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The Armenian Weekly; Volume 73, No. 46; Nov. 17, 2007
Community:
1. Khanlarian Lectures on Cultural Life of Anatolian Armenians
By Khatchig Mouradian
2. KOHAR Leaves Indelible Image
By Tom Vartabedian
3. Mgrditchian Lectures on Historic Sites at Hamazkayin Book Sale
4. St. Gregory Church Celebrates 37th Anniversary
By Tom Vartabedian
***
1. Khanlarian Lectures on Cultural Life of Anatolian Armenians
By Khatchig Mouradian
MAHWAH, N.J. (A.W.)-On Nov. 7, Ramapo College’s Holocaust and Genocide
Studies Center and the ANC of New Jersey organized a lecture on the
contemporary cultural life of Anatolian Armenians. After welcoming remarks
by the Center’s director, Dr. Michael A. Riff, ANC-N.J. chairperson Ani
Tcaghlasian introduced the speaker, Garen Khanlarian, and the interpreter,
Armenian Weekly editor Khatchig Mouradian.
Khanlarian holds a Ph.D. in seismological and structural engineering, and is
currently a doctoral candidate at the Republic of Armenia’s Institute of
History. He is the author of several scientific articles published in
Armenian, Iranian and international journals. In 2006, he was appointed
editor of the "Troshag" publication in Armenia.
Khanlarian said that in 1980, the former Armenian Patriarch in Istanbul,
Archbishop Shnork Kalousdian, had identified four groups of Armenians living
in Anatolia: "(1) Armenians who had converted to Islam at will, distanced
themselves from Armenian-ness and lived among Turks. They number around one
million. (2) Armenians who have converted to Islam three generations earlier
and whose lifestyle is similar to that of Kurdish tribes. They have not
assimilated. In the area of Khnous, there are around 100 families like this.
They know they are Armenian, they inter-marry and they are willing to return
to Christianity under better circumstances. According to what I had heard,
there are Armenians scattered on the mountains of Sassoun. I have obtained a
list of 25 such villages there. (3) Armenians who have been forcibly
converted to Islam but maintained their identity, and after moving to
Istanbul, appealed to the courts and changed their religion from Muslim to
Christian in their ID cards. (4) The official Armenians of the provinces,
who have maintained their identity despite all difficulties and, today,
constitute a majority in the Istanbul-Armenian community."
Based on this quote, Khanlarian divided Anatolian Armenians into three
categories: "official" Armenians, Islamized Armenians and "hidden"
Armenians. During the lecture, he presented numerous photos as well as audio
and video clips depicting the cultural life of the Anatolian Armenians.
‘Official’ Armenians
Khanlarian includes in this group the Apostolic, Catholic and Protestant
Armenians in Anatolia who have maintained their religion, identity and ties
with the community in Istanbul. These Armenians are mainly in the area
Khanlarian referred to as "historic Cilicia."
He spoke of the relative calm that this group lived in during the 1950s-an
atmosphere that allowed them to engage in cultural and educational life,
reopen some churches in Hata, Kayseri and a few other regions, and even plan
to start an Armenian school with the help of Sepastiatsis from the United
States. However, after this short oppression-free period, Khanlarian said,
little was registered in the cultural life of Anatolian "official"
Armenians.
To demonstrate the vibrant cultural life of Armenians in the provinces,
Khanlarian provided details from several news reports. In 2003, for example,
in the Armenian village of Vakif, villagers celebrated the 100th anniversary
of Aram Khachaturian’s birth. "The church and the courtyard were full of
believers," it was reported. "There were many pilgrims from areas as far as
Mersin, Adana, Alexandretta, Antioch, Samandagh."
Islamized Armenians
In this category, Khanlarian includes the large groups of Pontic and Hemshin
Armenians, as well as other smaller groups and tribes that converted to
Islam in the 16th to 18th centuries. He spoke in some detail about the work
of scholars Georges Dumezil and Bert Vaux in studying the Hemshin dialect
and categorizing the different groups of Hemshin.
He then quoted scholar Levon Khachigian, who wrote, "The Muslim Hemshin have
maintained their lifestyle and character. Eyewitness accounts often mention
their courage and kindness. They are also differentiated from their
neighbors by their name-Hemshin-which indicates their Armenian roots."
Khanlarian spoke of the traditions, rituals, music and folk dances of the
Hemshin, pointing out the similarities with Armenian traditions and culture.
In this context, he also made reference to the work of scholar Hovann
Simonian, author of The Hemshin: History, society and identity in the
Highlands of Northeast Turkey. According to Khanlarian, there are 1.3
million Islamized Armenian in present-day Turkey.
‘Hidden’ Armenians
Khanlarian includes in this category the Armenians who converted to Islam
during the 1896 to 1923 period, in order to avoid death during the Hamidian
massacres and the Armenian genocide committed by the Young Turks. Among
those who converted to Islam, Khanlarian said, some were gradually
Turkified, while others maintained and passed on their language and
traditions. "According to data from several sources today, there are more
than 700,000 hidden Armenians living on the lands of historic Armenia," he
said.
In the concluding section of his presentation, Khanlarian quoted the
following lines from a "hidden" Armenian female poet:
I’m a drop of ice that can crack the largest rock / I’m a handful of soil,
strengthened by its roots / I’m the wild wind-lawless and unrestrained /
When hope raises my spirits, I become a storm and erupt from your hearts /
When filled with faith, I become lightning striking out of your minds / When
surrounded by vengeance, I become purpose pouring out of your thoughts.
The lecture was followed by a lengthy Q&A session. The audience not only
asked for more details about the Anatolian Armenians, but also told stories
of their own encounters with the Hemshin.
Reception
On Nov. 5, the ARF N.J. Dro Gomideh held a reception in honor of Garen
Khanlarian at the home of Hratch Kaprielian in Tenafly. More than 100 guests
attended, interested in hearing details about the Hemshin Armenians and
"hidden" Armenians in Turkey and the political implications of their
location in historic Armenian lands. Rev. Dikran Youmoushakian of the AMAA
led the prayer. Also in attendance was Very Rev. Father Vasken Karayan of
the Holy Cross Armenian Church.
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2. KOHAR Leaves Indelible Image
By Tom Vartabedian
BOSTON, Mass. (A.W.)-Boston’s Colonial Theater was turned into a cornucopia
of Armenian music, song and dance Nov. 3 with the arrival of KOHAR Symphony
Orchestra and Choir.
And Beantown was never the same as the 3-hour concert ended with seven
encores, streamers that exploded from the ceiling and people dancing in the
aisles.
Had there been a better concert for the money would have been far-fetched.
Insiders close to the music scene claimed it was the best this city has ever
seen.
More than 1,300 patrons crammed their way into the theater which proved
near-capacity. There was no generation gap. Children were seen singing many
of the patriotic songs they learned at camp while elderly were wiping away
the tears of sentiment with many of the old-time favorites.
Sorry you baseball fanatics. Even the Red Sox winning a World Series title
last month couldn’t compare to this.
It was as emotional as it was entertaining, thanks to a 150-member troupe
that left no stone unturned behind artistic director and conductor Sebouh
Abcarian who was a whirlwind of motion at the podium.
When he wasn’t waving a baton, he was clicking his heals and shaking his
knees in cadence with the music. The maestro’s snow-white hair lends some
credence to his age.
This fall tour – first ever for North America marking a 7th anniversary –
began Oct. 18 in Los Angeles and concludes Nov. 20 at New York City’s
acclaimed Carnegie Hall with additional stops in Detroit, Chicago and
Canada.
Music was one thing, theatrics another. The extravaganza was beautifully
choreographed with lush costumes and striking village dances that had the
crowd swaying to every beat.
Singers, musicians, performing artists, soloists, dancers and even a
pantomime to set the tone, fused the sounds of Armenian culture and heritage
to its highest level.
KOHAR lived up to its billing as the only symphony orchestra that integrates
symphonic-jazz with traditional Armenian instruments to generate folk music
in a modern rendition.
Performed were works by Khatchatourian, Gomidas, Badalyan, Ashot, Ajemyan,
Ajemyan, Hekikmyan and Hovhannisyan among others.
Less than two decades ago – on Dec. 7, 1988 – Gyumri laid under rubble when
a devastating earthquake killed 10,000 inhabitants.
The brothers Khatchadourian of Lebanon (Harout, Shake and Nar), prompted by
their hearts and able to give generously, provided much-needed assistance to
the city that still lacked permanent housing and employment opportunities.
The brothers did more than revive a shattering economy. They nurtured talent
and excellence and helped resuscitate a downtrodden city’s spirit by
establishing the Kohar Music School for gifted children in 1997 in honor of
their parents Kohar and Aram.
The school was built in an old factory where the finest musicians were hired
as instructors, using top-notch instruments and classrooms furnished with
the most modern equipment.
In just three years, the school gave birth to a symphony orchestra and choir
under Abcarian’s direction, a Cyprus-born composer, conductor, painter and
educator for more than 50 years. Many of his compositions have been
performed universally and garnered a host of prizes for the artist.
Most appropriately, the Boston performance opened with the famous Valse from
Khatchatourian’s ballet "Gayane" and continued gaining impetus with each
number.
On came one soloist after another to sing their song as their gusto rattled
the chandeliers. The crowd clamored for more. There were no disappointments.
It was almost as if Abcarian and his cast hated to leave.
The finale mirrored a New Year’s Eve extravaganza. Nine dancers left the
stage and mingled with the crowd as the orchestra played on. One elderly
gent up front left his seat to dance with a pert Armenian and was rewarded
with a humble kiss on the cheek. It was that intimate.
Highlights were too numerous to mention, unless you wish to consider 50-odd
numbers over that time. One happened to be a canopy dance in which
performers marked time with a large floating veil.
The use of laser beams caused another stir as Armenian letters cascaded off
the stage and walls. Appearances by a mime in strategic places added a bit
of extra frivolity to the scene.
When Hamlet Chobanyan wasn’t escorting singers and musicians to the
forefront, he was staging his own antics, white face and all.
The use of old-country instruments like the doudouk, dehol and kanon offered
a striking contrast to say, the saxophone, harp and trombone. But the sound
remained homogeneous and well defined.
Gagik Malkhasian (doudouk) and Anahit Valesyan (kanon) were truly
indispensable with their instruments.
The singers, too, remained a class act, led by Heghine Hambardzoumyan,
Alexan Haroutyounyan, Vazgen Ghazaryan, Satenik Sargsyan, Lianna Tevosyan,
Arsen Grigoryan and Vahan Grigoryan.
With one DVD to its credit, KOHAR will soon release another from its Moscow
tour last April. The group has also performed in Istanbul.
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3. Mgrditchian Lectures on Historic Sites at Hamazkayin Book Sale
(A.W.)-The Hamazkayin Educational and Cultural Association’s New Jersey
chapter organized a two-day book sale on Oct. 20-21 at the St. Vartanants
Church to coincide with culture month.
Local youth have become more active in the Hamazkayin chapter, blowing a
breath of fresh air throughout the region and community, and facilitating
the planning and success of the book sale, which included not only books,
but CDs, crafts and souvenirs.
On Oct. 21, the book sale concluded with a lecture by guest speaker Khajag
Mgrditchian, editor of the Hairenik newspaper in Watertown, titled "Armenian
Historic Sites in Western Armenian and Turkish Policies." Mgrditchian showed
a video on some of the damage historic Armenian sites have undergone in
recent years due to Turkish governmental policies of neglect. The video,
called "The Martyred Relics of a Martyred People," clearly illustrated the
damage done to the Varaka Monastery, the St. Garabed of Mush, Khtskong and
other Armenian sites.
Mgrditchian spoke about those responsible for the damage, namely, Turkish
officials, treasure hunters, and those wanting to cover up the true
ownership of the lands in Western Armenia. He also spoke about the recent
Turkish policy of repairing a couple of Armenian sites in order impress
international organizations, such as the EU, while attracting tourists. "The
Akhtamar Church was renovated, but it did not have a cross on top, and the
authorities refused to allow the Prelacy the right to oversee the church and
use it as an active place of worship," Mgrditchian said. "Instead, the
authorities labeled it a museum. Thus, Turkey, which has destroyed thousands
of relics, is attempting to minimize the huge wealth of Western Armenia,
and, by renovating one church, is attempting to use it as a propaganda tool.
Turkish leaders don’t miss a chance to mention the renovations of the
church. It isn’t coincidental that immediately after the renovation of the
Akhtamar Church the number of tourists grew. And it’s not coincidental that
other regions are being encouraged to take such steps, since the economic
return is so high," he added.
Mgrditchian then talked about the phenomenon of guided tours to Western
Armenia for diasporan Armenians. According to the speaker, these tours need
to be more organized and disciplined, with the goal of educating the
participants. Otherwise, he said, the trip becomes nothing more than a
touristy journey into Turkey.
Mgrditchian said the damage being done to Armenian relics and the disregard
for minority rights in present-day Turkey is evidence that a crime-an
attempt to eradicate traces of a nation-is still being perpetrated in the
country.
The question-and-answer session after the lecture was evidence of the
interest in the subject. The discussion touched on subjects such as
Turkified Armenians and the practical steps to protect Armenian monuments in
Turkey.
—————————————– ——————————————–
4. St. Gregory Church Celebrates 37th Anniversary
By Tom Vartabedian
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.-God-willing, Nishan Dagley may one day exchange his
elementary school teaching career for a life in the church.
The 55-year-old was ordained an acolyte and stole bearer on Nov. 11 by
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian in what may well be the first step toward
maturity.
The elevation highlighted the 37th anniversary of St. Gregory Armenian
Church, which also commemorated the 15th anniversary of Der Vartan Kassabian’s
ordination into the priesthood.
A packed congregation witnessed the ceremony, marked by family, friends and
parishioners, which spilled over to an anniversary dinner inside the
newly-renovated $275,000 Jaffarian Hall.
"It’s an honor to serve God this way," beamed Dagley. "My only regret was
not having my parents here to share this moment. They would have been
proud."
So would have his late brother, Rev. Haroutiun Dagley, a Diocesan priest who
lost his life to illness at age 46, leaving behind two young children and a
wife of 13 years.
Nishan Dagley waited for this moment since 2005 when he joined the church
and began serving on the altar. He has the support of his wife Carolyn and
three children, Stephen, 24, Kristen, 20, and Johanna, 15.
Though there is no specific timetable when he might take his final vows,
Dagley will next make his approach to deacon, then senior deacon and finally
priesthood. The fact his age may be a deterrent bears little consequence.
The man is determined.
"My wife is okay with the decision to become a priest and finish the work my
brother started," he said. "The church has given me a place to serve and a
better understanding of my language and faith."
Dagley is Armenian on his mother’s side (Berberian) and was raised in both
the Armenian Apostolic and American Baptist churches. He later taught Sunday
School at the Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Cambridge.
Away from the church, Dagley teaches school in Lexington which he once
attended. He makes his home in the rural section of Bradford, a community he
has grown to love.
"We all share in the blessing and elevation of Nishan Dagley," said Bishop
Anoushavan, who left shortly after for three months in Beirut. "Nishan
serves as an inspiration for others to follow. These are very humble orders
which open a door to the church. Whether we’re ordained or not, we remain a
holy nation called upon to serve as ambassadors of God."
His Grace encouraged the schoolchildren to remain as young disciples and
others to take an active stand in promoting the welfare of the church
community.
Although much of the early attention focused on Dagley, the dinner portion
regaled Der Vartan’s tenure. Several took to the podium to honor the 15-year
cleric "for a job well done."
"We’re very fortunate to have such a devoted church leader at a time when
the church is going through such a transition with its building and future,"
said board chairman John Kulungian.
Children from the Sunday and Armenian Schools joined together in presenting
the pastor with a large anniversary card and showered him with affection.
As a gift, the board presented him with new vestments and outer garments
designed and made by choir soloist Seta Ohannessian.
Images of Der Vartan’s grandchildren filled the screen with deep emotion,
followed by stirring family messages from Yeretskin Pauline and son
Mgerditch (Mgo), himself a stole-bearer who appeared in his high school ROTC
uniform.
"You can be the best Der Hayr in the world but the unsung hero is my wife,"
lauded Der Vartan. "It’s not about me but my family-the people who stood
behind me when I needed them. Being a priest is not a job, but a way of life
and I wish I could do it for a million years. My heart is an open door."
Honored with Prelacy citations for their generosity were members of the
Saragas and Maroun families of Greater North Andover. Both own bakery
businesses and have donated items for all occasions through the years.
Veteran member Nevart Movsesian presided over the candle-lighting ceremony.
Also applauded for their role in the kitchen with Jimmy and Anne Apovian,
along with their assistants. A turnout of 160 guests joined in the
celebration.