethiopia are being brought to the
This year, the Armenians of Ethiopia are being brought to the
attention of the world through the unlikely medium of the Eurovision
Song Contest. The Republic of Armenia entry will be performed by
six Armenian singers: one from the Republic of Armenia plus one
from each of the five continents of the Armenian Diaspora. Vahe
Tilbian of Ethiopia will be representing the continent of Africa.
Although few families remain, the Armenian legacy lives on in the
name of districts in Addis Ababa: Armen Sefer (Armenian District),
Sebara Babour (Broken Steamroller, on account of the steamroller
brought in by Sarkis Terzian to build the city’s roads, which broke
down and remained in situ for many years), and Serategna Sefer
(Worker’s District, on account of my father’s factory). Many of the
old houses and hotels built by Armenians in the style of their homes
in their ancestral lands have been pulled down. However, there are
a few marooned among the new high rises being built everywhere
in the city.
If you look carefully, there is something Armenian in many corners
If you look carefully, there is something Armenian in many corners
of Addis Ababa.
Levon Djerrahian and Varoujean Tilbian contributed to this piece.
R.P. Sevadjian is the author of In the Shadow of the Sultan , a
Levon Djerrahian and Varoujean Tilbian contributed to this piece.
R.P. Sevadjian is the author of In the Shadow of the Sultan , a
historical novel for young adults.
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