PRESS RELEASE
Fund for Armenian Relief
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Edina N. Bobelian
Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849
E-mail: edina@farusa.org
Website:
January 23, 2008
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FUND FOR ARMENIAN RELIEF ORGANIZING ITS 12TH ANNUAL YOUNG PROFESSIONALS TRIP
TO ARMENIA
Reflections & HYElights on the 2007 FAR YPT
By Natalie Gabrelian
Alumna, 2007 FAR YP Trip
The 12th annual FAR Young Professionals Trip will be May 31 to June 12,
2008. The two-week trip to Armenia will include tours of the entire
country, with overnights in Yerevan, Gyumri, Sanahin, Lake Sevan, and Goris.
Participants will visit FAR’s projects as well as meet with high-ranking
officials in Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with His Holiness
Catholicos Karekin II in Etchmiadzin.
The FAR trip provides the ideal opportunity for young professionals between
the ages of 23 and 40 to travel to Armenia as a group. Participants in FAR’s
Young Professionals Trip do more than just see the country’s sites. They
learn about Armenia’s place in the world – her religious, political and
economic heritage – and engage government and religious leaders in official
state visits. The FAR trip is a great way to discover Armenia’s treasures.
Space is limited. Contact Arto Vorperian at (212) 889-5150 or
arto@farusa.org to be notified when the application is posted online.
For a better understanding of what happens on FAR’s Young Professionals
Trip, read Natalie Gabrelian’s account from her 2007 visit to Armenia:
ON BOARD WITH PASSPORT AND BUTTERFLIES
Twenty-six years. That’s how long it had been since my last and only visit
to Armenia as a child. But that’s not to say the desire to do so wasn’t
there. I had been on a mission to revisit our mayr hairenik (the mother
fatherland) since my days as a teen, even setting up a temporary decorated
donation can in my house back in 1991 that alerted every guest to `Help Send
Natalie to Armenia!’
Whether it was school, work, family or community responsibilities, there had
always been – and seemed there would always be – a reason holding me back
>From fulfilling my promise. Year after year I had heard so many rave about
their experience on the FAR Young Professionals trip, and year after year I
had been filled with jealous regret. So when the opportunity presented
itself, I realized it was now or never. I decided I was done excusing
myself from making the pilgrimage back to Armenia.
But how would I feel after all these years? Would the country I briefly got
to know as a child welcome me back? Would I, trying hard to find fresh air
in the cloud of cynicism, welcome it? I promised to go with an open mind
and open heart, knowing things would be different this time around. I had
changed. The country had changed. Once the young child in an old Soviet
republic, I would now be a grown woman in a young independent country. With
passport in hand and butterflies in my stomach, I embarked on my journey.
EDELWEISS, EDELWEISS
This is the true story, of twelve strangers, picked to live in a house, and
have their lives taped…hold up hold up…wrong script. THIS is the true story
of 12 strangers, whose trip began with fourteen hours in lovely Vienna.
Although Julie Andrews wasn’t there to personally have the hills come alive
with the sound of music, neither the scorching sun of that Sunday afternoon
in June, nor the rain shower and hail storm that surprisingly followed,
would stop us from enjoying some crisp apple strudel, Viennese coffee, and
schnitzel with noodle. In fact, I simply remember my favorite thing being
how quickly we all become friends!
WELCOME TO ARMENIA!
The red-eye flight scheduled for our 10:30pm departure to Yerevan was
delayed, of course. But I didn’t mind because I got the chance to catch up
with an old friend I was pleasantly surprised to run into at the terminal,
who had recently moved back to Armenia. There would be a few more pleasant
run-ins over the next two weeks. It’s funny how many people from around the
world you just happen to see on the streets of Yerevan. It’s almost like
there’s a big magnet gravitating us all to Armenia at the same time.
`Welcome to Armenia,’ illuminated the Viva Cell sign, offering a picturesque
view of Lake Sevan, high above the visa counter at Zvartnots International
Airport. More modern and beautiful than the European airport we had left
just a few short hours ago, Zvartnots’ facelift had me awe-struck. It may
have been 5:20am, and I may have been running on minimal sleep, but that’s
not why my dry, irritated eyes began tearing immediately. I had not stepped
foot in that building for a quarter of a century, but I knew right then I
had been welcomed home. Later that day, the group gazed out across the
valley and breathed in the framed view of the snow-capped Ararat Mountains
through the arch of Yeghishe Charents. It didn’t matter if you knew the
poet’s work by heart or if you didn’t speak a word of Armenian, the
sentiment was unanimous, `…Ashkharh antsir, Ararati nman jermak gagat chka…’
(`…Pass the whole world, there’s no summit as white as Ararat…’).
`MER LENINAKAN SIROUN KAGHAK’
The lyrics of the popular song hold true. Leninakan (or Gyumri) – our first
stop on a six day excursion to the outskirts of Armenia – is in fact a
beautiful city. However, even on a simple drive down the city’s main road,
one can’t help but notice that this city of old resembles a wandering youth
in search of an identity in a world of paradox…a rebirth that’s long
overdue. On the right are the newly constructed multistory apartment
buildings care of U.S. philanthropist Kirk Kerkorian. On the left are the
`temporary’ refuges set up after the devastating earthquake in 1988. It
didn’t take long to realize that in essence, the true beauty of the city
emerges from within its people, both young and old, who while literally and
figuratively dusting off 20 years of ashes and tending to remnant scars of
the earthquake that shook not only our Armenian land but the entire Armenian
nation, are rebuilding their foundations and paving the way to a strong,
hopeful future.
The Gyumri IT Center, one of FAR’s economic development projects in
Armenia’s northern provinces, strives to prepare young adults for worldwide
opportunities in information technology. The Center is equipped with
computer and human resources specializing in such areas as software
development, networking & system administration, and English language
proficiency, as well as technical support from onsite Peace Corps
volunteers. A part of the site tour led us to a classroom where students
were preparing for an exam. Only Armenian gall would allow us to walk in.
Only Armenian hospitality would welcome the intrusion.
On the next site visit, the cheerful promise of youthful hope that had
filled us just moments earlier at the IT Center morphed into empathy for
aged melancholy. Providing daily lunch to over 200 of Gyumri’s elderly
throughout the year, FAR’s Nishan & Margrit Atinizian Senior Center
(formerly the Hagop S. Touloukian Senior Center) feeds the stomachs and
souls of less fortunate mamigs and babigs who have lost family and fortune
to the tragedy of 1988. Our tears did not subside during our short visit to
the soup kitchen, but it seemed that much like with each sip of soup, with
every tear drop, the seniors received – and gave – energizing nourishment.
Housed in temporary tin shelters desperate for renovation since 1988, the
exterior of the Azad Shishian Octet Music School may not have the
impressively grandiose presence of New York City’s Juilliard School, but it
surely has the impressively rich talent within. Even though school was out
for summer, the children had come in to treat an audience of family and
friends from America to a private concert. Choral performances were
complimented by a modestly elaborate showcase of musical artistry on
instruments ranging from the traditional (piano, violin) to Armenian folk
(kanon, dhol, zurna). After a few celebratory shots of cognac and samplings
of chocolate, we left singing the tune of promise for the future of Gyumri.
DOWN BY THE LAKE
No vacation would be complete without some recreation and relaxation. Thus,
Day 2 on the outskirts found us enjoying the sights, sounds, and sun of Lake
Sevan – savoring the grilled fish at the lakeside restaurant, prayerfully
admiring the sacred monasteries (and souvenirs) atop the Sevan peninsula,
and having a splashing good time poolside at the Avan Marak Tsapatagh
Tufenkian Heritage hotel. Brave members of the group even took a dip in
Lake Sevan’s chillingly refreshing water, while those less daring simply got
their toes wet. Late night games of Russian billiards and backgammon were
toasted into the early hours of the morning.
KARABAGHUH MERN EH! (Karabagh is Ours!)
I was 12 years old the first time I raised a fist and shouted those words in
protest at the onset of the war with Azerbaijan in 1988. After years of
political activism and a long hot bus ride through the Lachin (now Berdzor)
Corridor, I was welcomed into independent Artsakh by a humble yet
overpowering signpost that exclaimed, `Azad Artsakhuh Voghchunum Eh Dzez.’
As we drove down the Pan Armenian Highway uniting Armenia (Goris) and
Karabagh (Stepanakert), much like the pavement beneath us, this
American-born Armenian’s dream of unity with a distant but relative land was
now a reality.
During the 2 days spent here, I couldn’t find a shred of physical evidence
in its beautifully mountainous terrain or in the bright vitality of its
people to explain why this region would ever be considered a black (kara)
garden (bagh). We had the honor of dining and dancing with decorated
soldiers from the first tank division of Karabagh’s Defense Army, and
bearing witness to a wedding ceremony at the Tatik and Papik monument in
Stepanakert, meeting with the mayor of the province of Askeran, visiting
regional homes that are part of FAR’s reconstructive efforts through a grant
>From USAID, seeing the rocket missile that wounded but could not destroy the
13th century monastery of Gandzasar in Martakert, and paying homage to
memorial monuments and the Ghazanchetsots Cathedral of Shushi.
A DAY IN GORIS
I’ve never felt more Armenian than in Karabagh. The ethnic pride that
courses through the locals’ veins, that accents their every spoken word, is
an extremely contagious energy – and without a doubt, Armenians from afar,
like myself, are most susceptible to this `infection.’ But it was time to
return to Armenia, so after filling our hearts with this love, filling our
lungs with the fresh Karabagh air, and filling the tour bus with gas, we
headed off to Goris. As if the journey along the torturously winding dirt
roads to the remote majestic Tatev Monastery perched atop the mountains
wasn’t death defying enough, the daredevils of the group decided to cross
wooden construction planks in the niches of the church complex currently
under renovation, all resulting in a more religious experience, as you can
be sure we were praying and calling to God to get us safely across (and
avoid the 10 foot drop). Safe and sound, we tied ribbons on the tree of
wishes at the stone memorial along the road. Later that evening, the group
felt right at home enjoying dinner and the warm hospitality at a local
family’s bed & breakfast.
TAKE ME HOME TO YEREVAN
Though the six days exploring the outskirts of Armenia proved to be an
enriching excursion, we looked forward to going home…home to Yerevan, that
is. The drive back to Yerevan took us on a reverse journey from the new to
the old. With its reconstruction rightfully giving it the name of `new
monastery,’ the climb up the cantilevered steps of the 13th century Noravank
monastery seemed to mirror the centuries of Armenian struggle, and proving
that in the face of fear, determination helps you rise to your hopes and
dreams. At Khor Virap, the hot, claustrophobic descent down the metal
ladder of the long and narrow shaft into the dark pit of St. Gregory
illuminated our souls with the Christian foundation laid over 1700 years
ago.
TEN MEMORIES OF YEREVAN
While we can fill volumes with our anecdotal stories of how we got a taste
of Armenia, sampling the sweet donuts at Grand Candy or bargaining at the
Vernissage marketplace, here are ten memories of the remaining days spent in
Yerevan, being tourists by day and living like locals at night.
1) Quenching our thirst for the States with a cold bottle of Coca Cola Light
2) Discovering ourselves in the garden of letters at the cathedral and tomb
of St. Mesrob Mashdotz
3) Looking out upon the precious future through the frame of the treasured
past at the Matenadaran Museum of Ancient Manuscripts
4) Meeting with His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and
having him break our nervous silence by asking us if we had gone to any of
Yerevan’s jazz clubs
5) Sipping sourj at Jazzve Café – `cause you can’t tell your fortune from
the bottom of a Starbucks cup
6) Having the playroom at FAR’s Children’s Center erupt with innocent
chuckles after this comical exchange – Shorter Little Boy: `Let’s see who’s
taller.’ Taller Little Boy: `Ok.’ Shorter Little Boy: `Bow down your head
so I can measure.’
7) Hot, flaky, cheese-oozing Khatchapouri – fresh from the oven – or
leftover!
8) Step-side seats to the HIV/AIDS prevention concert hosted by the Armenian
Red Cross and the Cafesjian Museum Foundation at the Cascade complex set
against the backdrop of Mt. Ararat
9) Gaining – and offering – insight on how best to nourish a developing,
free and independent Armenia with Foreign Minister, Vartan Oskanian
10) Finding it hard to say goodbye.
PRICELESS
It truly was hard to say goodbye to the good food, good fun, and good
friends. But we had to accept the sad reality that the time had come to go
back to the lives and loved ones we had left back home. Yet somehow we just
couldn’t part with our homeland or the new life and family we had created
over the two weeks in Armenia. My sincere thanks to all those who made it
possible: FAR’s Project Director Arto Vorperian and the FAR staff (NY,
Armenia, Karabagh), our tour guide and comedian Galust Ovsepyan, and our
fearless driver and silent protector Harut Galustyan.
Upon return I was asked if I was ever homesick. `How could I be,’ I
replied, `I never left home!’ I returned to the States with a heart full of
a rekindled love for my heritage and culture, a suitcase full of souvenirs,
and a photo memory stick full of, well, memories. They say a picture is
worth a thousand words, but my 726 shots of Armenia are priceless.
ABOUT FAR
Since its founding in response to the 1988 earthquake, FAR has served
millions of people through more than 220 relief and development programs in
Armenia, Karabagh and Javakhk. It has channeled over $265 million in
humanitarian assistance by implementing a wide range of projects including
emergency relief, construction, education, medical aid, and economic
development.
FAR, one of the preeminent relief and development organization operating
there, is dedicated to realizing the dream of a free, democratic,
prosperous, and culturally rich Armenia. It works towards a brighter future
by partnering with donors to make life better for vulnerable people
For more information on FAR or to send donations, contact us at 630 Second
Avenue, New York, NY 10016; telephone (212) 889-5150; fax (212) 889-4849;
web ; e-mail far@farusa.org.
– 1/23/08
E-mail photos available upon request.
Caption 01: No it’s not the cast of Ocean’s 11 at the Bellagio; it’s FAR’s
2007 YPs in Vienna.
Caption 02: The 2007 FAR Young Professionals with Project Director Arto
Vorperian in front of the Arch of Yegishe Charents.
Caption 03: The dining hall of the FAR Senior Center.
Caption 04: Members of the FAR YP group with some of the young artists and
FAR Gyumri Office Director Marina Bazayeva .
Caption 05: Natalie high atop the Sevan Peninsula.
Caption 06: Poolside fun at Lake Sevan.
Caption 07: 2007 FAR YPs with the mayor of Askeran (center) and FAR
Stepanakert Office Director Andranik Sargsyan (left).
Caption 08: 2007 FAR YPs on the grounds of the Gandzasar Monastery in
Martakert.
Caption 09: Echoing the inscription of the Tatik and Papik monument, FAR YPs
stand tall and proud claiming, `We are our mountains!’
Caption 10: A sign in Shushi, speaking out for all of Karabagh, `One
nation’s homeland cannot become another’s permanent land.’
Caption 11: After making wishes, the 2007 FAR YPs take a seat for a group
photo set against the backdrop of the majestic mountains of Tatev.
Caption 12: Along the steps of the Noravank Monastery.
Caption 13: Descending the steps into Khor Virap.
Caption 14: Coca Cola Light
Caption 15: N is for Natalie
Caption 16: A view of Yerevan and Masdhotz Street from the Matenadaran
Caption 17: The FAR YPs with His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II
Caption 18: Getting a jolt of caffeine at Jazzve Cafe
Caption 19: The smiling faces of the FAR Children’s Center
Caption 20: Khatchapouri!
Caption 21: The `Cascade’-ing Steps
Caption 22: Meeting with Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
Caption 23: Saying goodbye at the Cilicia Restaurant