GIBRAHAYER
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simon@cytanet.com.cy
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ALUMNI ACCUSE AGBU CYPRUS MEMBERS FOR ASSISTING SALE OF MELKONIAN
Gibrahayer – Nicosia Wednesday October 27, 2004:- The Melkonian Cyprus
Alumni Association released an announcement, calling its members and
Armenians world-wide not to lose hope and work together against the closure
of the Melkonian.
It detailed the multidimensional effort put into effect by the
association during the course of last year which included lobbying at the
AGBU CE and Cyprus government level, as well as fund-raising activities.
The announcement further accused lawyers Nairi Der Arakelian and
Christos Tryantafillides for working on behalf of the restraining order on
the sale of the Melkonian buildings. It further accused architect Nazo
Tavitian for being accomplice and benefiting from the “loot” of the school.
Finally the announcement accused AGBU veteran members Hratch Manougian
and AGBU Cyprus President Karekin Costanian in assisting AGBU CE man Gordon
Anderson.
The announcement in its entirety can be read in Armenian in the
documents section of
The Melkonian Cyprus Alumni finally calls everyone to support the
Luncheon/Fundraiser which is being organised by the Cyprus Alumni, that will
take place on Sunday November 7, 2004 in “Christiana” Restaurant in Alambra.
Guest of Honour will be Jack Melkonian grand-nephew of Garabed Melkonian.
ARMENIAN GAY & LESBIAN ASSOCIATION DEMANDS COUNCIL OF EUROPE TO PUT PRESSURE
ON ARMENIA
AGLA Press release – Paris -: The Armenian Gay and Lesbian Association
(AGLA) has demanded from the Council of Europe to put pressure on the
Armenian authorities in order to thwart the rise of homophobia in Armenia.
AGLA said that authorities and media have organised an ugly campaign of
“witch-hunting” and incitement of hatred toward gays.
Last month, Armen Avetisyan, leader of the Uni on of Armenian
Aryans – a fringe nationalistic political group – announced that he has
photographs and videotape evidence that certain ministers, Members of
Parliament, and high ranking officials are homosexual. Avetisyan says he
will release a list of names before the end of the year.
“Our main goal is to clear up a list of ministers and deputies so
that they would not only hand in their resignations but also be exiled from
the republic,” Avetisyan says.
While his threats are outrageous, the controversy has nonetheless
revealed anger and attitudes of hatred toward gays by officials and their
politica l opponents. With its hateful rhetoric, the Armenian political
establishment has ignored Council of Europe (CoE) regulations stipulating
that gays, like other minorities, be assured civil rights. Armenia is a
member of the Council since 2001. At various press conferences and in
interviews in the National Assembly, Members of Parliament have mostly
agreed that homosexuals should not be allowed to govern or make laws. Deputy
Emma Khudabashyan was particularly imaginative in her denigration of the
presumed gay ministers and MPs.
“After publicizing the names these deputies must be seated backwards
on donkeys, their faces blackened with soot and they must be taken for a
ride in their electoral districts so that those who elected them, could spit
in their face,” she suggested.
Former presidential candidate Artashes Geghamyan has used the
controversy as an opportunity for general slander of the Government. “There
are not only homosexuals in our Executive Branch, but drug-addicts and
gambling ministers as well,” he said.
Garnik Isagulyan, President.s National Security adviser, told the
media that if the claims are true, the “appropriate measures will be taken”.
He also declared that if MPs or ministers are revealed as homosexual then
“they must immediately hand in their resignations.”
Association AGLA France, uniting gay, lesbian, bisexual and
trans-gender Armenians of France, expresses its consternation b y the
hateful rhetoric of the Armenian officials and politicians and demand the
condemnation of homophobia by the President and Government of the Republic
and ask them to initiate legislative acts punishing the incitement of hatred
based on the sexual orientation. They finally ask the Council of Europe to
put pressure on the Armenian authorities in order to thwart the
discrimination of gays.
Related links: ;id=121 ,
TATIANA’S CORNER
The above space will be reserved for local artist Tatiana Ferahian’s comic
strips which are amalgamations of Armenian-Cypriot social commentaries,
painted with her usual wry and ironic humour, to stimulate and encourage
awareness and interest toward our community’s everyday happenings.
NEWS IN BRIEF
* Futsal Champions Ararat AGBU are back from Europe having collected three
losses in three matches as follows:Elpozo (Spain) – Ararat 10-1, Marlene
(Holland)- Ararat 5-3, Karaka (Bosnia Herzegovina) – Ararat 8-7. Meanwhile
the Cyprus Championship has begun and on October 23 Ararat defeated
Livadiakos 7-1.
* Turkey have defeated Armenia 2-1 in UEFA’s Under 17 Championships on
October 19. All results at:
* On Friday morning His Holiness Aram I Catholicos of Cilicia, met in the
Patriarchate of Alexandria, Egypt wi th the newly elected Patriarch
Theodoros II, of the Greek Orthodox See of Alexandria.
* President Robert Kocharian arrived in Georgia for an official three-day
visit on Friday, and immediately met with his Georgian counterpart Mikhail
Saakashvili.
* Maro Gorky, daughter of famed abstract-expressionist founder Arshile
Gorky, will make her first US solo show debut in Los Angeles in early
December.
* Los Angeles Daily News reports that police believe that Russian-Armenian
Edvin Isagulyan was killed as a result of a war between two organized-crime
families.
DVD OF THE WEEK – DAGAVEEN
Sireliner,
I want to thank you for all the support you have given me during the
Dagaveen run. It meant a lot to me. For those who missed the show, this is
your chance to see it. Dagaveen has finally been released on DVD and VHS!
Dagaveen was taped live, at Rococo in Pasadena, where I performed for over
four months. It.s structure is very close to my previous monologues Yevaylen
and Nayev, with more personal stories, along with meditations on being an
Armenian in America and finally about the importance of laughter.
This is the first time we have produced DVDs along with the videos.
Dagaveen is performed in Armenian. Its one hour and twenty minutes long
and is directed by my friend Ara Madzounian.
Along with the monologue, a 10 minute candid interview is also included.
The DVDs and videos are available at most Armenian bookstores in California.
It can also be purchased via email at WetPaintPro@aol.com, my website
VaheBerberian.com or by calling Christina at (818)981-6725.
Once again, thank you for your support and remember, laughter is the fiber
in the diet of your soul.
Sirov, Vahe Berberian
For updates and information visit
SUPPORT HAY TAD ACTIVITIES IN CYPRUS
To support its political activities, The Armenian National Committee of
Cyprus has organised a raffle, participants of which will have the
opportunity to win Armenian Commemorative Coins depicting themes from
ancient Armenian history. A block costs £50.00 ($100 for our international
readers).
Your support will enable the local chapter of our enthusiastic political
action group to materialise its multidimensional political agenda, in
promoting Hay Tad activities both in Cyprus and in Europe.
You can make your contribution to the following account:
Armenian National Committee of Cyprus
P.O.Box 21171 – Nicosia 1503 – Cyprus
Hellenic Bank: account Number 122-01-039699-01
IBAN: CY88 0050 0122 0001 2201 0396 9901
g i b r a h a y c a l e n d a r
* ARMENIAN NIGHT on Wednesday 27 October, 8:00 p.m , Larnaca Armenian
Club. Live Armenian Music, dancing & a lot of fun. Delicious Food and all
inclusive drinks 6 CYP & 3 CYP for children. Last minute sign ups at Mihran
Boyadjian on 99372274
* Marie Louise Kouyoumdjian sings @ Champs on Friday and every Fr iday
starting from October 29 at 9:30 p.m. For reservations call 22873888.
* AYMA Food Bazaar on Sunday November 7, 2004. Traditional Armenian food
and delicacies just like our grandparents used to prepare them! The Food
Gates open at 12:00 noon and nothing will be served before that time.
* Jashgerouyt / Khraghjank at AYMA Saturday November 13, 2004, at 8:30
p.m. Sign up with the members of the committee. Limited seats.
* Armenian Relief Society “Sosse” Chapter Fund Raising Tea for the ARS
Armen ia Projects on Sunday 28 November, 2004 at The Holiday Inn Hotel at
4:00 p.m. Handicraft, Lebanese cookies and home made delicacies on sale.
Proceeds to the “Sosse” Kindergarten of Stepanakert – Republic of Karabagh.
* Melkonian Cyprus Alumni Banquet.Sunday, November 7, 2004 – 1pm
“Christiana” Reception Hall, Alambra. Guest of Honour: Jack R. Melkonian,
grand-nephew of Garabed Melkonian. CYP 15.00 adults / CYP 5.00 students and
children. Prizes included on entrance ticket and raffle tickets. Contact
names for reservations to be announced. Directions to “Christiana” and
convoys will be arranged. All are welcome.
* California Melkonian Alumni Dinner banquet Oct. 30, 2004. “Brandview
Collections, 109 E. Harvard Street Glendale. Tickets at $50 per person which
you can reserve by ringing Janet on(818)2621266 or Raffi on(951)4539917
* AYF Badanegan Miaoutian get-togethers have begun and will continue every
Saturday at 4:00 p.m. at AYMA. Contact Vartoog Karageulian on 24-659245.
* AYMA Chicco Football practices have begun and are taking place every
Friday from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. for children starting from the age of 7.
Contact Krikor Mahdessian on 99650897.
* AYMA Table Tennis practices have also begun and will continue every
Saturday from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m under the expert guidance of ex-Cyprus
Champion Sirvart Costanian. Classes and practice session for all ages.
* AYMA Football team practices are taking place every Tuesday and Thursday
at 9:00 p.m. A.Y.M.A. will be participating in the Second Division Amateur
Football League and will be bidding for the Championship Title and
subsequent promotion to Division One. The Championship begins on Saturday
November 20, 2004.
* A.G.B.U Women’s Auxiliary Body. Armenian Food Bazaar. Sunday 14
November, 2004 starting from 12:00 lunch time at AGBU club premises.
* Bible Study Group Organised by The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus. The
Group got together on Wednesday 13 October 2004, at the Sourp Asdvadzadzin
Church on Armenia street, Nicosia. To receive further details please call
Elise at the Prelature office on 22 493560 or email armprel@spidernet.com.cy
* This October the Pharos Trust, in cooperation with the Brazilian
Consulate, is proud to present a month of Brazilian Culture in Nicosia.
Through film, photography, literature, music and performance art, the Trust
offers audiences in Cyprus rare opportunities to experience the spirit,
history, culture and diversity of this vast and unique country. You can
subscribe to receive the e-newsletter of The Pharos Trust at
* AYMA Annual Ball at Hilton Park on January 8, 2004 featuring ANDRE.
Reservations a MUST! Book early.
* If you happen to be in London on Friday, 12th November don’t miss this
Back to Hye Skool Party. Time: 8pm-1am. Venue: The ultra-hip & funky
Babushka 41 Tavistock Crescent, Notting Hill, W11 1AD. Tix:£5 before
10:30pm, £7 after, Age: Strictly 18+ (No ID? No HYE party) Tube:Westbourne
Park (Hammersmith & City) – 1 min walk Notting Hill Gate (Central, District
& Circle) – 5 min ride (#27, 28 & 328 buses on Pembridge Road opposite
WHSmith outside station). Music:DJ Josey Kray & FBI Squad playing old skool
tunes, as well as the freshest tracks, Armenian and more. Xtra: Quality
prizes for the best dressed skool boy and skool girl. New surprises in store
for all. Contact: Raffi 07958 137 702, John 07961 166 969 HYEvents@aol.com
* Armenian Radio Hour on The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation can be heard
via real audio on . Broadcast times 17:00-18:00 local Cyprus
time (14:00-15:00 GMT) News bulletins at 17:15 local time on Sundays,
Tuesdays, Fridays. Armenian Cypriots can also tune in on the following radio
frequencies 91.1 FM (Mount Olympus – for Nicosia listeners) 94.2 FM
(Paralimni/Protaras/Agia Napa) 92.4 FM (Larnaca) 96.5 FM (Paphos).
* The Armenian Prelature announces that the next permit for the Armenian
Cemetery visitation at Ayios Dhometios on the Green line, is scheduled for
Sunday 7 November, 2004.
* Every Wednesday from 7-8 p.m. (Cyprus time +2 GMT) on CyBC’s Trito,
Puzant Nadjarian presents the “History of the Blues”. You can also hear it
on Real Audio from the Internet edition of CyBC on A repeat
program can also be heard seven hours later at 2:00 a.m. local time.
* Listen to Hairenik Association’s online Armenian Radio Station.A variety
of Armenian music online, 24 hours a day, combined with news and other
interesting information about the Armenian community in the US, Armenia,
Artsakh, Javakhk and the Armenian Diaspora.
Launch Hairenik Radio in your preferred Player
24 hours of non-stop Armenian music and programs on the internet
. . . . . News . . . . . ANC hour . . . . . Song dedications . . . . . Youth
discussions . . . . . Game Shows . . . . . Interviews . . . . . Religious
programs . . . . . Cultural programs . . . . . History . . . . .
Gibrahayer, is an independent electronic environment, now in its fifth year,
disseminating news & posting upcoming events about the Armenian community of
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