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The Armenian Weekly; Volume 73, No. 38; Sept. 22, 2007
Community:
1. Statue of Abbot Mekhitar Unveiled in Boston
2. Armenian Mirror Spectator Celebrates 75th Anniversary
3. ‘Trafficking Women: Policy and Impact’
By Andy Turpin
4. Jazz Concert Casts ‘Wine Light’ for Wine Night
By Andy Turpin
5. Word of Mouth
6. Apigian for City Council
7. Hairenik Association Internship Opens New Horizons
***
1. Statue of Abbot Mekhitar Unveiled in Boston
BELMONT, Mass. (A.W.)-On Sept. 16, the atmosphere inside the St. Cross
Armenian Catholic Church in Belmont was that of a celebration. The day’s
Holy Mass was officiated by Father Manuel Batakian, head of the Armenian
Catholic Church in the United States and Canada. The Holy Mass also included
the ordination of deacons, who joined the Armenian Catholic Church.
The occasion for the celebrations was the 10th anniversary of the church,
and for that occasion, a statue of the Abbot Mkhitar was unveiled next to
the church. Among the attendants during the ceremony was Arto Chakmajian,
the sculptor of the Abbot’s statue.
After the Holy Mass, underneath the white pigeons released by young Zakaria
Harutiunian and led by flag-bearing HMEM scouts, the spiritual leaders, as
well as the philanthropists who made the statue possible, Garbis and Armine
Barsoumian, headed toward the veiled statue. Here, the national anthems of
Armenia and the United States were played, as well as the "Cilicia" song,
after which, surrounded by hundreds of Armenians, Garbis and Armine
Barsoumian cut the ribbon and unveiled the statue.
Speaking in front of the attendants, the parish priest, Father Raffael
Andonian, first thanked the couple and the sculptor, thanks to whose
"generosity and skill, today Abbot Mkhitar stands proudly as a great
Armenian." Father Raffel summarized the positive impact Abbot Mhitar made on
Armenian language, literature and history, and the teachings he passed down
to his students. His work ensured our cultural and linguistic survival.
Arto Chakmajian also expressed his joy, saying that he was proud that "the
sculpting of the statue of such a great Armenian" was entrusted to him.
The 10th anniversary celebrations of the church continued at 2 p.m. in the
Oakley Club hotel. The master of ceremonies during the modest program was
Massachusetts State Representative Peter Koutoujian, who in his speech
underlined the important role Father Raffael has played in the 10-year life
of the church.
Vatche Der Torosian then delivered the address of the church’s board of
trustees. Peter Palanjian, who played a large role in the construction of
the church, spoke of the events and issues of 10 years ago when the church
was just being constructed. Also among the speakers was Krikor Keoseyan.
The day’s guest speaker was Tatul Sonentz Papazian, who emphasized the
greatness of Abbott Mkhitar and underlined the role he played in the
Armenian Church. He said, "The story of the martyred, Christian Armenian is
long, from Avarayr to Der Zor. Our people, who have done through unspeakable
suffering, with its iron faith, knew how to sacrifice in order to rebuild,
in order to guard its land, language and art, with which it has weaved Nareg
and his Sharagans, its Etchmiadzins and Zvartnotses, trying, as the first
soldiers of Christ, with the will of God and the blood of its children, to
find again the freedom and independence of its homeland."
Father Manuel Batakian, who was visiting the area exclusively for this
occasion, in the last speech of the event, emphasized the importance of
linking Armenian youth with their church, and in keeping this link alive, as
a guarantee of survival. He also underlined the role Armenian schools play
parallel to the church, as an educator of the new generation.
Father Raffael presented special awards for those Armenians who have been
active in supporting the church throughout its decade-long history.
The musical program during the event included performances by Nune Hagopian,
Sarkis Garabedian, Yerghishe Manoucharian, Victoria Avedisian and Zakaria
Harutiunian.
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2. Armenian Mirror Spectator Celebrates 75th Anniversary
NEWTON, Mass. (A.W.)-On Sept. 8, the Armenian Mirror Spectator celebrated
the 75th anniversary of its founding during a special reception in the
Newton Marriot Hotel.
The event began with a short address by celebration committee chair Barbara
Chrakian-Tellalian. She thanked the attendees and invited the day’s speaker,
James M. Kalousdian, to the stage.
In his opening remarks, Kalousdian underlined the role the newspaper has
played in the life of the Armenian-American community as a publication that
kept the English-speaking generation in touch with Armenian events and news.
President of the Baykar foundation and publisher of the Armenian Mirror
Spectator Papken Megerian went over the important events in the history of
the newspaper, including the names of those who significantly contributed to
the newspaper over its 75-year history. He also thanked the Ramgavar Party
for taking the responsibility of ensuring the paper’s publication over the
years.
Steve Kurkjian, a former editor of the Boston Globe, was honored for his
contribution to Armenian journalism, including his efforts to ensure the
recognition of the Armenian genocide by the American media.
Spiritual leader of the St. Trinity Church, Father Mampre A. Kouzouian, in
his address, emphasized the importance of Armenian media, as a complement to
the efforts of the Armenian Church, and reminded the audience of the support
the Church has provided to the Armenian media.
In his address, the guest of honor of the event, CBS News chief
investigative correspondent and eight-time Emmy Award winner Armen Keteyian,
emphasized the importance of an Armenian atmosphere created by an Armenian
family.
The official event was followed by a musical performance.
Armenian Weekly editor Khatchig Mouradian and Hairenik Weekly editor Khajag
Mgrditchian attended the celebration.
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3. ‘Trafficking Women: Policy and Impact’
By Andy Turpin
"Trafficking in Persons as a Transnational Issue in Armenia:
Current situation: Armenia is a major source and, to a lesser extent, a
transit and destination country for women and girls trafficked for sexual
exploitation largely to the UAE and Turkey; traffickers, many of them women,
route victims directly into Dubai or through Moscow; profits derived from
the trafficking of Armenian victims reportedly have increased.
Tier Rating 2 [Out of 3 possible tiers. 3 being the least desirable]:
Armenia has failed to show evidence of increasing efforts, particularly in
the areas of enforcement, trafficking-related corruption, and victim
protection."
-Source: 2007 CIA World Factbook
"A senior prosecutor dealing with human trafficking admitted.that transport
of Armenian women for sexual exploitation abroad has reached ‘alarming’
proportions but denied that Armenian law-enforcement authorities are too
lenient towards traffickers."
-Source: Armenialiberty.org, June 2006
***
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (A.W.)-On Sept. 14, Ambassador John Miller, former director
of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons in the U.S. State
Department, spoke about human trafficking in a presentation at Harvard’s
Kennedy School of Government (KSG) as part of the institution’s "Women and
Public Policy Program." Dr. Swanee Hunt, director of the program and cousin
to Ambassador Miller, introduced him.
Miller then explained the modern-day collations between today’s global slave
trade in female victims and the historical African slave trade, saying,
"What people find hard to understand is that human trafficking-which is a
euphemism for slavery-has been going on since recorded history and
pre-recorded history. The assumption is that slavery is an aberration. But
slavery has been busy on every continent since time immemorial."
Miller explained the fallacy in some minds that the abolition of slavery by
the Great Powers in the 19th century killed the industry. "What you had was
the abolition of official sanctions, but the slavery went on," he said. "We’re
talking individuals-their bodies and their souls."
He recalled his first experience dealing with a survivor of human
trafficking as a politician. "The first survivor I met was in Amsterdam. She
was a 29-year-old woman named Katya." She had been forced into working at a
brothel in the Czech Republic 10 years before their meeting.
Miller cited another case from Uganda, in which the Lord’s Resistance Army,
a rebel militia faction in that territory, abducted a woman as a sex slave.
"She only escaped because during a battle she was shot in the jaw and [the
abductors] could not take her with them," he explained.
"Eighty percent of those that are sold into slavery are female, and half are
children," Miller said, and listed the primary causes as poverty, inequality
of income (directly related to tribal and oligarch hierarchism in many
nations), gender (women and girls are easy targets for exploitation), greed
and an overall demand for sexual services.
In the fight to combat this industry, Miller cited as guidelines what the
State Department deemed, "the 3 Ps: Prosecution, Protection and Prevention."
He readily admitted the shortcomings in law enforcement efforts between
nations to prosecute traffickers to the full extent of the law, mainly due
to corruption. Yet, he waged, "Prevention has been what we’ve been able to
focus on most."
Regarding the role of the UN in such reform, Miller stated, "Before the UN
can take its place [in combating human trafficking], it needs to clean up
its own act." He was referring to several known cases of trafficked person
abuse by UN peacekeepers worldwide.
Miller closed by reiterating that initiatives to achieve real results in the
fight against human trafficking were a matter of leadership that needed to
be given much greater priority by world governments. "How you get 103
nations [those signed to the U.N. Anti-Trafficking Resolution] to adopt
standards and prosecute is a challenge," he said. "I always start out by
saying no country, no nation, is doing enough."
In tandem with the "Women and Public Policy" program at the KSG, a related
seminar, "Sexual Trafficking of Women and Girls," will be offered on Sept.
26, and is open to the public.
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4. Jazz Concert Casts ‘Wine Light’ for Wine Night
By Andy Turpin
WATERTOWN, Mass. (A.W.)-On Sept. 14, the Armenian Library and Museum of
America (ALMA) presented a concert by the band K&S World Jazz as part of the
"Jazz Nights at ALMA" concert series.
Wine glasses were filled and the lights were dimmed, creating a relaxed
atmosphere conducive to jazz listening. ALMA director Mariam Stepanyan
introduced the veteran ensemble group and thanked loyal ALMA members and
patrons for their support.
"You’re here tonight either because you like jazz, you like to support
Armenian artists, or perhaps because you received free tickets," she said.
"But we don’t give free tickets because, as they say in Armenian, ‘you have
nice eyes,’" Stepanyan quipped gracefully. "You received them because you
have been generous in supporting ALMA over the years, and we wanted to say
thank you by inviting you into our house."
Band leader Steve Tashjian’s players exhibited extreme musical decorum,
talent and the requisite amount of elegance in rising to the seductively
nonchalant theme of the program.
Opening with the ever-appropriate "Wine Light," they led into a playing of
"Havana" with intricately smooth-laced blends of Armenian and light Samba
rifts-longitudinal disparities between Cuba, Yerevan and Rio aside.
Lead vocalist Ashlee Alexander crooned a rendition of "Blues in the Night"
with such expert emotion and melancholic sensuality that it was a wonder the
phantom of Chet Baker didn’t show up like Hamlet’s father in the spirit of
unrequited jazz yearning.
Other highlights of the evening were solid solos by Tashjian on clarinet,
charming the crowd to "Middle Eastern Groove," and a heartfelt dedication
playing of the Armenian ballad "Chqnagh Yeraz" in memory of their late
friend, Roger Krikorian.
K&S World Jazz has repeatedly distinguished itself musically in the Boston
area with a sound that evokes both visions of film noir and spiced caravans,
always leaving the audience wishing they played one more number.
The Sept. 14 concert was sponsored by Waynewright Bank.
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5. Word of Mouth
CONCORD, Mass. (A.W.)-Word has it that Anya Turker-Charchaflian is not your
average dentist.
Born in Syria, she attended a private French high school for 10 years,
studied biochemistry and French at Bryn Mawr College and the University of
Pennsylvania, and received her doctorate degree in dental medicine from the
University of Pittsburgh. She speaks several languages-"it allows me to
welcome a diverse base of patients to my practice," she tells the Weekly-and
likes to spend her spare time reading and oil painting.
Her husband, Paul Charchaflian, was an active member of the Worcester Aram
AYF Junior and Senior Chapter. He and twin brother Pierre used to be called
the Twin Towers of the Worcester Aram basketball team.
Anya Turker-Charchaflian and Paul were married last year at the Holy Cross
Armenian Catholic church in Belmont, where they attend Sunday mass
regularly.
Turker-Charchaflian welcomes her patients in her new office in Concord with
a smile, and knows that they, in turn, will be smiling confidently after
their treatment.
"I am excited to add new services to our new location, including ZOOM teeth
whitening and periodontal/gum procedures," she says.
She will soon have a column on oral health in the Weekly. "I am looking
forward to contributing to the Armenian Weekly by writing monthly articles
pertaining to oral health, longevity of teeth retention and gum disease
prevention," she says.
Turker-Charchaflian is holding an open house at her new location in Wayside
Square on Main St. in Concord on Sept. 29, from 2-5 p.m.
"I am looking forward to meeting the visitors and introducing myself and my
staff. Numerous prizes will be distributed including a free ZOOM whitening
treatment and an Oral-B Sonic Complete toothbrush," she says.
Dr. Anya Turker-Charchaflian is accepting new patients. For more
information, call her office at (978) 369-0808.
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6. Apigian for City Council
DETROIT, Mich. (A.W.)-On Aug. 7, Ned Apigian of Dearborn Heights, Mich., ran
on the primary ballot for City Council and achieved 4th place in a field of
eight candidates, thereby qualifying for the Nov. 6 elections to fill three
seats from a field of six qualified candidates.
Friends and supporters can send political contributions to "Ned Apigian for
City Council," P.O. Box 65, Dearborn Heights, MI 48127-0065. Apigian is an
active member of the Detroit Armenian community. He is on the Board of
Directors of the Dearborn Armenian Senior Citizens Tower and National Board
of the Armenian Cultural Association of America (ACAA).
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7. Hairenik Association Internship Opens New Horizons
The Hairenik Association has had an internship program for a few years.
Unfortunately, for many years, the internship program was not very
functional. But things visibly changed in the summer of 2007, when five
interns from different parts of the United States spent about six weeks in
the Hairenik building supporting the staff’s most recent efforts to expand
the Hairenik’s activities into new forms of media.
The internship program offers young Armenians the chance to work in Armenian
media, and offers the Hairenik Association the opportunity to prepare
another generation of conscientious Armenians aware and interested in how
the media establishment works. The five interns during the 2007 summer were
Sosse Beugekian (Boston), Raffi Kazanjian (Boston), Nayiri Khatchadourian
(Boston), Ani Zarifian (Worcester) and Chris Arabian (Washington, D.C.).
At a time when newspapers are increasingly taking a backseat to more modern
media, the Hairenik interns provided valuable assistance to the Hairenik
staff in promoting and creating online media. The Hairenik online radio,
which has been broadcasting for a couple of years, benefited from Beugekian’s
efforts as she created new programs oriented towards younger Armenians.
Arabian did the same for the Hairenik TV, editing videos and greatly
increasing the number of videos posted on the online service. Khatchadourian
computerized the inventory of the Hairenik bookstore and manned the
bookstore for the summer, providing an invaluable service to the
organization. Kazanjian and Zarifian worked with the editors of the Hairenik
and Armenian Weekly newspapers, providing online and archival research as
well as writing articles.
The interns also visited different Armenian communities on the East Coast.
Their most memorable visit was to New York on the occasion of the Lisbon 5
anniversary. The interns participated, recorded and filmed the event, and
visited Arshavir Shiragian’s grave. They also interacted with the local AYF
chapter.
The interns left the Hairenik in September with an intimate knowledge of the
inner workings of the oldest Armenian media organization in the U.S. They
all expressed their readiness to come back next year and contribute even
more to the organization, all the while learning the way Armenian
journalists work in their communities.